Domino Sugar

It's a cold, grey, rainy day here in Owensboro. So why not start a cold, grey painting?

Once upon a time, I drove a big rig across the country for a living. One of my routes was into New York City. One day I was dispatched to pick up at the Domino Sugar Plant in Brooklyn. While I was getting loaded, I went around snapping photos of potential references for a future painting...something I did everywhere I went. While it was nearly 15 years ago that I was there, I'm just now getting to this one. I've got tons of photos, those from this period are all on film, I hadn't gone digital yet.

Subsequently, I did some internet research and that Domino Plant has been closed down. But, it has quite a history and is a landmark that will hopefully survive. (Update, I just seen that it has been demolished as of Oct. 2014...http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/10/20/see_the_destruction_of_the_domino_sugar_factory.php)

For the painting, I chose a wide format: 8"x16" oil primed panel. I was hoping I could squeeze the Empire State Building, which is across the river. But it was going to throw off the composition too much. I like the balance in this one.

The beginning. I wash Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine blue over the whole panel, then thin transparent darks to set the composition.

Stage 2, Now it's just a matter of building everything up in warm and cool greys and trying to maintain close values, while not losing contrast.

Stage 3, nearing completion. Just more of stage 2, with now tightening up some areas and pop in the red that gives some color and excitement to the painting.



My goals in my new work is to try and maintain a loose, painterly approach, while keeping a realistic look. Not as easy as it sounds.

Just going to keep plugging away.

Thanks for following along and visiting my site.