Annual Gift Sale Starts Today!

Wow, has October flown by so fast! And as we on the East Coast still enjoy phenomenal late-fall weather with warm temperatures, I have been busy designing gift items for the vintage camper  and art lover. My annual gift sale and Christmas sale is starting today and I hope you get a chance to stop by my online shop.

Greeting Cards:

My greeting cards have been very popular in the past and people like picking them up throughout the year. As a thank you for your continued support, I am offering special bulk rebates for greeting cards on top of my sale prices. So if you are looking for some quality stationary for your glamping friends or bundle a few together as a hostess gift or stocking stuffer, these would fit the bill (and not break the bank). Quantities of 10 or more receive 10% discount, 20 or more receive 20% discount!

New this year, holiday greeting cards!
After seeing how much people loved the gingerbread house themed little Shasta camper, I have decided to offer my favorite holiday themed glampers as seasonal cards. They have writing on them, too. (The snowy pink Aljo is on backorder, but should arrive soon. Will list once it arrives).

calendars:

of course, the calendars have arrived, too. I am offering a glamping calendar featuring your 12 favourites, the winners of the October voting held on my blog. You can check it out here.           
And for my non-glamping friends, there is a calendar, too. 'Creative Journey Caledar' features 12 watercolours created this year, from florals to land and seascapes and the gingerbread camper for December, it features a bit of everything what I've been working on these past months.
Fun Christmas gift tags are here, too... check them out- perfect little stocking stuffer. 12 for $5.
Looking for a one of a kind gift? Still have a couple of slots open for your special glamper commission painting. And of course:  free shipping for $60 or more.
Anyhow, I better get back to packaging a bit more and hope you get a chance to stop by my annual gift sale!

1955 Trotwood Cub

1955 Trotwood Cuborig. watercolor 8x10in (matted to fit 11x14in frame)
puchase info click here

This 1955 Trotwood Cub is my feature camper today. Have I ever mentioned I love red in vintage trailers???? Love the striped awning, wanted one for my little campie, but not the right red to be found for this color connoisseur, haha!

Unfortunately, I don't have any info on the (hi)story of this little guy, so I hopped over to my dear wiki-friends from the TinCanTourist website (big thanks!):

"It all began with Ray Kuntz and Warren Wagner back in the late 1920’s. These schoolteachers occupied their summers in a garage on Grand Avenue. Here they were designing a prototype canvas tent on wheels to take camping.

Despite the economic gloom of the Great Depression in 1932 they opened Trotwood Trailers. By 1950 they grew to control 20% of the camper trailer market in Ohio. Because there were many models to choose from. One of their largest models can still be seen in the mobile home park on East Main Street of Trotwood Ohio. It was a regular sight to see 12 trailers rolling out of town every day on their way to customers across North America.

Their neighbors tolerated the pair working long hours from their ‘home office’. They were not realizing the impact their inventions would have on the trailer world as a result from innovative axle systems to the first side entry door trailer. 

Unfortunately Fire destroyed Trotwood’s legacy business back in 1981. Thousands of campers and travel trailers were built on North Broadway, Trotwood Ohio, for delivery all across the country. Trotwood Trailers were respected due to their innovative features and high quality construction. Many still survive today but the company does not."

1966 Aristocrat LandLiner

1966 Aristocrat LandLinerorig. watercolor, 8x10in (matted to fit 11x14in frame)purchase info, click here

I've been practicing white siding again with today's 1966 Aristocrat LandLiner.

Here is the info I received from it's proud owner: 'Set up at the 2nd annual Bodega Bay Rally. My Trailer's name is Scout, after our dog who would have enjoyed camping in it with us.' Yes, I think our dogs love to hang with us in nature, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and companionship offered during camping.

Here is some info on the make from Wiki Tin Can Tourists, bless their heart for collecting all the trailer info for people like me and many more!

"Irv Perlitch (Perch) made his fortune by founding Aristocrat Travel Trailer after moving to Morgan Hill in 1957. Mr. Perch collected unusual antiques such as a 1929 Ford Tri-motor, the first commercial passenger plane to make coast-to-coast flights. In 1969, he sold his successful trailer business to begin work on a 200 acre family resort in Morgan Hill, CA. It was home to his museums of antique cars and airplanes and where he built his Flying Lady Restaurants. Irv Perlitch passed away April 30, 2008."

Hope we can see each other again tomorrow with another camper, what will it be? Not sure yet, but I'm looking forward to painting! Thank you for stopping by!

Camper Painting Project September 2016

September has come to a close, and my Camper Painting Project September 2016 has successfully finished, too. Here in a collage featuring all campers and paintings that I have painted for this project. There might be one or two more added later, but here you have them all from September 2016.

I promised to host a voting where you all can choose your favorite campies to be selected the feature campers for my 2017 calendar.

Right now, I am still working behind the scenes to get that voting platform installed and working *yikes*. So let's hope by Monday or Tuesday I'll be up and running. I will announce that on this blog and via my social platforms (FB and Instagram @SimoneRitterArt). It will be so much fun and I hope you can participate!

Please keep an eye out for it!

Thank you to all of you who submitted your wonderful photos- I was overwhelmed with your many, many photos that you sent in! If I had another month to paint, I couldn't even feature them all! It was a great honour to paint each and every one of them, and to share a story with each painting. I hope it brought a smile to your daily life- it sure brought a lot of joy to mine!

Thank you again for journeying with me and stay tuned for the voting after the weekend!

Happy Trails!                    Simone

1958 Oasis 'Life Saver'

1958 Oasis 'Life Saver'

orig. watercolor 11x14 in (matted to 16x20 archival matboard)

more info and purchase: please click here

Today's 1958 Oasis 'Life Saver' is a very special camper. Its decor is elaborate with lots of pattern and I have to confess, that I had to wait for a day with extra time when I selected to paint it. Its owner was very sweet and went the extra mile to send the photo to me- thank you!

I don't know the name of the camper, really, but called it 'Life Saver'. It is not because of the rainbow colors, but because it really proved to be a life saver for the owner.  There are times in our lives when we feel in over our head and walk by faith and not by sight. The story below will explain.

Please read what was shared with me...

'I worked on this (camper) about once a week as a break. My in laws lived with us for three (years). He was 95 and in a wheel chair. And she was 93 and had Alzheimer's. They were married 72 years and we didn't want them separated. He died 1 1/2 ago and she died last month. It was a long journey . But my trailer is what kept me going.'

Wow, what a story! What an incredible sacrifice! I am just painting little campers, but what people share with me about their every-day-heroic-lives blows me away. It is so comforting to know there are still so many caring, loving people out there that put their own needs and wants on the back burner to help others. May my little camper painting today be a small tribute to all you fearlessly loving people out there that make the world a better place! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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

1963 Mobil Scout "Mabel'

1963 Mobil Scout "Mabel'

orig. watercolor 11x14in approx. (archivally matted to 16x20in mat board)

more info and purchase: click here

Today's camper is a diamant in the rough still. But so many vintage campers are when they first get discovered and eventually will be lovingly restored. This is the case here with this 1963 Mobil Scout 'Mabel' as well. 

Its proud owner wrote those lines to introduce her:

'Here is Mabel our our vintage camper. She is being restored (and) will have new paint in same colors and design. Glass in triangle door window and no orange tape. We rescued (her) from the woods in Texas.'

Wow, if she is from 1963, we don't know how long she has been forgotten sitting in the woods! Since I have been bitten by the camper-bug, wherever I travel my eyes wander to the woods, too, to any field, behind houses, yards and so on to scout for that vintage camper gem. My friends make fun of me now, but really, after a while I hear them comment on any vintage camper they see! In our neck of the woods, there are still so many around, just waiting to be picked up!

If you are looking for a project this winter and live in our area, just check the Kijiji or Craigslist listings or keep your eyes peeled when you travel. (Of course, if you are the driver, keep your eyes peeled on the street, haha).

I want to thank all of you who have submitted photos this month and keep journeying with me, it has been a blast and I learned a lot! There is only one more week 'til end of the month, so I might not be able to paint every camper submitted. Or I might have to keep painting into October... what is your take on this? Enough campers? Time to move on? Or keep glamping away? Please let me know! I'd like to hear from you!

In any case, w'll see you again tomorrow with another camper!                            Simone

1965 Oasis Vintage Camper 'Lola'

1965 Oasis Vintage Camper 'Lola'

orig. watercolor, 11x14in approx (matted to fit 16x20in frame)

more info and purchase: click here

So, today we are back on track with campers, and today's feature is this cutie, a 1965 Oasis Vintage Camper  'Lola' is her name!

I don't know much about her, but I have to say, there are quite a few angles on this painting and as the awning is cropped, I didn't have enough time to paint it before the plein air event. So today I took the plunge and got at it. I like how the painting turned out. It had a lot of accessories in the photo and I moved them around to simplify the composition of the painting.

Yes, it was good that I waited until I had enough time to paint Lola, and today was the perfect day for it! Yea, it rained outside, too, so this cheered me up!

My youngest wants to play hockey this winter. I had always hoped it would not happen as I don't like cold ice rinks and the tight schedule with practices and games. But here we go... we live in Canada and it is the national sport. So, the Ritter's are entering the arena of hockey, haha! We got the gear and now are waiting for the official kiddie sign-up. Our little guy is ready this much I can tell you! I might have to take my paints to the ice rink now and paint hockey- stay tuned!

1950 Westcraft Coronado

1950 Westcraft Coronado

orig. watercolor painting, 11x14in approx (matted to a 16x20in archival mat)

purchase info: click here

 

'Hi! This is my 1950 Westcraft Coronado that I restored and love to camp in!
Hope you like her as much as I do!'

this was the introduction I received with this stunning vintage camper. Isn't it a stunner?

I have  a heart for the old, old ones, they are just so luxurious, long and spacious- kind of a travelling home. It would be my dream to own one some day! But here by the ocean, the salt in the air and mist would corrode any non aluminum part pretty fast. So, I enjoy looking at the beauties that are being restored and loved in dryer regions of the continent!

In the last few days, I have gone on a journey to different states of the US, from temperate climate just like home to hot and dry . I am looking forward to showing you more different campies in the coming days, it will be great!

I received a wonderful selection of very different campers. Thank you all who participate and walk this journey with me- sending in photos, encouraging comments or liking and clicking on my Facebook and Instagram feeds. Thank you so much!

As you read this, I am packing my car to head out to a Plein Air Event at the historic Settlement 'Kings Landing'. I will meet other artists and paint for two days and interact with the visitors. It will end Sunday evening with a showing and sale of all the artists' work. If you are in the Fredericton region and look for a fun event- please come and say 'hi'! I'd love to see you there!

Never the less, there will be a camper of the day tomorrow, so please do stop by and check it out!

... and if you like what you see, please share the link on your social feeds and Pinterest! I'd feel honoured! Thank you!                    stay in touch! Simone

 1965 Little Gem Camper 'Pearl'

orig. watercolor 11x14in approx. (matted size: 16x20in)

purchase info: click here

Ha, who do we have here today? Her name is Little Pearl! Isn't she cute? She looks like a little bird with a beak, so small and round. This photo was submitted at an angle, just like the portrait here. I googled to see more of those Little Gem's and I could find a few, but only a few. Pretty rare, I'd say!

I have painted a painting last time around, without the awning and all the dress-up- and at a regular landscape format, you can see it by clicking here (the painting size was 5x7in, this here is 11x14in approx.).

I enjoy very much painting those little campers, they make me happy, every day I can take a brush into my hand! I also have to admit, that it is quite a bit of pressure to produce a painting for each day of the month... and I don't want to post one that went terribly wrong (which happens of course! And not rarely either! LOL).

But here now, our 1965 Little Gem Camper 'Pearl', a fun painting today for you, just right because it is weekend after all! I wish you a relaxing couple of days with good early fall weather and some quiet time to smell the air and the roses!

Thank you for stopping by and stay in touch again tomorrow, with another painting of a cute vintage camper! Happy Trails!                                             Simone

1966 Roadrunner Cabover 'Flo'

1966 Roadrunner Cabover 'Flo'

orig. watercolor 11x14in (matted size: 16x20)

purchase info: click here

Today's cute feature camper is this 1966 Roadrunner Cabover named 'Flo'. While I painted it I was actually drifting into a daydream of chilling on those chairs- crazzzzyyy! What those campers do to me, haha!

There are so many cute submissions, I am actually just plucking away in the order they came in, they are all so special! Thank you to all that sent in their photos- you made my day! You will see in the coming days that every camper has a different decor, too, as each owner make it their own.

Well, today's is very classic I'd say, I edited out a bit of the decor, as sometimes it would get overwhelming to make all those little shapes read right for the viewer. Sometimes less is more. I hope you can feel the sun- warm not hot, haha! We had fog today, well, we live by the sea after all. Fog feels good on my skin, I like it. But hopefully tomorrow will be sun again as the kids have a school excursion to New River Beach, a beautiful sand beach with crashing waves and stunning surroundings. Yes, let's go for sun!

Thank you for stopping by and see you tomorrow again!

Simone

1964 Aladdin Canned Ham Camper

1964 Aladdin Canned Ham Camper

watercolor 11x14in approx.

purchase info: click here

Today’s feature campie is this cute1964 Aladdin Canned Ham Camper having a grand ol’ time by the beach… actually, wouldn’t we ALL have a great time camping right by the beach? So, then, maybe today’s painting is an invitation for a mini-daydream on this Tuesday! Join me for a quickie vacay with our little Aladdin!

Summer surely is coming to an end here in Eastern Canada. The leaves on the trees make that dry, crisp sound when the wind is blowing. This is sign they are drying on the tree before they put their beautiful fall dresses on for a last hurrah before being blown down and cleaned away.

I want the summer to stay- just a little longer. I will miss the sunset bike rides down to the ocean, watching the sun go down, slowly, in magnificent yellows, oranges and reds; painting the sky with a heavenly paintbrush… sigh…

Oh, well, now my dream is already coming to an end… as I am about to ice some cupcakes for a very special little boy who will turn 7. He wants to bring a sweet treat to school- which is the first day of school after the summer! So, my friends, I have to say good bye until tomorrow- with another vintage treasure painted in watercolor!

As a side note: Special Thanks to fellow artist Leslie Saeta for hosting again over 1000 artists to paint daily this September and sharing on her blog. It is so great to see new faces and old friends on her feed!

1968 Serro Scotty 'Patsy Lee'

1968 Serro Scotty 'Patsy Lee'

orig. watercolor 10x14in approx.

purchase info, click here

Today's featured camper is this darling 1968 Serro Scotty 'Patsy Lee'..

Her pretty owner Laura was just diagnosed with breast cancer and will be battling a tough fight. Still, her spirits are high, as this weekend past, she had her beloved 'Patsy Lee' out glamping at a festival!

Don't we all know someone dear to our heart that is/has been battling cancer? My own mom is a survivor now for 5 years, but her life has never been the same as before. So, dear Laura, my thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time and I know you will be so brave and give all you can to stand against this terrible enemy!

I hope my little painting will brighten your day. Even though, I have to admit, my infant-stages portrait-painting skills couldn't do your beauty justice! All I can say is, I painted with love!

As a side-note, I have been in touch with her friend who cares very much about her. Even though, this is a big continent and people might not know each other in person, but still, the vintage camper fans are a pretty tight-knit family with one caring for another. I have met the nicest, most caring ladies over the past couple of years that have been journeying with me in my quest to paint those beloved little treasures. I have made friends! Thank you all, dear glamper friends- near and far! I treasure you very much and you enrich my life every day!

If you own an vintage camper and would like to join in this 'vintage camper-a-day' painting project, please send in your photo via my upload form here. 

Also, If you like what you read, please share it with your friends!

We'll see you tomorrow again- with a new featured campie!

1974 Aristocrat 'Tipsy Rose Lee'

1974 Aristocrat 'Tipsy Rose Lee'

orig. watercolor painting 10x14in approx.

more info and purchase: click here

Today's feature camper is this sweet 1974 Aristocrat called 'Tipsy Rose Lee'.

Her proud owner writes the following *uncensored*: 'She is Rusty, Crusty just like me!'

I love her romantic charm, the soft whites and pinks flirting with lacy and swirly bits... just very airy, fairy, charming! Thank you for sending in her photo!

If you are interested in getting to know her better, check her out

on Pinterest: Glamping A Little Bit Tipsy

or Instagram:  pks_722

So, let's raise a glass in honor of our 1974 Aristocrat 'Tipsy Rose Lee'

Here are some work-in-progress photos that show some stages before the completed painting. I actually love the one with the white background- I was always one for loving white backgrounds in paintings. They leave an airy and soft feel.

About the painting process:

As you can see, I start out with the light colours. These mixes contain a lot of water and little pigment. I mix every color from the three primaries. If you choose the real primary colors you should be able to mix literally every color you need from those three. After the basic layout is established, I start adding more saturated color mixes on top of the previous ones. It is a building process. Between each new application, I let the previous layer dry (to various degrees, depending on what effect I am looking for).

In watercolor you can always paint another layer over an existing one. It is an additive-type process. Once the paper is stained however, it is very hard to remove the pigment again from the paper without damaging it. So it takes practice and many 'throw aways' to build confidence and to know when the right timing and how much pigment. But that is the fun part, too! A friend of mine used to say: 'Well, all those 'scrapers'...  will eventually lead to the masterpiece.' And she is right.

If you own a vintage campie yourself, I invite you to send in a photo submission! 30 days need 30 glampers and that is A LOT of glampers!!! I welcome your submissions via my website form here.

Also, I'd feel very honored if you'd like to share my painting project of 'a vintage camper painting a day' on your social feed!

1958 Shasta Airflyte- California Beauty

1958 Shasta Airflyte

orig. watercolor 10x13in approx.

purchase info: click here

About this painting:

Today's sweet featured camper is this 1958 Shasta Airflyte residing in beautiful California (yeah, life is tough). The owner shares the following about their journey together:

"I bought a 1958 Shasta Airflyte back in June 2013 naively thinking that all it needed was a couple of rotted panels replaced and a paint job. Of course once we got deeper into it the trailer there were so many things that needed fixing. It was completely gutted. Long story short, three years later and five unethical handymen later it was finally useable.

Through the blood, sweat, tears and more money I could have imagined...it ended up being a journey of a life lesson. I learned that I was stronger than I thought and capable of acquiring new skills in order to finish the restoration in Oct. 2015.

So I didn't gain just a cute, vintage trailer but a true experience of empowerment which has branched to other accomplishments since then.. And I am grateful for that.

We found between joists a penny from 1957 and that's how I named her."

Interested in following 'Penny's' journey? Here's her Instagram: @1958shasta

If you want to have your camper featured and are interested in submitting your own vintage camper photo, go 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

Jayco Pink Welcome

Jayco Pink Welcome

orig. watercolour, 5x7in approx.

more info and purchase: click here

Today we have a 'newer' model camper, a Jayco, which I call Jayco Pink Welcome. A company who started in 1968 and are still producing today. I don't know any details of this camper model, but I liked the cute pink accents and that even a newer camper can be glamped up pretty easily.

Here is some info from the Jayco website:

"Jayco started with a dream. Lloyd, my late husband and I, had a dream that was based on our love of God and family and aimed at owning a business that would provide wholesome recreation for families to enjoy together. In 1968, in a barn on a country road, our dream became a reality."  (Bertha Bontrager-Rhodes, wife of late founder Lloyd)

Blending Old World Amish craftsmanship with innovative technology, Jayco is the nation’s largest family-owned and operated RV manufacturer today, developing a full lineup of recreation vehicles at our company headquarters in rural Middlebury, Ind. And while our product line has grown considerably, every unit we build is still guided by Lloyd’s vision and a humble desire to help make it easier for families to explore together and relax together.

1967 Scotsman

orig. watercolour, 5x7in approx.

more info and purchase: click here

Here I re-visited this painting I blogged about a couple of days ago, a 1967 Scotsman, who was travelling the 48 States in one summer! The perspective of the tow car was off but I couldn't figure out why, so I added a bit more pigment to the lower part and I think it is much better.

Tomorrow is the last day for this January challenge, I wonder what I will paint... I might have an idea, but not sure... the last days are always the hardest for me, pretty tired these last days, especially the daily blogging, picture editing and posting is something I'd like to streamline down the road. It was great to see what works, what didn't so much and what has to be updated and worked on- on the back-end and the front-end of the website and social platforms. I am still learning so much and have to learn so much more.

But first, I will take a few days off to catch up with something very important: my dear loved ones who have been waiting very patiently for me to paint every day.

What some of you might not know, I'm homeschooling, too, so my days are filled with answering math questions, teaching about 'short and long vowel sounds' and checking progress in literature and sciences. Hence, my painting time is mostly evenings and nights. No complaint, no complaint at all, we have to make time for what we love, right and I am so lucky to being able to have such a supportive crew behind me!

Until tomorrow again, nighty night and Happy Weekend!                Simone 

 

 

Claris Caravan- Another Date with This New Zealand Beauty

Claris Caravan

orig. watercolour 5x7

more info and purchase: click here

Who do we have today? May I introduce Claris Caravan, almost would I call her an 'old friend'. She is from New Zealand and quite busy socializing as event prop and business venture extraordinaire. She does get quite a bit of publicity, too. Her proud owner has a sensible touch in decorating her, just enough, not too much. I love the beach-ey feel, the hot sun shining through the set up. Just the right thing for the colder regions that are longing for spring- like me!!! I have painted her before, last year, and you can see the blogpost about that by clicking here

We here have a relatively mild winter so far... hm, I better not write that actually, it might turn on me!!!

I'm inching myself up towards the end of this month's camper a day challenge and I hope it brought you some smiles and joy- it certainly was a fun start for this new year for me, kind of a celebration! My first camper a day I did last January, exclusively with Canadian campers. Here is the collage I did featuring all of them:

I am planning to do a collage again featuring all campers from this month, including Claris Caravan and all the other darlings. Special thanks to artist Leslie Saeta for hosting this January painting challenge again! It is always fun and so great to see hundreds of artists worldwide participate!

It is getting late (again), so I better hang up until tomorrow, nighty night all.                Simone

1959 Winnebago and 1967 Scotsman- 2 Campers Today!

Today we have a darling 1959 Winnebago called 'Miss Kitty' set up under trees and below a 1967 Scotsman Cab-Over called 'Molly Mae' travelling through 48 US states last summer- wow, what a vacation that would be!!!!

1959 Winnebago 'Miss Kitty'

orig. watercolour, 5x7

more info and purchase: click here

As I was busy painting yesterday's featured airstream over two days, I painted two campie portraits today. My time painting a-camper-a-day for January is coming to a close, so I try and stick to my goal. What a fun month it was!

I have been thinking about travelling for longer periods, kind of exploring our beautiful world for some time- and what better way to do it than bringing a little house-on-wheels along? The trend of 'tiny home' comes to mind. I'd so love to pack up and go! My dear husband would have a hard time as our inn is a big, 100 year old house that cannot be left alone for long periods (especially in the winter, where it is so cold here and pipes freeze up and burst and in the summer we are so busy with the rooms and restaurant)... maybe later... something to put in the bucket list I guess!

1967 Scotsman 'Molly Mae'

orig. watercolour 5x7in approx.

Now, can you see where the travelling Scotsman impression was taken? If you look closely you can see the huge rock formation with the Mount Rushmore iconic chisseled bust of George Washington peeking out. What a great memory! I so much like this shot, but had such a hard time with the perspective, especially of the car. I might re-visit this tomorrow, we'll see. Sometimes the eyes see better after sleeping over it for night.

Thank you for stopping by, we'll see you tomorrow again with another vintage camper, have a blessed day everyone (or in my case: a good night).                    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