Artist's Statement

This artwork is a product of a photoshoot at the Yermo Union Pacific Yard in Yermo, CA. The two cars depicted, a gondola car and a well car, represent the workhorses for transporting materials and goods. A gondola rail car’s versatile design makes it ideal for shipping all kinds of heavy bulk commodities used for construction, including scrap metal, steel rebar, steel beams, grinding media, aggregates, logs, lumber, sand, copper, and iron ore. A well car is used for carrying shipping containers.

Color holds immense significance in my creative process, and I was drawn to the deep rust of the foreground train car against the backdrop of the cerulean sky, distant mountain range, and the warm yellow ochre of the second car. The juxtaposition of deep rust against cerulean blue skies and warm yellow ochre evokes a sense of timelessness and nostalgia, while reflecting a contemporary palette. The car’s coarse surface and typography reveal the car’s history and many uses over time.

The subject matter speaks volumes about the passage of time and the enduring legacy of railroads. “Work Safely,” stenciled on the train, serves as a reminder of the human element behind these industrial giants. Color, a cornerstone of the creative process, plays a pivotal role in this piece, emphasizing the contrast and harmony between the industrial and natural worlds.

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