Monday, July 16, 2012

VIRTUAL PAINTOUT THAILAND

This month the Virtual Paintout is located in Thailand. The basic idea is:  On the first day of each month the blog master and very talented artist, Bill Guffey, announces on the Virtual Paintout Blog the featured country.  Artists are invited to use Google Maps and Google Street View as the reference for their painting or drawing.  Google Street view seems to have been created by people in a large vehicle driving ALL OVER the WORLD taking 360 degree photos of the places they pass.  These places can then be virtually explored using a computer with internet connection.

You can tell where the Google video truck as been by dragging the little yellow peg man from his station on the left side of the Google Maps screen.  Any place the camera has been is highlighted in blue.  Put your peg man down where you want to explore and use the arrow keys to travel.  But you already knew that.

I really wanted a rural scene of Thailand to work on but it seems most of the street views of the country were  taken in Bangkok.  I did a LOT of "exploring" down narrow streets and scary neighborhoods before I found the Flower Market on Empire Street near the Chao Phraya river.

I picked out a flower stall and did this painting.

I loved the pattern of the baskets and the bright colors of the flowers.  I have no idea what a lot of the products displayed there are, but I feel like I do know a little more about Bangkok from virtually sitting across the street from this place.  Artists are allowed to submit three paintings a month for the Virtual Paintout.  I have at least one more location I hope to sketch and send in for July.

Mr. Guffy has put up my painting.  If you check it out here in the next few days you may be able to see it along with a bunch of other superb submissions.

9 comments:

Alica said...

Lovely painting Leenie!

Linda Sue said...

What a genius idea and what a load of gorgeous paintings! Really very clever- sparks the most beautiful ideas- Inspiring paintings and your is perfect, Leenie! Great to see different styles and pallets , same place-ish. Please tell me that yours took at least a month to paint...

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Leenie I love it. You have picked the perfect virtual location. Amazing work.
Scary that Google sees all knows all isn't it:) B

Joanne Noragon said...

Thanks for the link. I took a lovely scroll through the pictures.

Terry and Linda said...

You are so talented! Great job, again!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

CarrieBoo said...

Hello jello! That's so cool you're taking part in this still! And it's really lovely. It must be a good way to push your skills, too. (Not that you need it, but you know what I mean.) :)

When I was at a crazy golf course on the island, I saw a Google Earth car with huge camera on top drive by!

Anzu said...

Please try around-the-world travel with your fantastic paints.
I'm looking forward to our turn, visiting to Japan.

Elizabeth said...

What a super project and a great way to globe trot!
Love your painting.

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

wow!! how cool...your painting is fantastic...right down to the intricate weave of the baskets...and the colors!!

google sure is everywhere...uh, big brother...knowing & seeing all...
but what a cool thing...a virtual paintout!