It was on my bucket list to 'do one day' (one of those, you know) to go and paint at the Golden Gate bridge. A double edge sword of opportunity meets a sadly popular suicide spot.
We all start with a blank canvas...
My last visit here was back in 1994 as a Civil Engineering student at Cal Poly, further down the state in San Luis Obispo, so the functionality of the bridge I noticed a couple of decades before was now viewed in more artistic terms...
Stripping out the most basic aspect of the bridge combining it with the most basic aspect of my work....
It just felt right to keep it clean and simple, not trying to be too clever.....
I'd not noticed the 'Visitors' sign (bottom right of the picture) and writing this article triggered this wonderful Earl Scruggs / Johnny Cash song 'We are only passing through....'
Excuse the diversion to this legend, Johnny Cash but another great inspiration....
So having driven across the Golden gate (taxi in 1994) hitched hike back the other way (long story) sailed under it some 6 months later and flew over it 24 years later I've a positive affinity to the bridge....
Take it to the bridge : 90% in
There's a wisdom / gift in painting of knowing when to stop - 'THAT"S POPPIN" exclaimed my agent, generally a good sign that it's got the WOW factor and little else needed, for now so it was back to base up in Sacramento....
It was the right decision as the painting needed more red and gold acrylic touches. Then it was a gloss over a couple of times before headed to Colby, photographer of choice, of CB Photography & Videography to really bring out that colour....
To give you a sense of scale.....
It's not too heavy at least although we're lining up framing options......
Then it was back to San Francisco a couple of weeks later where we raised a celebratory glass of the finest Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe and the legend Larry, who having worked there for 46 years inspired another California collection.....
But that's another story!
So enquire about acquiring this original just buy it right here, email jim@dollarsndart.com or why not go for one of the fine art print options?
