Painting New Orleans Blog

Buttoned Up Against the Night

The other night I went on an expedition in my neighborhood to photograph an intriguing house partially hidden in by trees. The house had a wonderful copula, porch and roofline and seemed straight out of a gothic novel—a miniature castle. . While waiting for it to get dark, I took some test shots of the neighbor’s cat and of the half-full moon. And then, when the light was right I took my photos.

Once I got to work on the painting the thought occurred to me that it might look scary to some and I wondered why I did not see it that way.  After all, a house with the lights blazing as evening approaches can look like a haunted house.  In my head I imagine Scooby Doo saying " g g ggg ghosts!"  Perhaps no one would want the painting because it would be intimidating.

But the truth is when I see a house lit up like that it feels alive on the inside.  It feels safe and protected – like a childhood fort--.I want some of that light for myself.  I want to live in that solid, well-constructed house that towers above its neighbors and stands watch in the night.  I see these homes as safe havens.  Just as I dress my kid in layer upon layer of clothing when he goes to play in the snow (I have relatives up north), I see these houses as swaddled in light against the night. 

Here is the final painting

“Buttoned Up Against the Night” 30” x 40” No Longer Available

And here is a similar piece created in the same spirit,

“Light in the Night” 30” x 40” No Longer Available

Thanks for listening to me talk about my work,

Adam Hall

[email protected]

(919)414-2629