Framed Oil painting

11 x 14 (image size) Oil on board

Green Gate on Church Street ~ Pinks and greens go together!

This scene on Church Street in Charleston has always charmed me, from the very first time I saw it. The dappled light through the crepe myrtle trees created an instant look of an Impressionist painting. Once my eyes adjusted to all of the light and shadows, I realized that the color of the historic home, 85 Church St., was a soft pastel pink. The narrow entrance to the alley was blocked off by a unique, wooden green gate, one like I’ve never seen before.

I love the way the colors all work together with this home, pink and green, along with the soft blue shutter color. The dappled light creates wonderful shadows and highlights on the home.

The arched, gated entrance on the left side of the home separates 85 Church from 83 Church and leads to the backyard and gardens. Interestingly, 83 Church’s facade was painted white to differentiate it from its neighbor.

It was the green gate that captured my heart and convinced me that I should paint this scene. Of course, I love the wooden door, the planter boxes, the arched doorway, the wooden shutters, the street lantern, the colors, and the dappled light.

Green Gate on Church Street is part of my Lasting Impressions of Charleston series. They are all small paintings of scenes that have left a lasting impression on me. Scenes that I keep going back to and admiring. I’m planning on painting most of the series in an Impressionist style as well.

We lived in a historic home, when we lived in Maine, that is now over 200 years old! It exudes charm and we were most fortunate to live there for 7 years. I have firsthand knowledge of how much upkeep it takes to maintain and preserve these architectural gems.

So, when I see so many homes and buildings around Charleston that are so well maintained and preserved, historically speaking, I appreciate all the effort by the owners.