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

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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

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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

La Gran Via from the Rooftop of Callao 2021

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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

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Mediterranean Wildflowers in Red Vintage Bottle 2022

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

Watercolors of Madrid

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When: June 5th from 10am to 3pm

Where: Plaza del Conde de Barajas, Madrid

What: Watercolors of Madrid

Who: Victoria Olson

Madrid June Exhibition

I have a little stand at the Plaza de Los Pintores in the heart of Madrid.

Here are some of the Paintings I will be showing of Madrid.

Monumento to Alfonso XII

Arco de los Cuchilleros
Monumento al Angel Caido
La Gran Via
El Templo de Dobod
Fuente de Neptuno
Atocha Station
la Almudena
Travesia de los Nuncios
Plaza de Cascorro
At my stand at Plaza de los Pintores

I will have these watercolors at my stand in June. I invite you to come by and see me.

Travesía del Nuncio March 2021

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Painting outdoors is a lot of fun. I get up early and go to the spot I want to paint.

Travesía-del-Nuncio March 2021

This is medieval Madrid and it is a very popular spot.

Painting in Madrid

This is an iconic place in Madrid that you don’t want to miss when you are here.

Thank you for reading my little story.

My Painting Adventure 2020-2021 in Madrid, Spain

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As I said before, I was stopped in my tracks in March 2020, unable to finish this painting of Plaza Conde de Barajas. I decided to leave it unfinished.

I started painting again in August of 2020 and continued all through 2021.

On-site Painting 2020 to 2021

I’d like to thank everybody for taking these pictures and sending them to me.

2020 through 2021

As you can see in the photos, there were not a lot of people out and about. It was weird to see Madrid so empty.

I returned to Plaza Conde de Barajas to make a watercolor in the spring of 2021.

Plein Air Painting

This story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my student who was with me in almost every outdoor painting adventure rain or shine. It was a lot of fun!

I am sharing a 3 minute video of some of my watercolors during this strange period and I invite you to see it here.

Thank you for reading my little painting story.

Plein Air Watercolor Painting of Monumento a Los Héroes de Cascorro in El Rastro November 4th Madrid, Spain

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Plaza de Cascorro Watercolor November 4th, 2021 Madrid, Spain

Today was a sunny day with some big clouds and a bit chilly. I really enjoy painting the monuments in Madrid.

The history behind them is really interesting.

Eloy Gonzolo, alias Cascorro November 4th 2021 Madrid, Spain

The bronze statue represents Eloy Gonzolo and it was created by Aniceto Marinas. It was placed here in the Rastro in 1902.

A couple at an outdoor terrace

While I was painting there was a couple having breakfast at an outdoor terrace. This is a typical scene here in Madrid, so I just had to include it in the painting.

A couple

I love painting couples.

Gaslamp at Plaza de Cascorro

The gaslamps are all over Madrid and remind me of a long ago time when they lit the streets with a warm light at night.

A photo in the daylight shade

I like to take a photo of my watercolors outside to show the true colors. My hand also serves as a size reference. I have a little clip of the watercolor on site. Click here to see it. If you would like more information about this watercolor you can contact me here.

Thank you for reading about my little art adventure, Victoria

A Plein Air Painting and a Studio Painting of Arco de Cuchilleros in Madrid, Spain in the Winter of 2020

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Plaza Mayor Arco de Cuchilleros Winter of 2020

It was a bit cold when I painted this, but it was fun anyway.

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There are a bunch of good restaurants down those stairs. People come from all around to eat good food here.

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This is what the watercolor looked like when I finished.

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This is what the watercolor looks like outside against the brick wall. My hand serves as a reference of size.

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This is a studio painting of the other side of Arco de Cuchilleros. When you go downstairs, this is what the outside of the building looks like. This building is iconic.

My painting and I

I like to take photos of my paintings outside to see the true colors. Thank you for reading about my little painting adventures.

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If you would like more information about this painting, you can contact me by clicking here.