Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Arroyo Seco Freeway


"Arroyo Seco Freeway" is an historic engineering landmark (the CA110) between downtown LA and Pasadena. Constructed between 1938 and 1940, the parkway was designed for people to slowly drive along at 35mph and take in the view, considered to be leisurely and scenic. The old bridges on this stretch of road are amazing, I first saw them as I headed up to Pasadena to start college at the Art Center, they forever remained etched in my memory. I particularly like the morning light that was captured in this piece, along with the long blue shadows stretched across the foreground. "Arroyo Seco Freeway" is 18 x 24 inches, oil on canvas.

13 comments:

Eric Merrell said...

Wow, that's some plein air painting in the fast lane! : ) I like all of these bridges that you're focusing on, really is unique to the Arroyo. Thanks Tony.

Anonymous said...

Love the composition and how my eye is guided into the painting from the bottom left. My fav part: the shadows on the central barrier.

Diane Morgan said...

Hi Tony, this painting is fantastic. I think your work is way cool. I was looking down Jeff Hayes list of links to see who else was on it and your name caught my eye because my maiden name is Peters. Originally from the Midwest, I have tons of California relatives that I have never met because my grandfather did not speak to his brothers. Who knows maybe we're related :-}

tonypetersart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tonypetersart said...

Hey Eric,

Today I saw the article with you and the guys painting at Mohegan, it was really cool.

Glad you like the bridge paintings... setting up my plein-air kit in the fast lane is just one of the many things I'm willing to do to bring great art to those who enjoy it! *lol*

tonypetersart said...

Alexandre,

Much appreciated! I got really lucky being at the right place at the right time as far as the light goes, and not too many cars on the road either.

Kim VanDerHoek said...

Beautiful job capturing the time of day in this painting Tony. I've seen many roads that lead into different paintings but this one has those wonderful arches in the back that are a nice reward for my journey. I also like the urban subject.

You are so good at creating paintings with strong lines that lead me in!

tonypetersart said...

Thanks Kim, early morning or late afternoon light can often help make things work. I've photographed that particular bridge countless times over the years, and at every angle, but never got what I wanted until recently.

Diane Morgan said...

Hey Tony! bro :-}
I just noticed that you are a California Art Club member. It prompted me to go their site and join. Sounds great.
Diane Peters Morgan

tonypetersart said...

That's great Diane, the CAC is a fantastic club. The Gold Medal Exhibition is coming up at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, I'll have my painting "Looking Inward" in the exhibition. You should definitely check out the show if you can, there's allot of great work there by some very talented painters and sculptors.

Vikki North said...

Hello Sir Artist Tony,
Your work is outstanding. We live in San Diego and we are artist also. At least that's what they call us. You may even know us. We'd like to invite you to a member of our very Private Club. We're very selective and only an elite few are welcome. We pick you.

We even have a little 'chit chat' room. It's rightfully called Dante's Pub. But when your enter BEWARE! You are entering the abyss of the artist mind! You may not find your way out.

You're welcome to watch from afar while drinking your brew or pull up a chair and join us for a little chat. Be sure and register and then log in. After all, this is a very private club. We don't allow just any wanderer in our midst.

Don't dilly dally now! It wont cost you a pence. Check out The Artist Challenge and Dante's Pub- that is if your daring?

Farewell...until we hear from you,
Master Mike and the Pub Wench

Artist Challenge- http://www.theartistchallenge.com/
Dante‘s Pub - http://www.theartistchallenge.com/art-forum/

Simon Jones said...

This painting reminds me of so many old american movies I saw as a kid. Its like theres a common room in most peoples minds with memories like this, also very Hopperesque, great...

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