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- Coney Island Cowboys
Coney Island Cowboys
36x24 oil on board. Black Floater Frame
This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville,PA.
https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow
Along with work from 6 other artists.
Original Instagram post:
"Coney Island Cowboys"
While scouring the interwebz for early color photos, I came across this image, and HAD to paint it. The structure in the background is the Parachute ride on Coney Island. My grandfathee used to paint that thing!
Back in the late 40s to early 60s, Grandpa had a painting contracting business, and one of his clients was the Steeplechase Park, (amusement park on Coney Island, New York). After school, my dad often helped paint all the buildings and rides in the park.
And they DEFINITELY used all the latest government regulated safety equipment.
And since there WAS NO government regulated safety equipment, Grandpa saved a lot of money. Yanno ... On safety equipment. (And thank goodness, because those race horses and card games weren't going to bet on themselves).
The original reference photo was used with permission from the Ruth Orkin Photo Archive. Many thanks to @ruthorkinphoto The photo was taken on Coney Island during the making of the film “Little Fugitive” (1953) which Orkin made with her husband Morris Engel. Ms. Orkin was an inspiring woman and an award-winning photojournalist & filmmaker. She worked for all the major magazines in 1940s (impressive). According to Google, she'd be 100 years old this year. Check out the original photo (and others) on her site:
OrkinPhoto.com
#coneyisland #newyork #earlycolorphoto #vintagephoto #oilpainting