The painting depicts a nostalgic scene of Pearl & Fannin street
in Beaumont, Texas during a wet December evening in the early
1950s. The setting evokes the Art Deco era, with its theaters and
variety stores such as Kress's and Neisners, which sold
American-made toys such as model trains and metal dollhouses, as
well as "Occupied Japan" made Dick Tracy squad cars.
One of the storefronts, Thames #1, can be seen offering popular
products of the time such as Ipana toothpaste, Toni Home
Permanent, and the radio jingle "Halo Everybody Halo..."
The painting captures a moment before the advent of suburban
shopping centers, which would eventually replace the bustling
street scene depicted. The street photographer, a common sight of
the era, can be seen capturing the scene on film, a reminder of a
time before the migration to mall photography.
The cars and appliances of the time are also depicted, showcasing
the "streamlined" aesthetic of the era. The painting also
foreshadows the cultural shift that was to come, as the
popularity of figures such as Elvis Presley, who made his debut
on the Ed Sullivan Show, would soon eclipse the popularity of the
"streamlined" cars and toasters.
The painting also touches on the advancements in technology and
science that were taking place during this time. The artist
references George Pal's realistic approach to the 1950 film
"Destination Moon," which predicted the eventual Apollo
moon landing and had people looking skyward. The painting also
features a Tucker car, a futuristic vehicle that was ahead of its
time.
The artist also notes their research and attention to historical
detail in the painting, such as the inclusion of the Hudson car,
which dominated the NASCAR circuits in the early 1950s, and the
Western Flyer bicycle, which was known for its weight. The
details of the Kress & Co. store window, such as the Chinese
checkers, Clue, and Sorry games, are also taken from magazine ads
from 1951, and the artist's personal experience working for
Westinghouse for 42 years is reflected in the inclusion of the
Westinghouse roaster oven in the painting.
Description by the Artist
Watch this video presentation by the artist describing the
painting process, the research, and the hidden trivia in the
painting.
The original painting is 36x24" on masonite panel, completed in
1994.
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