16x20 Oil on Canvas
I love old buildings and the atmosphere they create. Until a year ago, this great restaurant stood as it always has since the 1940's. The Lee family owned it, and they never closed. Their wonderful diner style furniture was made in Dundas for them when they opened. In the early seventies, Mr. Lee passed away. Mrs. Lee closed the doors, left everything untouched, and lived up stairs. The same juke boxes were at each table, the same cigarettes at the counter, the same old cash register. We used to peer into the windows to look at this great old place. Mrs. Lee lived to be 103, and when she died, her Grandson rented the place for movie shoots. Robin Williams was here to make a movie (our town is sometimes called Hollywood North) And then, a new restaurant opened. The furniture ripped out, and the diner was gone. I know change has to happen. I just don't like it.
19 comments:
You're really very lucky you can create such a symbol of beauty from the symbols of memory.
Yesterday I was making chili and my wife was reading Capote's "A Christmas Memory" aloud. Beauty and delights, some pass away and some remain forever.
A Merry Christmas.
This painting and the previous one are excellent, congratulations for such a fine work. cheers
A very charming painting and the story that goes with it makes it even more so. I can imagine sticking my nose up to the window and peering at the old tables and juke boxes....there is always change and we almost never like it.
Gorgeous! Such a mood about it... : ))
Your painting of the Delux is truly deluxe, Catherine!
I, like you, dislike changes. I never understood why people think that change is better. However, this painting is so beautifully painted and you'll have this memory forever. It's too bad her Grandson wasn't sentimental like you.!
Gorgeous painting, great mood and aerial perspective. You really capture winter in the city with that very greyed colour palette.
this is really fantastic!
You really create quite an atmosphere in both these paintings,(the train and the diner) beautiful and different, but similar, too!
Make sense? Great stories for both, art is such a recording of moods, feelings, times and moments standing still! You are like a poet!!!
Catherine I agree with Mary Ann..and i hope you don't mind me saying this, but for me, I think this last 'series' (3) are your strongest..for me at least, they trigger a response in the mystery of place and time--the train painting especially-it has immense presence for such a small work.
so moody..i like it!
I love those old signs and the wonderful character those restaurants had. It is sad to see them disappear. Wonderful painting, Catherine.
Beautiful palette.
Excellent painting Catherine and interesting story as well!
The same is going on in my country too! So many old buildings with beautiful and amazing architecture being demolished to make way for new dull ones!
You created a great atmosphere, and with perfect perspective.
It's sad to hear about the changes but it lives through in your painting. Beautiful atmosphere - I can imagine walking down the street on a cold rainy day and smelling the food and being drawn in.
Lovely picture and yes progress is so sad. Thankyou for sharing this story with us. Have a marvellous christmas and a happy new year. I hope the new year bring s you wonderful things. Kay
Love the atmospherics of these last two pieces. Just beautiful.
Atmosphere indeed! Outstanding!
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