In between working on pet portrait commissions, I continue to work on my vintage series of old Americana neon signs.
I’ve been working on this series since 2020. The initial muse had been old, worn out signs, the remains of a bygone era, juxtaposed against a dramatic sky. As I would plan each composition in the series, I began to focus more on lighting. A lit sign at dusk, a storm coming in, etc. The focus shifted to the lighting. I was letting go of concrete reference imagery in lieu of using my imagination.
As I continue to delve into this vintage series I am excited to see it evolve. For me to be intentional to push the boundaries of my comfort zone has been rewarding. This process has been one of warmth - a friendly challenge, exploring story telling, and relying on my imagination for lighting sources and tones.
As a kid, one of my favorite artists was NC Wyeth. He along with Norman Rockwell were masters at visual story telling. Part of telling a story is capturing a mood. As this vintage series has evolved from strict visual references to utilizing my imagination to capture a specific mood. It has been liberating and fun.
The Last Stand by NC Wyeth
The Indian and his Solitude by NC Wyeth
Hold Up in the Canyon, NC Wyeth
NC Wyeth was a master with utilizing shadows and depicting late afternoon light. Both as a part of the composition as well as an aspect in telling a story. His use of light and shadow is dramatic. It captures a specific moment in time. Being reminded of these paintings I gazed upon years ago, I began to imagine adapting Wyeth’s use of shadow into several paintings in the vintage series.
Oftentimes, Wyeth used light and shadow strategically to frame his subject. Focusing on the lighting, I wanted part of the sign to be illuminated by the setting sun. My Welcome to Jackson painting was my first attempt at this type of lighting. What I like about Wyeth’s work is that details are still visible for subjects in the shadows. It’s those details that draw you in to take a closer look.
With this latest painting, I was interested in capturing the illuminated neon light in the shadows. The old sign slowly showing signs of life and a warm welcome as the sun sets and the dusk fades to black. The golden clouds and evening sky frame the old sign along with the silhouetted cactus in the foreground. On another level, perhaps it’s a competition between sunlight and illuminated neon. The sun graciously bowing out for the day, allowing the hum of neon to stake its claim in the night.
The artist, Nathan Rhoads with the original painting, October 2022.
So without further ado, I wish to present my latest painting in my Vintage Series…
Evening on the Mesa, Oil on Canvas, 24 x 30 in. Original and prints available for purchase.
