Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Virtual Hike "How to"

This month our Virtual Hike Painting Group's destination is Kenya, Africa.

I was asked to explain my process for choosing a scene to paint and capturing the Google Map Link info - and then sending it all to the painting group.

My process may sound complicated, but it really isn't... 

First I create a document reference file that will contain all the Google Maps Links as I collect them.

Then I begin exploring the destination, saving the Google Map Links to scenes that interest me. I will keep collecting Google Map Links until I am ready to make my painting choice. This can take a few days before you think you have enough links to choose from.

How to save the Google Map Links - Now this part might seem complicated, but once you have used it you will find it a simple and very handy resource.

When I find a scene that interests me on Google Maps, I go to the black box on the upper left, click on the three dots, then click "Share or embed image". Then a  new box appears - click on "Copy link". Then click on "X" to exit.

This has now saved your link to the Clipboard that is part of your computer. At the end of each session you then copy and move each link to the document reference file that you have already created. You must move these links over to this file at the end of every session as the Clipboard only holds them for a certain length of time.

You now have in your document reference file a list of links to possible painting subjects. I view each one (use control-click to open these files) and type a brief description for my own info.

This preliminary work takes a day or so. By then I am thoroughly familiar with the destination and have a file of possible scenes to paint. I've enjoyed the exploration..... But now its time to choose the scene and paint.

After the painting is complete, I photogragh it and file it in my computer (yes, I have a separate file for the Virtual Hike Paintings, too.) I then send the photo of my painting and its Google Map Link to Marla's email address. She will put it on the group's blog.

Note - Once you have created all the above files, they can be used over and over for each month's new destination. The preliminary work is done. Enjoy the adventure.

I hope you find this information useful. I enjoy the whole process and look forward to each month's new destination.

If you would like to join us in our monthly virtual painting adventures - check us out here on Marla's blog - The Virtual Hike Painting Group. We'd love to have you!

If you have any questions, please email me and I'll try to help. Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com
My eBay Store -  Celene Farris, Maine Artist
My Facebook Page - Celene Farris, Maine Artist
Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Friday, July 24, 2026

July 2026 is Los Angeles

July's Virtual Hike destination is Los Angeles, California.

California Dreaming, 8x10, oil on canvas panel

You are invited to join us in our next virtual painting adventure.  There's a new destination every month!

We'd love to have you. It's free, fun and no strings attached. And no judging. You can interpret the scene anyway you wish and in any medium. You'll be painting in your own studio, from your own computer and at your own time schedule. You can even skip a destination if you're busy... Check us out here on Marla's blog -  The Virtual Hike Painting Group.

This painting is now available. Please message me for more info. Free US shipping.

Digital reproductions on computer screens may not accurately reflect the true colors and quality of the work. Your satisfaction is guaranteed or you may return the painting.

Thanks for visiting and happy painting. And I hope you will check out my eBay Store to see more of my available paintings.

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com
My eBay Store -  Celene Farris, Maine Artist
My Facebook Page - Celene Farris, Maine Artist
Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com





Saturday, June 13, 2026

June 2026 is Memphis, TN

 The Virtual Hike for June is Memphis, TN.

Evening on Beale St., Memphis, TN
8x10, oil on canvas panel.

Would you like to join us in our next virtual painting adventure?  There's a new destination every month!

We'd love to have you. It's free, fun and no strings attached. And no judging. You can interpret the scene anyway you wish and in any medium. You'll be painting in your own studio, from your own computer and at your own time schedule. You can even skip a destination if you're busy... Check us out here on Marla's blog -  The Virtual Hike Painting Group.

This painting is now available in my eBay Store -https://www.ebay.com/str/celenefarrismaineartist - or directly from me. Please DM me for more info. Free US shipping.


Digital reproductions on computer screens may not accurately reflect the true colors and quality of the work. Your satisfaction is guaranteed or you may return the painting.

Thanks for visiting and happy painting,

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com
My eBay Store -  Celene Farris, Maine Artist
My Facebook Page - Celene Farris, Maine Artist
Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Monday, May 25, 2026

May 2026 - is Oxford, England

May's Virtual Hike destination is Oxford, England - home of Oxford University and Harry Potter.... I explored the banks of the Thames River and found this lovely spot. Of course it was raining...

Thames River Swans 6x8, oil on canvas panel.


How about joining us in our next virtual painting adventure?  It's a new destination every month!

We'd love to have you. It's free, fun and no strings attached. And no judging. You can interpret the scene anyway you wish and in any medium. You'll be painting in your own studio, from your own computer and at your own time schedule. You can even skip a destination if you're busy... Check us out here on Marla's blog -  The Virtual Hike Painting Group.

This painting is now available in my eBay Store -https://www.ebay.com/str/celenefarrismaineartist - or directly from me. Please DM me for more info. Free US shipping.


Digital reproductions on computer screens may not accurately reflect the true colors and quality of the work. Your satisfaction is guaranteed or you may return the painting.

Thanks for visiting and happy painting,

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com
My eBay Store -  Celene Farris, Maine Artist
My Facebook Page - Celene Farris, Maine Artist
Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

April 2026 - The Netherlands

Our Virtual Hike for April is the Netherlands. Another fun painting adventure!

The Netherlands, 9x12, oil on canvas panel

Would you like to join us in our next virtual painting adventure? 

We'd love to have you. It's free, fun and no strings attached. And no judging. You can interpret the scene anyway you wish and in any medium. You'll be painting in your own studio, from your own computer and at your own time schedule. You can even skip a destination if you're busy... Check us out here on Marla's blog -  The Virtual Hike Painting Group.

This painting is now available in my eBay Store -https://www.ebay.com/str/celenefarrismaineartist - or directly from me. Please DM me for more info. Free US shipping.


Digital reproductions on computer screens may not accurately reflect the true colors and quality of the work. Your satisfaction is guaranteed or you may return the painting.

Thanks for visiting and happy painting,

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com
My eBay Store -  Celene Farris, Maine Artist
My Facebook Page - Celene Farris, Maine Artist
Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Night Watch 8x10

Just off the easal - 

Back to my favorite subject matter - Night scenes, the moon and the Maine coast. 

Night Watch 8x10, oil on canvas panel.


Available in my eBay Store - https://www.ebay.com/str/celenefarrismaineartist - or directly from me. Please DM me for more info. Free US shipping.

Digital reproductions on computer screens may not accurately reflect the true colors and quality of the work. Your satisfaction is guaranteed or you may return the painting.

Thanks for visiting and happy painting,

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com
My eBay Store -  Celene Farris, Maine Artist
My Facebook Page - Celene Farris, Maine Artist
Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com

Thursday, March 19, 2026

March 2026 is South Korea

Our March destination for our monthly Virtual Hike is South Korea. Since I'm a country girl, I headed to the mountains. There at the end of a very long road, through miles and miles of forest, at the top of a mountain, I found this interesting cluster of old Buddhist Temples. Since I like to paint something for our group that is representational to the area, this was a good subject.


Deogyusan Nat'l Park, S. Korea, Old Buddhist Temples
 9x12, oil on canvas panel

This painting is available in my eBay Store. And, as always, you can purchase this painting, or any of my paintings, directly from me if you prefer. Just email me at -mail@CeleneFarris.com for more information or if you have any questions or comments. I'd love to hear from you.

How about joining our painting group - The Virtual Hike. We'd love to have you. It's free, fun and no strings attached. And no judging. You can interpret the scene anyway you wish and in any medium. You'll be working in your own studio at your own time. You can even skip a destination if you're busy... Check us out here on Marla's blog - The Virtual Hike Painting Group.

Thanks for visiting and happy painting,

Celene

My Website -  CeleneFarris.com
My eBay Store -  Celene Farris, Maine Artist
My Facebook Page - Celene Farris, Maine Artist
Email me at - mail@CeleneFarris.com