BALTIMORE'S ARTSCAPE 2014 - Opens Friday, July 18

I can hardly believe it's already  time for Baltimore's Artscape 2014 this coming weekend. And I guess I've participated in about a dozen Artscape Artists' Marketplaces all together. Most people associate music, performances, art and heat with Artscape. And they would be right. But this year the weather forecasters are looking for cooler temperatures and maybe even a shower or two. I am trying to imagine wearing a sweater for this upcoming three-day-event which runs from Friday, July 18 to Sunday July, 20. Regardless of the weather it is always a festive atmosphere for meeting new and former customers and friends who stop by my booth. This year I have a lot of new work that includes a series of oil paintings portraying Baltimore's industrial waterfront in the past and present.  I'm in booth E-135 near Mt. Royal and Lanvale.  Come on by we'd be delighted to see all of you!

Pictured above is "Industrial Harbor, Baltimore" oil on  board (24" x 36")

B & O Railroad Grain Terminal- Locust Point

As far back as I can remember the concrete, grain silos have dominated the once teeming shores of Locust Point in Baltimore, MD. These imposingly tall towers marked the hub of trains and grains in our port city. Built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the early 1920s, the hulking structures and their odd looking chutes exported tons and tons of grain between freight trains and ships. However peculiar I thought the design was, it functioned extremely well. Since I could never get the image out of my head I decided to do a few paintings of it earlier this year.

"Locust Point Grain Silos" oil on canvas (12" x 24") 2014

As you stood on the Fort Avenue Bridge and gazed over the acres and acres of containers, buildings and railroad cars and tracks, it made a dizzying configuration that led you to comprehend the transportation puzzle. While I was working on this painting my generous friend and historian Wayne Schaumburg mentioned that he had some slides that he shot of this same location years ago as well. So I did this painting below using Wayne's slides.

"B and O Grain Terminal - Locust Point" oil on board (18" x 24") 2014

As with much of Baltimore's industry the silos ceased to serve the needs they once fulfilled and were transformed into luxury condominiums. The commercial developer has incorporated the silos into the updated structure which maintains its overpowering presence. And you can still watch the freight trains pass by on their way keeping our port business alive.