I decided to leave the inaccuracies of proportion in the Domino Sugar Refinery because I want to highlight the glass structure built within the old brick walls. The architects built a brand-new building nested inside the façade of the old Sugar Factory, instead of tearing it down. What a wonderful achievement. A real treasure of engineering.
This oil painting by Lisa Bisbee captures the Domino Sugar Refinery in Brooklyn, NYC, with bold colors and expressive brushstrokes that bring the historic and modern elements of the site to life. The composition highlights the juxtaposition of old and new architecture. The original red brick factory building, a relic of Brooklyn’s industrial past, is painted in fiery reds and oranges, making it stand out with an almost glowing intensity. Above it, the modern glass addition curves with a dynamic, reflective surface, depicted in blues, purples, and pops of warm light that mirror the city’s vibrancy. The street below is rendered in deep magentas and purples, guiding the viewer’s eye toward a distant skyline where towering skyscrapers and glowing streetlights add to the urban atmosphere. The dramatic sky, a blend of purples, pinks, and blues, enhances the mood, making the painting feel both nostalgic and futuristic. Lisa Bisbee’s signature thick impasto strokes and vibrant color choices infuse the scene with energy, making this interpretation of the Domino Sugar Refinery a striking and evocative portrayal of Brooklyn’s evolving cityscape.