Milwaukee 30 Paintings 30 Days
It's my 11th year participating in the 30 Paintings 30 Days Challenge. It seems like it's about time I paint Milwaukee, my adopted city. I've lived in the area for 30 some years and have enjoyed the art, history and all the city has to offer.
Enjoy! All paintings are $275 plus shipping.
Day 1 "Village Clock, Polish Moon"
The Allen Bradley Clock Tower was the largest four faced clock in the world from 1962- 2010 and was built as the village clock for South Milwaukee. It was nicknamed "Polish Moon" as it towers over a once predominantly Polish neighborhood. I also chose the Allen Bradley Clocktower as my first painting to pay homage to Peg Bradley, who donated an incredible modern art collection to the Milwaukee Art Museum. I am forever grateful to her eye for collecting and her contribution to our great city.
Day 2, "Museum by the Lake", 11x14, Acrylic on canvas
Founded in 1882, the Milwaukee Art Museum is home to over 25,000 pieces of art. I've been a member of years and spending time in its galleries is a favorite pastime for me where I find inspiration and joy.
Day 3, "Kites at Veteran's Park", 9x12, Acrylic on canvas
The kites festival at Veterans Park is in its 37th year. The free event is held on Memorial Day weekend. It is a sight to behold with an array of kites flying sailing through the sky. The festival is FREE!
Day 4, "Ladybug Sighting", 8x10, Acrylic on canvas.
At 622 N Water Street three - 6 foot tall ladybugs are descending the Milwaukee Building. 26 years ago they latched on to the building and have been there ever since. Come enjoy and smile! "A ladybug sighting has been linked with luck in love, marriage, healing and newness in life"....
Day 5, "PBR Since 1844", 11x14, Acrylic on canvas.
Pabst Blue Ribbon was one of Milwaukee's Industrial brewing giants, operating in Milwaukee from 1844 to 1996, and the largest brewer in the United States for much of the nineteenth century.
Day 6, "Tied House", 9x12, Acrylic on canvas. SOLD
Tied Houses - taverns built and owned by breweries helped make Milwaukee a city of corner bars. More than a century after the tied - house boom in Brew City, these structures have become an iconic architectural feature of the city. This one is a Schiltz corner tavern located at 322 W State St. Check it out.
Day 7 "A Beautiful Church", 12x12, Acrylic on canvas
The Basilica of St. Josephat is a ministry of Conventual Franciscans on the South Side of Milwaukee in Historic Lincoln Village.
The Basilica is a Franciscan center for prayer and spirituality, inspiration and beauty. It is home to a roman Catholic parish and remains a testament to the faith of Polish immigrants that created it.
Day 8, "RiverWalk", 9 x12, Acrylic on canvas
One of the most treasured attractions is the Milwaukee RiverWalk, a charming pedestrian walkway that winds its way through the heart of the city. Its vibrant culture and picturesque landscape attract people year-round.
Day 9, "Gateway to the Third Ward", 11x14, Acrylic on canvas.
A favorite place to hangout and grab a bite to eat any time of the year. Great restaurants, shops and galleries. Lots of interesting history, steps from Lake Michigan and home to the city's top festivals.
Day 10, "World's Largest Music Festival", 12x12, Acrylic on canvas. A Wisconsin tradition, Summerfest is a concert series along Milwaukee's Lake Michigan lakefront. It attracts over 800,000 visitors during this week long celebration. Food vendors, carnival rides, music and more make this a summer highlight since 1968.
Day 11, "Free Parking on the River", 9x12, Acrylic on canvas.
So much to do along the Milwaukee River including kayaking, dining, strolling, shopping and exploring!
Day 12 of 30! "The Calling" 12x12, Acrylic on canvas.
The Calling is a public artwork by American artist Mark di Suvero located in the O'Donnell Park, which is on the lakefront in Milwaukee. The artwork was made in 1981-82 from steel I beams painted orange red color. The orange is beautiful against the color of the lake in the summertime. Explore all the outdoor public art in Milwaukee.
Day 13, "Step Inside", 8x10, Acrylic on canvas.
Plants make people happy, and with thousands of wild and wonderful plants growing and blooming inside the tropical, desert and floral domes, it's no surprise that the living museum is on of Milwaukee's most loved destinations.
Day 14, "City Lights", 8x10, Acrylic on canvas.
Driving through the city this past Christmas we enjoyed a sparkling light show right from the comfort of our warm car! Beautiful streets!
Day 15, "Bears on the Square" 9x12, Acrylic on canvas SOLD
Check out the Massimals in Cathedral Square out of hibernation and walking across the park!
Day 16, "The Hop", 11x14 Acrylic on canvas.
FREE! The Hop is free to ride! No tickets or vouchers needed! Just hop on and hop off to connect with jobs, entertainment, dining and more!
Day 17, "Lions at the Lighthouse" 12x12, Acrylic on canvas. Watch out for the lions at the North Point Lighthouse, Milwaukee. North Point Lighthouse stands tall, it's lantern room 140 feet above Lake Michigan. On the east side of the lighthouse are the "lion bridges" that cross a couple ravines on the south side of the building. The bridge that crosses this ravine was built in the late 1800's and provides an outstanding view.
Day 18, "Breakwater", 9 x 12, Acrylic on canvas.
The Milwaukee Breakwater lighthouse was built in 1926 in the harbor of Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin to mark the entrance to the harbor. One of the last fully enclosed breakwater lighthouses in the Great Lakes, the structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
Day 19, "Love on the Lake" Acrylic on canvas, 8x10.
Robert Indiana's sculpture in front of the MAM. Indiana's LOVE series is iconic, with endless meanings and implications. The bold graphic style of the lettering is part of the artist's appropriation of advertising, giving this particular work a flavorful punch. This emotionally generous and accessible body of work requires us to live up to its simple message of Love. Check out his series LOVE!
Day 20, "Birds at the Market", 9x12, Acrylic on canvas.
The 5 ft. Tall birds, patterned after swallows and made out of recycled plastic, will anchor a programming series, known as Out of the Box. The sculpture installation is know as REbirth and is a traveling exhibit.
Day 21, "The Swing Park", 11x14, Acrylic on canvas.
A lot of people, non locals in particular, don't know there's a swing park hidden beneth Milwaukee's iconic Holton Street Bridge. This secluded sliver of the city is basically an invitation for wearied adults to unleash their inner child. So cool!
Day 22, "Holler House", 8 x 10 Acrylic on canvas.
Holler House is a tavern that houses the oldest sanctioned tenpin bowling alley in the US. It contains the tow oldest sanctioned lanes in the nation, which are still tended by human pinsetters. It was opened in the Lincoln Village neighborhood of Milwaukee, in 1908. The Holler House came about when a German woman complained about the noise that was coming out the the bar in the 70's.
Day 23, "The Jazz Estate" 8 x10 Acrylic on canvas
Located on Milwaukee's Eastside, the Estate has been a vital part of the neighborhood for over 40 years. Unassuming and intimate, the space feels like the neighborhood cocktail joint of your dreams!
Day 24, "Housemade Specialties" 8x10 Acrylic on canvas SOLD
In 1947 Peter C. Sciortino and his wife Grace established Peter Sciortino Bakery. The aroma of fresh baked breads, rolls and cookies has since filled the Brady Street neighborhood.
Day 25, "Where All the Good Stuff Is" 9 x12, Acrylic on canvas SOLD
2024 Marks a milestone for Glorioso's Italian Market, 1011 East Brady Street, which has officially been a Milwaukee staple for 78 years. Go shopping for all things Italian, yummy!
Day 26, "Church of the Gesu" 8 x10, Acrylic on canvas
The foundation of the Gesu Parish stretches back to the year 1849, three years after Milwaukee was incorporated as a city. Lots of great history, check it out.
Day 27, "Heart of Marquette" 9x12, Acrylic on canvas
In the center of the Marquette University campus, with its mix of modern and vintage educational buildings, beats a sacred heart born in medieval France. Check out the history of this beautiful chapel being brought over brick by brick.
Day 28, "North Point Water Tower", 9x12, Acrylic on canvas
The Iconic North Point Water Tower, on the bluff above Lake Michigan, is symbolic of 145 years of service by the Milwaukee Water Works. The Victorian Gothic-style tower is a decorative cover over an open standpipe that absorbed pulsations of water from steam engines in the pumping station below the hill. The tower was first placed in service in 1874.
Day 29, "Winter at Wolski" 9x12, Acrylic on canvas
Wolski's Tavern was opened in 1908 by Bernard Wolski. Wolski's is inconspicuously located on Milwaukee's lower east side. They have become know for their bumper stickers "I Closed Wolski's" which you cannot buy!
Last Day, Day 30!
"Ball Park" 11x14, Acrylic on canvas
Home of the Milwaukee Brewers, this state of the art stadium features a fan shaped convertible roof anf four choices of front row seats for baseball fans to choose from. Play Ball!
