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"DESERT
CENTER GAS"
Oil on Canvas 5'x5'
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ABOUT “DESERT CENTER GAS”
I used a photo I took in Desert
Center, California, as the source for this painting. I liked the quality of desert light and the composition that was in the
photo and attempted to enhance these qualities in the painting.
I feel that the vertical and horizontal elements reflect
Mondrian and the way the light fixes the shadows to the ground is ,of course, like Hopper.
A friend of mine said that
my paintings reminded him of John Register. I think the qualities of the desert combined with the period of time in which
my painting has developed, just causes these references to happen.
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"LUDLOW
CAFE"
Oil on canvas
50"x50"
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ABOUT “LUDLOW CAFE”
Occasionally Jamie and I take the
northern route to visit my mom in Arizona. This adds at least six hours to our trip but allows for some interesting photo
opportunities.
The “Ludlow Cafe” is in Ludlow, California and stands abandoned, waiting for development or time to
tear it down. Over the years, I’ve noticed that the letters are disappearing, like a devolving, conceptual work of art.
I
stood on the ground in front of the cafe and shot the photo. I was painting a colorfield painting which evolved into the sky
and set the tone for the painting when I projected the image onto the canvas.
The paintings feeling of loss and entropy
inspired me to write a song that I titled “the Cafe”.
Note: I‘ve gone on Google and found several images of this sign
shot in different stages of its demise. It seems the place where I stood is somewhat of a natural location to take the photo.
I believe that all of the letters and the sign are gone now.
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If you visit stevetown I'd really appreciate your thoughts on
the paintings and the site: You can contact me at : steve@stevetown.net
Thanks,
Steve Metzger
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