Day 3 Kira Residency

Today was my third day at KIRA (Kingsbrae International Residency for the Arts). It was another glorious summer day.

Yesterday I started an 11x14in canvas of the lower pond with a cream coloured rhododendron in full bloom and patches of lupins blooming. I was smitten by the dappled shade and the backlit birch trees.
The canvas texture was pretty rough, so I struggled to achive a soft, faery-like feel. I gave up yesterday due to red ants, struggles with the canvas texture and the light changing. I didn't want to give up so easily! This morning first thing I trecked down to the pond again- yesterday's canvas in tow and gave it another try. I was amazed how much smoother it went today. I moved the easel, so there were hardly any ants, I stood up to so to easier move back and forth from the canvas and I arrived earlier then I did in my first session, so I had extra time to observe values, shade and light.

Here is where the it stands with the lower pond painting. Not quite done, but the overall done. I might simplify a few shapes, tweak some edges and adjust a few value bits (tomorrow, haha).

Dappled Light by the Pond, 11x14in, oil on canvas

As my daily flower portrait I had something different in mind, but couldn't resist to pitch my easel when I saw these dandelion seed heads (is this even the right word for them?).

Anyhow, here it is.

6x6in, oil plein air, dandelion seed heads

Behind the scenes:
I was so frustrated with this rough textured canvas that I decided to prime my other canvasses with oil ground in the hopes of yielding a smooth(er) surface.
This afternoon I prepped these panels with Gamblin oil ground. I put on a first layer, now I'll let them dry and put on a second layer tomorrow. They will have to cure a full week after that! Glad I read the instruction label so to plan for the curing time! Yey me (it's the little things;)
Also, I toned the large canvas a bright red.

preparing canvasses outside my studio

All in all, that was my day. Productive- behind the scenes mostly... but pleased to be chopping away on preparatory chores.

Until tomorrow again! Thanks for stopping by!

Simone

Creating House Commission Paintings

Augustus Hall Commission 8x10in oil painting, sold

'It's not just a house, it is a home'. Homes are personal cornerstone places in our lives, mark special events, people, family members and loved ones, history important in one way or another. Many people build or lovingly restore homes. Houses hold memories of happy times spent and special people met.
Everyone has places that are special to them in a personal way.
It is a special honour to be invited to capture a keepsake painting featuring a special house in someone's life. This painting is such a commission. I was actually very surprised when the collector contacted me asking if I'd be interested in creating a painting of his beloved historic home. He is designing, building and also renovating custom luxury homes.
As you know, I'm more an impressionist, meaning that I'm more interested in colour than correct angles, haha. So, this one was going to be a challenge and I knew it! As an added level, the collector asked for an oil painting. So, I knew I had to put aside extra time to not feel rushed. Also to give myself sufficient time to tip-toe into this commission piece.

Creating the Painting:

And time it took- this little 8x10in oil was occupying my mind and brush for almost a month!
What proofed a challenge was that white clapboard siding, few shadow areas, working from multiple photos taken at various times of year showing various sunlight at various angles.
My aim was to keep correct the angles of the architecture (well, as good as I could manage that is). Also to keep colours crisp and clean while playing with pushing the white towards different tints such as pinks, yellows, blues, purples and so on. Just the tiniest smidge of yellow warms pure titanium white to look sunny and friendly. On the other hand, just a bit too much makes it appear like yellow siding. Also, if a warmed white is put next to a cold, blueish white, the contrast between both colours shifts the cold colour backwards and lifts the warmer colour to the front.
I went back-and-forth. I adjusted angles, whites- and scraping off again. Yup, and I applied paint again and eventually got a pretty good feeling of the home. Yes, I was glad when I could finally say: yes, this painting is finished, I'm OK with it! I learned so much like applying layers, adjusting temperatures and adding pops of colour and I really have to say it has grown on me and I had fun along the way.

What a surprise when the collector came and not only picked up the commissioned oil painting, but the (below) watercolour as well. I hope both paintings will be a sweet memory of their beautiful home! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to capture your special place!

Augustus Hall Commission 8x10in, watercolour, sold

RPod Watercolour- Creating Custom Paintings

RPod Watercolour- Creating Custom Paintings- (Painting is Sold)

Before Christmas I got contacted by a woman who proudly owns an RPod camper.
She has seen my name endorsed on the Girlcamper.com website and sent me an email after visiting my website.
So far I have painted lots of vintage campers, glampers, VWs and the like but modern, new campers have not been my regular fare. I loved how she reached out and accepted the commission.
It was funny how I quickly set out to put the first layer of basic shape on the paper and it was the oval, egg-shape of so many of my vintage 'glampies'. I really got a juckle busting my own well trodden path, haha! Nothing better than starting the new year with something new, right?
The owner is a designer and wants to create a custom flag for her campsite, too. So came to an agreement of using the image for her personal use. So far I have not been approached by a designer to use my art in a design product. I have used them myself in my calendars, cards and other products though.

About Copyright:

Interesting to know, the copyright of artwork stays with the artist even if the painting is sold! Many people don't know this and might (unknowingly) infringe on copyrights by creating cards and the like of artwork they own.

I appreciated the openness of the collector and it made for a very positive collaboration. The painting is already on the way to its new home and I hope she will enjoy her painting and her camper flag. I am excited to see her final product and cannot wait to share with you;-).
With sub-zero temps in the Maritimes again, I'm dreaming of summer, sun, warm and camping and meeting new friends and likeminded! Only, hm... maybe 4 more months to go, haha! Thanks for stopping by and stay in touch with new art soon!

Collector's Pics

Christmas updates from my collectors:

It ALWAYS makes my day when I receive Collectors Pics of my paintings in their new home.
This year a couple of people sent in these pics of the paintings under their Christmas trees. I see it as a great honour being included and getting a glimpse where my paintings find their home.
I was so busy tending to commissioned paintings that I didn't have a lot of time to post on my blog in December, so I hope to thread in in the next few weeks what has happened last month in my 'studio' (actually my easel is pitched in my living room by the warm fire, haha).

If you have been following my blog, you have seen above painting before. You can read the story behind this painting in the blog post by clicking here.
And the painting below was purchased by a sweet husband who wanted to surprise his darling wife. I had painted the Winnebago Cabover Painting as part of my 'camper a day' project this past September. He called me up mid December and I got the painting on its way right in time for Christmas. I am smiling as I see how lovingly it is placed! You collectors of mine are theee best, thank you! I appreciate each one of you so very much! You keep me painting and pushing my limits to become better at what I love to do! Thank you!!!

Cold Snap

Have I mentioned it was cold here in the Maritimes the last couple of weeks? Below are some photos from the St. Andrews wharf I took just a few days ago. The sea smoke on the water is a sure fire indication that it is a verrrryyy cold day. 

My painting day today

We are expecting a 'snow bomb' to explode here in the Maritimes tomorrow. Markus and the people of St. Andrews have been busy getting their houses ready. I hope people will stay home and stay away from the roads. Here this was the view from the wharf this afternoon. Isn't it beautiful? I started a painting, but couldn't quite finish due to frozen cold fingers. Will post about that in the next few days sometime. Hope to finish some last touches, maybe tomorrow. 
Thanks for taking time to visit, and stay in touch again tomorrow.

1965 Aristocrat Lo-Liner

1965 Aristocrat Lo-Linerorig. watercolor 8x10in (matted to fit 11x14in frame)
purchase info here

Today's camper is this red 1965 Aristocrat Lo-Liner. It's proud owner writes the following:

'This is "The Hen House" - my very first vintage trailer. I named her
after finding some cute curtain fabric & a vintage red leather
suitcase! My very first vintage trailer!'

Isn't it the best how many people start a renovation (camper or other) with a some inspiration piece? Here it was a cute curtain fabric and a vintage leather suitcase. My own kitchen reno and so many others behind me I know exactly how she feels. It takes just one inspiration piece to get a vision. I guess that the red leather suitcase was the model for the red color outside.

Side note about submitting photos:

Today I had to work some imaginary angles as the photo was cropped. I usually don't choose cropped photos as it just adds that extra level of stress to guess it right, but I am a sucker for red, so I let it slip. It was stressful, haha! The owner offered different photos but it was too late to contact her as my month is coming to an end very soon.

I believe more people have tried to send  photos in, but my 'super basic uploader' doesn't have a landing page stating if things went through. Many people were wondering (however the uploader shows if things don't go through). Most problems I saw was too large files. My computer screen is not showing the whole photo if files arrive at full size, often 5mb!

I had this a couple years ago and it drove me crazy to re-size almost every other photo. So I decided that photos have to be sent the right size for me to work from. Many people read and understood and I'm very thankful for the time I could spend painting rather than editing pics;-) Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Tomorrow, more camper before we call it done for this time and I want to thank each and every one again for sending in your pics! I had fun and hope you did have, too!

1963 Winnebago Cab Over

1963 Winnebago Cab Overorig. watercolor, 8x10in, matted to fit 11x14in frame
purchase info here

A 1963 Winnebago Cab Over is our camper of the day today. 

What a beauty! It was pure joy for me to paint it. You know how I love red, vintage red that is on those cute campers and this one here sports it! I kept the composition somewhat simplified as I didn't want to take away from the campers beauty. I think it has still lots of interest already with the striped awning and the accessories around it.

The fall has arrived here and it makes me tired. I see all the work that is waiting around the house to be done before winter and all I want to do is curl up and sleep! 

I'm still catching up from my last weekends away painting and on my courses. With three kids the chores just don't do themselves. Oh well, it'll get done. The chores AND the stuff around the house. 

On a positive note, I picked most of the apples from our tree in the back and they are nice and big this year! I hope to grab a longer ladder tomorrow to climb up and get the upper ones- they are even nicer looking! I can see apple crisp in our near future;-)

Thank you for stopping by and I'll be here with another campie, fresh off my easel;-)

thanks again and enjoy the beautiful fall if you can!

Simone

1963 Arrow Duplex Cabover

1963 Arrow Duplex Caboverorig. watercolor, 8x10in (matted to fit 11.14in frame)more info and purchase, click here

Welcome to today's 1963 Arrow Duplex Cabover. The step-up tiny camping home for the person who needs a bit more space (or has more kids, haha).

This one here is a 1963, almost 55 years old! I'd love to look this good when I'm 55, just sayin'!

Here is what its proud owner shared with me: "This is my camper Flo. We have a lot of fun because I just 'go with the Flo.'" Some comments make my day, and this was one of those! Thank you very much for sending in your darling Flo for us all to smile with you!

I am posting this, yawning. So tired today. This weekend I was out and about painting at Kings Landing Historic Settlement at their annual plein air fundraiser. The other artists attending are fun to be around with and really, as creating art is kind of a solitary endeavor, it feels special to paint alongside likeminded. We stayed at the bunkhouse where they host the summer camp kids. You can guess how well I slept, haha! 

I will share some of the paintings created with you once the month and my camper project is over. If you are interested in looking at the exhibit and enjoy a wonderful fall excursion, you can head to Kings Landing until October 9th, 2017 before they close for the season.

1969 Okanagan Camper

1969 Okanagan Camperorig. watercolor 8x10in (matted to fit 11x14in frame)
purchase info here

Welcome to this 1969 Okanagan Camper! I love it when the owners put their creative touches on the outside. Here we have colorful flowers and vines growing on the middle strip. It makes it look friendly, welcoming and cosy. 

I tried to imagine where the camper was parked. The red sand could be in the Southern US or it could be on the Northern Eastcoast and Canada... In any case, I liked the contrast with the lush vegetation as a back drop.

Here is what it's proud owner shared with me: 'My trailer's name is Scruffy. She was built in Penticton, BC, Canada, but currently resides in Arlington, TX.' Okanagan is a very well known wine-growing region in British Columbia, Canada.

Ha, and this trailer is doing what it's supposed to do! Travelling the roads. Lucky little campie!

I wish you all a Happy Weekend with first of all some relaxation and laughter and sunshine! And probably it includes some outdoor-time, too?! Maybe even camping!

As you read this, I have been painting at Kings Landing Plein Air Event and should arrive home late this evening. Thank you for travelling alongside me and I hope we will see each other again tomorrow!

1966 Shasta 1500 'Free'

1966 Shasta 1500 'Free'

orig. watercolor 8x10in (archivally matted to fit 11x14in frame)

purchase info here

This 1966 Shasta 1500 'Free' is my feature camper today. I love its patriotic set up! It's proud owner shares her love for her country and lovingly decorated this little Shasta in Stars and Stripes.

Growing up in Germany, there was very little display of national pride as in flags or banners or such (except for soccer events and other global sports competitions where the Germans won). I think after WW2 the whole national pride thing got ushered out the door and instead of flags and banners, people measured their pride in accomplishments.

When we arrived first here in Canada in 2000, I have to admit that I felt almost a sense of bewilderment when I saw all the flags proudly flying at every street corner and many homes. I have come to appreciate it over the years. The flag is an outward sign that unites a people, even if they don't agree on much else besides. A love for their country and a sense of a kind of nationwide brotherhood is best displayed every year during July 1st, the national holiday.

'Flying their colors'

I see the same with my US friends. We live close to the US border and even more than the Canadians, the US residents love to share their love for their country in flying their colors.

By now, I am a bit saddened when I don't see the flags in Germany when we visit. But I understand. And being humble has not often been a bad trait. Germans as far as I can say, as a people, are not wired that way, haha. Their open-ness often comes across as frank and direct and you have no idea how often I have stepped in a pot of grease by just talking out loud- especially here with the polite Canadians! Yup, still learning that 'silence is golden'- maybe I should just get myself a flag instead, haha)

Thanks for journeying with me, I will be here again tomorrow with another camper, so stop on by anytime;-) Until then,

Happy Trails! Simone

1953 King Camper 'Queenie'

1953 King Camper 'Queenie'

orig. watercolor 8x10in, matted to fit 11x14in frame, 
more info and purchase: click here

Today's cute camper is a 1953 King Camper named Queenie. It doesn't have any paint color, but left its natural aluminum siding. I painted a King Camper last year and it reflected the desert setting, so it was great to see today's camper which looks so sweet all decked out in bunting and cowboy boots and vintage finds.

I don't have a lot of info on the camper manufacturer, except it was built in the 50's in Los Angeles, CA. The great guys at TinCan Tourists have a great wiki archive, where I find great info on all kinds of different trailers while I am painting. If you are renovating one or looking to get one, check out their website! There are not many around, so if you  know someone with one, or happen to own one, wohoo- lucky, lucky!!

Here I want to share with you what it's proud owner sent to me. 'She is called "Queenie". And I often say: "I wonder if she thinks about me as much as I think about her."

Today will mark the back-to-school for us again. The kids are so excited to see their friends again, pack their lunches and start a new year of adventures and discoveries. I am excited for them and with them. I look forward to some more me-time for uninterrupted painting and maybe even a lunch date with my hubby. Life is good at the Ritter household...

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you will continue the journey with me as I will paint another vintage camper tomorrow! Have a wonderful day!

Camper a Day 2017 begins today!

Wohoo! Today marks the first day of my 2017 painting a vintage camper trailer or camper van for each day of September. I am always looking forward to it, as it requires discipline to make it happen. The time to paint, to photograph, edit, blog, list on my website, cross post to my social feeds and so on will take a good chunk out of every day this month.

Also, September marks 'back to school' for my gang and with last loose ends to tie and myself finishing up taking a colour mixing and theory course that was this week, I am glad that soon life will settle into its new routine. What nicer way to celebrate this with daily painting!?

As every year, my month-long painting endeavour is not a one-woman-event. Many generous vintage camper enthusiasts that share photos of their little loves with me and give me permission to paint from their photos make my project possible. Thank you, each and everyone from the bottom of my heart!

If you read this and would like to submit a photo that you have taken, please use my submissions form by clicking here or go to my website directly. You might even know a friend who might like to join the fun! Please do invite them as I need... well... 30 campers to being able to paint a camper a day 2017!

Our first camper-a-day model!

1987 Cadet Camper watercolour 8x10in, sold

Today's feature camper is from Canada's East Coast. It is a 1987 Cadet. Now, most vintage North American campers have some kind of horizontally ribbed siding. In Europe most campers have plain, untextured siding, often fiberglass. This Cadet has that, too. This summer I went to my very first vintage camper meet on Prince Edward Island, Canada. I learned that the Cadets were originally built in Poland and some 200+ empty shells got exported to Canada. There they were finished to Canadian standards and sold. (TinCan Tourist Wiki tells me 500 Cadets made it to the US).

European camper trailer caravans often have little tents that can be added for extra space. They look quite cute, sort of like little houses. This one has one of those, too and my heart always jumps a beat when I see one. It does remind me of my youth back in Germany;-). So, what better camper to get my camper-a-day 2017 started than this one here who started its life in Europe- just as me!

If you want to journey along, please subscribe to my newsletter or facebook page or instagram feed.

Blueberry Fields Forever Commission Painting

Blueberry Fields Forever #3

commission, sold

I hope this post finds you all well after a wonderful Christmas celebration and/or some relaxing days! 

Before Christmas I have been contacted by a person who fell in love with my paintings, Blueberry Fields Forever. After some email conversations, he ordered a similar painting to the ones he saw online- as a commission Christmas surprise for his wife. I hope she liked it, he really wanted to get her something personal and from the heart. They live close to the area portrayed in the paintings.

The local wild blueberry fields really do turn a bright red once the fall frosts hit them. This creates a stunning contrast with the dark blue ever-green trees in the distance.

Blueberry Fields Forever #5

orig. watercolour, 6x8in approx.

more info and purchase: click here

As part of the commission, I have painted a total of three paintings! I wanted to make sure he found just the right one for his space. The two others are available now via my webshop.

Blueberry Fields Forever #4

orig. watercolour 6x8in approx., matted to 11x14in

more info and purchase: click here

This one above I painted on hot press paper which yields a more fluid look and the colours are a touch brighter. Different materials yield different results as you can see!

On a private note, we had a great celebration with the kids. On the 25th we had the restaurant open again and our darling daughter helped even serve and be the host for the evening. I myself helped Markus in the kitchen a bit. It has become a tradition and our Europa team is so gracious to come and serve on Christmas Day! Thank you all for making this possible!

Stay in touch with more recent paintings I have created but had no time to post!

If you like, please friend me on FB or Instagram: SimoneRitterArt

Feature on Girl Camper Podcast

This week your truly has been featured on the Girl Camper Podcast with my camper calendar!

Wow, what a great honour and surprise when Blogger and Podcaster and Girl Camper Advocate Janine Pettit dropped me a line, if she could feature me on her show! I was floored!

I have been following Janine on social for a while and enjoy her sharing of vintage camper photos, camping ideas, her travels in her camper- and every Sunday a beautiful photo of a country church.

Here is some info from Janine's website, www.girlcamper.com :

'Janine Pettit is a lifelong lover of camping who took a 25 year sabbatical when she married a non-camper!

She discovered that camping was still in the cards for her when she stumbled onto an article about a women’s outdoor adventure group that travels around the country in RVs, meeting new friends, checking off bucket list adventures and doing things she had only dreamed of.

Janine has become an Ambassador for the Girl Camping movement. She encourages women to go places and do things on her Girl Camper podcast, on her blog for Go RVing, and through her frequent public speaking engagements.'

On her podcasts, she shares news, trends and personal stories of her camping life. She meets people, goes to trade shows, and interviews specialists and camping enthusiasts. All, to provide important information to the girl campers out there. I learn a lot, and this week's episode is where she shares her insight from the great RV shows and her top 5 new trailer releases for 2017. I have to look up some toy-hauler trailers now, haha!

My Calendar makes a great gift for your glamping lover or a fun Secret Santa Surprise! Direct Shipping available, too- just leave a note at checkout!

On my end here, I have been busy packing and shipping Camper Christmas Gifts. I also was 'helper' to a 'Secret Santa' (see pic below). Also, I can only tell you this much, that there are some very thoughtful husbands out there- cannot say more...

We had a nice first snowstorm of the season here in the Maritimes. Kids were off school, too. So, I grabbed my oil painting stuff, got them in snow gear and we headed out. They had a snowball fight and I painted a picture of my neighbour's gift shop, the Crocker Hill Store (a treat for garden and dog lovers). Happy Advent to you all, thank you for stopping by!

Annual Gift Sale begins

My annual gift sale has begun!

This October, I thought, I would catch up with all the things that fell by the wayside during my September 'painting a camper a day' project. It has not quite worked out that way. Even though, I was lucky enough to tackle a couple of projects from my to-do list.

I have been busy designing and ordering gift items to fill my web-store for the upcoming Christmas and holiday season.

I packaged more greeting cards, nice quality- thick and glossy with vibrant colours. The sought-after calendars have also arrived and orders are coming in already. New this year are mouse pads, a cute hostess gift or stocking stuffer or 'thank you' for a vintage camper fan.

I am still waiting for a couple more items and look forward by mid November to have my shop all filled to the brim.

To have a web-store is more work than what it seems. (I am learning)- first, design and order your items, then after shipments arrive, inspect and package and photograph items. Then photo edit items to smaller scale for web, then upload them and write your store description.

I just had an unexpected 'surprise':

While my dear hubby takes my bunch out to trick-or-treat, I was hoping to post my greeting cards online in my gift shop. It has taken me over an hour to take the photos a couple of days ago and I wanted now to edit them for web... Oh, well, they are nowhere to be found! I must have deleted them- both from my camera AND from my computer (probably while downloading). Oh, my, my artist mind has gotten the better of me today... So, tomorrow, I will go at it again and take more photos- and hopefully it won't rain, haha!

Update: I JUST found the 'lost' photos while searching for this family photo below- so, guess what: I'll be editing and posting as soon as I am putting my period on this sentence, haha! Have a good week everyone and Happy Halloween!

Here's a family pic we took recently... wishing you a wonderful week!

1956 Kencraft Christmas Camper

1956 Kencraft Christmas Camper

orig. watercolor 11x14in (mounted to 16x20 archival matting and backing)

more info and purchase: click here

The month of October just seems to fly by in lightning speed- already half the month is over!!! Where has the time gone? Here I am, getting ready for the Christmas Season!

Well, I know, this might seem a bit early, doesn't it? But I have started to order so many things in and they are specialty print items which take time. I want to have my gift-giving shop ready to go by November as many people order online and have their gifts shipped. 

So, in the spirit I just finished my first Christmas Camper Painting! I hope a few more will come!

The owner of this 1956 Kencraft submitted the photo as part of my September Camper-a-Day Project. Somehow I couldn't make out it's Christmas Decor in the small thumbnail pic that opened in the email, so I dismissed it! Lucky for me, she sent me a note about her campie after reading my call-out for Holiday Glampers. And I'm so glad she did!

I was still looking for a feature holiday camper to include in my 2017 Calendar to fill the December slot- and was so glad to have received this photo! 

As I am talking about it again, I want to give a great, big 'thank you' to all of you who so generously shared your campie photos with me! I enjoy each and every one so much and would love paint them all if I would have the time! Thank you again!

If you are interested in gifts for the glamper in your life, I invite you to check out my shop again beginning of November. I will be adding many more gift ideas starting at $15 and up.

1964 SCS Shasta in a Field of Roses

1964 SCS Shasta in a Field of Roses

orig. watercolor 11x14in (matted onto a 16x20 archival matboard)

for more info and purchase: please click here

Yes, we've had a whole bunch of Aqua Shasta's this month! It must be a very popular color!

This one here I call 1964 SCS Shasta in a Field of Roses.

I chose this one as I liked that vintage truck with it, so cute. And as the fall is here now in the Maritimes with colder nights and crisp air in the mornings, I liked the warm sunshine drenching this scene. Summer- where art though??? I miss you already!

This is s special Shasta as the owner explains:

'1964 SCS Shasta, the SCS stands for "Self-Contained with a Shower", I call her "Super Cute Shasta"'

A couple of days ago, we had another aqua colored Shasta, featuring a pinup girl. You can read about it by clicking here.

I'm off to bed now, as tomorrow we have a busy day ahead of us: my youngest fledgling is starting hockey and will be in hockey gear the first time! You should see the huge mount of gear I just packed! Unbelievable! Those hockey players are dressed like tanks! I quietly had hoped that this cup would pass by us, but once he heard about hockey sign up, he really wanted to give it a try. So, here we go, you might see me post hockey sketches soon!

I hope you enjoyed this month filled with campies and I thank you very much for journeying with me! Thank you, thank you! If you like a camper, please feel free to share the post or photo to your social feeds! But we'll see you tomorrow with another camper- end stretch for me!

I'm wishing you a great day and thanks for stopping by!               Simone

1964 Shasta 'Fit to be Tied'

1964 Shasta 'Fit to be Tied'

orig. watercolor 11x14in (matted to 16x20 matboard, ready for framing)

more info and purchase: please click here

Today we have this fun country themed 1964 Shasta 'Fit to be Tied'.

Well, it looks like working farm girl to me, so Monday seems a good day to make it my feature camper!

As this is not my mother tongue, I had to look up if this name means something that needs censorship on this blog (haha). So, here are my findings- of course you probably know and are laughing out loud now!- 'the idiom fit to be tied according to thefreedictionary.com means angry and agitated. (As if needing to be restrained.)'

See, every day I learn something with painting your campies! Just love it! I don't know what is angry about today's camper. Maybe the owner hitches up her Shasta and goes for a weekend camp trip to cool down and chill out when she feels angry and agitated which would make PERFECT sense to me! I have my 'Little Wings' which I just love to visit once in a while. Just to 'hang out' and chill if I need my quiet, kind of a she-shed on wheels. Yeehaw!

So now, with this campie I am wishing you a good start into this week and don't get too upset about small stuff (except you have a camper where you can run to for relaxation, haha).

We shall see you again tomorrow with another camper! If you like what you see, please feel free to share my blog or photos with friends, pinterest boards or on your social feeds!                 Simone

1961 Metzendorf 'Downton Abbey'

1961 Metzendorf 'Downton Abbey'

orig. watercolor 11x14in approx. (matted to 16x20in archival matting)

for more info and purchase: click here

Today's camper is very British and sports the Union Jack and other Brit-themed decor and colours. The reason, of course is the beloved PBS series 'Downton Abbey' which aired it final season this year. My husband and I enjoyed watching it, too, so I do understand the motive for this camper decor.

What I love about this camper is that Metzendorf is a German name, so I had to look up with my friends at TinCanTourists.com for info. Here is what they have- just a bit of info on its original owner and an obituary from the owner who bought the plant and built the campers for 18 after that!

Founder of Metzendorf Camper Trailers:

(Provided by great nephew Brin Metzendorf)

The campers were produced in the 50's and early 60's by Martin Metzendorf of West Farmington, Ohio, approximately 10 miles northwest of Warren, Ohio. Martin (my great-uncle) and his wife had the trailers built with Amish laborers, she picked out the interior patterns and colors. They delivered most of the trailers themselves until a delivery accident deprived my great-aunt of her arm. Martin sold the business in the early 60's and the trailer was produced for a few more years under the Metzendorf name, I believe they closed the doors in '63 but I'm not 100% on that. If their is a real interest out there I might be able to piece together some facts from my relatives, but admittedly they're all a touch fuzzy on events from forty years ago. 

Here's an excerpt from the Obituary of the German Karl H. Gerlt, who bought the plant from Metzendorf:

Karl H. Gerlt 1919-2007 Western Reserve #507 was born Aug. 22, 1919, in Bremerhaven, Germany, the son of Emil and Charlotte Gerlt.

He came to the United States, with his parents and two bothers Emil and Helmut. They settled in New Jersey, where he graduated from Bagota High School.

He enlisted in the Army at the start of World War II. He received the Commission of 2nd Lieutenant in the Signal Corps and was later promoted to Captain.

Karl was transferred to the Military Intelligence Corp., serving with Supreme Head Quarters Allied Expeditionary Forces. He also served in the occupation force of Berlin, Germany, commanding the office of Communications.

Upon discharge from the Army, he married Velma Coster. They settled in West Farmington. He worked as an electrician for Ohio Lamp of Warren for 16 years, before purchasing Metzendorf Trailer Plant, in West Farmington, where he built travel trailers for 18 years. He then worked for the Village of West Farmington Water Treatment Plant, until he retired at age 71.

I know this is lengthy, but I thought it worth sharing. So, here you have it, the behind the scenes of the Metzendorf Camper! More info is on the TinCan Tourist website

We'll see you tomorrow again with another campie!                        Simone

1978 Apache Yuma

1978 Apache Yuma

orig. watercolor painting, 11x14in approx (matted to 16x20 archival mat)

purchase info: click here

Ok, girls, if you want to glamp, but the boys in the family are hesitant to venture out in you pink beauty... you might want to consider something like this here. This camper is so cool. My guys would love it! I would love it, too- the bits and pieces that make it a true glamper are all there- the bunting, the striped awning, the sweet touches here and there- just perfect! Congrats on making today's feature camper a fun and very unique glamper!

Here is what its proud owner writes:

'Hello, this is my 1978 Apache Yuma It came to me on my birthday this June and I have been working hard to make him special It's a hard sided pop-up with the unique feature of the slide out kitchen His name is Louie Clark!'

As you might know, today I'll be painting at the historic 'Kings Landing' Settlement for a fundraiser Plein Air Event. If you are in the area this weekend, please do stop by! I'd love to welcome you!

You will still see every day a new campie, as I prepared before I went, ha ha! And if you like, please do share the link with friends and family and your fb group! Thank you for stopping by today!      Simone

Yellow Buttercup Vintage Camper

Yellow Buttercup Vintage Camper

orig. watercolor painting 11x14in approx. (matted to 16x20 archival mat)

purchase info: click here

If I'd have a winner for 'most work to send in a submission photo', this owner would be it hands down! Not only did she re-submit her photos in a re-sized format for me to be able to paint, but then, she set out and did a photo shoot to have a greater variety of shots to choose from!!!

Honestly, I felt humbled when I received all the emails. Thank you for all your work!

This campie is a fun example, that in the glamper world there is no holding back. You can see the 'Shasta wing' at the back attached, however, it is not original to the camper, as this make is not a Shasta, but the wing was just what was missing to finish the look! And hey, I think this is fully OK!

Here is the story behind this camper, which is just so tender and sweet:

'(I am) not sure of year or make. She's just a cute canned ham that I love.
My son (now 35 yrs old) used to say when he was around 3 yrs old
"Mommy, you're my little Buttercup". So, I had to name her Buttercup!
Then with the name, came the color. Buttercup yellow, inside and out.'

I hope you enjoy today's feature campie, as I very much enjoyed painting it, actually JUST finished it (still a tad wet;-)