Description :

This vibrant acrylic painting captures the quiet, glowing stillness of Pike Place Market at daybreak, long before the crowds arrive. Mayes paints the iconic Public Market Center sign in warm red tones that cut through the cool morning shadows, anchoring the composition with a sense of place instantly recognizable to Seattle collectors.

The street is rendered with Mayes’ signature gestural brushwork—loose, confident strokes that suggest movement even in a moment of calm. Figures drift through the scene in soft silhouette, and the trees lining the street cast long, early‑morning shadows that stretch across the pavement. The palette is classic Mayes: rich color, lively contrasts, and a sense of Northwest atmosphere that feels both familiar and nostalgic.

Artist Bio — Danny Mayes (American, b. 1950s)

Danny Mayes is a Pacific Northwest painter known for his bold, intuitive brushwork and expressive depictions of regional life. Born in Tacoma, Washington, he originally trained as a boxer before earning a scholarship to the Burnley School of Commercial Art (later the Art Institute of Seattle). There he studied under Northwest master William Cumming, whose influence can be seen in Mayes’ gestural linework and dynamic compositions.

Working primarily in acrylic and watercolor, Mayes paints street scenes, maritime subjects, Alaska and Northwest landscapes, and character‑driven portraits. His work has been collected by the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, and numerous corporate and private collectors. He exhibited widely from the 1990s through the 2010s, including shows at Kirsten Gallery in Seattle’s University District.