Painting Iconic Rainbow Row ~ focusing on the charming elements!
I can hear gallery owners saying, “Everybody paints Rainbow Row”. That may be true, but I like to think that beautiful scenery can be interpreted in many ways. Rainbow Row is iconic in that almost everyone who visits Charleston wants to walk along the colorful stretch of East Bay, and or have their picture taken in front of it. Artists like to paint it because it is so charming.
I’ve painted Rainbow Row now three times. Downtown World was my first painting. It is a large piece and leads the viewer down the long sidewalk in front of the colorful row homes. My second painting of Rainbow Row is called Colors of the Rainbow and focuses on some of the rooftops. My latest painting entitled Charming Rainbow Row focuses on an inviting section of the famous iconic home fronts.
Charming Rainbow Row by William R. Beebe, 12 x 12, Oil on board, $2200
With this painting I wanted to feature some of the many charming elements that make the colorful buildings so impressive and extraordinary. Window boxes overflowing with flowers and greenery, potted plants lining the sidewalk, historic wooden shutters with their old fashioned ties, decorative lanterns over doorways, and of course wrought-iron gates all bring passerbys to a standstill. They are what take the colorful row homes to the next level.
Charming is one of the most used adjectives when describing downtown Charleston. Architectural elements are a big reason why.
I love the old-fashioned park bench that invites strangers to sit and relax in front of the private residence. With colorful window boxes on either side the sitter feels like they are sitting in a park or garden, not along a busy road.
Charming Rainbow Row bench detail by William R. Beebe
Gas lit lanterns are common in Historic Charleston. It is a charming element that many of the newer homes are featuring.
Arched entryways with wrought-iron gates add decorative curves to all of the verticals and horizontals in traditional architecture.
Charming Rainbow Row lantern and arch details by William R. Beebe
Seeing the way the light filtered through the canopy of trees lining the sidewalk highlighting colors and objects, was what inspired me to paint Rainbow Row once again.
I hope you like my painting Charming Rainbow Row and find that it makes you want to park yourself on the bench or take a picture. I always enjoy walking past this location and almost always take a picture. Thank you for reading my journal and for your interest in my art! It is most appreciated.
Please check back soon to see what’s next on the easel.
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion...”
What’s next?
Drawing by William R. Beebe