Hall Groat II

During December of 2022, I took this shot while crossing Park Ave., while walking from St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Sparks Restaurant. I’ve always been fascinated by the two tunnels running right through The Helmsley Building.

The vantage point for this painting was practically right on 46th street. I've painted this iconic building several times before and wanted to get closer. My fascination with mysterious tunnels and urban spaces stems back to once living in Brooklyn, and then attempting to paint hidden tunnels while living in Savannah, GA. Although, time exploring Rome and the catacombs may also interweave into the tunnels, along with painting the Richardson Olmstead Complex tunnel (former Buffalo Psychiatric Center) while living in Buffalo.

This colorful digital kiosk, grouped with the iconic US mailbox, newspaper box, pylon, along with the lighting and deep, split urban space are what inspired me to paint this scene. I often imagine what’s taking place behind the bright windows within all of these illuminated commercial and residential spaces.

During December 2022, I captured this compositional snapshot while crossing Park Ave., during a walk from the Kimberly Hotel in Midtown Manhattan to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.