Paintings of Cities - On the Road - by Matthew Holden Bates

“SoHo, New York City” Oil on Canvas - Private Collection ©️Matthew Holden Bates, All Rights Reserved

When I go on vacation, or on the road to do a show, I like to immortalize the experience by doing a painting of the city that I visited. This first painting is of NYC, a place that I have spent a lot of time, especially when I was growing up. My dad is from Long Island and he went to school in the city, I loved it when we would road trip it to visit his friends. New York entered into me and I felt the need to do a New York Painting, and here it is.

“Copley Square” oil on canvas - private collection ©️Matthew Holden Bates - All Rights Reserved

My mom is from New England, and if you have been following my posts here on Steemit, I am sure that this is a painting that you have seen. I guess Boston has been like NYC, as much as it can be, a city that has always been a part of my life. I am even going there this week for family time, all the way from my beloved Firenze.

“Paris Garden” oil on canvas - 40cm - 40cm ©️Matthew Holden Bates - All Rights Reserved

Paris is usually grey, and that means that the Parisians spend a lot of time and money of brightening it up. I think that Paris is one of the most beautiful cities I have been to mostly because of their attention to the little things, a small garden like this one can make a huge difference in the experience of walking down the street. Even if this painting is a bit fanciful, not strictly photographic since I really just made up this composition, it captures all of the beauty and pathos of my memory of Paris.

“Venezia” acrylic on Masonite - private collection - ©️Matthew Holden Bates - All Rights Reserved

Back in Italy, much like the other paintings, this is one that I always wanted to make. Venezia is so iconic, so unbelievable, like a magic city floating on the sea. This painting, which was made with acrylics is a bit different, I usually paint in oils. It was still fun to make.

“Vienna” acrylic on Masonite - ©️Matthew Holden Bates - All Rights Reserved

This painting is in the same series as the Venezia Painting, is was trying out acrylics, a bit of a departure for me. I didn’t spend much time in Vienna, but it was amazingly beautiful. This is just a small detail, in a city of details. I love cities that respect art and embellish their buildings with sculpture much like the next painting which I made after visiting Prague.

“Prague” oil on canvas - ©️Matthew Holden Bates - All Rights Reserved

Prague was also just a quick trip, but what a place! So many buildings with angels in the architecture, i took so many photos, eventually I found this gem of a subject along the river.

“Cannes Reflections” oil on canvas - ©️Matthew Holden Bates - All Rights Reserved

The last painting in this post is dedicated to Cannes, a jewel on the French Riviera. If you look closely you can see the Carlton Hotel. I spent this vacation with my family, just another romp for the Bates’ 😎

My main muse has been Firenze, most of my cityscapes are of my home, but every so often I like to paint where I have visited, just to help me remember the good times. Paintings are like memories, when I look at any one of these paintings they remind me of where I have been, what I was doing and who I was with. Life tends to travel fast, and even when we stop to think about it, we can be a little hazy about the details. That is why I make these paintings, also to paint something new. I think in one os my next posts I will focus on the landscapes, when I went out in nature, away from the hustle of the city.

If you like my artwork feel free to follow me on Steemit @matteopaints , I try to post a new article at least once a week. Resteems and upvotes are always appreciated. And for the curators out there, thank you again for all of your support!!!!!!!

My official site: http://www.mattbates.net

Prints of my art: https://www.curioos.com/mattbates