My submission for Illustration Friday's "wide" theme is a work in progress and one of my signature "Houscapes". This seems like a very wide house to me, I would not want to have to clean this place... it has a lot more detail that will be added such as total landscaping, everything on the house will be detailed out with scroll elements on all the railings and front door, light fixtures, etc. When I initially draw the house I delete all the landscape and add in the dirt and cement even if it gets totally covered up by plants, shrubs, trees, flowers and pottery. I just like it to all be there. So this will be totally different when I post it again. There are two very tall and phallic cypress trees that adorn each side of the doorway and lots of beautiful bushes and trees flank the home. I am working on a few jobs at once, I designed and painted a School House diecut candy box for a confectionary company, it will be filled with candy and given as gifts from students to teachers for the end of the year Thank You's. I will post it soon. I enjoy working on one type of work for a few hours and while that one dries I move to the next one.
I did see this guy and 4 of his buddies moving towards my neighbors garden... and I saw a beautiful young bobcat making it's way through the yard. Rat always lets me know when there is wildlife in our vicinity because he has a unique muffled bark reserved for wildlife and all the hair on his back stands up, it is hilarious!
32 comments:
Not unlike the palatial houses they are building on the hill behind us.'Ooh! You have a bobcat! How wonderful! Sadly, the last time I saw a wallaby near here it was roadkill.(But over the hill in the other direction there are still some)
Oh! I just now hear those red-tails again...must go!
Wow! You've managed to make the house look so inviting despite its imposing size.
It's gorgeous Val... It's a tough subject!
I have to agree, I'd call a cleaning company.
You live in a beautiful area Val. We don't have a bobcat but we can hear the coyotes howling round the corner.
this is lovely! - there's something very magical about it too:-)
Hey Val How are you? I know it has been awhile since my last comment but I do read your blog.
Please post the finished piece it is always fun to see WIP. As always I love your houses. So cute.
I could sit all day and watch the wildlife. Enjoy your view.
It's already so beautiful, I cannot imagine how great the final version!!!
it reminded me of hotel california for some reason.
would love to live in your 'hood and see your kind of wild life!
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Oh Val, what a delightful surprise. I opened your blog and heard that song that my daughter loves! I love that song. I also love your tribute to your mother. How endearing and beautiful. I also love to see pictures of you. You cheer me up so much, I linger and leave with a wide smile on my face. Thank you.
We have these MaMansions all over the place, but what I love about this is how warm and inviting you make it look! You make every one of your house portraits so special ;)
That is a beautiful house, but I definitely would want a cleaning lady...which I tell myself any time I find myself wishing I lived in one of those enormous mcmansions, ha ha! I love the way the windows are glowing with light, and the sky is perfect.
This is a very beautiful house, can't wait to see the final one. I think those who live in there won't do the cleanup themselves.
And Wow, a real bobcat. I'd consider it's a lucky day if I see one. I'd love to see a deer in my yard too, now I have only squirrels and skinks, used to have big lizard before, but it was captured by our neighbour.
Your house is coming along so well! I always love your use of color, it makes your illustrations appear to be lit from within. Can't wait to see the final. Thanks for sharing.
How cool that we get to see the building process of one of your houses! I wish I was one of those lucky elementry school kids!
great work...I always love your houses.
It's beautiful, I can't wait to see the final version... I'm sure it will be just gorgeous!
I'd also love to see the Candy House, sounds like a project sweet in many ways! :D
Ooh now that's a stately home. I love to read about your working methods, Val. I'm totally in awe of your talent and work-rate.
I'd like a house like that some day. Great as always.
Thanks for your words Valerie!.. and you are right.. it is kind of ironic.. haha.. a great house as the rest of them.. =)
Very nice. It will be only oh so more beautiful when finished! I look forward to it. =)
Love your houses they inspire caring and warmth.
Jennifer
I'm with you...who wants to clean all of that...really look forward to the detailing when you finish this up...great glowing effect you have with this one...
it looks like it belongs on a chocolate box...don't ask me why this image comes to ind!
That looks like a house I'd love to live in! I guess if I could afford it, I'd also be able to afford to pay for someone to clean it! I love that you build up the landscaping from what's underneath; I totally understand how you like to have it there, even if it ends up being covered. The glow from the windows makes it so warm and inviting. I love the snap of the deer... we have them all over the place on our property (it's all wooded), and our dog does the same thing! She barks and barks and her hackles go up. I am envious of the bobcat sighting... we have them around here, but i haven't seen one yet.
what a beautiful house! i can't wait to see the finished illustration :-)
wow! what a beauty. makes me also think about the inside of the house.
great you captured that moment the young bobcat making it's way.....
You always do such a great job!! :)
That is definitely a wide house. Beautiful though! I think that's cool that you have the process of putting the dirt in first and then landscaping. Something very organic about that.
We have lots of wildlife in our yard as well, but mostly of the smaller variety with an occasional coyote moaning in the distance. No big cats yet. But of course, this is why we make sure the kitties are in at night. Sounds really idyllic, where you live. I love the Topanga area.
you have such a great range of style. very nice.
Me again! Hi Val, thank you so much for your kind comments on my blog.
What a shame about your deer problem - as lovely as they are. My husband says he's heard that if you hang mirrors around the garden they can be deterred.
IMO is internet speak for 'in my opinion'. IMHO is 'in my humble opinion'. That's all my years spent posting on forums coming out. Sorry!
Take care,
Love, Gillian. x
Hey, Val! It's always nice when you write about the details of your work.'would like to see the finished one, too!
AND....I don't know how I missed your fantastic tribute to your Mom. I love that Little Barbara portrait...and enjoyed seeing the pics of you and your beautiful mom together!
much as i love to see your artwork, i was smitten by your mother and all the family photos. she is obviously a wonderful terrific woman. and then to see you, my friend val!!!
oooooooh.....
This looks familiar! Since I paint 'backwards' I have to put the details in first but I loved hearing how you like to ground your house first before adding the 'decorations'. Almost like building areal house!
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