Friday, 13 February 2015

Birds, humans and circles

Hi Everybody!

Here in Rhineland we had a sunny day, and it was also the start of carnival. In Düsseldorf and Cologne it's the day when the ladies take over the power, and storm the town-hall, dressed in all their fancy costumes, and a good time is had by all....This is not really my cup of tea, but a lot love it, and my friends Gabi and Karina were there, and had fun. I  went for my walk, as always, and then baked lemon muffins for when the girls came back from the celebrations.

Today I have another Van Gogh attempt for Art Journal Journey, Birds, beasts and humans,  and Moo Mania and More, circles. This time I tried to copy Van Gogh's self portrait, using the same method as for the others I did. The background was painted with acrylics and the portrait painted on a separate sheet with water colours and pastels, before I cut it out and pasted it onto the background. I added some circles in white pastel chalk.







Some of the birds who visited me today:




The cormorant is back on his pole:


And the heron was out fishing again:


Gabi and Karina took a selfie in front of the town-hall:


And these lovely ladies have very impressive costumes, too.


Have a great day, take care,
and thanks a lot for coming by!



51 comments:

  1. Lovely Van Gogh interpretation. Your birds look wonderful and a lovely colourful carnival your friends attended!

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  2. Wow --- Dein Van Gogh Portrait ist HAMMERSTARK Valerie!
    Einmalig schön.... wie toll es nicht nur bei AJJ bewundern zu dürfen, sonder auch bei Moo Mania & More!
    Super!
    Deine Vogelparade ist ein Traum heute ♥♥♥ you know I love birds♥♥♥ und Gabi und Karina sind so elegant mit diesen filigranen Spitzenmasken... ein bisschen Venezianischer Touch in Düdo!
    Die Bommelkostüme sind genial...jawohl!
    Happy PPF as well Sweetie!
    Einen GUTEN Tag DIr!
    xxx
    Susi

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  3. Ooh, I do love a good carnival, how fun! Love your work and photos this week!

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  4. You've captured beautifully the passion in Van Goghs eyes.

    Carnivals isn't either my cup of tea, but I like to photograph such festivities, and I see you do, too! Love the dresses and joy!

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  5. Wonderful painting from Van Gogh, and great photos. Lovely to see your friends enjoying carnival. Have a nice day, and take care of yourself! Hugs, Sarah

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  6. Wonderful Van Gogh piece, love that red. The photos of the birds are wonderful, have a happy day.

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  7. Beautiful pictures, wonderful composition with the great master of painting. I love these photos!

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  8. The carnival sounds like a great idea and the girls look very happy to be there.

    Marvelous array of birds that visit you -I haven't seen a thrush for years and there it is on your balcony with its head on one side as they usually are :) Lovely photographs Valerie and thank you for sharing them

    Terrific painting on the background of you artwork today and an amazing likeness of the master.-the technique looks complicated.

    Have a lovely day today

    Chrissie xx

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  9. Oh my goodness, crazy ladies, those Pom Pom outfits are fab. Your Van Gogh portrait is amazing, love seeing the detail in the close up. Have a fun Friday, I'm off to meet a friend for coffee and cake! Xx

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    1. Have fun with your friends and enjoy the coffee and cake!

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  10. Love your Van Gogh and the pic's are great.

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  11. Love, love, love this post!! Your VanGogh painting is amazing, of course I'm partial to layers of color. Great selfie with your girlfriend... All and all its a very colorful post. Happy Valentines day. ;)

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  12. Really wonderfully clear photos of your birds, very interesting to see the cormorant.
    Your new Valerie-Gogh is terrific, especially on the red background.

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  13. Lovely photos, vibrant pages also, always a real pleasure coming here but at times I am lost for words.xx

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  14. Your Van Gogh is really good - very like the real deal. I think the carnival looks like fun - I absolutely love those costumes with all the pompoms!

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  15. Hi My sweeitie,dein van gingh Ist einfach mega hammerstark SEHR gelungen.
    die mädels mit der maske gefallen mir,sie sind sehr charmant und ich liibe venezianische masken,
    die bommelkstüme sind sehr amüsant *kicher*
    da habt ihr ja ne nege spass gerade in köln,toll !!!
    ich werde nachher raus gehen und mich warm einpacken,es ist sooooo kalt *Bibber*
    habs ihr noch ne schöne tag,sweeitie.

    bussi Jenny

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  16. Wow Valerie, your shots of the birds today are so amazing! I just adore birds!! Those costumes are really something, wowsers! ha! hugs :)

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  17. Van Gogh is excellent. The birds are so much fun to see (my fave birds and dogs) absolutely in love with them. The masks (they aren't painted faces?) are lovely. Would love to have one. The costumes are creative and fun too. You live in a beautiful area. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  18. Great work! love the strong colours!

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  19. What fun Carnival looks like! You captured VanGogh wonderfully! Happy PPF!

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  20. Your van Gogh piece is beautifully painted, Valerie. And the carnival looks like it would be lots of fun for you young people. The costumes are certainly excitingly bright.

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  21. The carnival looks like a real riot--although I am with you and would be the one behind the camera rather than in front of it! I do like the masks your two friend were wearing!

    Your Van Gogh portrait is just stunning! The colors and strokes are so amazing in the detail photo!

    Have a good weekend my lovely friend!

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  22. Vincent' looks great with the bright background. Super photos and those masks your friends wear look awesome.
    Yvonne xx

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  23. Love the Van Gogh with the stunning background. Your friends look like fun, much like my friends. I'm not into that kind of fun anymore..Love the photos of everyone dressed up though and the wonderful birdies!

    Hugs Giggles

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  24. Love your Vincent. I am totally in awe of this master. Looks like your friends were having fun and those lemon muffins sound great. I just made some lemon sauce and will make perhaps some lemon bread or cupcakes. Have a great day. Great photos.

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  25. Fabulous art piece Valerie. Love the pictures as well. Your friends look fabulous dressed for the occasion. Hugs Rita xxx

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  26. WOW!! Loving you Art today. You are so good. And Yes you photos are fabulous as well.

    Hugs~

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  27. LOVE this piece, Valerie! Beautiful interpretation. Carnival sounds like a fun time. ;) And as always your photos make me smile. Hugs to you!

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  28. that is a fabulous Van Gogh portrait Valerie!! Love those lacy masks the girls are wearing-fun!

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  29. Hi Valerie, Love the Van Gogh portrait. You are amazingly talented. Looks like the carnival is fun. Love those great masks on the girls.
    Wonderful walking pics too. Have fun and happy weekend.
    Hugs, CM

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  30. Fab portrait!

    My son is visiting Cologne this weekend from Maastricht ...

    The carnival sounds like fun!

    Have a great weekend

    Karen x

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  31. Excellent drawing of Van Gogh and your photos today are festive as are your friends. Chemo went well.

    Hugs,
    Carolyn

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  32. Beautiful piece, very bright colors. Love it!!

    Have a great day!
    Nora

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  33. A most sunny portrait of Van Gogh, makes me think of his beloved Provence right away. Cutie friends and colorful street folk. xox

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  34. Wow! Fantastic Van Gogh portrait Valerie and so beautifully done too.
    Great pics as always.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Fliss xx

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  35. Great Van Gogh! Now the carnival looks a whole lot of fun to me and be right there joining in. :)
    Glad you had a sunny day...it's sunny here too but very cold.

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  36. YOu captured so beautifully his gaze, really remarkable how you achieved that, as though he was looking right at you.
    Always lovely to view your photographs.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  37. Love your Van Gogh interpretation. I love all those colors you used.

    Kate

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  38. Another beautiful portrait.
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Teresa

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  39. Das van Gogh Porträt ist grossartig! Ich dachte zuerst, es wäre eine Collage/ein Druck.
    Schöne Impressionen vom Karneval! Bei uns hier oben feiern wir nicht so intensiv :-), wir sind hier wohl eher etwas kühler ;-) obwohl ich einige Leute kenne, die gerne nach Köln reisen, um dort zu feiern.

    Happy PPF und eine schönes Wochenende,
    Ilona

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  40. Ein herrlicher Vincent.
    Du musst ja eine große Geduld haben, um so schöne Vogelfotos zu machen. Echt toll.

    Ich wünsche Dir ein schönes Wochenende

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  41. Oh boy you're good! i really, really like this! You have a good eye for the original features...
    Greetings from Sydney!

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  42. Valerie! Your Van Gogh is VanGorgeous! I love it truly!
    thanks so much for the photo share- looks like you had some fun! xo

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  43. Beautiful Van Goh, the girls look lovely, looks like they had fun too! ~Diane

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  44. Love the Van Gogh, the birds are fabulous - but oh my, those girls take the cake!! Happy PPF!

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  45. Your Van Gogh portrait looks wonderful! Love all the colours and the expression. Those costumes do look great, but yes, Fasnacht is not for everyone. There are a few places here in Switzerland too, where it takes over, but fortunately, I live in a quite Fasnachts-free area. I much prefer the colourful birds!

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    1. You are sooooo right! Birds are also my fave form of wildlife!

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  46. What wonderful photos! And I love the colors in your painting--they are such a contrast--beautiful indeed.

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