I always thought Google Maps was pretty cool.  And now it’s even cooler when I heard about what artist Bill Guffey was able to do with them.

Some of Bill Guffey’s artwork is inspired by by screengrab of Google Maps street view.  He is a self-taught artist from Kentucky.  He has done some traveling, but have now found Google street view to be less expensive way to be inspired. And with only the click of a mouse he could be just about anywhere in the world.

Some of my favorite paintings by Bill are shown here.

This painting was done with a screen grab from Google Streetview Italy.  I’ve always loved looking at photos of Italian balconies, especially ones filled with blooming geraniums.

“Currently, Guffey’s portfolio includes 100 images inspired by Google Maps street view. In April, he finished painting images from each of the 50 states, subbing in Washington DC for Hawaii, which is not yet available on Google Maps. Last week, Guffey painted a few scenes from Eastport, Maine. This week, his blog displays paintings of Angwin Vineyards in Angwin, Calif., and the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colo.” - CS Monitor.

This painting was done with a screen grab from Google Streetview of Dr Gachet’s Lemon Tree, France.

Another screen grab painting of the tram in Lisbon, Portugal.

You can see more of Bill’s work here done with Google Street View.  There are also Street View State Series here.

Bill Guffey is a juried member of the Oil Painters of America, was accepted into the All Kentucky Juried Fine Art Exhibition 2008, and has been awarded a grant through the Kentucky Arts Council. All images from Bill Guffey.

If you are interested, you can purchase the paintings and view more here.