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

Watercolors of Madrid

Posted on June 3, 2022 by victoria A. Olson

When: June 5th from 10am to 3pm

Where: Plaza del Conde de Barajas, Madrid

What: Watercolors of Madrid

Who: Victoria Olson

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.

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

Travesía del Nuncio March 2021

Posted on December 20, 2021 by victoria A. Olson

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

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

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

Posted on November 15, 2021 by victoria A. Olson

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.

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

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.

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!

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

Posted on November 4, 2021 by victoria A. Olson

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.

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.

I love painting couples.

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.

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

Posted on November 1, 2021 by victoria A. Olson

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.

This is what the watercolor looked like when I finished.

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

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.

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

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

Paseo de las Estatuas in the Retiro Park became World Heritage on July 25th 2021.

Posted on October 26, 2021 by victoria A. Olson

Paseo de las estatuas acuarela — Paseo de las Estatuas en el Buen Retiro 2020 Watercolor

I just added this watercolor to my Art Shop. You can see it there if you click here.

Retiro Park here in Madrid, Spain really is beautiful and special. Little did I know, a year after painting this watercolor, Paseo de las Estatuas would be granted world heritage status by UNESCO.

I took this picture on a cloudy day. I find that cloudy days are good to take photos of my artwork. I can capture the true colors with my camera. My hand also serves as a size reference.

Thank you for looking at my artwork. Have a lovely day, Victoria

Plaza del Parterre August 2020 Madrid, Spain World Heritage Art

Posted on October 24, 2021 by victoria A. Olson

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I made this watercolor of Plaza del Parterre in the early morning of August 2020. I got to my painting spot at 7:30 in the morning. The morning light was glorious. We had been confined in our houses the whole spring. In the month of August we were ‘allowed’ to go out if we were working. I considered myself to be working because I was painting with my student.

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It was still somewhat dark outside because it was early morning.

A starling came by to visit a few times during the morning.

Here it is in natural daylight.

The Plein Air watercolor served me to make this studio painting later.

I am so happy to say Plaza del Parterre was granted World Heritage status July 25th, 2021 by UNESCO. The Spanish collection is called Paisaje de la Luz, in English it’s Landscape of Light.

Thank you for reading my little story. Enjoy your day, Victoria

Thank you for Supporting the Arts Boca Raton FL – United States! Monument to Alfonso XII became World Heritage on July 25th 2021

Posted on October 17, 2021 by victoria A. Olson

When you purchase a print from me, I can buy more paint, more brushes and it boosts my morale 🙂 Thanks again, Victoria