Plaza de los Pintores

Posted on March 11, 2023 by victoria A. Olson

At Plaza de los Pintores, also known as Plaza Conde de Barajas, you can see original handmade paintings by local artists. It’s a fun activity on a Sunday morning. One of my favorite themes to paint is Paisaje de la Luz.

I added a little video clip of the Plaza de los Pintores in the photo above so you can check it out.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Victoria

TIO PEPE Puerta del Sol Madrid, Spain

Posted on February 27, 2023 by victoria A. Olson

This photo was taken on New Year’s Day 2021.

This Plaza always has a lot of foot traffic. The only day I felt comfortable painting here was when most of Madrid was sleeping. You can see from the picture that the plaza is empty.

It was freezing cold; it really was. I had always wanted to paint the iconic TIO PEPE. I’m so glad I did. I am really happy with the result. I am keeping the watercolor for myself. However, I found a cute, useful way that I could share this image with others who are also fond of the TIO PEPE icon.

This cute zipper handbag comes in three sizes. It could be used as a change purse for men or women. It could also be used as a makeup bag to carry lipstick and keys. I just think it’s cute. It would make a nice gift for anyone who knows Madrid.

Here is a size reference. For more information about materials, sizes, and prices, you can click on this link.

Thank you for reading my little story.

Victoria

La Plaza de los Pintores (The Painter’s Plaza) Madrid, Spain

Posted on February 25, 2023 by victoria A. Olson

Come to the Plaza de los Pintores. Here at Plaza Conde de Barajas, you can see original work by 35 artists.

We are here in the heart of Madrid every Sunday from 10am to 3 pm. Here are some of the watercolors I am bringing this Sunday, February 26th.

One of my themes is Paisaje de la Luz. Here is a watercolor of El Palacio de Cristal.

I also like Vintage objects and I pretty them up with flowers that I grow myself.

I have fun painting a Menina now and then.

The wild flowers grow like weeds in the summer. I paint them every year.

Epic literature is my favorite genre and a lot of my paintings are born from my favorite stories.

Poppies are my favorite flower because they are so vibrant and red. They grow out of the cracks in the summer.

Sometimes you can find me painting in Retiro Park, I also like painting in the city.

So, come see us at Plaza de los Pintores, also known as Plaza Conde de Barajas. We are there every Sunday from 10 to 3.

Thank you for reading my little story,

Victoria

La Fuente de Neptuno Paisaje de la Luz (Neptune Fountain Landscape of Light) Madrid, Spain.

Posted on January 17, 2023 by victoria A. Olson

I painted this watercolor of Neptune Fountain on-site, in Madrid, in the hot summer heat of August. Here is a picture of the outcome.

The day before starting this watercolor, I looked for a shady place with a view of Neptune Fountain. For me, making a painting requires standing or sitting in the same place for many hours. I need to be careful with the heat. If you have been to Madrid in the summer, you know exactly what I mean.

Looking around for the perfect spot, I found it next to the bus shelter. There was just enough shade for one person and that person was me. I had a view of Neptune Fountain with lots of trees in the background. The yellow flowers circling the pond add to the summery scene, all sunny and upbeat.

I wanted to finish the watercolor in the same day, but the light started to change so I left and came back the following day. Neptune Fountain was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) on July 25th, 2021. This world heritage collection is called Paisaje de la Luz (Landscape of Light). Painting Neptune Fountain was an awesome experience.

Thank you for reading my little story,

Victoria

Arco de los Cuchilleros

Posted on December 26, 2022 by victoria A. Olson

This watercolor depicts Arco de Cuchilleros. This very tall arch is a Madrilenian icon. Before I painted this interesting facade, I painted the same arch from the Plaza Mayor.

This is a view of the Arch from Plaza Mayor

This is how the painting turned out.

When I finished these two paintings, I showed them at the Plaza de los Pintores.

My Art Stand is located in the heart of Madrid.

This really nice guy, S, came by and chose Arco de Cuchilleros to add to his travel collection.

I was so happy to get a photo of the framed watercolor showing off in its new home with S. It looks so nice in a frame. 🙂

Thank you for supporting the Arts!

Victoria

Thank you for Supporting the Arts Danielle

Posted on August 26, 2022 by victoria A. Olson

-El Estanque del Parque del Retiro – Paisaje de Luz

Monument to Alfonso XII El Buen Retiro in Madrid, Spain Landscape of Light

La Gran Via from the Rooftop of Callao 2021

Posted on July 3, 2022 by victoria A. Olson

Pen and Ink with watercolor wash from the Rooftop of Callao winter of 2021

This is one of my favorite small watercolors. It is my favorite because I had a fun time while I was drawing and painting it. It was right after the crazy snowfall we had here in Madrid. It was freezing cold outside and hardly anyone was outside because of the Pandemic. I was sitting in a cafe on the rooftop of Callao with my one and only art student who was brave enough to go out once a week and paint Madrid with me. I think this kept us sane in an insane time of confinement and uncertainty. I remember our conversation that day as if it were yesterday. That is what is so special about painting the moment. Watercolor is like a long photograph and you remember everything.

I have a little clip of the moment when I finished the painting. You can see it if you click here.

Thank you for reading my little story.

Victoria

Mediterranean Wildflowers in Red Vintage Bottle

Posted on June 30, 2022 by victoria A. Olson

The Mediterranean wildflowers that I painted in this red vintage bottle show up in the spring, and add little dashes of color around my neighborhood. Every year I try to get them to grow on my terrace. Sometimes I succeed. This year, I got the little violet flowers, a few poppies, and little white daisies to grow in a pot on my terrace. I got this red vintage bottle at a second-hand store in San Diego. I love to paint it over and over again with the pretty flowers I find in Madrid.

I just finished this painting today; it’s still wet. When the colors dry and settle down. I will varnish it and take another picture. Thank you for reading my little story. Enjoy the colorful flowers around you too.

Victoria