Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Virtual Paintout 4: Vevie Goes to Lithuania!


This is my 4th painting excursion with the Virtual Paintout gang (HERE). For the month of March we took off for Lithuania, via Google Street View. What a beautiful country!

Here is the Street View that 
I picked for my inspiration 
(can click on any pics to enlarge):




I played with it in Photoshop, 
and came up with this mock-up:



Here is my finished painting:


"Moonlit Dreams Come True"
Vilnius, Lithuania
9 x 12 acrylics 
on wrapped canvas




And now as usual, the "making-of" pics...


I started with an Ultramarine 
Blue underpainting on my canvas. 
Yikes! That took some getting used to! 
Then sketched with a charcoal pencil.




Here I have started blocking in 
major areas with color, going 
from dark to light.




The picture continues around the edges.




And the left edge.



Put down the first cloud layers, 
and continued layers and 
detail below.




Added Vevie looking up at the 
moon, and finished the sky, 
stars, clouds and details.





A couple of close-ups:




And here again is
"Moonlit Dreams Come True"




In conclusion, I wanted to say how humbled I felt at the beginning of this month after reading up on Lithuania. Being my 4th time out with the Virtual Paintout gang, and I am realizing just how much of a geographical ignoramus I truly am!! 

Lithuania has such a rich history, and has been through so many hard times over the centuries. Yet they endure. 

As I "traveled" the countryside away from the big cities, I saw modest homes surrounded by beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. Clean and neat, lush and obviously well-tended. And not just utilitarian, but beautiful to look at. 

After reading their history, I have nothing but respect and admiration for the strong people of Lithuania!

Happy painting and virtual traveling,
Retta

Monday, March 04, 2013

Boomtown Craze Launch Party!



I can't wait to read this new installment in M. Pax's Backworlds series! I can honestly say I totally enjoyed both of the previous books. Very creative... different and fun read. 

Here's the scoop:




A Grand New Age of Boom or Dust?


Boomtown Craze, Book 3 in the Backworlds series is here!

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendents to survive in a harsh universe.

To secure his future, Craze must propel his world into a more prosperous era. Only days away from the grand opening of his new and improved tavern, he is confronted by a loony Backworlder intent on mucking up his plans. Gaunt and trembling, she claims her spaceship is possessed. She also has a connection to the underworld that shakes loose the dark past of one of Craze’s closest friends. It all threatens to end Craze’s prosperity before it begins.

Meanwhile off world, Captain Talos works desperately to outwit the mercenary Jixes and lure them away from his and Craze’s budding prospects. The mind-control weapon Talos uses against them is wearing thin, and his next move may be his last.

Will Craze and Talos’s efforts bring about a grand new age of boom or damn them to forever struggle in the dust?


Available in ebook at:

Other Outlets can be found at http://mpaxauthor.com


It will also be available in paperback from Amazon shortly.


MPAX





M. Pax is a Browncoat and SG fan, she’s also slightly obsessed with Jane Austen. In the summers she docents as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory where the other astronomers now believe she has the most extensive collection of moon photos in existence. No fear, there will be more next summer. She lives in stunning Central Oregon with the Husband Unit and two lovely, spoiled cats.

You can also find M. Pax on LinkedINPinterestYouTube, and Wattpad

From March 4 to March 22, folks can enter to win the following:

1 set of signed Backworlds paperbacks, including The Backworlds, Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge, and Boomtown Craze. Will only ship to US residents.




One of five free ebooks. All countries eligible. Enter the rafflecopter for a chance.




Tweets: 

The new frontier #scifi Boom or dust? Boomtown Craze - Book 3 in the Bacworlds series#kindle #nook all ereaders http://mpaxauthor.com/boomtown-craze-launch-party/

Miss Firefly? #scifi Try the Backworlds. Boomtown Craze - Book 3 - Book 1 is#FREE #kindle #nook all ereaders http://mpaxauthor.com/boomtown-craze-launch-party/


Facebook:

Miss Firefly? Try the Backworlds. Book 1 is FREE for all ereaders. Life on the galactic frontier. Will it be boom or dust? Boomtown Craze, Book 3, is now out. WIN books. Paperbacks and ebooks up for giveaway http://mpaxauthor.com/boomtown-craze-launch-party/