Want to see some really good, really unusual landscapes?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

My neighbor a couple houses down from me is a professional artist, and beginning in 2012 he's been working on a project called "100 Alleys," which he has finally finished. He's been painting alleys in Minneapolis in various mediums and is work is really excellent. The reason he decided to paint alleys is that he was raised in a small town that didn't have them, and he was fascinated by them - kind of the back side of city life. This project is the reason I took my own shot at painting my alley, but his stuff is vastly better. With each painting he explains a little about each alley and how he painted it. Some of these were done on site but most were from photos he took - he explained that there's more traffic in alleys than you'd expect and he was constantly having to pick up and move. Have a look: https://100alleys.blogspot.com/

[lunatica]

1. These are very inspiring!

I love his painterly style. It looks like icing on cakes!

And it satisfies my love of sky depictions big time! He transforms forgotten and neglected alleys into great art!

Thanks for posted these!

[sdfernando]

2. The alley behind my house actaully has its own street name

It has a ton of traffic. Most of the houses on the main streets have either split the lots and have houses facing the alley or are 2 on 1s like mine where the "In-Law" house faces the alley. The alley is also how I get to park my car in the garage.

Those are some great paintings. Your neighbor is quite talented.

[Ohiogal]

3. Fabulous work.

And the fact that he can employ different styles.... that takes a lot of talent!

I love how each painting evokes a certain kind of atmosphere, even emotion.

I’ve always felt that there is a certain kind of beauty in buildings and cityscapes.

Thank you for sharing this, VO!

[marble falls]

4. He's doing this work plen aire? Good stuff.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. He told me he did a lot of them from photos

because there was often too much traffic. Some others were plein air or based on sketches he did on site.

[marble falls]

9. He's a wet on wet painter. We expressionists are a vanishing lot. Nice work. I'd hang it and be ...

proud of it.

[Rainbow Droid]

6. Those are quality landscapes. Your friend has talent.

[catchnrelease]

7. Ooh I love these!

What a talented artist. I really like his use of shadows, and I think my favorite of all is #92. But they are all excellent. Thanks for posting the link.

[packman]

8. They have a Edward Hopper feel to them

barren, isolated, and marginal in tone.

[bif]

10. Those are remarkable!

Such talent. And what a great concept for a project. A seemingly endless supply of subject matter. Are his paintings for sale?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. Yes, his art is for sale. More here:

http://www.johnsauer.com/original-art-for-sale/

[bif]

12. Any idea what kind of prices he charges?

His work is remarkable. And inspiring. I may have to try and paint an alley.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. Alleys are interesting places.

I might take another whack at one myself. I don't know what John charges for his paintings.