Framed oil painting

24 x 36 (image size) oil on canvas

Market and Meeting ~ Entering Charleston’s French Quarter!

I am artistically inspired by Charleston’s many iconic scenes. This scene wowed me when I first saw it, and still does. To me it exemplifies so much about Charleston. We love to walk this section of town and enjoy the sights, and sounds of the horse’s hooves going by.

The vantage point is looking down Market Street toward the antebellum, Greek Revival style Market Hall at the intersection of Market and Meeting. It is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1841. Its open first level arcade leads to the City Market’s Great Hall, housing 4 city blocks of local vendors. Here is where one can find the famous Sweetgrass baskets artfully made by the local Gullah people. Vendors of all sorts display their wares for the thousands of tourists looking to purchase a remembrance of their trip to Charleston.

Carriage rides line up early in the morning at the City Market for those people interested in touring the historic district. In my painting, the Old South Carriage is returning to the City Market after leaving the Business District along King Street. Once across Meeting Street the carriage will have entered the historic district neighborhood known as The French Quarter.

In the distance on the far right is the French Quarter Inn, located directly across from the shops at the City Market. Many of Charleston’s finest restaurants are all within walking distance. The building on the left with the green awnings is another one of Charleston’s top hotels, the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel.

Charleston is undoubtedly one of the most romantic getaway destinations in the United States. It is culturally rich, with a vibrant art community, outstanding fine dining, happening bars and casual restaurants, and quality shops all up and down King Street.

The windows on the left under the awnings of the Charleston Place Hotel are those of the Mary Martin Gallery of Fine Art, rated the #1 gallery in Charleston! I’m proud to say that Mary Martin represents my work, and my paintings can be viewed at this downtown location as well as at their Broad Street location.

The couple on the left represents people on a romantic getaway. They are heading up Market Street, perhaps having just left the Charleston Place Hotel, walking toward King Street to do a little more shopping. Charleston has experienced a rebirth, and it has become one of the most popular cities to visit. It is consistently rated the #1 Friendliest City in America.

The streets are lined with palm trees and street lanterns. Intricate ironwork gates and railings can be found throughout the historic district. The Historic and Preservation Societies have done a wonderful job of preserving Charleston’s charm by maintaining historic structures and standards.

It is always a wonderful compliment when people say my paintings bring back memories of their trips to Charleston or that they wish they could be transported right into the scene. It is my hope that Market and Meeting evokes those feelings in you.

Never will I be at a loss for inspiration with Charleston as a muse.