Early Morning Train

In this Mackenzie Thorpe limited edition print for sale, several workers wait as the early morning train comes into the station. The sun has not yet risen and the street lights give off a faint glow as the plumes of smoke from the train billow around the figures.

Thorpe was raised in the industrial town of Middlesbrough in the 1950s where his father worked as a laborer and his mother as an auxiliary nurse. He was no stranger to the plights of the working class and this is a consistent theme in his artwork.

Although it was a tough period, he acknowledges the strong feeling of community spirit amongst the workers, as well as the loneliness and isolation. This sentiment is communicated in this image as the figures stand together, going to the same destination, yet they are still separate and alone. The sepia tones and lack of color in this piece give it a somber, quiet feeling, as if the only sound is the train approaching the station.

The smoke from the train is particularly stunning in this work as it wraps around the image, creating a strong sense of movement. When drawing his original pastel pieces, Thorpe explodes with energy and a sense of urgency onto the paper or canvas. He uses his hands and fingers as extensions of the pastel sticks, employing a subtle blending of tones. This technique is apparent in this print as the smoke effortlessly blends into the image and seems to float off of the paper.

This Mackenzie Thorpe artwork, along with several others, is available for purchase at Marcus Ashley Gallery in Lake Tahoe. With over 18 years of business and 40+ artists on exhibit, Marcus Ashley Gallery is one of Lake Tahoe’s premier fine art destinations. The gallery shares a deep love for the artists that they represent, as well as the Sierras. Marcus Ashley Gallery is one of the best destinations for art collectors and Tahoe visitors to browse, learn about, and shop for fine art.