Unlike the majority of brick collectors who prize older stamped bricks I am enchanted by the turn of the century decorative face brick such as these which range in colors. from the front of my building.
Speckle Brick
Presenting a collection of St. Louis bricks, sidewalk markers, and the Fleur-de-lis as architectural detail on and in city buildings, brick collecting, urban exploration, and my life by Christian Herman. Reporting from Tower Grove South in St. Louis, MO
7/18/06
7/17/06
SPOT BRICK
The surface of these bricks look as if holes have been poked into them. Usually there's another color along the surface, this was achieved by using salt or sand in the molds and often the kilns (up or down drafts) contributed to the final style of the brick.
The bond (how the bricks were 'stacked') used in these photos is called Stretcher. Bonds were selected for aesthetics, strength or economy.
These photos are from the TGS area.
The bond (how the bricks were 'stacked') used in these photos is called Stretcher. Bonds were selected for aesthetics, strength or economy.
These photos are from the TGS area.
7/16/06
7/15/06
FLEUR-DE-LIS WINDOW
ANDY LEIGHT
I recently visited with Andy Leight in his two family home in Tower Grove Heights where he has lived for 12 years on 38 Humphrey. I first met him when we showed together at IN/FORM, a gallery space in the old Lemp Brewery building.
ANDY LEICHT
Leicht works exclusively with oil on canvas, using color to first define the space of the piece he is working on. He does both abstract and figural work.
His use of color is both outrageous and cohesive, promoting conflict and yet, a blended harmony in his work. His ability to push color on canvas is extraordinary and intuitive.
Leicht is presently working on a series of portraits based on black and white obituary photos found in the St. Louis Post. What initially intrigued him was the photo that the family choose for publication. For example, he showed me an elderly woman's obituary but the photo provided was taken when she was decades younger.
Part of the challenge for Leight is to render the two dimensional black and white photographs into color, and paint the portraits as if they were posing for him. He develops a relationship with these photos, bringing mood and tone to the canvas with a profound reverence for the subject.
ANDY LEICHT
Leicht works exclusively with oil on canvas, using color to first define the space of the piece he is working on. He does both abstract and figural work.
His use of color is both outrageous and cohesive, promoting conflict and yet, a blended harmony in his work. His ability to push color on canvas is extraordinary and intuitive.
Leicht is presently working on a series of portraits based on black and white obituary photos found in the St. Louis Post. What initially intrigued him was the photo that the family choose for publication. For example, he showed me an elderly woman's obituary but the photo provided was taken when she was decades younger.
Part of the challenge for Leight is to render the two dimensional black and white photographs into color, and paint the portraits as if they were posing for him. He develops a relationship with these photos, bringing mood and tone to the canvas with a profound reverence for the subject.
ANDY LEIGHT'S PORCH - TGS
BRASS SIDEWALK MARKER 1910
43 Hartford, Tower Grove South, 1910
When I was a kid, I used to see these all over our neighborhood and in other parts of the city. Due to many sidewalks being replaced due to damage along with wheel chair accessible sidewalk corners, many of these markers landed in a dump.
If you've any photos of these or know the location of one in St. Louis, run that info over el pronto.
Brass Sidewalk Marker
When I was a kid, I used to see these all over our neighborhood and in other parts of the city. Due to many sidewalks being replaced due to damage along with wheel chair accessible sidewalk corners, many of these markers landed in a dump.
If you've any photos of these or know the location of one in St. Louis, run that info over el pronto.
Brass Sidewalk Marker
7/14/06
CANYON BRICK
WHERE WE LIVE
7/13/06
BROWNIE BRICKS
7/12/06
DIAMOND BRICK
BARK BRICK
It has a rough texture that resembles the bark of a tree. It looks as if the terra cotta was applied with a large knife, similar to stucco but never smoothed out.
I wondered how these bricks left the mold unbroken so I asked my 82 year old neighbor, Clarence, told me that during the firing, the brick would shrink and fall out of the mold when turned over.
These photos are from 38 McDonald.
I wondered how these bricks left the mold unbroken so I asked my 82 year old neighbor, Clarence, told me that during the firing, the brick would shrink and fall out of the mold when turned over.
These photos are from 38 McDonald.
DIMPLE BRICK
7/11/06
3964 McDonald Ave - The brick
Not knowing the names for the different styles of bricks that I photograph and collect, I refer to them by how their surface presents. It's completely subjective and when I have more time i will research further. I refer to the brick on my childhood home as Striped brick. Here's some examples plus a full photo of 3964 McDonald.
7/10/06
3964 McDonald Ave
This is where it all began, 3964 McDonald Ave in the Tower Grove South area of St. Louis. My childhood home!
I love the brass mailbox and beveled glass address plate. I used to polish it when I was a kid. I would run my fingers over the surrounding brick, fascinated with the crevices and various values of color.
I loves me some brick.
I love the brass mailbox and beveled glass address plate. I used to polish it when I was a kid. I would run my fingers over the surrounding brick, fascinated with the crevices and various values of color.
I loves me some brick.
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