Some of my time is spent painting "Houscapes" portraits of private homes. A few years ago a woman came to my studio tour and she asked me to paint her home. She lives in Malibu in a gypsy wagon and a tent with her two dogs. This was not just any old gypsy wagon, this is one that was used in the original "Dr. Dolittle" movie starring Rex Harrison. It came from England, when the movie rapped and it was no longer needed a family brought it to their property out in Malibu and felt it was worth saving. The lady I did the painting for has been living in this wagon for 25+ years. She is an amazing person, living simply, she works with Martin Sheen and has been arrested over 100 times for protesting nuclear armaments to help "save" the planet. The area she lives in is absolute paradise. Bob Dylan lives next door and he has a gypsy wagon too. I loved painting this for her and it was a way to "save" the memories and to commemorate the anniversary of her 25 years living there. As a young girl I read all of Hugh Lofting's books and they always transported me to a wonderful place. This is my submission for Illustration Friday's "Save" theme.
46 comments:
Oh Val...it's amazing! The colors are gorgeous!
Can you imagine living that simply... what freedom! You have had some wonderful experiences!
Your painting style and that wagon are a match made in heaven... !!
beautiful painting !! the colors are delicious !!
What a beautiful illo and a wonderful story. All so in "the story" type mood. A story worth sharing and saving, thank you. Lisa
Hi Val...this painting is wonderful...I love the bright colours and your story is pretty neat too...I love people that stick up for the world and making it a better place!!!
Great submission...
Cheers,
Diana
This is beautiful! I love the few twinkling stars in the sky. :) Nice story and inspiration.
What a lovely way to commemorate such an anniversary.
(And I bet you could draw a wicked push-me-pull-you!)
What an amazing story! And a great illustration to go with it! Cool.
I love this one. It makes me want to pee. Not really, I always want to pee. Love. Bad Dog
You know what I love about this place? It's the same colors as my beach towel!
You run with a hip crowd, girlfriend!
dood!
I love this!...it would be so cool to live there!
Your style suits this perfectly...I saw a great old railcar that had been turned into a home on TLC a few years back...amazing that so much could be done with so little space!!!
What a wonderful story and adorable little house.
This is beautiful! How great that she has lived there for so long and lives so simple! It looks like a wonderful place to live. Your colors are so AWESOME in this! :)
What a great story. I just found your blog...your work is very beautiful and so unique!
So beautiful! do you think she can adopt me?
I want to live in a gypsy wagon. I bet she has a wonderful life.
so fun and lively!
What a story. What a character. And what a beautiful painting of this fantastic little home. I remember the movie, and will make time to find the DVD and see it again.
You created such a wonderful mood with all the flowers and the bright sunny day.
Your stories kill me. You always have a fascinating story to weave around your paintings!
oooh, lovely!!
Val, what a fantastical story!! That's tremendous! Your painting is just lovely, what an experience that must have been, fun for you!!
a : )
This is a wonderful story. An adorable and historical item converted into a home which you painted so beautifully. Imagine living in a lillte space like that for 25 years, would make one set her priorities straight. Perfect IF entry Val. Thanks for sharing.
Your story, together with your so beautiful illustration, make a gipsy vagon seem the most beautiful place to live!!!
cannot help but adore this story and this picture. Awesome!
A truly beautiful painting, Val, and what a great story too! You could almost weave a fictional story around this picture.
AWWW! Your colours are making moi dream of Spring!!! :)
it is a perfect illustration for the story. I especially like the colour of the sky and the flower pots on the stairs.
I also loved Dr Dolittle when I was a child.
WOW! What an illo and what an interesting story. Made my gloomy, rainy Sunday a little brighter!!
love love love love love love love love love love this keep-it-simple painting. it glows.
:)
Valgal,
Love this painting and love the real place too! Reminds me of visiting you last summer -- and lately I have been jonesing for an LA trip really bad. The gloom of NW is getting old -- would love to see LA and you too!
xoxox
--dd
Great post. I like both your writing and your illustration, they're perfect match.
Beautiful story and charming illo.Is the deck THAT pink? Amazing!
That is a great story. How cool, to live in a gypsy wagon; although I could imagine it would be a little impractical. That is a very charming painting too; I like all the plant details and the vibrant color.
So warm and welcoming!! Beautiful!
Wow!!.. you have painted a famous house then!!.. it is a wonderful piece.. I love the line style!!.. Thanks for your words in my blog.. =)
PS: Those horns are my long ears.. hahaha..
Val - this is so wonderfully special! Before I read the post, my first thought was - "I want to live there!" What a great story. It must be such a treat to meet all kinds of interesting people and hear their stories... they get a beautiful painting and you get the story (along with the pay, of course). And we get to share them with you! Thanks:>
This an awesome piece of eyecandy and the story that accompanies it is wonderful too.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on my blog.
Such a wonderful story Val! Love this painting. The colors are so wonderful! It would be so fun to visit her home. I bet she is fun to be with.
Wow! Amazing and beautiful house!
p/s glad you received the handmade set!
That is so cool!
Great painting.
Great story and beautiful illustration!
I could soooo live there. I want a gypsy wagon!
Maybe I'll just stare at your lovely painting of a gypsy wagon instead. It's making me smile. Such lovely colors and really liked your story as well. Ya just gotta love California, eh?
This is amazing! All of it Val!! Your illustration, the story ,the lady... How wonderful it must be, to live with two dogs in that beautiful gypsy wagon you painted! :o)
i love it when people dance to the beat of their own heart. thanks for sharing it!
very inspirational. great illustration, too, of course.
xoxo
teri
a more than wonderful painting! i love those little pink steps.... :-)
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