Friday, April 17, 2009

Illustration Friday: impossibility


My submission for Illustration Friday's "impossibility" is a dimensional painting that I created for a family in Brentwood, CA. They commissioned many paintings and always encouraged me to make unusual and unique works for them. It was awesome to make large paintings and get to be kind of "out there" with my ideas and techniques. This image is another version of "Flying Home" but on a magic carpet with paper I made and molded to hold the house. I even sewed little tassels on the edges. The boulders and water are made from wood and I used prismacolor pencils for the jewel like tones in the rocks and painted over the color pencil than scratched away the paint to get the stone like quality. The idea of a flying house might seem impossible but is it? We have been taught that anything is possible, right?
copyright 1995 Valerie Walsh
wood, paper, thread, prismacolor pencila, acrylic paint, foam board.

49 comments:

Liz Jones said...

Love it! I'm so glad you're on FB so I can find your posts more easily... been so busy.

Ginger*:) said...

Valerie, I LOVE that you too believe that Anything Is Possible!
This is a wonderful and magical piece.
I wish I could see it in person and touch it. Those tassels are just the kind of touch you would think to add.

Tessa said...

Oh Val, that is such a treasure...truly an heirloom. Lucky family! And look, you can even see the rocks beneath the crystal clear water. It is superb.

isay said...

i love this house. it seems it is smiling and enjoying the trip. The blue colors really great!

Tony Sarrecchia said...

Beautiful piece, Val.

MrBibleHead said...

Great work Val....again!!! Very magical and perfect for impossibility!

Janet said...

Wow!...all of the attention to detail; the jewels and tassels...just wonderful!

John said...

Hey thanks for dropping by and commenting on my silly pic hahaha man I just adore and am envious of your work! I love the color and your ability to bring things like the home on a flying carpet alive! Great piece!

Valerie Lorimer said...

Really wonderful piece, Val! And I love the flying carpet idea. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

i like da fishies best cause my house always flies just not on a carpet. would like to really see your 3d paintings up close i bet there amazing to see: michael dailey

K Spoering said...

Very cool 3-D piece. I like how you used so many materials, yet it is all so pulled together as one image. Nice!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful work Val!! It has a mysterious feel about it.

Unknown said...

oh what a wonderful piece Val!!! lovely work and they must be ever so happy with it!!! I always believe anything is possible!!!

Bella Sinclair said...

Holy moly, that is an incredible piece! Love the little details. And the house looks very much alive, especially with the sea-captain-shaped hat, I mean roof. You always pick out the perfect music, too. :)

Nanda said...

What a great painting Val, thank you for sharing your technique with us. What a great idea for the stone. I like the idea that everything is possible. You're a big inspiration for me.

Cathy said...

Beautiful, mouth-watering colours, Val! I love the air of mystery this one has!

Ces Adorio said...

Val, you never cease to amaze me. I love all of your work. You are so brilliant. You are one of my shining stars!

Caroline said...

What an amazing illustration Val! Your work is always so original!

Lynette said...

Beautiful colors! Thanks for commenting on my blog!

Lynette

Lynette said...

Beautiful colors! Thanks for commenting on my blog!

Lynette

Amy C said...

lovely lovely, its so dream like and enchanted, I really enjoyed reading all of your techniques too, I adore prisma color pencil crayons.

studio lolo said...

Wow, this is wild Val!! The colors are amazing and magical. Yowza...I'm there!

Cheryl said...

I love the deep, richness of the colors - and the idea that you can take your whole home w/you on your fantasy ride.

Robert McLaughlin said...

Hi Valerie,

I can't think of a more appropriate verification word!

Last year has been the “Annus Horribilis” as I lost my job at the newspaper, and also broke my right leg. No where to go but up from here!

:>)

Robert

Roberta said...

I believe that anything is possible...
Val you have a wonderful collection of experiences in your life and your art!

Nicole said...

Your work it's a real jewel!

Peter Breese said...

Magnificent, such fun details!

Eugenia Gina said...

very magical, this piece is good!

Krimo said...

Nothing is impossible, Val. ;o)
Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful dreamy image. The color, detail and reflection in the water. It's all beautiful and creative. Thank you for comments on my work. I'd love to see the image you were talking about.

Lisa M Griffin said...

Really cool Val! What a great piece. When you have a chance, check out my blog... there is an award waiting for you. Happy Monday!

Anonymous said...

I always thought that a house flying over a carpet wasn't THAT impossible. It's just as realistic as a monkey playing piano, and I once saw one. I swear.

kj said...

okay, where is my comment? did it fly away into this magical sky? did it open the front door and store itself in the drawer by the stove?

or it did find its way from my heart to yours, words reduced to the quiet joy of friendship...

keep flying, dear girl.

xoxo

thedoodlegirl said...

SUPER cool!! I love your ideas!

Ria said...

Valerie, nothing is impossible! Good thinking and as always, good pic! Have a nice week!

froggie is... said...

verrry possible, in your wonderful head, vallie! a wonderful piece :)

sketched out said...

Heee, I was thinking the same thing as Froggie! Flying houses definitely exist, in your wonderful imagination and hence your beautiful painting!

I believe, I believe!!!

asperezas said...

:D

"dreamin', I'm always ..."

divine

Michelle Lana said...

Val, I have misse dyour work! Great as usual!

Indigene said...

Right now, I wish I could fly away, just like that house in such a beautiful setting! It is beautiful, with this technology a flying house is just a few years away! But remember, it was your thought first! :)

j.caro said...

es estupendo tu tecnica, enhorabuena.
me ha gustado.

yoon see said...

Really unbelievable cute and beautiful!

Diane Duda said...

I need to make something large one day. This is gorgeous as is your fleeting submission!
xo
di

Anonymous said...

Very, very nice work! I love the colors, they do seem to shimmer like jewels. And a very interesting theme too, makes a person think. Bravo!

Brine Blank said...

I hate the fact that I can't see the work in person...very frustrating because as much as I enjoy the photographs I know that live they have to really pop...

jessielavon@yahoo.com said...

COME SEE THE HANDMADE, VINTAGE CHRISTMAS BALL GIVEAWAY!
On MAY 15TH Y'ALL ARE INVITED TO A FRONT PORCH PARTY.lETS ALL COME VISIT A SPELL ON THAT DAY. MAY 15TH STARTING AT 10:30 AM.
HERE'S THE RULES:
Between 10:30 -4 p.m Alabama time leave a comment of what you are bring to the party,and who you are bringing or what foods you will be having .
You must leave a comment for your name to be drawn.
The reason for the front porch party is to celebrate my beloved little MaMa and I will be giving away one of her vintage handmade beaded Christmas Balls.
I will take photos of the drawing . My MaMa Geneva Yelverton designed the patterns and after each sequin,ribbon and beads was done she would glue each and every one.
Here at my house THE MENU WILL BE:
Chicken and Dumplings, fresh Butterbeans,fresh corn creamed,fresh squash squash, fryed green tomatoes, fCornbread, blackberry cobbler,Ice tea and Mountain Dew.
Please be sure to add your party photos the day of the party so we can all share them.
Since I have been sick I havent had time to visit with my darlings and sweetpeas,Ilook forward to seeing y'all on the front porch,heres hoping you will join me for a great day of fun and friendship,xxxxoooo

Anonymous said...

Wow...nice image. I love the way shot is lined out and beaten is added in. Very cool target overlay as well. Great work, and thank you for letting me see it.

Unknown said...

What an enchanting house!

Kristi Valiant said...

Your art is amazing. How unique and fun!