Friday, October 30, 2009

Weed Lot in Pleasanton

My blogger pal Michelle Burnett does an excellent job hosting a "Following the Masters" challenge.

This month's challenge was Van Gogh. After reading the information about this Master and following the links she provided, she challenged us to duplicate or make an image in the essence of Van Gogh. I decided on the latter because studying his paintings intimidated me a bit.

This is based on an abandoned lot filled with dried weeds near the Val Vista Park in Pleasanton where my daughter practices her soccer.

click to enlarge image

24x30 oil on canvas

27 comments:

The Bull said...

Very nice job on this, you captured Van Gogh's style well!

David Larson Evans said...

Great, I thought Van Gogh before I read your blog.

Ellen Burkett said...

If Vincent was reading your blog he'd be proud of you! It's beautiful!

-Don said...

Good one, Sheila! What you did with the trees and sky is as Van Goghish as anything I've every seen... And a delight to behold.

Diane Hoeptner said...

I like the swirly trees and sky.

Krista Hasson said...

Beautiful, this definetly has the essence of Van Gogh, great brush work

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

Great Van Sheil piece.
Love love love the trees.

Dennis said...

wow...great job Sheila, i could feel the wind blowing thru my hair when I enlarged it!

gh said...

Well done! There is a spirit and delightful energy to this that is found in VG work.
You have really done well.

Jo Castillo said...

Very well done. Lots of movement. A la Van Gogh for sure! I like it.

dominique eichi said...

Wonderful..... a la Van Gogh style, love it.

Marie Theron said...

Hi Sheila, I am new to your blog. I think you got into the Van Gogh mode so effortlessly that the work can be taken for the master himself. As I look through your paintings, I notice that you are really into textured paint application.(from Cape Town, South Africa)

Autumn Leaves said...

So lovely, Sheila! You have managed both the strokes and the color palette so incredibly beautifully! A beautiful piece and testament to Van Gogh!

Rosemary said...

Wonderful homage to van Gogh! He is smiling. Great job!

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

Wow, I sure like this one. I was also going to do this challenge... in acrylic... I just love the freedom of the style that I don't get to do with watercolors.

Pat Koscienski said...

I really like your rendition of Van Gogh's techniques. I didn't fully appreciate your strokes until I enlarged it. Great job.

Dean H. said...

You really nailed Van Gogh!!(I would suggest staying away from sharp tools such as razors)Lol.!

The whole canvas seems to be dancing!!

Chartan said...

daisuki desu

Dana Cooper said...

Very Van Goghish Sheila, you would have made him proud!

Edward Burton said...

Wonderful job, Sheila, it very much looks like a Van Gogh.

Elizabeth Chapman said...

I love the feeling this painting has! Feels like I could walk right into it sitting in the midst of it. Van Gogh would be very proud of you!

Catherine Jeffrey said...

Lovely painting. Very Van Gogh...lots of energy and movement.

RodiMad said...

Wonderful! Colors, trees, sky, everything is wonderful!

Lokelani Forrest said...

Sheila...I love the looseness of your paintings, something I'm trying to accomplish more in my work. I tend to work tightly. The times I've gone loose, it was very freeing. I used to live in Dublin, hearing Pleasanton brings back many memories.

Ann Rogers said...

Was checking the Follow the Masters site and found this wonderful entry. Sheila, you would have made Van Gogh proud! The colors and brushstrokes along with the composition all "just work"!

William Cook said...

Wonderful painting. Great colors.

Gwen Bell said...

Still having trouble seeing your images but so glad this one came through! Just awesome! Love the waving wheat and they trees are so swirly and alive...very Van Gogh!