Rome's Winner wasn't found in 3 days!

Obviously!  But it did come down to three entries that took some debate before deciding.  I am finally confident to bring you the winner of the March Street View Paint off.  Given that I am already late, let me just congratulate Ginger Gehres from North Carolina for her winning entry titled Cavella Fontana, Rome. 

Cavallo Fontana, Rome by Ginger Gehres
20" x 16" Acrylic on Canvas

Ginger's interpretation of the Street View (found below) is photo realistic, yet she brightened it with her palette.  Perfectly balancing the lines in her subject and the lines in her painting, the shadows and details of the plants and glow of the fountain seem to draw you in to the street that seems to go on without end.  Congratulations to Ginger the winner of $250 (Visa or PayPal) - thanks so much for your entry.

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HONORABLE MENTION goes to (2 others)
Winners of $100 EACH Visa or PayPal !!
Because it was VERY close and I kept everyone waiting for SO LONG

The Pantheon by Carmen Beecher
8"x10" Oil on Canvas

This view found by Carmen Beecher was a close tie for second, along with the one below from Chris Favre.  both were favorites for their Street View interpretations.  Carmen's for how she cropped the scene to make it more intimate, and Chris' for his incorporation of all of the elements found in his chosen view.

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Forum of Cesar by Chris Favre
11" x 21" Watercolor on 300 lb Paper

Chris could have easily cropped out any one of these fascinating elements found in this Street View, but the fact that they all came together after clear individual attention was a testament to his ability to SEE the View.  His palette choice brought more warmth into the painting.  

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Sam McIntire is the POPULAR Vote winner, and as such he wins a $100 Visa Card (or Paypal credit)   He was the first entry this month and had the most "fan" votes for his entry Coliseo De Roma, Seen Below.

Coliseo De Roma by Sam McIntire
17.5" x 10" Mixed Media on Paper

For other entries from the March Street View Paint off in Rome, please see our FaceBook page or stay tuned to the blog.  I will post the other in the next day or so as well.  There were only 11 this month so there are 7 more you have not seen here yet. When they are posted here I'll have links to the artist sites (which is part of why it takes me so long to "just DO it") 

I'm getting some great input and idea for next month and future contests.  Thanks so much to everyone who enjoy's playing along.  I appreciate your thoughts and efforts.  Keep the good ideas coming.

Street View Spring Break - I Be Trippin'

I type this in virtual disbelief (what IS that anyway?) that it is April 3rd.  I missed the start of the month (where's the contest) and I let the chance to play an April Fool's joke (of any kind) go by.

How?  Why? you ask.

I wish I had a better answer than the standard, "I am just taking on too much and can't get it all done" sort of thing, but that's really it.  So my friends, I can't provide an exact answer, but here's the rough draft.

I mean I am a maniac most of the time, and I use every available minute to be running my  . . . ? what should I call it?  My business? Business(es)? My life? my world.  However what happens then is that it takes only a small bump in the fabric to cause a ripple that either I can JUMP over . . . .  or TRIP over.

In my best thinking moments, I'd be jumping.  Even if they grew into hurdles, I'd be jumping.  But sometimes I'm not so good.  Sometimes a wave comes in from the WRONG DIRECTION and takes me by surprise, and this time I BE trippin'.

It insidious nature of this ripple makes it clear I've been jumping over this one too long.  SO I Am reevaluating everything.  The Street View Paint Off is NOT going away.  I mean I take on (start, create or whatever) a lot of projects.This one has helped me be "able" to jump the hurdles.  The friends I've come across and the nature of the type of people who can "see" so well has been a huge part of why I got . . .  HERE.

But what I need is a little space.  I'm going to create it by taking the month of April OFF. Then when we start back, It will likely be a bi-monthly contest.  Maybe a longer entry period and even unlimited entries per person.  So you CAN enter  more than one of the beautiful views you find, especially if the period is 60 days! The prize value and depth may be increase to provide more financial incentive to play along.

I value your input and ideas if you'd like to share.  I'm sure you have better ideas than I do right now.  That's another story for another day.  Perhaps a novel (don't we all have one of those in our heads somewhere)?

In the mean time, the MARCH paint off in Rome is waiting to be judged.  2 more day for voting and the field isn't that large this time, so please take a look at the March paintings and vote for your favorite.  OR better yet . . . Buy one of them and bring it home. I always do ;)

Thanks so much for your time and attention.  I need a nap.