My OBT

What if you spent every day looking for One Beautiful Thing?

Mystery Train

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Gregg Chadwick

Brilliant painter Gregg Chadwick has the coolest art studio I’ve ever heard of. He works in an old plane hanger. While the building isn’t used for airplanes anymore, it is still in the middle of a busy working small-craft airport. It may be that all that activity helps lend energy to his paintings, which always seem like they’re on the move.

But of all of Chadwick’s wonderful subjects, my far-and-away favorites are his glorious trains. Turns out they’re special to him, too.

“Painting trains seems to bring daily reminders of change, of process, of journeys. When a train or plane turns around for its trip back home, there is little time for introspection. Vehicles are cleaned, engines refueled, often a new crew is added — new passengers and new travels await.”

Chadwick grew up around trains – his grandfather began his career shoveling coal on a steam engine, and eventually moved up to be an engineer on the Jersey Central Line. The artist says the not-so-distant sounds of the trains and the workers were the soundtrack of his childhood, and those echoes are what influence his paintings. His train series was inspired by his relationship with the rails and by the song Mystery Train.

You can follow Gregg Chadwick on his website, and on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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My oil on panel painting “I’m not a morning person” resonates with many. Based on a remembered moment at the Venice Biennale. I love finding humor in everyday life. Currently featured @theotherartfair in Dallas. Day 3 in Dallas. @yareliyareliyareli and @sergioarau See you in Dallas very soon! I am in booth #9 from Today through Sunday together with 120 super talented artists from all over the world. DM for complimentary tickets. @nicolegarton #theotherartfairdallas #theotherartfair #reddots #art #arthistory #artistsoninstagram #fridakahlo #zapata #theotherartfairdallas #dallas #artdallas #dallasartfair #greggchadwick #artshow #artcollector #texas #texasart #contemporary #theotherartfairdallas #dallas #artdallas #dallasartfair #greggchadwick #artshow #artcollector #texas #texasart #contemporary #theotherartfair #art #arthistory #artistsoninstagram #fridakahlo #NotAMorningPerson

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The holiday season always makes me think of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. I have spent many memorable moments here over the years. Catching a train or grabbing an espresso, Grand Central never lets me down. If I am at the Oyster Bar, the Campbell, or Shake Shack, I never fail to offer a toast to Jackie O who helped save this incredible building from the wrecking ball. My latest painting , “New York Stories” was inspired by my many visits to Grand Central and all the stories echoing in the stone hallways. I am also indebted to the artists who have come here before including John Singer Sargent and @bill_jacklin “New York Stories” oil on linen 30”x40” 2019 #art #Trains #artistsoninstagram #time #history #memory @18thstreetarts @clarkhulingsorg @rbkitaj_studioproject #happyholidays #42ndstreet #grandcentralterminal #newyorkcity

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I love the old theaters in DTLA – the Los Angeles Theatre has made an appearance in three of my recent paintings. In this latest ode to Los Angeles, Hollywood, and celluloid dreams the venerable theater stands tall as a hot day shifts to a warm evening. Quentin Tarantino’s latest film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” also looks back on L.A.’s cinematic past. I suggest a double feature on Saturday. A matinee at your favorite theater and then a stop at the Castelli Gallery for the opening of Surf and Turf. Note- the always dapper @joelsteingold inspired the central hat wearing figure striding confidently across the foreground. As @yareliyareliyareli and @sergioarau will attest – you never know when you might find yourself in a cameo appearance in a Chadwick art production 😊 Surf & Turf Featuring New Paintings About Los Angeles by @greggchadwick @brookeharker @gaysummerartist , @tealehathewayart , @paintwithalex , and @letspainttv A new group exhibition at Castelli Art Space in Culver City. Opening Reception – July 27, 2019 6-9 pm Castelli Art Space 5428 West Washington Blvd, Los Angeles CA, 90016 #artistsoninstagram #losangeles #reddots #lax #Modernism #MidCenturyModern @laconservancy @castelliartspace @daleyoungman @18thstreetarts @quentin_j_tarantino @onceinhollywood

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Wonderful afternoon today @husarfinearts in Beverly Hills with Audis and a wonderful collector. Scarlet watched over us. How the Light Gets In by Gregg Chadwick A new solo exhibition of Gregg Chadwick's art at Audis Husar Fine Art in Beverly Hills. The Opening Reception on Saturday was amazing and coupled with @thearzoyusuf Benefit Film Screening which dives into the problems in our foster care system illustrated by the personal story of Georgette Todd – author, survivor, thriver! The crowd was inspired to create change in Los Angeles. Yes indeed we have the power to impact the nation. #art #film #poetry #mayaangelou #artistsoninstagram #greggchadwick #contemporaryart #beverlyhills #soloshow #painting

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Wow! What a night last night at the @theotherartfair at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Pictured is an image of my booth #91 just before the doors opened. Thank you to all of my collectors who stopped by to say Hi and to eye the new Chadwick’s to add to your collection. And a hearty thanks to the numerous artistic colleagues who sought me out. Your words of appreciation resonant deeply. We had fun, we talked about our shared history, we exchanged ideas. Deeply thankful to those who purchased Chadwick’s last night and to those who will today and through the weekend. I am deeply honored that my art shares a place in so many lives. #art #Instaartists #mysterytrain #Venice #LosAngeles 🔴 #reddots @18thstreetarts @saatchiart @nicolegarton

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My mom’s best friend died tonight. Both born in 1929. Depression babies full of pluck and resilience. I’m driving up to Steinbeck country this weekend to celebrate my Jersey born mom’s 90th. Sad that her namesake Margaret has passed today. My brother is flying out to New Jersey for the memorial service and will be back in Monterey in time for my mom’s 90th. Military precision from us military brats. Semper Fi Indeed! Thinking of my Aunt Margaret tonight. She taught me so much. While my dad was with the Corps in Nam we shared rich times together. Her kids, my cousins Bobby and Barbara lit up my world. Classic films, new music, family meals, Jersey memories. Empowered women like my Aunt Margaret are the future. Rest in power – Margaret

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On June 26, 2015 Marriage Equality became the law of the land. With hundreds of others we celebrated on the Supreme Court steps. Later that glorious day, I chatted with President Obama’s official photographer @petesouza in front of the White House which was lit up in rainbow colors in celebration of the LGBTQ community. While we watched, the Presidential Marine Corps unit arrived. Onboard was President Obama returning from his moving speech at the memorial service for the church folks who were gunned down by a young white supremacist in South Carolina. President Obama sang Amazing Grace that day. Arrivals and departures…. I painted Arrivals and Departures in memory of that day and with the knowledge that the struggle for equality for all continues. How the Light Gets In Paintings by Gregg Chadwick A new solo exhibition of Gregg Chadwick's art at Audis Husar Fine Art in Beverly Hills. Opening Reception – March 30, 2019 5:00 pm Benefit Film Screening – Breaking the Cycle Reservations Available $25 in advance $30 at door 7:00 pm Art Exhibit and Refreshments RSVP audishusar@icloud.com Please join us on March 30th 2019 to find out how we can make a difference. If we can create change in Los Angeles, we have the power to impact the nation. #art #film #poetry #mayaangelou #artistsoninstagram @thexybossbabe #fosteryouth @thearzoyusuf #loveislove🌈 #lgbtq🌈 @barackobama @michelleobama @husarfinearts @husarfineart

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Author: Donna from MyOBT

I have committed to spending part of every day looking for at least one beautiful thing, and sharing what I find with you lovelies!

6 thoughts on “Mystery Train”

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  2. janhaltn
    March 22, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    I love all of them. Especially the old trains. I would love to see them in the local art museum. I just wouldn’t want them hanging in my house. I was trained and I continue to enjoy and marvel photo realistic paintings, which none of these are. – Hal

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Chronicles of a Blogaholic
    March 23, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    Beautiful works of art. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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