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!

East Coast Woman Powerhouse

Today I want to introduce you to Sheena Young, a real East Coast Woman Powerhouse.
A couple of days ago I was invited to check out a fleet of fishing boats on Deer Island, NB, Canada to be captured in a watercolour painting.
starting a small sketch of the Young Family fleet of boats[/caption]

The Young Family

All boats are owned by the same family, fishing the waters of the West Isles for several generations now. The family has expanded since into selling quality Atlantic lobster wholesale abroad. Their business is called Young's Lobster Company. The little wharf in Leonardville seemed to be a family operation. Sheena, who invited me, introduced all the boats by name- from her dad's fishing boat, to her brother in law's and other relatives' boats anchored. Dad is also the wharfinger (or harbour authority).
Everyone in these small coastal towns works together and looks out for one another, dad explained as every family works so hard to make a living. Fishing is a tough life, but I have always found the people genuine and very likeable. Sort of like the lobster they fish: tough and rough on the outside, but special and sweet on the inside. Reminding me of the locals in my native German Bavarian alpine region.

Lobster Fishing

The day was dreary, overcast with that smell of snow in the air. People that live in colder climates know that special smell, we even say to one another: 'it smells like snow today'. Two days ago, it smelled like snow, temperatures around the freezing point. It was supposed to be the start day of lobster season. A very special day for any lobster fisherman.
For days and weeks preparations have to be done. From making sure there is enough traps and buoys (yes, it appears this is the correct plural spelling), rope, and so on... the traps are to be filled with bait and equipped with long rope to haul up from the ocean floor. Each trap is carefully stacked on the back of each boat. The boats are loaded to capacity as it will be a race to be first at the best fishing grounds. So, having as many cages per run as possible is very important. To me it seems almost a science when I look at those loaded boats. (There is more info and statistics on the government website by clicking here).
As said, it should have been the first day of lobstering season, but it had to be postponed for one day due to high winds offshore. That was my signal to take the ferry to Deer Island to take photographs and make sketches from the Young family fleet.
Sheena and her family were already at the wharf getting last things seen to, her brother in law bringing in his new boat from the mooring and docking 'Explorer 1' next to the other family boats. Dad was bringing down the delivery truck from the lobster wholesale biz to the wharf.

Visiting the Lighthouse

After taking oodles of photos, I warmed up with a cup of tea from my thermos, went for a short drive to the lighthouse. Lucky me, a couple of guys were working on replacing the lead-painted shingles, so I stopped by the road and asked if I could sneak a peak inside. They said yes and here is a pic I took.

Usually the lighthouse is not open for visitors- what luck, this made my day! (Sheena leads a community group 'Friend’s of Leonardville Lighthouse' who are hoping to gain possession of the now ‘surplus’ property of Department of Fisheries and Oceans. This woman does it all)!

I think I've found the epitome of a strong East Coast Woman Powerhouse in Sheena! You go, girl!!!!

I hope to being able to start the large painting soon, I will keep you posted with the final result...
Thanks for stopping by and stay in touch,
Simone
Below, the video is not from Deer Island, but I wanted to include it anyway. See how massively loaded those boats are??

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!

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;-)

1959 Shasta 'Ginger' Holiday

1959 Shasta 'Ginger'orig. watercolor, 8x10in (matted to fit 11x14in frame)
purchase info here

Today's feature glamper is this most awesome 1959 Shasta 'Ginger'. I had a blast painting it! Wow, what a statement camper! I can just imagine the looks and comments coming every time it is being taken out. Wouldn't this be the perfect addition to any Christmas holiday market?

What comes to mind is the saying: sing as if no one is watching. Really, the little kid in us is being drowned out so often, just to 'fit in' and to 'be normal'. This camper today shows that life doesn't have to be like that. It can be a reflection of our creativity, fun and life-loving self. In the way we live it, we give others joy and hopefully courage to pursue their own dreams.

I'm somewhat Philosophical today, but this is what thoughts just came to mind. High five to its proud owner! Great job, love your little Shasta! Thank you for sending her in!

I'm thinking, I should start decorating around the house- fall, Thanksgiving... yes, this painting might have done it. But first I have to finish painting my daily campers. It seems my life has been on hold as I spend so much time each day to paint and post those. Almost there, just a few days left...

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope to see you tomorrow again with another little camper!

Orange White 1968 Shasta 1500

Orange White 1968 Shasta 1500orig. watercolor 8x10in (matted to fit 11x14in frame)
purchase info here

Today's Orange White 1968 Shasta 1500 felt like painting a deja-vu. I have the small version of it, haha, so I'm quite familiar with its angles and curves (now doesn't this sound sexy!).

This one here is in a low-light situation, it seems overcast or dusk with little reflective light bouncing around. Makes a challenge to paint a happy sunny scene, so I opted to just forgo that endeavor but embrace what it is. It's owner is a very pretty, happy young woman. She was in the submission photo, too. But out of fear of biting too big a piece off the apple in regards to getting the portrait right, I simplified and not add her in the scene. I can tell you, it was a challenge just by itself!

You gals keep me on my toes all right! My hope is it will make me a better painter.

There are only a few more days left and I'm looking forward to seeing the full 30 paintings all lined up. My favorite part is always the collage poster with every one camper featured. 5 more days to go, oh, wait- 4 more days;-)

Thanks again for stopping by and let's see what's in tomorrow's camper-candy-bag!?

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

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!

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!

1963 Shasta 16SCS 'Tin Can Annie'

1963 Shasta 16SCS 'Tin Can Annie'orig. watercolor, 8x10in (matted to fit 11x14in frame)purchase info here

Look what we have here today! 1963 Shasta 16SCS 'Tin Can Annie' is our country camper! I get to practice more of the wonderful Southern landscape. The purples, the brittle vegetation, the country feel of a simple life make me want to dream of these faraway places. My bucket list is growing this month!

As you might know, I am member of the 'Sisters on the Fly', camping ladies, and maybe I just have to hitch my own little Shasta and go on a road trip!

Well, the fam wouldn't be thrilled I am sure, but dreaming is always a possibility...

Here the weather grows colder by the day, the nights start to feel nippy lately, too. Fall is knocking on the door. As I write these lines, I have the balcony door open and hear the drying leaves of the nearby maple trees rustle in the ocean breeze. The first trees are starting their splendid display already. A bit early I think, it was a dry summer, but then, I think I say this every year that it is too early for fall.

Right now I'm battling a nasty cough, hope it will get better soon. My kids think I'm barking like a dog, haha. Oh well, fall must be in the air and surely this is the sign.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope we will see each other here soon again with another campie!

Simone

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

2009 Shasta Airflyte 12

2009 Shasta Airflyte 12orig. watercolor, 8x10in (matted size: 11x14in)
purchase info here

Today's feature camper is not a vintage as in 30 years or more, but, well, a 2009 vintage. It is a Shasta re-issue Retro Camper. I have never included one in my camper-a-day projects ever, but I don't think I have ever had one submitted either. So, as I liked the beautiful red color and the sun creating wonderful shadows on the siding, I was thrilled to get started with the painting!

The Retros are very popular, giving people all the modern comforts and safety standards including the cute vintage look. Certainly worth a consideration if budget is not the problem but rather the carpentry...

I am still looking for a few more camper submissions, so if you know of someone who might like to send in a pic, please send them to my submissions page here. The maximum file size is 1MB, that's the only thing to keep in mind. I think some folks might have had problems with re-sizing their photos. Easy way to downsize from a cell phone is to send the photo to ones own email. My Iphone offers four different sizes: small, medium, large, original size. I pick the size just below 1 mb and send it to my own email. There I can download it very easily to my photo stream again in the changed sized. 

I hope we will meet again tomorrow, same page with another campie.... thanks for stopping by and spreading the word!

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!

Canadian Boler in White

Canadian Boler, watercolor, comes matted to fit 16x20 frame, info and purchase click here.

Today's feature painting is this cute 1980's Canadian Boler. I dropped off our daughter at her summer camp and did a quick drive to the nearby campground which has become almost a routine for me now to scout out possible vintage camper sightings. My kids they just roll their eye when mother gets the long neck looking for campground signage.

Little story around the painting

Anyhow, it was a beautiful day and the small island campground is built right by the ocean front. There is a lighthouse at the grounds, too. The US is right across a small strip of ocean, maybe a couple hundred yards away. The lighthouse is really needed as the tides are very high around here, actually, we have the world's highest tides. Furthermore, these masses of water pushing in and out of the Bay of Fundy create a nutrient rich feeding ground for whales and wildlife. But with these enormous amounts of water being in constant movement, result in strong currents, too. This current is the strongest in the Western Hemisphere by the campground on Deer Island is called Old Sow. One can see the swirling movements even from shore.

OK, finally, now to come back to today's painting... almost got carried away, haha! As I am doing my drive-around on the campground, I see this little fiberglass Canadian Boler. It was all by itself in the hight of summer at this little oceanfront campground! Of course I stopped the car and walked to the owners and asked if I would be allowed to take a couple of photographs. We had a nice chat, they were from New Brunswick, and they even showed me the inside. It has carpet on the walls inside and was very, very well kept. I could see how much love and care has been given to this little gem. I met the owners later at the PEI camper meet again- surely a small (camper) world in this neck of our woods!

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.

Red VW Camper

Red VW Camper

orig. watercolor, 11x14in approx. (matted to 16x20 archival mat and backing board)

more info and purchase: please click here

Today's post is about this darling red VW Camper. It was parked at our campground this summer and the owners are local people! This old VW is not road worthy anymore. The owners have her towed each year to the campground for an annual VW meet! How cool is this?! The rest of the year, she resides in their backyard as a special guest. The owners have lived in her for months at a time  and travelled the continent living full-time in this tiny camper! Yeah, the good ol' times!

I couldn't resist painting it, but didn't have time this summer. But now with the camper-a-day just over, I had to get going and include her in the voting for my 2017 Vintage Camper Calendar.

Oh, yes,the voting: Please stop on over to the Voting Page and 'like' your favorite paintings from the September Camper Painting project! Voting is open to all and I'd like to know from you which paintings you'd like to see in the calendar! There will be a give-away as well:

Each camper-owner who wins, will receive a free calendar! Plus 3 of my newsletter subscribers will win a calendar as well! So, please spread the word to make this a fun voting- selecting your favorites!

Now, more exciting news: 

As a special 'Thank You' I will be offering 20 Greeting cards FREE with each painting sold $400 or more! My print-house has made it possible for me to order smaller quantities and direct-ship, so I am finally able to offer this great special to you!

Why not treat yourself to an early Christmas gift, a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art, artist direct and made with love?! And enjoy 20 FREE Greeting cards to keep or give-away?

See many paintings in my Shop.

Special Commissions welcome- please drop me a line (allow 4-8 weeks for completion before Christmas).

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

1961 Shasta Camper Aqua Pinup

1961 Shasta Camper Aqua Pinup

orig. watercolor, 11x14in approx. (set in a16x20in archival matboard)

more info and purchase: please click here

Today's feature camper is another Shasta! This 1961 Shasta Camper in Aqua features a darling pinup, too... It is called 'Vintage Love'! Today, I actually wanted to paint a different camper, but the owner went the extra mile and submitted her darling twice to make sure I get it, right early after my asking for submissions- so, how could I not?

Here is what she writes: 'I wanted to enter my sweet refinished 61 Shasta , Vintage Love in your contest !! I created The Glampers of Virginia page and belong to a lot of the other great sites for our fabulous campers.'

There are quite a few more submissions in my email account which I won't be able to squeeze into this month. I am so sorry but hope to being able to paint as I have time. My theme this time was, first come, first painted, just to be fair. Still, I think there was a good selection of shapes and sizes and themes, and it was fun to open my email every day and open the next email to my my day's camper!

This coming month there will be the voting where you can participate to select your fav 13 for next year's calendar! I hope you all will be on board and  help me out! October project, here we come!

Also, there will be a special surprise announcement for all the campers that got painted this September. Something I had not originally thought possible, but stoked to share with you October 1st;-) Stay tuned!

I invite you to share this post with your friends and on your feeds! Thank you- and we'll see you tomorrow again with another Camper of the Day!                             Simone