Yay for year 9! Bridges.
"A picture is nothing but a bridge between the soul of the artist and that of the spectator" ~ Eugene Delacroix.
Bridges connect people, places, things and are a part of our landscape and history. I'll start in Wisconsin and move across the world painting some of these beautiful, magnificent structures.
Day 1 "Bridge to Nowhere, Hoan Bridge" 11 x 14, Acrylic on canvas.
There are 179 bridges in Milwaukee alone, pedestrian, rail and vehicle. Many of them have unique histories and stories (check out War Bridge in Milwaukee). Due to delays in the planned freeway system construction of the Hoan Bridge it was nicknamed "Bridge to Nowhere". The Hoan is beautiful when it's all lit up at night!
SOLD
Day 2 "Bascule Bridge & Brats" 11 x 14, Acrylic on canvas.
The State Street bascule bridge is a vertical lift and the oldest bridge in Milwaukee still in use.
It also has a great view of Usinger's Famous Sausage.
Day 3 "Red Bridge" 12 x 12, Acrylic on artist birch cradle board.
Some 40 covered bridges dotted Wisconsin, new few remain. "Red Bridge" as it was first called in in Cedarburg on Covered Bridge Road. Some say covered bridges existed to shelter travelers, protect trusses, or perhaps they made it easier for animals (oxen, horses) to cross rivers rather than an open bridge. Either way they are a joy to discover.
Day 4, "Industrial Scenery" 10 x 10, Acrylic on artist birch cradle board,
Industrial Scenery is Milwaukee Swing Bridge on the Milwaukee River. Used mainly for trains that now are long abandoned. The bridge is now parked in the open position. Wonder how it could be re-used? Maybe a park or could someone build a home on it?
Day 5, "Crossing Over Turtle Creek", 9 x12 Acrylic on canvas.
This Rock County arched bridge just might be the oldest stone arch bridge in Wisconsin dating 1869. The bridge is 387 feet long and was added to the National Register of Historic Places!
Day 6 " Pamperin Park Foot Bridge" 11 x 14, Acrylic on canvas.
This impressibe granite stone foot bridge is in the town of Howard, Wisconsin. I grew up not far from it and it was a big treat when we went there as a family. The park has a big stone pavilion an and expansive green space but one of the things I remember most was that you could drive your car thru the creek (Duck Creek), It was a shallow creek. Probably can't do that anymore I'm guessing.
SOLD
Day 7, "I Beam Bridge Over KK", 10 x 10, Acrylic on birch artist cradle board.
This simple I beam bridge is located in Pulaski Park, Milwaukee. I just liked all the graffiti on it. Looks like a fun place to poke around. Built in 1923.
Day 8, "Grand Ave. Bridge, Neillsville" 11 x 14, Acrylic on canvas.
Once on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and then demolished in 1987. Short lived spot light. Too bad.
SOLD
Day 9, "Keel Road Overpass Arch #2, 9 x 12 Acrylic on canvas.
I have many fond memories of riding the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail with the Boy Scouts. The scenery is breathtaking and serene. No worries about traffic and an abundance of nature.
Day 10, "Wading Not Advised" 12 x 12, Acrylic on birch artist cradle board. Three bridges crossing the Wisconsin River along Hwy 130 are up for tear down. Apparently you can purchase the bridges. My connection with the Wisconsin River is camping on the sandbars, kayaking, canoeing with my son's awesome Boy Scout Troupe. Wonderful times.
Day 11, "The Hell Gate Bridge" 9 x12, Acrylic on canvas.
This steel through arch NYC railroad bridge is a favorite among model railroaders. We have a long history with Lionel trains in our family. Originally build for four tracks, the bridge currently carries two tracks of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and one freight track across the Hell Gate, a strait of the East River, between Astoria in Queens, and Randalls and Wards Island in Manhattan.
Hello Day 12! "George Washington Bridge" 9 x 12, Acrylic on canvas
The George Washington Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the New York City borough of Manhattan with the New Jersey borough of Fort Lee. The George Washington Bridge is the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge carrying over 103 million vehicles.
Day 13, "Bridge No. 28, Central Park", 10 x10, Acrylic on artist birch cradle board.
This is one of three cast iron bridges in Central Park. I'm in love with it! It's also know as Gothic Bridge. It's amazing to live in a city like New York and still have this quiet exquisitely design nature space. I do miss NYC. I will be painting all three!
SOLD
Day 14, "Bridge No. 27, Central Park", 10x10, Acrylic on birch cradle board.
The second of three cast iron bridges in Central Park. This bridge carries pedestrians over the bridle path to the Reservoir running track. I love the elegance the bridge brings to the park.
Day 15, "Bridge Nol. 24, Central Park" 10 x 10, Acrylic on artist birch cradle board.
The last of the three cast iron ornate bridges in Central Park that pedestrains use to go over the bridle path to the Resevoir running track. Central Park was designed with intricate pedestrian, bridle, and carriage paths to allow the visitors to experience the parks landscapte in a variety of ways.
Day 16, "Greywacke Arch, Central Park", 9 x12, Acrylic on canvas.
Another stunning Central Park bridge. This one takes pedestrians to the Great Lawn. The Moorish design was built with sandstone and greywacke from the Hudson River and with brownstone from the Passaic in New Jersey, a beautiful combination. BTW, the Great Lawn is used for relaxing, picnicing, playing, softball and enjoying the scenery.
Day 17, "Rustic Ramble Bridge, Central Park" 9x12, Acrylic on canvas
There are 39 bridges in Central Park. This little gem goes over Gill Stream and has a terrific view of the city (Fifth Avenue). I really would like to paint each and every bridge!
Day 18, "Bow Bridge, Central Park" 11x14, Acrylic on canvas,
One of the most iconic features in the park, it was built in 1862. Known as a romantic meeting place, it has been featured in many movies. Bow Bridge gets its name from the graceful arc shape resembling an archers bow. It is also the second oldest cast iron bridge in the US.
Day 19, "Michigan Ave Bridge" 11x14, Acrylic on canvas.
A great view of the Wrigley building and the Michigan Ave. bridge,(aka DuSable Bridge) this bridge is movable, which allows boats to pass underneath. The bridge is a beautiful work of art and a great feat of civil engineering!
Day 20 and 2/3's of the way through! "First Bridge Over the Chicago River", 9x12, Acrylic on canvas.
Kinzie Street Bridge also know as Carroll Ave. Bridge. It is a single leaf bascule bridge across the north branch of the Chicago river. It was the worlds longest and heaviest bascule bridge back in 1908.
Day 21, "Chicago Loop Bridges" 11x14, Acrylic on canvas.
There are 18 movable bridges in the downtown area of the Chicago River. These bridges are raised for the bi-annual migration of sailboats to and from Lake Michigan!
Day 22, "Little Mary's River Covered Bridge" 9 x12, Acrylic on canvas.
This little bridge is close to the Mississippi River so it was used for the transportation of corn, lumber, and such by ox carts and wagons. Built in 1854, Little Mary's River covered bridge is the oldest covered bridge in Illinois.
Day 23, "John at Camp Pendleton, Portable Bridge", 9x12, Acrylic on canvas
Big Bear Mountains in the background on the grounds of the US Marine Corp's Camp Pendleton in Oceanside California. From a photo my had of him building bridges, footbridges, and floating bridges back in 1957. Thanks for your service dad.
SOLD
Day 24, "Queen Mary's Bridge & Neuschwanstein Castle", 11x14, Acrylic on canvas.
Though the castle is the most popular attraction in Germany, Queen Mary's Bridge is pretty amazing too! The first bridge was built in 1845 and was wooden so it needed replacement every few years. King Ludwig II decided to make it fancy with a more ornamental iron work which lasted a century. So high up!
SOLD
Day 26, Double day with 2 paintings. "Strasbourg on the Rhine" and "Love Locks" 8x10 and 8x8, both acrylic on canvas. 4 - fourth century towers overlook the stone bridge in the beautiful French city of Strasbourg. On another bridge down the river Love Locks adore the metal grid on the bridge.
SOLD
Day 27, "The Kapellbrucke" (Chapel Bridge), 8x10, Acrylic on canvas
In the city of Lucerne Switzerland sits the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, as well as the world's oldest surviving truss bridge. Beautiful place.
SOLD
Day 28, "Pont Neuf", 11x14, Acrylic on canvas
The oldest stone bridge in Paris. Henri IV ordered it to be constructed in 1578. 12 arches, 384 mascarpone or grotesque faces decorating the cornices and equestrian statue of Henri IV. C'est Magnifique!
Day 29, "Winged Horse on the Pont Alexandre III", 12x12, Acrylic on Artist Birch Cradle Board.
I love, love, love the golden winged horse! The Pont Alexandre III is a deck arch bridge that spans the Seine in Paris. It connects the Champs-Elysees quarter with those of the invalides and Eiffel Tower. The bridge is widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in the city of Paris. It has been classified as a French monument historique!
Day 30!! Sad but happy I made it through. "Crossing Over, Loews Lake" 12x12, Acrylic on artist birch board.
I could have easily continued on painting bridges, but alas, 30 days has come to an end. I have received several commissions this month. If you have subject that is near and dear to your heart, PM me or email me and we will se if we can make your vision a reality.
Thanks for following and thank you for your purchases!
