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I was going to post this in the Art Lovers thread, but decided it deserved one all by itself. Val has received this surprise, so I can now post the pics. The +1 has painted a watercolor Betty Boop for her and Jim as a housewarming present for the new place in SC. He did it by painting the house from a pic I had, then putting BB in the driveway in a red S. I found a pic of BB in another sportscar, so he substituted the S. I think it is wonderful and may be his best painting yet! Look closely and you can see the dice hanging from the mirror.
Thanks for all the compliments on Vito's behalf. And, of course, we are thrilled that Val and Jim like the painting. He's the painter, I'm the critic. The car was a tricky part - to get the shape, wheels, emblems, lights more or less correct. Watercolor technique is totally different than acrylic and oil. Less forgiving in some ways. Val is now added to the list of peeps who will be millionaires once his immense talent is recognized by the larger population. He has other works in the pipeline - next up is a housewarming gift for a James Bond fanatic friend. It will be a watercolor poster from one of his movies. I'm still amazed that a guy who spent a large part of his career in the Navy (left brain) has such a significant right brain.
I usually pick the frame. I tend to choose the one that brings out the less prominent color(s) in the painting. In this case, the black (hair, eyes, windshield frame, tires) and silvery (house, wheels, emblems, driveway) colors worked out well, I think.
EDIT: One funny thing - I was talking to Val on the phone about a week ago, and she was saying she wanted us to come down and see the house, and maybe Vito would get some inspiration to paint it. Little did she know that he was almost finished with the painting at that point. I just said "What a great idea!"
Val's Betty Boop Painting
It is a great gift! I was totally surprised. I'm hoping it will occupy its own little place of honor in the foyer. I just LOVE it. 
He has other works in the pipeline - next up is a housewarming gift for a James Bond fanatic friend. It will be a watercolor poster from one of his movies. I'm still amazed that a guy who spent a large part of his career in the Navy (left brain) has such a significant right brain. 
