Friday, January 27, 2006

Illustration Friday: Glamour



Glamour is really a state of mind! If you feel glamourous you are. This is a painting from my 2002 HomeMade calendar. The title is "House of Beauty". It is a country home beauty parlor. That is my mom Barbara wearing the glasses and her much loved poodle Pepi. Pepi is no longer with us so I am glad that I used him in this scene. My mom loves girly things and glamour and this is a tongue in cheek portrait I did and when it was published in the calendar she was thrilled. We call my mom Babs, just like the cat in most of my illustrations and so I made "Babs House of Beauty".

copyright 2001


67 comments:

Teri said...

How absolutely adorable!! and oh so true.

Anonymous said...

I love your style, and this illustration in particular is sweet, funny, poignant. thank you!

Caroline said...

Even the attic window is smiling...

And you have captured the contrast between the promised glamour and the process! Very funny!

Tanya Nichols said...

so cute! do you still illustrate?

isay said...

so neat, so cool and adorable. and so huggable Pepi

valerie walsh said...

yes, I paint every day for a living. I work on many projects throughout the year. I mainly do portraits of peoples homes. They take an inordinately long amount of time so that is why I post my old stuff. I do not have time to create for IF that is why it is so great that you can use old stuff!!

Janet said...

There are actually a few of these country house salons where I live (in the sticks).Sooo fun that you used your mom!

Janet said...

It always tickles me... the funny( and sometimes just awful)names people come up with for little bauty parlors. A few I have seen....Kuttin' Up.....Curl Up And Dye....and ( get ready for this one)...The Best Little Hairhouse In Town :)

Joy Eliz said...

How sweet! Love the hair dryers.

Anonymous said...

Hello,
Very funy ,nice work and beautiful painting.

Suzan said...

There is nothing more glamourous then those dryers. :) Love the picture. Great style.

Andrea said...

This is great! I love those hair dryers. I used to play under them when my Grandma was gettin' her hair did. =)

Corrine said...

this is wonderful
great vibrant colors

Doodlestreet said...

Ahhhh...that's pretty and pink and all things sweet!

Anonymous said...

This is really delightful. Love it.

Stephen said...

gorgeous!

Rhonna said...

i agree...state of mind...
& this is fabulous!
R

WCTs said...

This is just great...I wondered what you would do!

Wow...makes me think of Steel Magnolias..the movie.

Just wonderful!

patricia zapata said...

beatiful as usual!

HARDWAX said...

you married very cute and glamorous-with your usual-fine style and charming illustrations

The Unknown said...

Ha! I love the ladies!
love

'Zann said...

Absolutely perfect for the topic! And what dog is more glamourous than a poodle???
'zann

Anonymous said...

I agree with you in the state of mind.Your illustration shows a glamourous state. Really very nice.

andrea said...

I can always count on smiling when I come here, Val. Such a charming, affectionate illustration. I think Pepi should be in the other chair! :)

steve said...

Hairdressing from the heart, awesome!
:-)

gisedesign said...

Pretty original like all your illustations. I like a lot.

Lee said...

val - this is wonderful, Pepi looks content!

"Maggie & Kevin" said...

What a fun read and a great illustration. I like the fact that so much of your experiences go into each piece.

Ellen Byrne said...

How do you manage to do it every week? You are soooo inventive! Love all your stuff!

carla said...

This is pure fun, Val! I love the the hairdryers and the candy pink...so feminine and frilly looking:> Isn't interesting that the things we do to be glamorous most often invlove looking very much the opposite...

Amanda Hunt said...

Thanks for the comments on my blog, you've got a lovely style!

Anonymous said...

very funny and absolutely glamouorous...pretty in pink?

Radha a.k.a Ratlion said...

Really pretty!

Liz Jones said...

That's a really sweet picture!

Unknown said...

Val, hehe, this is so cute. So glad your Mom loved it.

The Tart said...

Charming!

Anonymous said...

haha... very nice. all the "blue-hairs" on display... i love it. :)

Twisselman said...

Great illustration. The women in the chairs (under those perm-bonnet-things) are wonderful... as is Pepi!

Zórdís said...

Very beautiful and glamorous. I agree with where glamour comes from, all depending on the person. Nice glamorous illo :D

Karlishhh said...

that is wonderful, nice idea i like very much yoour style!

Anonymous said...

Your work is very polished. And "Babs' House of Beauty" is funny, too. Enjoyed.

Aravis said...

What a treat this must have been for your mother! It's a wonderful illustration. :0)

Cream said...

Val, your paintings are so HAPPY!

KarenW said...

Very cute! I love your color palette. Your illustrations always look like you could eat them!

Kay Aker said...

Such quirky and cool charm. Very oo-la-la! Love it!

Wilnara said...

Val,
this is such a wonderful illustration. It would be a great Valentine's card for your Mom!

Jules said...

Sweet, babs is a true glamourpuss!

AscenderRisesAbove said...

Your illustration really captures my first memories of my mother going to the beauty salon which was located in a little house on top of what seemed like a very tall hill. We weren't allowed inside because we made so much noise so my brothers and sisters would take cardboard boxes and try to slide down the hill as if it were snow. Love your style!

Joy Eliz said...

I have no idea why Pepi's name is stuck in my head. I had commented on your illo and then saw the show on Egypt. Oh,the little dog that was a King (or Queen) Never mind me, I'm just in a goofy mood:)

Catnapping said...

LOL, I LOVE the hairdryer hoods! This is a great illustration.

I really like your style and the colours of your abodes...

Anonymous said...

Adorable. I can certainly relate to this. I remember my mom going to the Beauty Parlor once a week and sitting under that dryer.

modroom said...

Bab's House of Beauty! I like the big window and positioning of the lamp with the ladies. Beautification. ...::: )

modroom said...

Bab's House of Beauty! I like the big window and positioning of the lamp with the ladies. Beautification. ...::: )

Anonymous said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!Always love how you make the skies...the candy colors, its all glamorous.Is a magical experience to see your work and see your magical imagination through your works!
hugs*

-Marjorie Ann

maria antunes said...

Lovely illo! I love it! :-)

You are selected to speak on the 5 strange habits and to continue with the magical chain. You can see it in my blog

pimpolhices.blogspot.com

String said...

Gosh I remember those days....eeeeeeeeeeekkkkkk!

Jaimie said...

beautifully done house of beauty. I especially like how you did the shingles.

Collin said...

You really do wonderful things with colors and I love the level of detail you put into everything. Very nice.

Amy Zaleski said...

Wow...don't we all feel glamorous just making a trip to the salon? As usual, your soft colors are a treat for the eye.

Anonymous said...

oh val! I LOVE this so much!!!! Even the roof looks as though it's made of chocolate and I want to lick it right up! That is so adorable!!! I'm so glad I didn't miss this!

TXArtcGal said...

I really got a kick out of your illustration this week! It defintitely put a big smile on my face! As usual...I am in awe of your FANTASTIC work!!

RedT0pMedusa said...

I used to go to this place, it's in my home town, i got my hair done there for prom! crazy!

Baskerville Hound said...

This is great Val- I love how Pepi is waiting so patiently and faithfully outside. Gorgeous illustration as always!

Lily and Lucy White said...

So much fun, want to go and be glamorous! Curlers and all. Love your Valentines. Lily.

QweySpiral said...

Very witty -you've nailed it!

Kim Carney said...

perfectly glam with a sweet kiss of humor

Tony Sarrecchia said...

This is a fun piece. Great job with the color and details.