We discussed last week that William Dubin, like a train struggling to leave the station, had tentatively begun to explore the effects of light through a variety of atmospheric and night conditions.  Though a number of absolutely stellar paintings were created between the one featured last week and Coronado Bridge Morning (shown below), we feel that this week's featured painting - to continue the metaphor - is the train hurtling full-speed down the tracks.

The setting, of course, is Coronado Bridge in San Diego. As Dubin explains, "from this location you see not just the upward sweep of the bridge, but the pier and the fleet of various sized tugboats and the large floating crane and barge used to service the San Diego Bay. Further south, the Naval Shipyards can just be seen, with various ships under construction using a system of huge cranes. The bridge acts almost as a motif setting off these subjects like a large overhead frame."

As interesting as the physical location is, what is most fascinating is that the artist has managed, with paper and watercolor, to capture the exact moment that the sun eclipses everything in its path just before the eyes are able to adjust to the intense light.  It is not an exaggeration to claim that I had the desire to don sunglasses upon first viewing this painting.

In our final three emails, you'll see Dubin's ability to paint an intense light source become more refined, and applied to a subject closer to home, our beloved Old Pueblo Trolley.

Don't forget, these featured paintings mark just the significant landmarks in the development of this body of work.  To see the entire evolution, spend some time with us on opening night Friday, March 12. 

Cheers!

Nathan Saxton
Borealis Arts, LLC

6530 E. Tanque Verde #160

Tucson, AZ  85715
520-885-2157
borealisart@mac.com

P.S.  You may always catch up on previous emails in this series here.