Swamp Witch Rising

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

The swamp witch rises from the stagnant waters of the swamp. She is covered in sinewy ropes of decaying vegetation and the remains of her tattered dress. Tendrils of fog and swamp gas swirl about her and the gnarled trees where an ominous and gigantic raven with glowing eyes is perched.

Tree Party Members

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 12x16

My class exercise featuring trees resulted in this painting of a group of kids literally "hanging around". A bit of a change from my usual style.

Minneapolis Rain

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

The reflections of bright red tail lights on the wet pavement against the subdued background of the rain-washed city are the main elements that drew me to this scene. My daughter, Gina Tuchel, provided the reference photos from her recent visit to Minneapolis. The geometric abstract patterns of light and dark always intrigue me and who could resist the bright red glow of the brake lights? ...not me.

One Stormy Night

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

I have always loved a good thunderstorm!

This painting was inspired by the album cover of “One Stormy Night” which shows the blurry image of a man and woman seen through a rain drenched window glass. The first Mystic Moods Orchestra album "One Stormy Night" was released in 1965. This record sets storm and rain noises against easy-listening orchestral sounds. I purchased the album and often played it during real thunderstorms as I sat on our enclosed porch with my family and watched and listened to the rain beating on the roof and pouring down outside our windows.

This painting features my beautiful grand daughter, Callie Tuchel. She is an emerging artist herself and she posed for me. Naturally this painting is not for sale and is part of the family collection but open addition prints are available

The Enchanted Voyage

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

“Mr. Pecket built a sailboat in his backyard. It would never stay afloat for it was built of fantasy, irony and humaneness. One night Mr. Pecket did experience his "Enchanted Voyage", and only then did he discover what life is truly about.

A MAN AND HIS IMPOSSIBLE DREAM...

The man, who lived in a very practical little house in the Bronx with his very practical little wife, was very unhappy -- except when he puttered around in his backyard, lost in his dreams. His wife had very little sympathy with his preoccupation...

Then one day his dream began to come true and he found himself sailing far away from home in search of...who could guess?

Maybe freedom, maybe adventure, maybe even true love...” (From the back cover)

I read this small book, by Robert Nathan ©1936, as a young man in my twenties and re-read the story on my Kindle recently. It struck a chord with me back then and still does today. It’s about hope and yearning and the freedom to live your dreams. It is essentially a “Road Trip” saga of a man sailing away from his dull and unhappy existence on his sailboat, the Sarah Pecket. The homemade boat with wheels attached and Mr. Pecket on board, is launched down the city street by a sudden storm. Later two other people, a lonely waitress and an unemployed dentist, come along for the adventure. It’s a quirky adult fairytale.

Those Things Will Kill You!

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

Sex was her weapon of choice, but would it stop a bullet? A gunman aims to kill as the scantily clad target takes a drag, of what may be, her last cigarette.

Another painting in my “Sin, sex, and cigarettes series” …the series that pays tribute to the wonderful cover art of the vintage pulp magazines.

A Rainy Night in Milwaukee

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 12x16

A sudden Spring downpour drenches the city streets as people hurry to find a dry place to escape the cold rain. Traffic slows to a crawl as the driving rain drums on the car roofs and reduces visibility. Gutters become rivers and thunder grumbles and then booms like distant canon fire. It’s a wet April night in Milwaukee!

Chicago Raindrops on Glass

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 16x20

Raindrops splatter against the window as thunder shakes the glass and rumbles across the dark and churning sky. The city looks as if it is underwater …a lost city of Atlantis beneath the waves. Watery lights gleam and flicker distorted by the droplets as they wriggle their way down the wet surface. It seems like a good day to stay snug and dry in your bed.

UFO's Entering Atmosphere

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 36x48

A beautiful class H planet revolving around a distant star receives alien visitors at the edge of the atmosphere. It could be ancient earth or maybe future earth, who knows?

hClass Planet - classification of habitable planets (Star Trek would label it a class 5 planet) Said planet is lying in what’s commonly known as a star’s “Goldilocks Zone” – a position that is neither too hot nor too cold, but instead exactly the right environment to support the prospect of liquid surface water, and therefore, life.

This is a very large painting (for me) and has a heavy texture. The painted sides are 1 3/4" thick and this painting is ready to hang - no frame required.

Woman in the Window

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

The soft contours and warm color of the female figure are contrasted with the cold hard edges of the room and window. The naked vulnerability of the woman as she looks out at the harsh and brittle lights of the city create a somber mood.

City Yacht Club

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 40x30

The glittering lights of the city form a backdrop to the pleasure craft floating in regal style in the harbor. The yachts of various sizes are dwarfed by the colossal buildings and the night reflections add a festive mood to the painting.

Tug Boat in Trouble

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

The sturdy little tugboat struggles through heavy seas heading for a safe harbor as the wind howls and the cold waves flood the decks and threaten to capsize the craft. The immense and violent waves crashing against the tiny ship toss it about and then plunge it again down watery canyons. The dark vastness of the  ocean is terrifying and only the lights of the floundering boat offer any warmth to the scene.

New York Harbor at Daybreak

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

The tugboat is one symbol of New York. Along with its more famous icons of Lady Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge, the sturdy little tugs, once all steam powered, working quietly in the harbor became a sight in the city. In this painting morning dawns, and the city looms in the background with pleasure craft nearby. This working class boat chugs along, followed by a flock of noisy seagulls.

Milwaukee at Night

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

Milwaukee is a vibrant and progressive city with an active arts scene. I grew up in Milwaukee and I will always be grateful for the wonderful art experiences I was exposed to as a young artist, through scholarships provided to the Milwaukee Art Museum Saturday program.

What have I done?

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

A new painting to add to my Vintage Pulp Art Collection. A woman is remorseful after shooting her lover. We see the proverbial "smoking gun" nearby and the cold dead hand of her former boyfriend.

Excuse Me?

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

I thoroughly enjoyed working on this painting, one of my rare figure studies. In fact I plan on creating many more figurative works. The pose here says it all, "Excuse me?".

UFO Alien Abduction

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

Strange lights flashing in the night sky and suddenly a beam of eery green light shoots down and a dairy cow rises into the strange saucer-shaped vessel hovering above the farm pasture! Interstellar rustlers have struck again! Got Milk? ...Yup.

City Cats

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

A bright and hazy moon shines down upon the city roofs as a conclave of stray cats gather to yowl their appreciation at the sky.

Milwaukee's Calatrava by Moonlight

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

The Calatrava design of the Milwaukee Art Museum is a spectacular achievement in beauty and engineering. The Quadracci Pavillion and the open "wings" of the Burke Brise Soleil face the cold glow of the full moon over lake Michigan.

UFO's Breaking Cloud Cover

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

Visitors from outer space, concealed in the clouds, break cover soaring  above the small blue planet. WE ARE NOT ALONE!

I just had fun doing an artist's conception of alien tourists dropping by.
ufo\'s art

Times Square New Years Eve

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 20x16

 

Since 1907 Times square ball drop has played a prominent roll in celebrating and counting down the seconds to each New Year.  The Times Square ball drop is one of the best-known New Year's celebrations internationally. It is attended by at least 1 million spectators yearly and enjoys a national television audience across New Year's Eve specials on several networks.

 

The conclusion of the drop is followed by fireworks shot from the roof of One Times Square, along with the playing of "Auld Lang Syne" and Frank Sinatra's "Theme from New York, New York".

 

Around a billion people worldwide watch this event on television and over the Internet. I was one of them.

Milwaukee 3rd Ward Public Market

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 16x20

 

Milwaukee's Public Market is located in the Historic Third ward, a thriving area of trendy restaurants, art galleries and bars. This view is from the St Paul bridge near the intersection of Water Street. If you're ever in Milwaukee you should be sure to explore this section of the downtown area.

Gapstow Bridge NYC

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

 

This famous bridge in central park has delighted visitors from around the world. The backdrop of New York City with lights gleaming is a pleasure to paint and I have painted it numerous times.

Curving gracefully over the narrow neck of the Pond at 59th Street, Gapstow is one of the iconic bridges of Central Park. Design aficionados might notice a striking resemblance to the Ponte di San Francesco in San Remo, Italy.

The bridge offers postcard views of the surrounding cityscape. Facing south, you can see the famed Plaza Hotel and distinctive New York skyscrapers rising from above the Park’s trees. Look southward in the winter and you’ll see Wollman Rink’s twirling skaters; in the warmer months you’ll see the colorful amusements of Victorian Gardens.



Downtown Chicago

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 40x30

Flashing lights, city traffic, pedestrians and noise are all part of the urban scene as the denizens of the concrete jungle prowl the streets.

Christmas at the Farm

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 20x30

 

I remember the ride to my parents’ old farmhouse near Johnson's Creek, Wisconsin. Singing along with the Christmas carols on the car radio, bundled up in our winter coats as my wife, Nancy, and I traveled down the snow covered back roads with a car full of kids, plus dog and presents for the family. There was love and laughter and food and drink at the end of the gravel road and I guess I thought it would never change. But, everything changes. Loved ones are gone, youth is gone, even the farm belongs to someone else now …at least my Christmas memories still remain.



Central Park Gapstow Bridge NYC

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

 

This iconic bridge in central park has delighted visitors from around the world. The backdrop of New York City with lights gleaming is a pleasure to paint and I have painted it numerous times.

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/new+york+skyline/prints" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">new york skyline prints

Christmas Train in Wisconsin

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 16x20

This is engine 1003 on a "Whistle Stop Santa" run. For purchase or more information visit my website; TomShropshire.com

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/Trains/all"

Halloween Trick or Treat

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x36



The excitement of dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door for free candy has got to be the best. Now add a creepy old house, some fog, a full moon, and glowing jack-o-lanterns, and you will never forget the thrill of Halloween night!

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/trick+or+treat/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">trick or treat art

Halloween Ghost

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

A full moon shines down as a ghostly apparition arises from the grave in an old cemetery on Halloween night! Jack-o-lanterns suddenly flare with flickering light although no one lit the candles and a creepy fog slithers between the tombstones and burial crosses. http://fineartamerica.com/art/paintings/halloween/canvas+prints" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">halloween painting canvas prints

Tooker Alley Chicago



Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x16

One can almost imagine the denizens of early 20th century Chicago climbing over the garbage cans “down Tooker Alley to the Green Light over the Orange Door” to get to the famed Dil Pickle Club.

The club was almost hidden from the outside and was considered a "hole in the wall" in Tooker Alley. The entrance was marked by a "DANGER" sign that pointed to the orange main door which was lit by a green light. On the door, it read: “Step High, Stoop Low and Leave Your Dignity Outside.”

During the Great Depression, the Dil Pickle Club began to experience its decline. By the early 1930s, the club was being frequented more by Chicago mobsters rather than the usual free-minded Bohemian attendees of the earlier era.

Oriental Theater Milwaukee

Original Painting - Acrylic on Canvas 20x16
 

The Oriental Theatre is located in the East Side neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was built and opened in 1927 as a movie palace, and features two minaret towers. It is officially known as the Oriental Landmark Theatre.

The theater is the world record holder for continual showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It has played as a Saturday midnight movie since January 1978.



Milwaukee River Lights

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

This is an impressionistic scene of downtown Milwaukee looking south on the river. I wanted to capture the glittering lights and their reflections on the water and also the energy and mood of the downtown area.

Machine Gun Madam

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x12

“The voluptuous blonde bombshell just delivered a Chicago Valentine to a couple of wise guys trying to muscle in on her operation ...a hooker with a heart of hot lead instead of gold.”

I had a lot of fun painting this and learned a lot about the Thompson Submachine gun; also known as, the Chicago piano, the Chicago typewriter, Chicago Organ Grinder, and the Tommy Gun.

Gangsters and Bootleggers of the Prohibition and Depression era made this their weapon of choice. It has been referred to by one researcher as the "gun that made the twenties roar." The Thompson Model 1928 submachine gun came with a 20 or 50-round drum magazine and a .45 caliber punch.

This was the weapon used in the infamous Chicago St Valentine’s Day massacre where seven members of the North Side Irish Bugs Moran gang were mowed down by Al Capone’s South Side Italian gang.

Plaza Hotel New York City

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x30



The Plaza Hotel in New York City, located at Fifth Avenue Central Park South, is a landmark and a treasure. If you want to see more of the inside of the Plaza, watch the latest "The Great Gatsby" movie. Fitzgerald loved staying there and it was featured in his novel. Many of the movie scenes were shot on the premises.

The abstract shapes formed by light and dark vertical passages and reflections are what drew me to this subject. Who knows, perhaps some day I'll stay there as a guest! But first I'll need to sell a lot more paintings ...

Finch

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

I painted this little guy as a class demonstration for our "birds" session. The soft background and blurred edges were my goal, plus contrasting the hot yellow color against a cool blue-green backdrop.

Two's Company

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 16x20

This study of chickens was part of a demonstration for my class (A.K.A. the Fine Art And Cheap Wine Group). Our theme for the session was birds. We painted everything from owls, parrots, and eagles, to something called a puffin. 

Skillet Creek Falls Wisconsin

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

Class painting with my "Fine Art And Cheap Wine Group". Our project for the session was waterfalls and rocks. I think they all rocked!

Multnomah Falls Oregon

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 12x16

This magnificent waterfall is located just a 30- minute drive outside of Portland. A 611-foot-tall roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of water, with all the power and beauty of untamed nature.

City Rain Against the Window

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 24x30

(click image to enlarge) 

Rain drops and rivulets create a dancing prism of colored lights, on the window glass, against a backdrop of the city at night. ...and it's even raining as I write this!

Brooklyn Bridge Cruciform

Original Painting - Acrylic on canvas 20x30
(click image to enlarge)



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.

The cruciform shape is a popular abstract design element. This view of the Brooklyn Bridge embodies strong horizontal and vertical lines to create dynamic tension and hopefully, a strong composition.

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."