Local artist Robert Beck has become a familiar sight on Upper West Side sidewalks, where he sets up his easel and paints to capture neighborhood scenes in his distinctive, heavily brushed style. The artist frequently positions himself inside beloved local small businesses and other locations throughout the community, documenting slices of daily life as part of his biweekly West Side Canvas series.
In a recent interview with Rag Radio, Beck explained his artistic approach and philosophy behind the ongoing project. He emphasized his commitment to positioning himself "in the middle of where things are happening" when creating his paintings, working directly from his observations of the bustling Upper West Side community. The artist operates from his home studio, which serves as his creative base for the series.
Beck's artistic work extends beyond visual art to include compelling written essays that accompany each painting. These written pieces provide context and personal reflection on the scenes he captures. In a recent example, Beck paired his painting of a New York City bus navigating nighttime streets with a thoughtful essay praising the experience of bus travel. In the piece, he wrote: "It's nothing like the subterranean gloom of the subway, with its echoes, screeches, and kaleidoscopic rushes of light. Going down those steps is like entering a Hieronymus Bosch painting."
The Rag Radio interview featuring Beck joins a growing collection of segments with West Side Rag contributors. Previous interviews in the series have included conversations with WSR Weekend columnist Tracy Zwick, cartoonist Gary Martin, photographer Steve Harmon, the authors of Ruthless Advice, Rag cartoonist Bob Eckstein, and WSR reporter Gus Saltonstall. These interviews provide insight into the creative community that documents and interprets life on Manhattan's Upper West Side through various artistic mediums.
