Hoover Mason Trestle – watercolor on 1/2 sheet of Arches cold press
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is well known for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. It manufactured steel and was a major shipbuilder during the industrial revolution. Like most manufacturing, steel making went overseas and the company declared bankruptcy in 2001.
The blast furnaces and a narrow gauge railroad remained and in July of this year the Hoover Mason Trestle opened. Like the High Line in NYC which is now a park created out of a disused elevated railway, the Hoover Mason Trestle revitalized the old railroad and it’s now a public walkway/museum.
I love when the old is kept along with something new. (Add something borrowed and something blue and we’ll all be celebrating a wedding.)
Now, as a community service, I’m giving you fair warning. Next week will be a Trifecta of Traffic Nightmares. Pope Francis is coming to NYC. on September 24th. President Obama will be here. And the UN General Assembly will be in session. The Pope and the President will be addressing said Assembly.
My advice? If you’re already in NYC run, don’t walk, out of town. If you’re not here, don’t come to the City. It will be a logistical nightmare. Hey, I’m here to help.
Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining 
24 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 18, 2015 at 1:22 am
Jamie Dedes
Long on wisdom. Stay out of the city on the 24th. Yes! Though in my heart I wish I was there.
I agree: love the poetry of mixing old and new, history and a walk in the park today. A wonderful photo. Bravo!
September 18, 2015 at 2:54 am
Rebecca
Wow, Carol, I love everything about this picture. It’s so full of contrast – nature and industrial, colours, near and distant, light and shade. It’s got it all! I have serious picture envy. 🙂
September 18, 2015 at 3:32 am
memadtwo
This is really beautiful and complex. It’s something special. N.
September 18, 2015 at 4:01 am
padmaja
Quite good amount of balance between the nature and the man made, you took me to the spot!
September 18, 2015 at 6:46 am
Jodi
Beautiful!
September 18, 2015 at 6:57 am
memadtwo
I immediately thought of the (old) high line when I saw your painting. It’s beautiful now, but the old deserted one had its charms (and much fewer people). And I always like the contrast of the natural and the man-made. the purples and greens are beautiful together.
September 18, 2015 at 7:00 am
memadtwo
I hate the way wordpress has the comments set up now…I’m always pressing send by mistake.
To conclude, as to the Pope, I rarely get to midtown these days, and I don’t think he’ll be journeying this far uptown, so I think I’m safe. Luckily it’s a short visit! (K.)
September 18, 2015 at 7:40 am
candy7
Carol, this painting is gorgeous. I’m with you on keeping the old and adding the new. Thanks for the warning about all the action in NYC:)
September 18, 2015 at 7:45 am
Laura (Createarteveryday)
He’s coming to DC too, same story with the logistics. I love him though, and my guess is the world will be better off as a result of his meeting with various dignitaries. He is a force for good! (And I don’t say that about every pope) Love your painting, Carol! I hope you’re not too inconvenienced by his visit. 💛
September 18, 2015 at 8:24 am
RHCarpenter
Stay inside and paint while they are there, causing traveling headaches! I really like this – the old and new, the manmade and the natural – works well!
September 18, 2015 at 9:00 am
Alex Zonis
Fantastic painting! I love it! The color is magnificent and the rhythm of repeated stacks takes you into the painting!
As to you warning, I am taking it seriously and will be waiting for the Pope back in Italy Haha!
September 18, 2015 at 9:10 am
Sharon Mann
Carol, thanks for posting your painting. Watercolor was the right medium to use to express the weathered decay of the structure. I’m in awe!
Good luck with the NYC dignitary visits!
September 18, 2015 at 9:33 am
Kathy Colangeli
Carol, this is an awesome painting. Fantastic job! Love the way your captured the rusty steel against the flowers.
September 18, 2015 at 11:06 am
Mary
Wonderful painting Carol – love seeing the old steel plant through your artist eyes. Used to live in PA and am very familiar with the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Best wishes with the upcoming Pope’s visit ~
September 18, 2015 at 11:32 am
amaryllislog
This is so beautiful! Love the contrast. I had forgotten the exact dates of the Pope’s visit. I’ll be in NYC the following week thankfully.
September 18, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Nic McLean
I love this painting – you’re so good at unusual architecture – pipes/girders/water towers etc! I love when they upcycle old things to give them a new lease of life as well. Sounds like New York isn’t the place to be on 24th!!
September 18, 2015 at 1:34 pm
jotsfromasmallapt
I could *like* this so many times it would make your head spin…..
September 18, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Charlie O'Shields (doodlewash)
This is amazing!! ❤️Such a wonderful painting!! I’m loving it! And I’m far from NYC so I should be safe, but I can’t imagine the chaos that’s about to ensue there! 😳
September 20, 2015 at 10:37 pm
joantav
Love the gritty steel stacks next to the lovely garden! Well done, Carol!!! We were near your neighborhood at the Gowanus on Saturday…missed you. Thanks for the public service announcement about the city. I’ll definitely stay clear.
September 22, 2015 at 9:04 pm
ruthsartwork
Wise advise for the city dwellers here. I love your industrial landscape painting. A nice mix of rural and urban.
September 25, 2015 at 1:28 pm
lesliepaints
Awesome painting! Over the top! I love this!!!!
September 27, 2015 at 1:53 pm
jimmyboi2
That is perfection !!!!!
October 9, 2015 at 4:24 am
June Malone
Really original and interesting subject Carol – you do industrial and perspective extremely well. Both the soft natural area and the rough furnaces stand alone, yet enhance each other.
November 2, 2015 at 12:07 pm
elenacaravela
A really wonderful painting, Carol! The colors, textures and the perspective! Kudos!