Virtual Paintout - Iceland II & III - November 2013 (first stages)

"The Westfjords"

10x15cm, oil on canvas


More stress-free travel via Google Street View, where I'm now discovering the Westfjords region of Iceland and worked on these two small oil sketches.  I had forgotten how different it felt to paint on a hard panel with a smooth finish. 

"Driving to Isafjördur"
13x18cm, oil on board

Virtual Paintout - Iceland - November 2013

This month the Virtual Paintout is taking place in Iceland (that is, we are painting from images of the country found in Google Street View). In my "virtual" travels, I stumbled upon the Skógafoss waterfall, which seems to pour out from a gigantic "fold" in the earth. I think I would enjoy trying this again using a different format but I also want to leave time to paint the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano ... and possibly even learn how to pronounce it!

"Skógafoss"
20x20cm, oil on canvas

Le Kauwberg - printemps, été - mai et août 2013

"Le Kauwberg, mai"
10x15cm, oil on canvas

"Le Kauwberg, août"
15x10cm, oil on canvas
Private collection, Brussels

Two small canvases painted on the Kauwberg site in Uccle.

Château de Wolvendael - August 2013

 

At the beginning of August, I took my paints to Wolvendael park and captured the reflection of the château in the pond. 

"Chateau de Wolvendael - été"
20x25cm, oil on canvas
(private collection, Brussels)


My previous painting (see below) was also done on a hot sunny day but the water was covered with algae at the time. I checked back and was surprised to discover that I had painted it in October 2011.

With summer drawing to a close, it's nice to be reminded that we may still get some beautiful weather in the fall - even in Belgium!

"Chateau de Wolvendael - automne"
20x25 cm, oil on canvas

Place(s) à l'Art -- septembre 2013 (first stages)

"Place(s) à l'Art -- septembre 2013"
13x18cm, oil on canvas panel

Concert dans le Parc

"Concert dans le Parc"
10x15cm, oil on canvas

Virtual Paintout - Detroit - August 2013

 I guess I was initially struck by the similarity of this building to the one I had just been drawing in Brussels (my Brussels sketch). Industrial architecture from the past is so painterly -- so many different colors on the faded red brick facades. In Brussels they've converted the 1810 "Moulins de Ruysbroeck" into impressive lofts. When I researched my Detroit building, I was surprised to find lots of articles on the Internet.  Known as the "Globe Trading Company building", it is charged with history as it was formerly part of the huge Detroit Dry Dock Complex where Henry Ford once worked as an apprentice before getting involved in cars. Sadly, I also found photos of its recent demolition. I guess it was too late and too expensive to renovate.

"Globe Trading Company"
5x7 inch, oil on canvas panel
(private collection, USA)

I was inspired to paint another industrial landscape in Detroit when I stumbled on Alfred Street -- with its bright skies, clouds and vivid colors -- located in the Eastern Market district.

"Eastern Market District"
6x8 inch, oil on canvas panel

(private collection, USA)

PS:  This is the first time I have submitted three paintings (the maximum allowed on VPO) since my first Virtual Paintout in May 2010! I've posted the other painting ("Heading downtown") on my Flickr account: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/catherinehale/9576257511/in/set-72157626256462632

Link to the Business Insider article that featured the Detroit Virtual Paintout:  link

Virtual Paintout - Charleston SC - July 2013 (first stages)

Bill Guffey selected Charleston, South Carolina, for this month's Virtual Paintout. I've never been there but it looks like a beautiful city. I thought it would be fun to start by painting one of these horse-drawn carriages in the historic district (Link). Meanwhile, I've had my television on all day because it's the Belgian National Holiday (21 July) and the country also has a new King Philippe today, following the abdication of his father, Albert II. So when I checked the name of the Charleston Street I was painting, I was surprised to find out I was on King Street!

"King Street"

10x15 cm, oil on canvas

Vive la France!

Today is Bastille Day (14th of July) and I've just returned from visiting the French city of Metz, so I thought it fitting to post my sketches from the trip! (Further details on my Flickr account.)

My exhibit at the Bookshop will continue until the 22nd of June 2013

Here's the poster from the 

Open Studios weekend in May: