Chinatown and Pink Plastic Bags

Chinatown centered on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street in San Francisco is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest in North America.   The first immigrants to come to San Francisco were two men and a woman in 1848, where it continues to retain it’s own customs, languages and culture.

Grant Avenue is the southern gateway to Chinatown and one of the oldest streets there in Chinatown.  The architecture varies from Old St. Mary’s church to the Sing Chong Building of which I painted in “No Parking in Chinatown”.

The town is mainly populated by Canton region of China immigrants and new immigrants including those from Hong Kong and Mainland China.

You will find restaurants galore serving great dim sum, plus wildly colored markets carrying ethnic Asian spices, teas, and Chinese veggies.

Most people who visit Chinatown have a love hate relationship with it.  But for a painter it’s a feast for my eyes. Chinatown’s colors are vivid, a colorist’s dream. The chaotic atmosphere, the brightly colored signs and unique shops add to my interest. It’s a Disneyland atmosphere of touristy trinkets.  The contrast of the elders selling antiques and tourists carrying pink plastic shopping bags create a wonderful juxtaposition. 

 I will be showing you many more paintings from Chinatown and I hope I captured the energy of this interesting neighborhood and tourist attraction. 

2k14 current footage 3728 sq. inches 

*Painting above~It’s Not Kiki’s Market II, 36″ x 36″ acrylic on museum wrapped canvas, Price $3240

*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA.   You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237.  Thank you!