Bill's Bar - Acrylic Painting of Iconic Boston Neon Sign

Bill's Bar

9 x 12  inches

acrylic on cradled panel

I noticed the sign for Bill's on Landsdowne while nearing Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. The sign combines neon and light bulbs - and the colors combined with the colors of the building made me certain I had to paint it! Maybe a larger version with a different crop will be in the works? I've never been "hip" enough to actually go inside, but it is known as quite the party spot!

Perhaps you've seen a musical group here? Or spent a festive New Years Eve? Or maybe just know someone named Bill - this painting would be a great addition to an art collection - especially for fans of old neon. Contact me if you are interested in more information!

Motel - Small Acrylic Painting Old Neon Sign

Motel

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

Yet another visit to one of my favorite signs in Ipswich, Massachusetts, the old Whittier Motel sign. The neon has fairly recently been replaced with plastic back lit lettering, and the art deco base removed and replaced with two white pillars. Not quite the same  ;-(

However, thanks to a featured artist show at Zenobia Gallery (just down the street from the Whittier), this painting has sold. And there will be a whole bunch more Whittier pieces coming up as I took in quite a few commissions as a result of the show.

Interested in a painting of the Whittier for your own collection? Contact me!

Marty's Donut Land - Acrylic Painting of Iconic Storefront in Ipswich, Massachusetts by Debbie Shirley

Marty's

7 x 5 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

SOLD

I have painted Marty's Donut Land before.....it has since been bought out and changed hands. There are a lot of Ipswich people who have fond memories of Marty's - of the fresh hot donuts, right out of the fryer, that you had to show up for very, very early (or late for the party crowd) and get before the sun rose. I have had a bunch of requests for more, so I am doing some more small paintings - slightly different crops and orientations - so that people can have a piece of Ipswich history for their own. Please contact me if you would like a Marty's painting to capture some of your own memories.

Clam Box Painting - Small Acrylic Painting of Iconic Clam Shack Ipswich, Massachusetts

Clam Box

(Ipswich, Massachusetts)

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

SOLD

The Iconic Clam Box in Ipswich, Massachusetts! An interesting building - shaped like a take-out box. Love the red and white accents - and of course, the fried clams. Stop by on a warm summer evening, and the line goes all the way around the building. A place not to be missed by visitors to the area.

It is a fun building to paint - I am always trying to find a slightly different angle or crop to it. This is a popular subject with my customers, so I do end up painting it a lot! If you are interested in a "Clam Box" painting of your own. please contact me!

Caffe Sicilia - Small Acrylic Painting of a Local Cafe Gloucester, Massachusetts

Caffe Sicilia

(Gloucester, Massachusetts)

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

available at Pop Gallery

This charming little cafe is across the street from one of the galleries that carries my work. Pop Gallery is an awesome boutique right on Main Street in downtown Gloucester. It has evolved from a mostly art pop-up shop into a charming and quirky shop with stuff you won't find elsewhere - really fun clothing and unique accessories including the work of some local artists. Anyways, I thought it would be fun to paint a few of the downtown businesses that locals would recognize for Pop to include on their pink wall and I have always loved the shape of this little corner building.

Plaza Motel - Acrylic Painting of a Motel and Neon Sign

Plaza Motel

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

Going back to Route 1 for another seedy motel. Route 1 used to have a ton of these sketchy places - each one complete with a neon sign, and other signs about their color tvs, air conditioners, hot tubs and other amenities. Many of these motels have been razed in the last five years and a few big chain hotels have taken their place. The few motels that are left along this stretch of road no longer have neon signs. This was one of the last neon signs to go - it has been recently been replaced by a backlit box sign. The neon will be missed!

Hilltop Steakhouse - Small Original Acrylic PaInting SOLD

Hilltop (Frank Giuffrida)

5 x 7  inches

acrylic on cradled panel

SOLD

This was a little commission - from a slightly different angle /cropping than my previous Hilltop Restaurant. My collector made a special request for me to include the name. Don't forget you can contact me to make a special request of  your own!

Agawam Diner - Small Acrylic Painting of Classic Rowley Diner by Debbie Shirley

Agawam Diner

(Rowley, Massachusetts)

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

The Agawam Diner on Route 1 in Rowley, Massachusetts is quite the local institution. Whenever I have a painting of it at one of my shows, it seems like just about everyone comments on having eaten there. By the way, despite the name, I don't think this diner was ever in Agawam. I believe it was in Ipswich and Peabody before it was moved to Rowley in the 1960's.

This piece is currently available at Pop Gallery in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Interested in a similar piece? Contact me!

Beer & Wine - Acrylic Painting of Bowling Alley and Neon Sign

Beer & Wine

(Danvers, Massachusetts)

16 x 12 inches

SOLD

Love this sign from the Sunnyside Bowladrome in Danvers, Massachusetts. I am always surprised at how many locals don't know where this is! The colors are great - and the building has some interesting shapes. Every time I go by it, I see another angle that I want to paint!

This painting was one of my recent favorites - and I am happy to say that is SOLD at this year's Topsfield Fair.

Home Style - Small Urban Landscape Painting by Debbie Shirley

Home Style (One Way)

(Gloucester, Massachusetts)

8 x 8 inches

acrylic on canvas

What exactly would "Home Style" laundry be? Seems like a funny claim to fame! But anyways, I found myself fascinated by this building, sign and shadows each time I drove by, so I decided to paint it. A little different than my paintings that just highlight a part or a sign, but I am enjoying doing this kind of urban landscape - so there will be more!

Cameron's - Small Painting of Gloucester Restaurant Sign by Debbie Shirley

Cameron's

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel
SOLD

Once a downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts institution, Cameron's Restaurant has been closed for a number of years and is now slated for demolition to make way for an affordable housing project.

This painting SOLD at Pop Gallery in Gloucester. Interested in a similar piece? Contact me!

Kowloon - Small Acrylic Painting of Neon Sign Roadtrip

Kowloon

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on cradled board

Another crop of the iconic Kowloon sign. One of the few neon signs still left on Route 1! This painting will be available through my studio for the next week or so - and then it will be heading to a local shop.

Hilltop - Small Acrylic Painting of Iconic Hilltop Sign Route 1

Hilltop

(Saugus, Massachusetts)

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

It always seems like it is time to do another Hilltop painting!

The Hilltop seems to be one of my most in-demand images. I suspect that is because it was such a well-loved place that was around for so long - and then fairly recently closed their doors for good. At every show I attend with one of my Hilltop pieces, I hear so many stories about the special family get-togethers that were held there....the special dinners, birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, rehearsal dinners, etc.  - everyone seems to have a Hilltop memory. Not too many restaurants have such a long history of making memories for so many people!

This is also why I love this series of local signs and buildings that I have been working on. Not only are they fun to paint, but I really enjoy hearing the stories that people share, their memories connected to these places, the connections that people have to these places.

I do these pieces by commission as well- so let me know if there is a special place you would like me to memorialize in a painting.

Tripoli Pizza - Small Acrylic Painting of Neon Sign from Salisbury Beach

Tripoli

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

I seem to be meeting a lot of people from Salisbury lately. And have been talking a lot about Salisbury Beach. Can't talk about Salisbury Beach without mentioning Tripoli Pizza! And while they have other locations, I am pretty sure that the Salisbury one is the only one with the great neon sign. One of my favorite signs - that I keep coming back to.....

Miniature - Small Acrylic Painting of Rt.1 Neon Sign

Miniature (Golf)

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

Another new favorite sign to play with! I am actually working on a much larger version of another part of this sign for an upcoming show. This sign is on Rt. 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts - new to the famous orange dinosaur. The property has sold, and originally the sign and orange dinosaur were supposed to come right down. Due to public outcry, the developers decided to give the mini golf course and orange dinosaur one last season. So quick - make it over to Rt 1 for a round of mini golf before the orange dinosaur becomes only part of North Shore's history......

Skips - Small Acrylic Painting of a Classic Neon Sign

Skips

6x6 inches

acrylic on cradled board

Finally a different part of the Skips neon sign! I love the part of the sign that says "The Best" - great words, shapes and colors. It has taken me a while to find another part of the sign that I wanted to paint. Some time I may have to do a larger version of the entire sign - it really is one of my favorites!

Working on a couple of these smaller pieces simultaneously with a few larger paintings that I hope will be ready to post soon. I think I start working on multiple projects at once when I am feeling a bit restless....

Golf - Small Acrylic Painting Mini Golf Neon Sign Route 1 Saugus, Massachusetts

Golf

6 x 6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

How about a little mini golf??
Can't believe it has taken me so long to get around to painting this great neon sign in Saugus, Massachusetts. Yes, this is on Route 1 - site of the famous orange dinosaur. I had to get this painting dome - this is the last season for the dinosaur. The  whole complex is due to be demolished this fall to make room for more developments.

Love this sign - I am already sketching out a larger painting with a similar composition. this small painting is available at the brand new North Shore Makers Mart in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Stop by their Grand Opening on April 30th and see all kids of fun things from local artists. And it is in the middle of a vintage shop and consignment boutique - so much fun shopping in one place!

Free HBO - Small Acrylic Painting of a Vintage Motel Sign by Debbie SHirley

Free HBO

(Saugus, Mass.)

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

Back to more of my sign paintings. I need more for local shops - and then with show/festival season getting underway, I will need some for my own inventory as well! I find signs fun to paint - sometimes I keep going back to some of my favorites, playing with composition and color and dimensions. After years in the printing industry and a resulting love for typography, it was inevitable that I would be drawn to signs - the lettering, the shapes, the graphic nature. Then tie in the nostalgic factor - and they are an irresistible subject for me!

State Street - Architecture Cityscape Acrylic Painting of Newburyport by Debbie Shirley

State Street

12 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas

I finally finished up some small changes that I wanted to  make on this painting, painted the edges and varnished and framed it. It's an angled view down State Street in downtown Newburyport, Massachusets.

It will be on exhibit during the Spring Members Show at the Newburyport Art Association  from April 8 - April 30th with an opening reception on April 9, 7-9pm.

Fowles - Small Acrylic Painting of an Iconic Neon Sign

Fowles

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

Back in full sign making mode! Yep, some of the same old....but some new ones, too - and always new crops and colors - love playing around with these and getting ideas for bigger pieces.
I've got a bunch of orders to fill for these - and a new local venue opening in a few weeks. More info to come!