Parakeets

This is for virtual paintout December 2015, Educador challenge. Its oil on 10x12 canvas panel.

Link (ref)

Jumping In

This is for Virtual Paintout Nov 2015 Istanbul challenge. It's oil on 10x8 canvas panel.

In Google Maps I came upon a few kids jumping into the ocean on Kennedy Ave in Istanbul. (ref) It looks like something my kids would also do too, so much fun. The kids in the street view were of different built as well so it made a nice quick study on human body.

Drinking Water

This is for Virtual Paintout October 2015 Philippines challenge. It's oil on 10x10 canvas panel.

This scene with the girl in a slump getting drinking water and walking back home next to the ocean struck a chord with me. (ref)  While the background scenery is beautiful, it is sad that children growing up there do not even the basics, such as drinking water, readily available in their home. The bright color of the girl's skirt is a good contrast to the greyish elements everywhere else.

On Top of the World

This is for Virtual Paintout, September 2015, Utah challenge. It's oil on 10x14 canvas board.

After taking a few months break from VP due to summer traveling etc, it's time to get back to VP challenges. The closest I have ever came close to the Grand Canyon was from the Arizona side taking a quick helicopter ride around Scottsdale. So it was fun to virtually visit the canyons from the Utah side on Google street map. I was checking out Canyonlands National Park in Utah, and saw this great view of the canyon and a guy trying to take a picture, or perhaps a selfie, on what looks like a smart phone. (ref) I took elements from this Google street view, and rearrange them. I also turn up the color of the canyon while trying to keep a sense of space and openness of the canyon view.

Cesky Krumlov Canel View

This is for Virtual Paintout May 2015, Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic challenge. It's oil on 10x12 canvas panel.

The center of Cesky Krumlov is quite a beautiful town, and many artist at VP found many wonderful views to paint. With every corner one turns, there is another beautiful view. I came upon this side street, with beautiful blue sky and water reflection, contrasting the bright house with the terra cotta color roof. (ref) Starting with a black ground, I kept the brush strokes relatively loose, and stopped when I felt the light / shadow and color contrasts were achieved.

Bhutan Rice Field

This is for Virtual Paintout April 2015 Bhutan challenge. It's oil on 11x14 canvas.

This rice field scene has an interesting reflection of the cloud with setting sun. (ref)   In light of the recent earthquake in the neighboring country Nepal, may people in that region heal and recover.

Greenland Sunrise

This is for Virtual Paintout March 2015, Greenland challenge. It's oil with palette knives on 10x12 canvas board.

There were many interesting snow scenes to paint in Iceland with Google Maps. I choose this ome (ref) because of the cold morning sun and the roughness of the snowy terraine. It was perfect for a palette knife exercise.

Recycling Break

This is for Virtual Paintout February 2015 Bangladesh challenge. It's oil on 8x10 canvans panel.

The region of Bamgladesh that I virtually visited was littered with garbage and water bottles everywheere. I stumbled upon this girl who was the only person trying to clean and appeared exhausted and resting on the grass. I wanted to capture the sense of exhaustion and frustration, while everyone else was oblivious to the garbage. (Ref)

Shipyard Worker SS United States

This is for Virtual Paintout January 2015 Philadelphia challenge. It's oil on 10x10 canvas board.

Besides just plain street views, Google Street Maps had some really interesting places, one of them being on board on an old ship SS United States at Pier 82 in Philly. A rusted old ship has a lot of characters to it and the brown orange color rust is quite beautiful. (Ref)