On the Rocks

I traveled, virtually, via Google's street view, to Cape Town, South Africa, for this month's virtual paintout. It was great to escape the last rains of the winter to paint by the sunny South African shore. You can view the scene on street view by clicking here.

Almost Flying

As usual, I'm flying into the home stretch at the very end of the monthly Virtual Paintout challenge. I wish there was more month ahead so I could paint more of beautiful Romania but oh well, there are other countries to learn about and paint. This is the first horse I have painted and the first time I have picked up my watercolor paints in many months. Wow, was it fun! The original scene had a rider on the back of the horse but what fascinated me was the horse who only had one foot touching the pavement as he flew down the street.

Coming Home

Back in the day, I used to paint with pastels quite a bit, primarily to paint models in life drawing sessions. Then the watercolor bug bit me and I put them away for a very long time. Yesterday I dusted them off and painted this scene for the virtual paintout challenge in Romania. It was like coming home again.

Irish Cream

This was painted for the December Virtual Paintout challenge in County Clare, Ireland. With the Christmas holidays, I despaired of finding the time to paint (just when I needed it the most, bah humbug!). Finally squeaked this in near the end of the month but had to scan it rather than photograph it and the color is off. Oh well! I really enjoyed painting these cows. My Christmas gift to me! :)

Rope Swing

It's been a busy month with family, work and the holidays. It was even more enjoyable then to take a break in Rio de Janeiro today, virtually, and paint this seashore scene.

Light at the Top

I was first attracted to the blue wall with pots of flowers on its ledge, brilliantly top lit by the strong Mexican sun. As I rounded the corner, I expected a colorless alley but instead saw the contrasting brick wall of an adjacent building, the long flight of stairs and the overhanging black iron lamp, which stopped me in my (virtual) tracks. Bricks, intense color, sunshine, flowers, ironwork--from what I have seen on this month's virtual paintout challenge in San Miguel de Allende, these are what make this city so breathtaking.

Peekaboo

This month's virtual painting challenge in San Miguel de Allende is a treasure trove of sights to paint. It's packed with color and sunlight and people doing interesting things. I found this lady taking a break from sweeping to look at the Google Street View car driving down her narrow, cobblestone street. I was charmed by her white collar and lace peeking out from under her skirt and apron.