Airstream Bambi 'Minnie Lou'

 Airstream Bambi 'Minnie Lou'purchase info hereorig. watercolor 8x5x11in

It's been a loooooong painting day again- nightshift painting again- final spurt. It was a 'Just Because' sort of day...

Airstream Bambi 'Minnie Lou' is my last official camper portrait for this time around. Even though I have painted two paintings today. You will see the other one below, you'll understand. But first, let's start with this one here:

I know, I know, this one is a new Airstream Model not an old one. But I got asked to paint it and because I liked it, I did paint it! Ha! feels good to being able to make a decision like this Just Because;-)

No really, I am struggling with this perspective thing as you have seen a few days ago (with dear Catalina from New Zealand) and what could be more challenging in perspective than an Airstream from a sharp angle with reflections? This was reason enough to give it a shot.

What I've learned again is that really what we paint is not what we think we see. So, I've not painted aluminium panels reflecting sky and landscape, but I've looked carefully and painted shapes and light values, what I saw in the reference photo. Actually, I exaggerated what I saw in the colors, yielding a more 'polished look' (haha, no pun intended!)

Here is a photo of the work-in-progress:

But this was not all I painted today.

As I mentioned above, I painted another painting today. Just Because I felt I needed to!

I just couldn't let it sit to not give Catalina a decent showing here. So, for my own peace of mind I painted her again today. I painted her this morning right after the kids were in school and I got a brisk walk in (this month's sitting is starting to give my lower back some grief). In short: I was fresh and ready to go!

I focused on the angles, the interplay of the angles and the perspective. I asked my husband to check it (haha). Once he gave me green light, I carefully tip-toed my way into the painting with light layerings to establish the various plains, I have to say it was quite a process, but I feel much happier with this one now. I might still touch up that white middle bar (maybe, haha).

So, here my second painting: Dear Miss Catalina from New Zealand!

1969 Catalina from New Zealandorig. watercolor, 8x10in (matted to fit 11.14in frame)
purchase info here

I thank you all for your support and encouragement and the invitation to your friends that love art and/or campers to follow me online! Thank you very, very much!

I will post all paintings featured in a collage tomorrow and early next week I should have the voting online for you to like your favorite paintings, which will be featured in my 2018 calendar collection.

I will announce once it is online and ready to go, just follow my Facebook: Simone Ritter Art or Instagram: SimoneRitterArt or here of course;-)

Thanks again and stay in touch! Gotta go, zzz now.... too late already again;-)

Artist-Direct Gift Ideas

Artist-Direct Gift Ideas on Sale now!

The busiest time of year is here, everyone is getting ready for Christmas and the malls are filled with busy shoppers.  

I, too, have filled my online gift shop with artist-direct gift ideas at special pricing starting at only $15 and all under $100! Of course there is free shipping over $50 spent, too;-)

Also, I will have a spot at our upcoming annual Europa Inn Art Open House. Many new and established local artists will transform the Restaurant Part into a warm and creative space, sure to add sparkle to your St. Andrews visit. Click here for the flyer with all the listings.

Today I want to introduce some of my favorites gifts:

 1. Original Mini Camper Painting 'Red Shasta' in Golden Frame: $85 (incl. shipping)

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What I love about this painting is that it is just the perfect size even for inside a vintage camper! The overall Size is just 5.25x6.25in including the frame! But the frame is 1.25in high, making a solid statement. And because it is a custom made floater frame, non of the edges of the painting are covered!

The painting has golden metal leaf accents on the z-stripe and the iconic Shasta wing. I have a matching piece to the red Shasta-  it is an aqua Shasta with the same frame. This would make a wonderful pair to display one below the other or side-by-side!

You can see more about this painting on my shop page by clicking here.

2. Original Mini Camper Painting 'Aqua Shasta' in Golden Frame: $85 (incl. shipping)

Have I mentioned I just love those cute, small campie paintings? For the size they were actually a lot of work to create. To apply the metal leaf with a tiny brush took a long time, as did the painting itself.

But it was worth it, I just love how they look! Here is the aqua-coloured sister-piece to the above mentioned red Shasta.

3. Greeting Cards 'Christmas Airstream': on sale for $15 for 5

This year's new greeting card designs include a feature of one of my favourite camper paintings: this beauty of an Airstream. If you are looking to give-away some greeting cards as a hostess gift or send some out yourself to good friends, these would be the perfect match for any vintage camper lover!

And if you are looking for a selection, I am offering this set featuring the Airstream plus this cute pink vintage Campie in a card set. For purchase and more info, please click here. 

Each card is printed on quality, glossy card stock, blank inside and comes with blank envelopes.

If you are looking for something specific or a gift certificate, please drop me a line, I might be able to help;-) Thank you for all your encouragement and patronage, I am very thankful for all of you! Thank you! 

Until next time, stay in touch and Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends near and far!

1994 Airstream Excella- Let's Get Started!

1994 Airstream Excella

orig. watercolour 10x13in approx.

purchase original painting: click here

First Camper of the Month is: tataaaa...(think drumroll)... this 1994 Airstream Excella!
It was parked as a wonderful surprise at our local campground and just looked so nice that I asked the owner how long they were staying and also, if I'd be allowed to do a painting of their beauty. It is 25 ft long and fairly new to the owners. I hope they will enjoy a lot of fun times with their Glampie-campie.

Painting on location at our local campground

This is a photo of the work-in-progress while I was creating this painting a few days ago. I painted 'en plein air', meaning on location outside. I love painting on location, as it sharpens my skill to see proper light and low values, colours and more so, I need to work quickly as the changing location of the sun changes the shadows, reflections and colours in a scene, especially here where there are a lot of reflection on the aluminum body of the camper.

Photo Submissions:

Thank you all that have submitted photos already- there is still room for more- please send your sweet photos in! You can submit by going here.

Camper a Day January 2016 Successful

Vintage Camper-a-Day January 2016

So, we've done it! Another successful 30 campers in 30 paintings we created this January! Yey!

Camper-a-Day

I have to admit, it was a lot of work and many late nights. My darling husband waiting on the couch for me, only to find out I'd have no time. But he is always happy for me to do what I love and painting certainly is one- and a love for vintage camper is another. So, it was a wonderful months for me painting a camper-a-day. Of course I couldn't have done it without the many, many stunning photos you sent it after my submission call- what an honour- thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you

to the 1400 other artists globally that painted along this month and posted their awesome art on Leslie Saeta's website. It was a joy to watch every day the postings, it's such a motivator to get up and post and get inspired by all the others!

On another note:

For any newsletter subscribers, I have started to send out the welcome gift greeting cards. If you have not yet received yours yet, it might be that I don't have an address where to send it. If you could give me a mailing address, I will get those out to you after Valentine's;-)- and for any new sign-ups, just fill in at the sign-up screen. I don't use it for spam or selling or anything like this, but to send you the gift. I'm just a one-woman show here, no big company;-)

Anyhow, I'm off now for a few days and will get started on some bigger ideas soon, stay stuned;-)

All my very best to you!                            Simone

1962 Overlander Airstream

1962 Overlander Airstream

orig. watercolour, 8x10in approx.

commission painting

Today's camper is actually a 'today- and yesterday's camper', this 1962 Overlander Airstream painting is bigger and took me much longer to create, so, no chance to do it in one day.

It is a commission painting and the owner wants to surprise her husband at their upcoming anniversary. They camp near a beach and she created a sign with fun sayings that touch the heart and state their mottos. They do have beautiful daylilies growing by their campsite and of course the iconic flamingos had to be included I thought! Her husband got a fancy beach bike as a gift last year as well , so I included it of course in the painting! One other personal touch was the inclusion of the American Flag mirrored on the aluminium skin, they have it at their campsite and the beautiful oak trees in the background...

Can you see, how it took me a bit of wrapping my head around a possible lay-out?! I was zipping back-and forth from about 5 photographs to pick- here- pick- there to include all in this artwork.

I wanted to include as much as possible to make this painting the personal gift the owner is hoping for. Hubby, bless his heart, did an amazing job polishing many hours. Anyone knowing something about that kind of polishing, knows it is a major job of many, many devoted hours.... yaaahn! ZIIPPP! Poooooolllishssssss!

My dream is such a beautiful airstream. I hope some day! In the meantime, I feel lucky and honoured if I'm allowed to paint them! Thank you!

If you are looking for a commission painting as a special gift to yourself or someone you love, please do contact me with photos.

Tomorrow is another day, another camper- and almost the end stretch of this 'camper-a-day' challenge for January 2016. I hope you enjoyed the journey with me. Thank you for stopping by!                                           Simone

1967 Silverstreak 'Stella'

1967 Silverstreak 'Stella'

orig. watercolour painting 5x7in

more info and purchase: click here

Today's featured camper is this 1967 Silverstreak called 'Stella'. Glamped up with vintage collectible coolers and earthy tones, the owner tied in beautifully with her trademark-golden-stripe. Silverstreaks are pretty high-end trailers and have a loyal following, arguably sporting better craftsmanship than the ever popular Airstream. I don't really know as I have not seen them side by side, actually never seen a Silverstreak in person yet! Hopefully some day! For more information about these trailers, click here to the Tin Can Tourist Wiki Archive.

I started painting this painting early this morning at 3:30am after a bout of insomnia and stuffy nose- I thought it's better to get up and do something productive than flipping in bed not being able to sleep and driving Markus crazy, too. I just finished the painting now; it felt good to have the bulk of the painting already done!

Was crossing to the US to drop off some shipments at the post office- there are some paintings and calendars underway to their new collectors!

Maybe tomorrow would be a good day to paint an Airstream- what do you think?   Thanks for stopping by!                        Simone

1967 Streamline

1967 Streamline

orig. watercolour, 5x7in approx.

more info and purchase: click here

Camper of the Day is this beautiful 1967 Streamline, a cousin of the Airstream aluminium trailers.

It was somewhat of a challenge for me to paint all the dappled shadows and reflections, would love to practise that some more...

It is getting late here, so I better get my tush into gear for some zzzz...

nighty night all from sunny, warm, fall-ready St. Andrews!                                           Simone

Wohnwagen des Tages ist dieser schoene 1967 Streamline, ein Cousin von den Airstream Campers.

Es war schon eine Herausforderung und schwierig diesen  zu malen, wegen der lockeren Schatten der Baeume und Reflectionen, wuerde gerne wieder soetwas malen...

Es wird schon wieder spaet hier, so sollte ich mich jetzt aufraffen fuer die Heia...

Guat's Naechtle und schoene Gruesse vom sonnigen, warmen, herbstigen St. Andrews!                   Simone

#30in30 #thirtypaintingsinthirtydays #vintagecamperlove #glamping

Watercolour Simple Tutorials and a 'Baby Whale' Airstream Excella

Airstream Excella 'Baby Whale'

orig. watercolour 5x7in approx.

buy it here

Here is the last vintage camper from the 'Girl Camp Canada' Group, an Airstream Excella with its 3 proud doggie 'camp-alongs'.

Also, as promised, I have been busy creating these beginner watercolour tutorials with Chinkok Tan's method (3 colours, one brush) for anyone interested.

These are short videos I created that explain step-by-step colour mixing and application paint-along and product overview.

The videos are 'a first' for me and unfortunately not perfect (I wanted to edit them somewhat on my computer, but gave up frustrated).

So, please forgive my not perfect english and lighting and so on... but I hope you will find them useful and encouraging!

So, let's get painting!

Watercolour Simple Tutorial #1: Tools and Equipment, why and how

http://youtu.be/cGLtX-uSRBI

Watercolour Simple Tutorial #2: Mixing and Values (Part 1)

http://youtu.be/g_blH0t3gI0

Watercolour Simple Tutorial #2: Mixing and Values (Part 2)

http://youtu.be/8tk2l1pv3CA

Watercolour Simple Tutorial #2: Mixing and Values (Part 3)

http://youtu.be/RRSrDr-5xWs

Of Course our Collection Needs an Airstream

1967 Airstream Caravel

orig. watercolour 5x7in 

sold

Today's painting is of an American Icon, an Airstream Trailer.
This one is an Airstream 1967 Caravel. Well, I guess I dream on, maybe some day... 
and don't we all smile when we see one?
Happy Monday all! See you tomorrow again!                       Simone

Das heutige Bild ist von einem Amerikanischen Original, einem Airstream Wohnwagen.
Dieser hier ist ein 1967 Airstream Caravel. Na denn, ich träume weiter, vielleicht eines Tages.... aber ist es nicht so, dass wir lächeln wenn wir einen sehen?
Schönen Montag euch allen! Bis morgen dann wieder!                   Simone