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
7/26/06
Resurrection Church.
Know that these photos are quite the coup. This church is closed and on the block. I visited, knocked on the rectory door and was admitted access. Danish Mod to the nth degree! The church secretary told me the church was designed to resonate with the St. Louis arch however this was built prior to the arch. The interior of the church (exposed brick walls, natch) is in the shape of an arch. And that's where the resemble begins and ends.
I sent a load of these photos to the BUILT ST. LOUIS site, they were used but sadly, I was not credited. Thanks, dude.
7/23/06
HYDRAULIC BRICK!
This is a paver brick from my alley, snatched prior to the alley being paved over.
Hydraulic-Press Brick was located on the south west corner of Kingshighway with various brick yards that produced both common and front (decorative) brick.
Hydraulic-Press Brick Company was owned by T.S. Eliot's father.
7/18/06
SPECKLE BRICK - MY HOME
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
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