Childhood Memories

I had no time to paint over the weekend as we had lovely family time for celebrations but I had a few things stored in my mind and was keen to paint this morning.
I used to frequently participate in the Virtual Paintout monthly location where you use Google street view to check out the designated area and choose something to paint as if actually there. I have not done this for a long time even though I do look each month. Guess I have had so many other things going on the urge was not strong enough to participate - until now. 
Septembers location was the Isle of Wight. I have lived in Australia for most of my life but was born in England and as children we would holiday every year in a caravan on the Isle of Wight. As this was half a century ago (wow) I must say I remember very little but as I wandered around using Google street view I just thoroughly enjoyed looking at places we probably did see but I was too young to recall. I just remember that Caravan. Here I am all these years later with a Caravan of my own!.

Country Post
Painting size 11" x 15"

I settled my painting view on this little red letterbox which was sitting on a country lane. I took a bit of license with the tree species as the letter box was my focus but my instinct to make more Australian trees kept getting the better of me. I have included the map reference link if you would like to take a look at where I set up my little stool, easel and painted away for about 2 hours.

Comments

  1. You would never know from seeing this painting that you weren't there on location. Beautiful work with great light coming in through the trees. This is a fun idea!

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    1. Cheating a bi Celia, not having to put up with the elements but you do at least get to go to places you would never have thought of

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  2. Just perfect Lorraine! The red box in the trees is terrific. And I love your shadows. Neat the location brought back memories.

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    1. Thanks Sherry, it's always good having an emotional contact to your painting

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  3. These little red post boxes are so typical of the countryside. The red sings next to all that green. Great painting

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    1. Thanks Polly, our red boxes are bigger and not sure I have ever seen any down a country lane

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  4. What a beautiful painting, light and airy, and the red pot box together with the red flowers really lift it !

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    1. Thanks Jane, red is fun when you can use it so bright

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  5. Lorraine - I love your artistic license. I visited your link and I think you made something ordinary very beautiful. Actually the English countryside looks much like mine in Ohio. So glad you shared...your first day of spring has finally came...hope you are enjoying it.

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  6. I hope it gives me confidence to participate again as I don find I easy to make something in a painting from an ordinary scene but then again I guess I could just practice doing jus that

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  7. I love the bright cheery color of the mailbox, and I must say you made the trees look much better than in the reference. Nicely done! Too bad you were too young to remember much about those family trips. Funny how you did keep that love of staying in a caravan.

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    1. Thanks Joan, we are lucky we can paint the scene anyway we like

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  8. Isn't it great that we can use the internet to find reference images of places we remember from our past. Childhood memories are so precious - lovely post, Lorraine. Great painting.

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    1. You are so right Vandy, makes living in farwaway places not so faraway too!

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  9. The Virtual Paintout is the next best thing to being there! I love this one, Lorraine. It is so textural, and the colors all work well. You really captured a sense of place.

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    1. Thanks Terry, is the next best thing to being there and a hell of a lot cheaper!

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  10. A beautifully refreshing painting, Lorraine, I love this! :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping and leaving your welcomed comment Ingrid

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  11. Ahh thanks for the memories Lorraine. Went to the Isle of Wight when my son was small. A great place for an English seaside holiday. Love the painting. The post box gives it a very English feel and the trees have an English feel to them too.

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    1. It does look a bit chocolate box countryside to me. I will put it in the drawer and remember it again in a few years

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  12. This mailing box really attracts the eyes. I love all the little details of your painting, the shades and those touches of blue . Lovely work!

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    1. Thank you Helen for stopping by my blog and leaving your lovely comment, much appreciated

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