"Kingneon" Guçwa, renowned photorealism artist, featuring excerpts from his sold-out book Signs of Art, a collection of American roadside neon paintings.

photo realistic paintings by James Kingneon Guçwa,  

renowned photorealistic artist, featuring excerpts from his sold-out book
Signs of Art
, a collection of american roadside paintings.

Flamingo

Flamingo (2012)
Oils/acrylic on canvas
35"H x 60.5"W

Available at the Scott Richards Gallery, San Francisco - www.srcart.com


Ballroom

Ballroom (2011)
Oils/acrylic on canvas
46"H x 36"W

For pricing, contact The Scott Richards Contemporary Gallery, San Francisco - www.srcart.com


Voodoo Donut

Voodoo Donut (2011)
Oils/acrylic on canvas
48"H x 36"W

Available at the Scott Richards Gallery, San Francisco - www.srcart.com


Red Feather Lodge

Red Feather Lodge (2011) - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils and acrylic on canvas
36" x 46.75"

Available at the Scott Richards Gallery, San Francisco - www.srcart.com

The Red Feather Lodge is located in the Grand Canyon Village just before the South entrance of the canyon.



Tucson Inn

Tucson Inn (2011)
Oils and acrylic on canvas
37" x 47"

Available at the Scott Richards Gallery, San Francisco - www.srcart.com



Burro Jim Motel

Burro Jim Motel - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Acrylics on canvas

Available at the Scott Richards Gallery, San Francisco - www.srcart.com

This old place is still in operation and could be found between Wickenburg and Quartzsite, Arizona.


 

Time to Buy

Time to Buy - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils on canvas
18" H  x 24"W

The "Time to Buy" neon sits atop a liquor store but seemed more appropriate floating in space - like the Starship Enterprise.



Westernaire Motel

Westernaire - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils on canvas
32" H  x 24"W

Along the Apache Trail in Mesa, Arizona.





Tucson Inn

Tucson Inn - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Watercolor
34" H  x 40.5"W

Tucson is rich with character and filled with great signs like this.





Buckhorn Baths

Buckhorn Baths - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils on canvas
48" H  x 64"W

Along Apache Trail in Mesa, Arizona, sits Buckhorn Baths - a visual treasure!





Captain Video

Captain Video - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils and acrylics on canvas
30" H  x 54"W


I don't think this sign is still standing.  I remember as a small boy "Captain Video" was a popular TV program. I liked the wrap-around effect of this neon along with the added bonus of the ornate, oxidized copper rotunda.
 




Blue Fox

Blue Fox - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils and acrylics on canvas
64" H  x 48"W


As I was traveling through Northern Utah, I spotted the Fox down a side street of a small town.




Blue Fox at Night

Blue Fox at Night
Acrylics on canvas
55"H x 38"W (framed)

I liked the Fox theater enough to paint a second version of it---this time at dusk. To add interest, I added the neon fox.  For a price, contact the artist.
 



Utahna Motel

Utahna Motel - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils on canvas
48" H  x 64"W

Utahna was the very first in the series of over 300 roadside neon paintings that I did. It was painted in 1986. When the painting was about halfway completed, I decided to drive back to the site to have a second look only to find it gone forever. On the site is now a faceless, storage facility.





The Drifter - SOLD
Acrylic on canvas
22" H  x 35"W

This is the second piece I painted using The Drifter.  It's a great old neon in Silver City, New Mexico. Of course, one's not likely to find a palm tree anywhere in town----what can I say? I happen to love painting palm's and the empty space was calling out for one. The first painting using The Drifter could be seen on my American motorcycle page.




El Don Motel - SOLD
Acrylic on canvas
36.25"H x 53.63  (size without frame)

I found El Don years ago and just got around to painting it. If I recall correctly, the old place was somewhere in Utah (then again, was it New Mexico?). As you may have noticed, I just love an old neon that's faded, peeling and forgotten. By the time I apply the last stroke of paint to the canvas, it's as if I've rebuild the sign myself and have given it a second life. Please contact me for more details about the piece or photo's. This painting includes a new black, floater frame.

And, if you know where the El Don is, please, let me know.





Arrow Motel - SOLD

Arrow Motel was designed and built in the 50's and is still a popular landmark in Espanola, New Mexico. I took the liberty of creating this new environment for the old sign, as it symbolizes a time gone by.





neon art book


101 Diner, 2001  -
SOLD
Framed, Acrylics on panel
30 3/4" H x 18 3/4" W

On a road trip along the northwest coast I found this great neon. The 101 Diner is located in Encinitas, CA. It begged to be painted on canvas (panel, in this case). Limited edition prints are available. Contact the artist for more information.

 



neon art book

Arts - PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils on Canvas
40"H x 48"W

This great theater marquee is the Fine Arts Theater in Los Angeles, CA.




neon art book


Fox -
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils on canvas
24" x 36"

Another great old theater marquee located somewhere in a small town in central CA.




neon art book

Bel Air -
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils on Canvas
32"W x 44"H

Somewhere in New Mexico I came across the Bel Air Motel.  I'd guess most of the motel's occupants were birds.  A very odd and unusual place, with lots of character indeed.




neon art book


Hi Life Lounge -
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Oils on Canvas
18"H x 40"W

The Hi-Life is a bar/restaurant in Manhattan. There is actually, two Hi-Life Lounges owned by the same individual. It was filmed in a fairly popular Hollywood movie having the same name. I try to visit this one with every trip into the city.   



road side neon


44 Cocktails -
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Acrylics on Canvas
48"H x 64"W

The owner of this establishment might not appreciate my description of "44 Cocktails", but this is nothing less than a great dive.  I particularly liked painting the multiple light bulbs.  As I recall, it is located somewhere South of Butte, Montana.

Roadside Neon Paintings

After World War II and throughout the 1950's, America experienced a new era of prosperity and growth. It was the age of the Hudson, the Packard, and later the Edsel. These were the days when the summer vacation often meant packing the family ino the car for a cross-country adventure. As vacationers crisscrossed the nation, a need arose for food, rest and comfort on the road between the large cities. To answer this call, hundreds of Mom-and-Pop businesses sprung to life along every highway in the country---the hotel gave way to the motel, just as the restaurant yielded to the diner. Each business, deperately competing with the next, devising bigger, brighter, and better ways to attract and convince the hungry, weary traveler to "turn here." The entrepreneurs concluded that the incorporation of moving parts, bright-flashing neon lights, and scores of blinking bulbs on a sign was an effective method of attracting the motorist's attention.

Since 1986 I have traveled many of America's two-lane highways---including numerous Route 66 excursions---and miles of back-roads, seeking out the few remaining grand classics of the past. Over these years I've painted a total of 235 roadside pieces.

My recently released hardcover (now sold out) Signs of Art, tells the story and shows the chronology of these works.

Every one of my paintings are available as museum quality, Limited-Edition Giclee's on either paper or stretched canvas. In appreciation of my collectors, I've kept each edition size very small (usually under 100 prints per run). Each of these fine art reproductions are carefully inspected, signed and numbered. I personally guarantee the quality of all my work---if you are not pleased with anything offered on this site, I will promptly return payment in full. Personalized signings are honored. Just ask!

This page contains a few original Roadside Paintings and several that are in print. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or personal requests. I would also be happy to discuss commissions.

James "Kingneon" Guçwa
email: kingneon@kingneon.com


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CONTACT US AT:
kingneon@kingneon.com

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