Virtual Paintout 8: Vevie Goes to Charleston!

This hot month of July Vevie and the Virtual Paintout gang went to Charleston, South Carolina, USA! What a history this picturesque southern city has. As I "traveled" the city via Google Street View, I was charmed by the horse-drawn carriges, lovely old columned homes, and the sense of history.

But it was this little modest home that caught my heart. The old yard swing, sitting there beckoning one to come, sit a spell, and share a mint julep. With it's lovely moss-laden tree with pink blooms, it sang out to be painted. (Click on any pics to enlarge; I kept most small so the page will load faster for you)

And as I listened to my music while searching, I knew I had found "my" spot when Annie's Song by John Denver started. Here are the words, and now you know how the title for my painting came to be... it just fit the picture:

Annie's Song

by John Denver

You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again

Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

John Denver was a senstive soul, and I invite you to listen to this touching song on youtube HERE. 

Now without further ado, the photos:

You've seen the original location above. 

Here is my Photoshop mock-up version:

Since the scene felt warm and inviting, 
I was in a Burnt Sienna mood 

for toning the canvas, plus 

a little Indian Yellow glow:

The drawing, with values painted:

Blocked in the sky first:

Blocked in the first of the greens 

and started cloud play:

Continuing with layers, textures and, 

oh yes, Vevie wanted to sit on the 
swing instead of on the grass, 

as originally planned!

                            And here it is, drying on the easel:

Some fun close-up details:

"Come, Let Me Love You"

Main Street 

Charleston, SC USA

9 x 12 acrylics

on wrapped canvas

As always, thank you to Bill Guffey, our leader of the Virtual Paintout gang, for all the hard work you do to keep this train chuggin along!

Vevie (rhymes with Stevie), 

my Virtual Paintout muse

Happy painting,

Retta

My Tiny Treasure!

Do you enjoy stumbling upon a great find? And get excited about sharing that discovery with others? 

Well, tick me a YES to both questions.

Here is my newest little treasure, an adorable and quirky Blue and Silver Dangle Pendant I found at a new Etsy shop, by creative jewelry artist Shannon Blencowe, at Blencowe Boutique:

Isn't it cute as a bug's ear? 

If I had to think of a few adjectives to describe her work, they would be: vintage, STeaMpunK, imaginative, quiRky, retro, unusual, and fun!

I asked Shannon if I could write about her new Etsy Shop, and she graciously gave me permission to show you photos of the fun and imaginative jewelry she's been creating. Some have already been sold, but the pics give you an idea of her imagination. They do sell fast, so if you see something in her shop you adore, snap it up quick!  Honestly, there were a couple more I wish I had snagged (loved that first one, the Winged Heart!).

I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Congratulations on your new venture, Shannon, and I wish you spectacular success!

Retta

Virtual Paintout 7: Vevie Goes to the Azore Islands!

For the month of June, Vevie and the Virtual Paintout  gang sailed off to the Azore islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.

(can click on any pics to enlarge; 

I kept most small to enable faster page loading)

They are simply gorgeous! It was delightful to "travel" around the islands via Google Street View. In fact, it was so beautiful, it was hard to choose a spot.

Azore Coat-of-Arms

It was between a pastoral scene with black and white moo cows, the ocean in the background... and the one I chose below. My husband happened to walk by and peeked over my shoulder, wanting to know where we "went" for June. He happened upon me as I was "driving" past a crumbling little chapel, with an old 3-wheeled mini-truck in front. Naturally, that's the one he "voted" for! 

When he was in the Navy he was stationed in Spain and got to travel around Europe. He said he saw lots of these little trucks all over. He guessed this one might have been over 50 years old!

So... the old crumbling chapel, and the hard working little mini-truck. The tales they could tell!

Here is the final location Vevie and I chose:

After playing with it in Photoshop, I came up with this basic color scheme... notice I moved the little truck forward, to allow more of the chapel front to be seen:

And on with the WIP photos (work in progress)...

Since I DO love the Fauves*, I chose Vermillion for my underpainting; I even toned it down with some white... or so I thought! Then sealed it with matt medium:

*The short Fauve movement started about 1905, and basically blew the door off the vault holding color captive, freeing it to be used boldly, expressively and wildly. The term "Les Fauves" in French means Wild Beasts. Visit HERE  for more interesting info and paintings. While the movement didn't last long, it's effects can still be felt, over 100 years later. Here are some New Fauves I enjoy. 

Sketched it in with vine charcoal, then when satisfied, sealed the lines with Burnt Umber:

Still painting with (and enjoying) Atelier Interactive Acrylics, by Chroma. Chose a limited palette of: Cad Yellow Deep, Vermillion, Phlalo Blue, Diox Purple, Forest Green, Titanium White, Paynes Gray; and made black from Pthalo Blue + Cad Red Medium.  Started the sky here:

Continuing sky, and started blocking in the foreground; you can see the sides here, where the painting continues around all the edges:

Continuing on, adding layers and details; starting in on the little truck:

And here it is, drying on the easel:

A close-up of the chapel and mini-truck:

And Vevie would let me know if I forgot her close-up; here she's walking on the wall to check out the little chapel:

"Memories 'neath A Lemon Sky"

The Azores, Portugal

9 x 12 acrylics 

on wrapped canvas

I hope you enjoyed seeing the process. I sure enjoy traveling the world with Vevie and the Virtual Paintout gang, led by our fearless leader, artist Bill Guffey.  As always, anyone of any skill level and almost any medium is welcome to join us each month. Watercolors, oils, colored pencils, acrylics, pastels, ink, ballpoint pen... I think I remember one guy did a picture in crayons one month!!

No airline tickets to buy, no hotel reservations to make... it's free! Come on along! Here's all the deets. 

Vevie 

Happy painting,

Retta