Inside the Oriental Theater Chicago Canvas Print

They were called movie palaces and palaces they were. Anyone with the price of admission could get lost in the magic of Hollywood in surroundings suitable for royalty. Turbaned ushers led patrons from the lobby, through an inner foyer with elephant-throne chairs and glazed Buddhas, to the auditorium’s “hasheesh-dream décor.” I love the ornate awe-inspiring drama of the architectural details. I thoroughly enjoyed this challenging subject and plan to paint more of these historic landmarks. As one of the first motion picture palaces whose décor was inspired by the Far East, Chicago’s Oriental Theatre opened to much fanfare on May 8, 1926. The theater eventually fell into disrepair and was closed to the public in 1981. Rescued in 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced that the Oriental would be restored to its original grandeur for the presentation of live stage musicals. It was renamed the Ford Center for the Performing Arts in 1997.

All originals are available for sale on my website; TomShropshire.com American artist Tom Shropshire is a contemporary impressionist and calls his style of painting “Traditional with a Twist”, because his work often includes unexpected elements of pulp art, dreams, or fantasy. "As an Urban fantasy artist, I am known for contemporary night city scenes, dramatic landscapes, seascapes, and narrative works inspired by pop culture, film, and pulp fiction. I try to express mystery, beauty, and wonder in all my work.The city at night has always intrigued me as well, and I find myself returning to the subject again and again. Atmospheric city night scenes have become my signature style but I continue to paint Fantasy and representational...