Friday, July 04, 2008

Illustration Friday: sour




It's always good to have a little sweet mixed in with the sour or you could end up with sour grapes. My submission for Illustration Friday's "sour" theme. I have painted and made a lot of pieces with a valgalized version of Italian and Venetian scenes. This is an illustration on Canson Airbrush paper.




Here is the finished version of my "wide submission". I really enjoyed all of your comments about this house. Many of you thought it was a new McMansion but in fact it is an old 1930's home in Pacific Palisades, California. They did add on to this house which is noticable from the photo. In fact it is so hard to get a good photo of this place because everyone puts up big fences and walls now. I can't get a clear shot of the full house because of it and I have been coming up with this problem for quite a while now. It's a bummer because I like to show the photo and my painting together in my portfolio but it is becoming impossible to get nice views now. Everyone has gone fence crazy! This house sits on a bluff and from the backyard you can see the ocean. It is an outstanding property and would be fun to paint from the back as well. I always make a custom frame which I am working on and then I present to the owner and they can simply hang the finished piece :)
Have a swell 4th of July!

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! I could really live in a place like this. Do they have any pets? Love. Bad Dog

Janet said...

Beautiful scene, Val! When you click on it to enlarge, I really like the ivy!
Glad to see the finished housescape, too...nice! (wish I could see inside)HAPPY 4TH!!!

Ces Adorio said...

It is beautiful. Anyone who lives there should be happy and blessed and even more so now that you painted it. What a beautiful work by a beautiful artist.

Your grapes will never go sour Valgal. You are berenauslese!

Tracy said...

Wow, beautiful house! It is HUGE! Your work is amazing.

Kim de Young said...

Your house looks so much more lively and comfortable to live in (it is a wonderfully sweeter rendition than the original house) I think!

isay said...

i like your valgalized version.... you've done a nice job with the shimmering gold on the walls.

and the finished version of the house is great.

Anonymous said...

Bellissimo!

Caroline said...

I do like the way you've balanced the sweet and the sour - very neat!

NANCY LEFKO said...

Val, these are really terrific locations/homes....and you have made them even more special with your unique style.

Anonymous said...

Good to see the finished version of the Wide House.(Like you, I'd find the cleaning a bit daunting!)

Faruffa said...

I love your Venice, it's so evocative!!!
...wonderful wide, I would like to spend there my holiday :o)

K Spoering said...

Nice! No sour grapes here!

Dot said...

that just looks like a wonderful place to visit! dot

thefridayfrog said...

i lovvvvvvvvvvvvvveee the tiled floor in venice! bellisima! :)))

Anonymous said...

Valgal,

I have so many fond memories of Venice. Remember all the gondola rides we took? I know they're a tourist trap but I love 'em!

Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about you right now and am so sorry about little Ratty. He was the best friend a girl could have and a one of a kind guy. I have many fond memories of him and right now the world feels a little emptier without the presence of his little soul.

Thinking of you.

xoxox

--dd

Anonymous said...

makes me want to go there right now!

Anonymous said...

Aaaahhh! In life we must have sweet and sour to appreciate both! Lovely imagery!

www.indigeneartforms.blogspot.com

Julia Yu said...

Wow! Beautiful entrance decorated with grapes and vine! Love the blue of the sea and all the unique houses at the other side!

soulbrush said...

give me sweet rather than spur anytime...too many sour people at work every day!

Bella Sinclair said...

Oh, Valerie, your work is absolutely amazing! I loved blowing it up and admiring all the whimsical and beautiful detail. Looks 3D, even! I think I'd much rather visit your Italy than the real thing.

And such a beautiful home, too. A bit cliche, but so true: I love what you've done with the place!!!

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Awesome work, Val! Cool to learn about your process too.

Cecilia said...

You have Wonderful blog!

great work!!!

Tiina, from Finland

Lisa M Griffin said...

I love the moon and the setting you have created in the piece. The archways are really inviting along with all those lovely grapes.
Lovely!

jmeyersketches said...

NICE I would love to visit such a place! The moon and its reflection are a great touch.

The Wide house turned out wonderfuly! I like your changes to thier landscaping. =)

Jennifer

Gillian Mowbray said...

This would be wonderful painted as trompe-l'oiel on a restaurant wall. Love that little gondola!

Ellen Byrne said...

Wow wow WOW!

Lisa M Griffin said...

Thanks for all the inspiration and creative fun that you provide. Check out my site, I have selected you for a blog award.

Anonymous said...

so lovely val, and i love your word, "valgalized" so perfect!! hope you had a happy fourth, doll!

a : )

Eric Barclay said...

Beautiful illustration!

I have an award for you over at my blog. Love your work!