Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Movie Night at the Westdale Theatre


12x12 oil on canvas sold
This painting was challenging for several reasons. There were too many colors, so I was concerned about maintaining color harmony. I could have chosen a limited palette, but all of the sparkly lights of this old movie theatre and the lights of the stores were a big part of the attraction for me. Using more colors than I normally do, I also worried about having the road turn into a mud color.
This theatre dates from the 1930's and is one of the few, if not the only, theatre of its era still in use in Hamilton. Next to it is the Bean Bar, a great coffee place.

14 comments:

Studio at the Farm said...

Catherine, I think you've dome a wonderful job, and colors are brilliant.

Ramesh Jhawar said...

Wow...beautiful scene...great atmosphere and lovely colors!! Well done :)

Kerri Settle said...

This painting is a definite eye-catcher; the colors are so rich.

Pat O'Driscoll said...

Love the mood you captured,great!

suzannepaints said...

Your entire blog is charming. O Canada! I love the notes you provide regarding history, geography, location. Your work is just lovely. You convey a true sense of the scenes, light and real and atmospheric.

Marian Fortunati said...

This is such a fun painting!

Marie Theron said...

A lot of 'social comment' in this painting, Catherine! The rhythms and patterns remind me of how people get together to park in rows, then sit in rows and do the same thing. And as they are so clever with evocative music in the cinema, we even sigh or tense up, laugh or fear in unison. The warm colours of the night makes the cinema so friendly and inviting!

Becky Joy said...

I like the sparkly colors and light. I think it worked well in this painting.

shirley fachilla said...

Here's the Carolyn Anderson palette per your request: Cad red lt, terra rosa, yellow or gold ochre, permanent yellow med., perm. yellow lt, perm. orange, terra verte, viridian, ultrmarine blue deep, mineral violet, crimson lake or alizarin, burnt sienna, white. She uses holbein oils.

Ruth Andre said...

This painting may have been a challenge but the completed work is quite nice.

Darlene Twitchell said...

This is fantastic! I love the reflections in the road. You did such a great job capturing the mood!

Edward Burton said...

This is fantastic, Catherine! I love those old movie theatres. Wonderful reflections.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

I think you handled this well. The neutral colors in the background are a good counter point to the colorful foreground.

mary maxam said...

Dazzling! The color harmony worked out perfectly and you made it look too easy :)