This is the second piece in my “Love Me Don’t Leave Me” series. Known as the Broadway Store Buildings and built between 1850–1860, this row of stores on S. Broadway in St. Louis was designated as “City Landmark #67” in 1976.

When they were originally built, they had grace and elegance and stood out from their predominantly brick neighbors due to their handsome smooth finish stone. It is heart breaking to see them fall further and further into neglect and disrepair.

Hopefully, it is not too late to save these buildings. I decided to shine the light on the plight of these forgotten relics in order to show their haunting beauty and a give a tiny glimpse of some of the stories that still might hide within their walls. I have called this painting, “The Butcher” — look closely and you will see. Some may say that I am attempting to present these abandoned structures as haunted side-shows. That is not so. I have carefully painted in little slices of life in honor of the hundreds of people including merchants, store workers, mothers, fathers, children and their pets — who lived, worked and played there.

Original piece is mixed media on watercolor paper | 11 x 14”