Brett Lockwood, “Mel’s Tearoom, Sackville, N.B. (2015)
(Acrylic on Board, 32″x 48″)
In the recent past I’ve not picked up my paintbrushes as often as I’ve used my ever-dependable Nikon. But something about the vintage neon sign hanging outside the Mel’s Tearoom diner in Sackville, New Brunswick and the photo (below) that I snapped of it a while back (earlier post here) inspired me to translate that image onto canvas — with some usual artistic license along the way. Perhaps seeing Toronto artist Andrew Horne’s marvelous takes on classic signage from bygone eras both online and at his Flying Pony gallery in Toronto contributed as well. In any event, the result is above (photo is a bit crooked), which I’ve happily finished and wrapped with a handmade floating frame. Efforts at painting like this are good meditative exercises and always enhance my appreciation for the skill and creative expressions of professional artists.
Inspiration Photo for Painting
O' Canada 
That’s beautiful!
Wow ! That’s fantastic Brett. Great job.
Dan thanks!
Wonderful, Brett! Thanks for sharing with us.
🙂
I love it! I manage a gallery in Hunter, NY and look at art all day long and I think your artwork stands alongside some of the best I’ve seen.
That’s nice of you to see — thanks! Hunter is a wonderful town in the Hudson Valley and full of great art.
Fantastic, Brett! My goodness, what an incredibly talented artist! Clearly one can see your brilliant ‘eye’ through the lens is also transferred to your painting composition as well! Wow! Cher xo
Hi, Cher, thanks for your kind comments. 🙂
Brett, you know Canadians; we are honest folks! Cher xo
You are so talented, Brett !
Perpetua, that’s nice of you to say. I’m just persistent.
And it paid off!
🙂
Awesome painting Brett 🙂
Gael, thanks! 🙂
Love the painting, Brett. Especially the greens. 🙂
You painting just brought back many fond memories of my time in Sackville, right up to eating lunch at Mel’s with my dad before my convocation.
Just to let you know, Sackville is in New Brunswick (although it is only a few minutes from the border with Nova Scotia and there is a Sackville in NS, so it is easy to confuse). 🙂
Ciera, those sound like terrific memories! Sackville is a cozy place as I recall and Mount Allison University is a big presence there.
Thanks for pointing out my mix up on the provinces — I had it right in my original post but for some reason reversed it later.
Best, Brett
Brett – that’s a lovely bit of work! Maith thú, as we say over here!
Karen, thanks for your kind words and sharing that lovely bit of Gaelic! Go raibh maith agat! Brett 🙂
Yep, beautiful.
Thanks! 🙂
I’ve never heard of it. Hmm? Nice work!
🙂
It’s terrific, Brett !!!!!!!
Thanks!
This sign brings back good memories. My roomies and I lived just a few doors down from Mel’s Tea Room in our last year at Mt. Allison. I love your painting of it!
Naomi, that’s terrific! Happy belated Canada Day wishes, as well!
The painting is better than the photograph.
Thanks! I often think about what painting can bring to expressiveness that photography can’t and vice versa. Part of that is the manner in which an image is composed, the choices made with that composition and the overall feel that can be conveyed by those different media.
That is amazing
Thanks! 🙂
I Like It !!
Thanks!
Great job! It is good to exercise those creative muscles.
Darlene, thanks!
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