Arriving in France

Amsterdam Airport - Starbucks. Really!

After five hours of glorious - repeat, glorious sleep I wake up in France feeling wonderful. I've been flying for 24 hours. Lying down on a very comfortable bed for 5 hours is just what this body needed. 

Arrived at night

Six hours ago I was alone outside Marseille airport at 1 am. I mean alone. Not a soul in sight. No cars, no porters and no taxis. I called my hotel and was answered by Andre. "Andre, can you send a shuttle?" 

"Alors, too late Madame". 

"Andre, can you call a cab?" 

"You don't understand Madame, Francois Holland, the economy, the state of the democracy, the people are having a very hard time, many are striking." 

Welcome gift from Andre.

"C'est la vie," I agreed - "but Andre, I am an optimist, you can find me something."

Ten minutes later a nice young man pulled up in an Audi. Not a taxi, but working for a different hotel, Andre sent him to find me. I asked for a fare, he suggested 10 euros. I paid 20. 

I think French food has less calories.

The hotel was comfortable. I slept well.  Refreshed and fed with not one, but two croissants.  Je suis arrivée en France!

Now, to find my delayed baggage.

I'm about to take off....

I'm about to take off.... literally. 

June 1st, I'm heading off to Europe for the Summer to paint. Most of the time I will be traveling solo. I have a few places in mind to visit. But, for the most part this trip is an empty canvas. I'm a nomad thinking about the South of France, the North of France, Italy, Scotland and maybe Sweden - not necessarily in  that order. 

As the adventure awaits the excitement builds. I have to put my entire studio and home into storage over the next 2 weeks. The to-do list is long indeed. 

So I invite you to follow me and share the journey which I will be blogging. 

Of course, I am organizing the Chateau Retreat for Artists June 19 - 28 near Avignon, and again in September 11 - 20. I believe there is still room for an artist or two.

Adieu,
Julie

30 Paintings in 30 Days #22 Garlic Flowers

Garlic Flowers from a Scottish Garden

It's the first watercolour I've ever posted. I really enjoyed the process. It's very alive, in the moment and has you thinking 6 steps forward. I love that.

These garlic blooms, seemed to dance with each other with a light breeze blowing, in a particularly lovely way. They were delicious too. 

6" x 5" approx on water color paper. 

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

30 Paintings in 30 Days #21 View from the Top, Gordes

View From the Top, Gordes

View From the Top, Gordes

21st painting for the month. (Yep, I have to catch up.) 
There's a great little boutique, right off the main square and next to where I was standing painting. If you like linen clothing, it's great. If you like gelato, you can get some a few paces away. Gordes was featured a few times in "A Good Year" the movie with Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard. 
This painting has been accepted into the Forest & Ocean Gallery for Laguna Plein Air's next show coming up in February, 2016. ‪#‎LPAPA‬'s ‪#‎30paintingsin30days‬.

Oil on archival board. 8" x 8"

As with my 30 in 30 paintings, they can all be view at DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. They are all for sale there, so far, except this one which is available from the Forest and Ocean gallery.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #20 Castillion Village

Castillion Village

Castillion Village

One of the loveliest villages is this medieval one in the Gard region of Provence. It's not too far from Pont du Gard the Roman aqueduct, a magnificent yet busy attraction. There is a vantage point from this village where you can see it off in the distance. Whereas here, you get to paint with the local kids playing on the church steps, an elderly woman walking by with a baguette for her evening meal. (Subjects for another painting!) I'll keep village on the itinerary.

Oil on archival board. 8" x 7.5"

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

30 Paintings in 30 Days #19 Spring Dusk, Apricot Tree at the Chateau

Spring Dusk, Apricot Tree at the Chateau

Spring Dusk, Apricot Tree at the Chateau

As the light fades at the end of a bright day all the colors change too. Here's how I see that. The Greens lose their warmth and take on a color closer to blue. It doesn't last long, the hues are fleeting and open to wonderful interpretations. I cannot wait to return in June when this tree will be laden with apricots, ripe for picking.

Oil on archival board. 6" x 6"

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

30 Paintings in 30 Days #18 Summer's Walk to the Kirk, Scotland

Summer's Walk to the Kirk

Oil on Board, 8" x 8" 

Scotland's reputation for rain is fast eclipsed by a single sunny day. 

I pitched my plein air easel by the side of the road leading up to the Kirk. Yes, it is that green. Wildflowers open up to the warmth or the sun, birds chirp, bumble bees hum away and I paint for a couple of hours of sheer contentment. This was in June, Scotland's loveliest month, where the sun sets around 10 in the evening, making it plein air artist's ideal scene. 

I have been asked to organize a workshop retreat there. Looking for interested artists. I will do my best to organize the weather.

Oil on archival board. 8" x 8"

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.