Virginia Johnson Custom Home Illustrations and Gardens Too

Custom Home Illustrations

Years ago, when we bought our first house, a friend gave us a thoughtful housewarming gift. She commissioned a custom illustration a “house portrait” of our new home. The artist created a small watercolour print of the house from a photograph. The picture hung in our home for 20+ years and even relocated with us once we sold (read: my husband is a hoarder).

Recently, I discovered that Virginia Johnson does custom illustrations of homes and gardens. From a photograph, she produces a watercolour image of the scene. The stunning Villa Santo Sospi located on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat was the inspiration for Johnson’s book about travelling on the French Riviera (details below). The Villa’s gardens and interior design charmed the artist and perhaps spurred her idea for commissioned work.

Gift Idea

Are you looking for a perfect way to preserve memories of the family home? Perhaps it is that vacation spot where you love to escape to every year. Or, the garden you have perfected after years of hard work. These custom illustrations are a fabulous gift idea for that hard-to-buy-for person. Let Johnson create a special memory for a milestone birthday, wedding anniversary, retirement or any other significant occasion.

Johnson shared that she enjoys doing this work for clients. Her completed designs include apartments in Paris, gardens in France, cottages in Ontario and brownstones in New York City. The process typically takes about four (4) weeks. She sends an initial sketch in pencil to get all the details right, the greenery (or lack of) and any decorative flourishes you may want to add. Then the design is turned to a watercolour, and an original 9”x12” produced along with a digital version (if desired).

Here, is her website with additional details on custom images.

About the Artist

Virginia Johnson is a Toronto-based artist with a passion for Provence and the French Riviera. After visiting the Côte d’Azur at least, a dozen times since the age of sixteen Johnson decided to write a book. “[eafl id=”49799″ name=”Virginia Johnson Travels Through the French Riviera” text=”Travels Through the French Riviera”]” is a travel guide, an artistic journey and mostly a delightful book for anyone who loves (or dreams of) that part of France.

Please read more about the book and Johnson’s artistic career here.

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).