Lucky 7

This painting took some time but in doing it many memories came flooding back into my mind. I believe everyone in C'ville has done business in this store. Its slated for demolition soon. Along with the building right next door to it, it has been a touchstone for locals. I think all of we locals have been inside of its doors to buy cigarettes or beer. Its in a central location, right next to the police station and City Hall where many run over for our daily needs. It has about anything in the way of candy, cigs, beers or sodas inside its' vaults or coolers. They are doing the usual with it, the thing that was sung out by Joanie Michell in that they are "paving paradise and putting up a parkinglot". Here it happens again, this time its for parking for our courts and policemen. Its days are numbered and so I remember it with this canvas. One funny little note is that its widely known that if you want to get a cab all you have to do is go to the "Lucky 7" cause that is where they all hangout. I felt good that I got a Yellow Cab in this painting because its very appropriate for remembering this spot.

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What Has Worked;

Penn Academy of the Fine Art Visit in Philly

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Hut for a Blue Tractor and a Red Grass-Cutter

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Remains of an Early Virginian Church

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Whiting Oil Company on W. Main St. C'ville, Va.

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On a walk to my day job in the 1980's I would pass this non-important gas station on the main drag of West Main Street. Today its a new and different event taking such a meandering in Charlottesville, the buildings are all redone and new ten story hotels are being placed on that street. The old has been made new. I believe the term is re-gentrification. Such a change happened to this former gas station. It was a building I passed by and never really took a good look at because there wasn't anything 'noteworthy' for me to see in it. It was your average gas station with mechanics working on cars inside of its portals. But then came the changes and renewal occurred. While I don't like change for change sake, the re-gentrification of West Main Street has added some taste to that street's structures, such was what I saw in 'Whiting Oil Co.' It has had some new walls added, outdoor tables and new glass windows that made it somewhat unique to ot...
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