Steel Canyons

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x24
(click image to enlarge)

The soaring skyscrapers dwarf the crowds of pedestrians caught in the rain. Traffic hisses past on the wet pavement and the city sounds echo from the glass and steel cliffs. The overcast sky creates an early dusk as glittering lights illuminate the premature darkness.

Sunset Voyage of the James Standish

Original painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x24
(click image to enlarge)

I named this fictional schooner in memory of my older brother, James Standish Shropshire. 

Jim loved to be on the water and always owned a small fleet of watercraft, from leaky rowboats and canoes to speedboats and pontoon boats. He even had a cabin cruiser for awhile. He was the captain and I was only the deck hand, but I'll always remember his sunset cocktail cruises from the island he owned in northern Wisconsin.

Here's to you Big Brother ...sail on.

Chicago Gold

Original Painting by Tom Shropshire

Acrylic on canvas 30x40



An impressionist view of Chicago after dark. The lights glitter and shine like a pot of gold against a backdrop of towering buildings. A light fog drifting in from Lake Michigan diffuses the golden glow and softens the edges of the skyscrapers. chicago cityscape canvas prints

Cold Hard Streets

Original Painting By Tom Shropshire

Acrylic on canvas 16x20

This piece began as a class demonstration in monochromatic painting and was later completed in the studio. I like the mood and film noir feel of the finished work.  It reminds me of the opening shot for a black and white Hollywood crime movie from the 1940's or early 1950's.

The voiceover - "Corrupt cops and politicians, hookers and junkies, delinquents and gangsters ...you'll find them all on the COLD HARD STREETS. (Title scrawled across the screen as orchestra comes in)

Lillian

Original Painting by Tom Shropshire

Acrylic on canvas 16x12

This painting of the famous silent film actress, Lillian Gish, was inspired by a photo captured by photographer Charles Albin, New York, 1922. 

Pulse of the City

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x24

From Trash To Triumph

This painting began as a purely non-objective abstract painting and I was unhappy with the results. I then decided to try again and painted over the surface until only the texture remained. The random and heavy texture forced me to use a loose approach on my second attempt. I am now extremely happy with the results. In fact, I plan to use this technique in the future for my large scale night city scenes. We can learn a lot from our failures. Sometimes failure points us to success and triumph only needs another try and a little more umph.

When Planets Align

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x36

My students, (AKA) the Fine Art and Cheap Wine Group, in our latest session, wanted to attempt abstract expressionist painting. Now back in the day, I was known for my large scale abstract paintings and for me this was a return to my artistic roots. I still feel that there is nothing more creative than non-objective painting and I enjoy the pure use of action and color without restraint. We dripped, we splattered, we pasted and textured with wild abandon and finished with mixed results. I think the group may have learned a new appreciation for abstract painting and also learned how difficult it can be to do it well. I always return to ny love of contemporary impressionist painting and more representational work ...but each style energizes and feeds the other. abstract expressionism prints

To quote the famous art collector and critic, Leo Stein;

"Realism and abstractionism are not enemies. They eat out of the same dish; but their digestive systems are different."



Milwaukee Art Museum and Skyline

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x30

The Calatrava design of the Milwaukee Art Museum on Lake Michigan is a spectacular achievement in beauty and engineering. The open "wings" of the Burke Brise Soleil are accented by the skyline of Milwaukee with the War Memorial on the right and a dramatic evening sky above.

Heartbreak Hotel

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x30

A woman leans out of the old hotel window hoping to catch a breeze as the sounds of the rundown neighborhood drift up from the dirty pavement. The full moon shines down on the shabby buildings as traffic noise and sirens pierce the night ...down at the end of lonely street. 

The Queen of Tarts

Original painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

This painting is loosely based on the notorious New York Madam, Polly Adler.She opened her first bordello in 1920, under the protection of mobster Dutch Schultz and was a friend of mobster Charles "Lucky" Luciano.

Adler's notorious Lexington Avenue house of prostitution functioned as a sort of social club for New York's gangsters and a variety of other celebrities, including the Mayor, Jimmy Walker.

Castle on the Lake

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

I love the renaissance feel of this painting! I think I was channeling the artist William Turner ...at least I hope I was. It's always about the sky and the atmosphere. I hope you enjoy this imaginary scene as much as I do.

Power Center

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 30x24

The Sears Tower, now named the Willis Tower, had the name changed under terms of the 2 million dollar lease agreement between the building owners and a London-based insurance company. To most midwesterners it will still always be known as the Sears Tower. But money is power, and in this painting the power lines converge on Chicago ...a not so subtle visual aid as to the center of power. chicago at night canvas prints

Buffalo and Broadway Milwaukee's 3rd Ward

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

Cold rain and sleet form the backdrop for this painting of a small section of Milwaukee's HistoricThird Ward. People hurry along the wet pavement seeking the shelter of the large overhang and wish for an early spring.

Chicago Fog

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x30
The fog rolls in from lake Michigan and covers the lower parts of the city while the tallest skyscrapers hold their heads above the swirling blanket. But the poet Carl Sandburg - Chicago Poems 1916, said it best;

Fog

The Fog comes

On little cat feet.

It sits looking
Over harbor and city
On silent haunches
And then moves on.

Harbor of Lights

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 40x30
(click image to enlarge)


This impressionistic cityscape allowed me to loosen up and achieve a semi-abstract painting with unusual (for me) color combinations of warm and cool hues side-by-side. It's all about the glow of the glittering city lights.

When to buy a new house

“I wish I had more room for new paintings …”

“I’m all out of wall space …”
“I would have to get rid of something to add a new painting …”

As artists we have all heard variations on this theme. Is it true, or is it just an excuse not to purchase?
I think it is a little of both. People often can’t visualize where they would hang a particular painting even when they really love it and are drawn to it. It’s also sometimes a polite way to avoid making a decision to purchase something.

As an artist I have no shortage of paintings because, well …it’s what I do. Not every painting I create can be displayed on the walls of my own home. However, I do always manage to have probably 45-50 original paintings on my walls and it is not cluttered and my house is an average size, 2 story, colonial.

I do have paintings of all sizes in bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, dining room, living room, sunroom, den, office/studio, and hallways. My point is that there is almost always room for more art in your home if you love it and want to own it. I also change paintings every so often for a fresh new look or just because I like a newer painting better than the old one. You really can’t have too much art.

If you truly love every single piece of art on your walls and you can’t think of any place for a new painting, you could try grouping work together, or using a display easel, or stacking paintings from floor to ceiling on a gallery style wall of art. If you are still out of space, then obviously you do need a bigger house!

Rainy Days and Mondays

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

I always liked the Karen Carpenter song with the same title. The only difference is rainy days and mondays never get me down. I love rainy days ...the wetter the better. Rain storms have always made me feel invigorated and very creative. Painting on a stormy day is one of my favorite things. Curling up with a good book as the rain pounds on the roof is also right up there with my favorites.

This scene could be any big city in the rain such as New York, Chicago, or Milwaukee.

Bourbon Street, Baby!

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 20x24

 There is nothing like the excitement and pulse of Bourbon Street. The garish lights, the sounds of music pouring out of seedy bars and night clubs, drunken laughter, and even the clip clop of mounted police. It's a decadent paradise and a non-stop party. Beneath the glitter is a dark side that seeps out into the musty humid air from the old buildings, gaudily painted ...like the makeup on aging strippers.new york city canvas prints

Chicago Moon

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 30x40

A full moon over Chicago with the John Hancock Center in the foreground was a challenge and a learning experience. The moon was added midway through the painting and it controlled the painting from that point on. The sparkle and glitter of the city at night plus the moody sky combined for a dramatic show. Sometimes a painting lets you know what it needs if you just look and ask ...what if ? I'm glad I did. city scenes prints

Reflections of Christmas

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 24x36

I decided to paint two holiday paintings this year. Christmas tree gazing is one of my favorite pastimes. The twinkling tree lights have always reminded me of the city at night and everyone knows that I'm still fascinated with that subject.

Old Water Tower Milwaukee

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 20x16

Milwaukee's old North Point Water Tower is this years choice for my annual holiday painting. I can remember riding past the tower as a youngster. I always thought it looked like a storybook castle...I still do. In the 60's it was often used for war protests and other rallies. The eastside location and proximity to the University of Wisconsin contributed to the popularity of the site for gatherings. This historic Milwaukee landmark was built in 1874. 

Milwaukee River Downtown

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x24

I grew up in the city of Milwaukee and I love to paint the city at night. This is a view of the Milwaukee River looking north. The revival of the city's downtown Riverwalk has added a vibrant new feel to the area and the Third Ward District pulsates with energy and nightlife. It is also home to the Milwaukee Institute of art and design, bars, outdoor cafes and galleries, including Katie Gingrass Gallery which represents yours truly.

Nor'easter in New York city

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

"Suckerpunch Nor’easter adds to the misery of Super Storm Sandy victims." – Baltimore Sun Blog

“God hates us!” the New York Post said in a front-page headline.

These are the headlines regarding the Northeaster of November 2012. I wanted to capture the atmosphere of the unexpected snow blanketing the city of New York and see the beauty even in an ugly weather event.

Babydoll

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x36
(click on painting to enlarge)

This is without a doubt the creepiest painting I've ever made.  I asked my (at the time) teenage daughter if I could use one of her old dolls as a model and she gave me Babydoll. I proceeded to mutilate the doll for the scary effect I was after only to find out she still wanted her doll intact. Who knew? I painted this about 30 years ago, and then roughly 15 years ago I revisited it and added the Raven.

She wrote a paper on it in college writing class when she was required to write a description of a work of art. She received an "A" on the assignment so it wasn't a total loss. At least that's how I see it.

This painting actually made me feel very uneasy while I was painting it late at night and I had to quit and only worked on it during the day after that. I didn't like the look in the doll's eye staring at me from the canvas. My traumatized daughter has forgiven me and we still laugh about it every once in awhile.

Read about two artists and their different career paths by Robert Genn; http://faso.com/brushbuzz/links/7675

City On The Lake

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 30x40



The wind blows through the man-made canyons formed by glass and steel, while neon lights and countless headlights flicker and gleam, the sun sets ...darkness decends, and the city awakens. SOLD

Halloween Dare

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

The little boy dressed as Batman, takes the dare and bravely heads to the scary old house for Trick-or-Treat. His older sister and friends huddle together outside the gate. The light is on so someone or something must be home!

This was a lot of fun to paint ...Halloween, jack-o-lanterns and haunted houses with bats and even a black cat. Is that a creepy face on the  spooky tree?

City Lights 2

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

(click image to enlarge)  

The wet pavement of the city streets reflecting lights in a prism of colors still fascinates me. This impressionistic scene was commissioned as a companion piece to the first "City Streets" painting and also was meant to convey the night city as seen through a car windshield with scattered drops of rain. SOLD

Open edition prints are available.

Moon Over Third Street

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

I painted this as a companion piece to "Street Life". I had so much fun painting the seedy section of town teeming with life and vitality, that I was compelled to paint it again. I added the guys with the basketball for my grandson Joey because he's a dedicated basketball player and he really liked the last painting.

Street Life

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x20

This painting of a city street is completely imaginary but representative of any older run-down neighborhood in any major city such as New York, Detroit, Chicago, or Milwaukee. People are outside on the street to escape the heat of a summer night. Graffiti painted walls are the backdrop for a police stop gathering onlookers.The old brownstones lean together remembering a grander and more genteel time and place as hip hop music blares and sirens wail in the distance.  night city art

Milwaukee Rain

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x20

This is an impressionistic painting of Milwaukee's historic City Hall. This is the second time I've painted this building and I'm pleased with the result. The dark and misty rainy day with the glowing lights of City Hall and the downtown traffic create a soft jewel of light and reflections on the wet pavement. See more Milwaukee art here; milwaukee art

Will-o-the-wisp

Original painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x36

Under a full moon, the ghostly woman in green holds out her lantern to lure hapless victims into the swamp.

Definition; A will-o-the-wisp is a ghostly light seen by travelers at night, especially over bogs, swamps, or marshes. It resembles a flickering lamp and is said to recede if approached, drawing travelers from the safe paths.  moon paintings

The Plaza

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

The Plaza movie theater in Burlington, Wisconsin first opened in 1927 and is still operating today. The front view is deceiving, because the theater is much bigger than it appears. It actually is operating as a four-screen, first-run movie house. Recently upgraded the old theater seats for modern comfy seats. Lots of small town charm, beer and wine now served, plus some claim, an in-house ghost named Charlie. What's not to like?
 city scenes art

Magnificent Seven

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

This painting was inspired by the Waterford, Wisconsin Balloon Festival taking place as I write this. There is something truly majestic about the huge and silent hot air balloons floating above the earth! balloons art

Smokin' Hot

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

This Steampunk Girl with tattoos is armed and dangerous!  I especially like the design element provided by the tribal style tattoo on her left arm.

City Haze

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

Ghostly skyscrapers tower over older tenements on a hot summer morning in the big city.  city lights art

Bather at Sunrise

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

(click on painting for larger image)

Yes, I'm a romantic at heart. A painting awash in the warm glow of a rising sun with a classic female fiqure in the foreground, is my nostalgic nod to Romanticism.

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel Chicago

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

(click on painting to enlarge)

The Navy Pier Ferris wheel in Pier Park was modeled after the first Ferris wheel built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It is the jewel of Navy Pier with its thousands of lights sparkling over the waters of Lake Michigan. Almost 300 people can ride the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel at a time, with up to six people in each of its 40 passenger gondolas. chicago art



The Brooklyn Bridge

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

(click on painting for larger image)

This iconic New York landmark, the Brooklyn Bridge, ranks as one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. The impressive bridge spans the East River between Brooklyn and Manhattan. The bridge officially became a national monument in 1964. Part of the history of the bridge is the number of times con men sold gullible tourists the bridge, convincing them that they could set up their own toll booth and make a fortune. I would never do such a thing. If you believe that ...I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you. new york paintings

The Chicago Theatre

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20
(click on painting to enlarge)

This historic Chicago landmark first opened it's doors in 1921 and has thrilled visitors ever since. The last time I was there was for a performance of "Dirty Dancing", but the theater itself is the real show. See more landmark images; landmarks art

Sudden Downpour Opening Night

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

The theater has just let out and thunder and rain greet the crowd as cabs and buses carry the patrons on their way. Wet pavements cause neon reflections to shimmer and glisten as the rain washes the grime from the city streets.

Shanghai Surprise

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

Here is my 11th painting in my ongoing "Sin, Sex and Cigarettes" series. This time it's the mysteries of the Orient. In the war years asians were often portrayed as sinister villians like Dr. Fu Manchu. Like the pulps that inspired this series, my captions are meant to tantalize the viewer.

"In the hidden passages beneath the opium den, Madam Chen made her play. She was the Jade Spider, and I was trapped in her evil web!"

Blossom Trio with Backup

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

What can I say? ...it's finally Spring

Just the Two of Us

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

It's the time of year for spring flowers and rebirth. I don't often paint florals, but I think everyone should from time to time.

Dad

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

This is a portrait of my Dad, Robert Standish Shropshire. He knew how to enjoy life and we all miss him but we do appreciate the many years we shared his love and laughter. So raise a glass of Blackberry Brandy to Bark Lake Bob, A.K.A. Grampa Teaser and Shrop the Cop!

Sacred Bundles

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 24x36

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

It felt good to loosen up and paint an abstract with strong color, texture and bold contrasts!

Native American War Pony

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

Click image to enlarge

According to the dictionary, these horses are descendants of the animals the Spanish conquistadors brought to the Americas that were adopted by the indigenous people. They were also known as cow pony, buffalo horse, mustang, Indian pony, cayuse, and Spanish pony.

Mystery of the Lake

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

A sense of impending doom and the rising wind of an approaching storm creates many unanswered questions. Who is this woman? Why is she standing on the shore? Why is she wearing a formal gown in the forest? Is she holding a wand ...casting a spell? Quoting Edgar Degas, "A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, some fantasy. When you always make your meaning perfectly plain you end up boring people." See more Halloween images here; halloween art

Pelicans

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

The hazy sun shimmers across the water backlighting a gathering of these prehistoric looking birds. I took photos of the California Brown Pelicans on a trip north from San Diego along Big Sur. In flight, they resemble flying Pterodactyls. I think they help create a somber timeless mood to this piece. This painting has been SOLD but prints are available

Savannah

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x20

This beautiful young lady is my grand daughter Savannah Shropshire. She is an award winning young artist and is known to like and prefer pretty things. She is also a fan of "Hello Kitty". NFS

American Classic

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

(Click on painting to enlarge image)

Okay, I know this is a corny and overly sentimental theme ...a nostalgic Christmas card rendition of a snow covered village complete with horse drawn sleigh. I'm not apologizing, because that's exactly what I was going for in this tribute to an idealized Currier & Ives type of snow scene. Sometimes a sugary sweet is just what you crave and this has been an unusual Wisconsin winter without much snow. snow scene canvas prints

Cloud Over The City

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 16x20

Night has already descended on the city, but the sky is still fighting off the darkness. The light will soon fade and the sky darken but the city lights will still glitter even brighter than the faraway stars. $600.00