Friday, February 7, 2014

"Finished Trolley" Acrylic Canvas 24" x 30"

I am very happy with this finished work.
I got just about everything I wanted in this painting.  Happy when that happens!

Just started this one!  It is going to be marine painting.  The Flying Cloud Clipper Ship from East Boston's own Donald McKay
Spring time "Appeal To The Great Spirit"
Boston MFA

Winter time "Appeal To The Great Spirit"
Boston MFA
I took this photo Monday, just as snow began to fall.  I love the mantel of white snow on the warrior's shoulders and horses back!
Me!  Home from MFA in our woods just as storm started to intensify!
More than a foot of the beautiful white stuff!



Mountains of road salt stored at Boston Harbor.  The salt is usually mixed with sand and then spread on our Massachusetts roads during snow storms. The mixture along with snow plowing keeps our roads clear in the winter time!



22 comments:

  1. I can see why you are so happy with it Michael - it's FANTASTIC!! I find myself particularly drawn to the details on the front of the one on the left. The light looks great as does the East Boston sign and all the other finishing touches.
    Thanks for showing us how the statue is faring in this weather. He seems to be exulting in the snowfall - as do you in your own appeal to the Great Spirit! Love the photo of you out there in the elements! How great that you love your wild weather so much.
    I enjoyed seeing the mountains of salt - amazing! A friend was telling me that we have our own mountains of salt in some of our towns in the North West but I haven't seen them myself.
    Enjoy the snow!
    Wendy

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    1. Hello Mate! It has only a little over a week but it seems like an eternity since I wrote on my little art blog!
      Thank you so much Wendy for all your wonderful comments on my work! I am always so very happy when I see your name and your smiling face appear on the comment form! Thanks Cobber!
      I am so glad you like "The Appeal To The Great Spirit!" It has been a favorite of mine since I was a little boy! My mother loved art and she had a huge photo of the statue hung in our living room as far back as I can remember! I love, love the snow. There isn't much I don't love! I am so fortunate to have learned many years ago to appreciate so much that our little planet has to offer! The snow is so very wonderful. Not to drive in though! Oh since I last wrote because of all the snow we had and our having parts of our country our running out of road salt!! That mountain is getting smaller day by day! Take care and get some art out there por favor!
      G'Day Mate!
      Michael

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  2. I LOVE this finished painting, Michael!!! The added details on the trolley is fantastic, I like how you darkened the bottom of the trolley ...it brings out everything else... nicely done...!! We're expecting more snow tomorrow...so you'll probably get some as well!!!

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    1. Hello Hilda! I am thrilled that you like this piece! I have been so busy just today I found time to put the canvas on canvas stretchers! Oh, we did get snow! Quite a bit! Almost fifteen inches last week! And just today another six inches! I love the snow. It is still a wonder for me to look out my window every day and see everything covered completely in white!
      Love your work Hilda!
      Michael Snow!

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  3. Gorgeous painting Michael!!! Amazing textures, colors and the composition pulls you in with the lines of the tracks and cables.
    It's great to see a peek into your next work, I look forward to it!
    I love the Great Spirit statue pictures and you look like you are having fun in the snow! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hello My Ever So Talented Watercolorist Celia! You are so very kind with your wonderful compliments! Thank you! Grazie! I am glad you noticed so much about my work. I love so much about making art! One thing I am always wanting to do is add texture to my work! So I am glad you noticed that! Thank you!
      I do have fun in the snow! Many of my neighbors don't care for snow. I don't blame them. It can be dangerous. Driving in the snow can be treacherous. I think it is the artist in me that finds beauty in just about everything. The snow is one of the "everything" that I find so very beautiful! Take care Celia!
      Michael

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  4. Wow! Your painting turned out so wonderfully - trolleys in the snowstorm perfectly depicted! I just love it and think its my new favorite of yours! You are one awesome painter, Michael! And I envy you all that beautiful snow - I wish we had some but our winter has been very light on snow so far. Still - I am keeping my fingers crossed!

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    1. A "Wow!" from you Susan is so very wonderful! Thank you my friend! I am humbled and so very pleased that you even have a favorite of mine! Thank you so much for that Susan! Your compliments make my day and help motivate me to work. I am so very grateful for you and all my other art blogging buddies! Than you Susan for taking the time to write. I so appreciate it! I hope you finally get some snow. Since I last wrote we have had two more snow storms. Last week almost fifteen inches and today about six inches. Today we had to drive in a very serious storm coming home from Boston. I must admit I wasn't "loving"the snow too much then! All that being said I still love it and look forward to the next storm. I will never ever take for granted the beauty of looking out the window and seeing everything covered in a blanket of white. I imagine and artist could not feel otherwise! Take care Susan! I am so glad you are an artist and you share your work with us!
      Your So Very Appreciative Art Buddy!
      Michael

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  5. Looks great Michael! Great depth and richness with nice touches of crisp detail, you nailed it! Hey, was the statue moved on site at some point? It has a different background. Love those rock salt piles. They are ethereal, you should paint them. It is a great subject. Rock (salt) on buddy, rock on!
    Keep painting...
    hope you are surviving the cold!

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    1. Hello David! Thank you again buddy for taking the time to write. I was telling Wendy it seems like an eternity since I last wrote. I am sorry in responding so late. I am glad you like my trolley David! Just at the last minute I decide to add the details on one and leave the other with none. I wanted one to stand out and the other to fade away! Thanks David!
      I am so glad you pointed out the positioning of the statue. I took the one with the snow recently! The one in the sun I am not sure when I took the photo! I neve noticed the different background. Upon further examination I then noticed that the plaques are in different locations. One on the statues foundation! The other on the ground. Because of recent snow storms and the holiday I haven't been back to Boston since this post! As soon as I get back to the MFA, Monday I will definitely investigate this mystery! Your keen observation has now got me on a mission. I will get back to you ASAP with answers to your great question.
      Rock Salt On! Still laughing! Now the area is running out of salt because of all the snow! Instead of salt we may have to use pepper!!! ( A little bit funny?)
      Take care David!
      I am surviving and still loving the cold but not driving in the heavy wet snow!! Still loving the snow though!)

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    2. OK, so I thought the building in the background was a totally different one (but still on the same museum campus) with the outcropping architecture.
      Upon closer inspection I think that part is just covered by the trees. There is also a hedge at the bottom.
      The plaque had to have been added at some point.
      BTW, you may have missed my comment on your last post...
      rahina qh is back at her blog again.
      Keep painting...

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  6. Beautiful painting of the old trolleys ;) I remember when they were orange!
    Love the photos of the MFA. Was just there myself to see the Sargent and then last week I wandered the galleries with my sister. Such a nice respite from the outside world.
    Batten down, my friend and stay warm and safe during this storm!

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    1. Hello Mary!
      Thank you so much for writing! I am so glad you like my art! Your work is amazing. Your use of color is outstanding! I am glad we have Boston and Massachusetts in common! I am happy you got to see the Sargent show! It was beautiful! Since you wrote we certainly had so more snow. Last week more than a foot and today maybe six inches! Wow! Warm and safe is the way to go!
      Thanks again Mary!
      Take care
      Michael

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  7. Michael, you nailed that trolley! It brings back many memories of getting around Boston. For nostalgia, check out the Trolley Museum in Maine or ride one of the old trolleys on the streets of San Francisco!

    Please continue with these walks down Memory Lane. . .

    Joe

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    1. Hell Joe!
      So very good to hear from you buddy!
      I am so glad you like the trolley! We certainly have so many shared Boston memories! I will definitely check out the trolley museum! I am glad you are enjoying these bits of nostalgia. I do plan on doing many more! I am looking forward to being your next guest artist on your wonderful blog!
      Thanks Joe!
      Michael

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  8. Michael...you should be proud of your trolley painting...just GREAT. I love how it turned out. That statue is magnificent (esp in the snow). So interesting to see so much salt. I think when I lived in Illinois everyone complained about it ruining their cars!

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    1. Thank you very much Celeste! I so appreciate your comments and you taking the time to write them! The road salt certainly can damage automobiles. We are constantly going to the car wash to get rid of the salt. I am not sure if it is too good for the environment. I am glad you like the statue. One of my Boston favorites!

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  9. Michael! I love your trolley painting! it's a real corker...love that orangy red against the cool background, everything comes together here. You should be very proud.

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    1. Hello Sally! It is always so very good to hear from you! Thank you so much for your positive words. I am so happy you like my work! A real "corker" made my day!
      Take care Sally and keep on making great art!

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  10. That first one is too good. I can actually feel it moving.

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  11. What a beautiful painting! I love the nostalgic trolley!

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  12. enjoying browsing your blog, Michael and this made me smile as I know you and I are among the few New Englanders who love snow.
    Even now, people are saying what a horrible winter it was!
    This being the first winter in 11 seasons I've not been in Florida for the winter, I enjoyed feeding the birds and watching the snow and cocooning :)

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