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.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #17 Castillion Window - Provence

Castillion Window - Provence

#17 ~  30 paintings in 30 days

A small village in the Gard region of Provence. Off the beaten track. 

I sit in an ancient doorway painting intently, observing the little window facing me. Of course, little did I know that, behind the reflection,  the owner of the house, was staring intently back, wondering who, and what...
And so it was that I met an elderly, yet elegant, Belgian man who had owned the house for many years. He loved the painting, which provided enough street cred for an invitation into his home. 

"Bien Sur, of course, I'd love to see inside your medieval house". I grabbed Lizz as you know what they say about going alone into total strangers' homes...

It turned out to be a treasured memory. We got to see the foundations which were Roman, and preserved, albeit where the sheep were held in the winter, which was the custom about two thousand years ago.

We toured the kitchen and the admired the oven/heating system/hole in the wall, medieval high-tech. We climbed ancient stone slabs, the stairway built up and around a tiny internal courtyard to the "balcony" for watching the sun set while toasting a glass to the gods. 
Definitely keeping this on the retreat itinerary for 2016.

Acrylic on mounted watercolor paper. 6" x 6"

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #16 Small Boat, Mediterranean

#16 Small Boat

Back to French related images. After the chateau retreat, I headed south down to the sea. Every evening, a table by the water, a different restaurant, another menu to choose from. This particular evening we ate "moules et frites" near the yacht club and its pricey flotilla. However, it was this little fishing boat, equipment stowed under canvas that caught my eye to paint. 

Oil on archival board. 6" x 6"

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability or leave a comment below!

Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #13 Dog's Life

#13 Dog's Life

A Dog's Life

Dog's in France have a wonderful life. 
From what I have observed, the French adore their dogs. The dogs are happy, healthy and well behaved. But, what we also discovered - that you don't just go up and pet someone's dog. There seems to be a special relationship with the dog and his master that is sacred and you can't just jump in there and tickle his ears. Tut-tut, non-non.

Oil on archival board. 6" x 6"

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability or leave a comment below!

Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #12 Door at Dusk

#12 Door at Dusk

Door at Dusk

We passed this door maybe three or four times a day. Just an old wooden door in an ancient wall. But like most of the old structures in Provence, it has its own unique history. And it's hard not to notice. In fact it has been said by many that everywhere you look in Provence, there is something to paint, perfectly composed. This caught my eye more than once and I sat to paint it before I lost the light for the day. It's on the chateau's estate, so you don't even have to roam far to paint. However I didn't quite finish it until I hit the studio today and handled the highlights.
One night I came across a family of hedgehogs by the stoop. The chateau owner doesn't mind them, they manage the snail population. 

Oil on archival board. 6" x 6"

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability or leave a comment below!

Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #9 Study of Abbey Senanque

Study of Abbey Senanque

Abbey Senanque - Study

Abbey Senanque rests at the foot of a gorge near the perched town of Gordes in the Luberon, Provence. The working monastery harvests and sells their local crop of lavender to help support the abbey. It's a spectacular site in June when the lavender is in full bloom. The aroma is equally as magnificent. This was painted as a demo for the guests at the chateau retreat for artists. But it was left unfinished until today, when I completed it for this challenge. 

The linen panel was bought in Avignon and the size is almost 8" x 8". Probably 20cm x 20cm.

Oil on Mounted Linen Panel. 8" x 8" (20cm x 20cm)

As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability or leave a comment below!

Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #8 Vineyard Road

I love the light effects in Provence. The very air seems to shimmer and objects transform into light emitting forms. And when painting them, well sometimes, it's like trying to catch sunlight in your hand. Not possible, but we keep on trying. 
Here's a typical road, heading off into the shimmering light, beckoning to follow. But sometimes it's better to stake down your easel and give a shot at capturing light. 

5" x 7" Oil on Archival Board.
As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability and prices.
or leave a comment below!
Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #7 Over the Roof Tops

Over the Roof tops

In a previous painting I painted this village from below looking up towards its skyline. Here it is from above looking out over the Luberon valley stretching out for miles towards Mont Ventoux. I am always astounded by the beauty, the same thoughts enter my mind every time - People. Actually. Live. Here.

6" x 8" Oil on Archival Board.
As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability and prices.
or leave a comment below!
Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #4 Bonnieux from below

Village of Bonnieux from Below

Many Provencal villages are "perched" ('villages-perchés) on hills like these, with a spire dominating the the skyline. Makes sense, as these places are naturally defensible. Nowadays they are tranquil and welcoming, they offer lovely compositions from below and stunning vistas from above. 

I found this village 'accidentally' as I drove up from Nice on the back roads, suitably jet-jetlagged, driving a stick shift all the way (after a one hour lesson in Hollywood), feeling alternately like Clouseau and Bond himself. 

11" x 14" Oil on Archival Board.
As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability and prices.
or leave a comment below!
Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 Paintings in 30 Days #3 Luberon Village

Luberon Village

Finding villages like this one is what 'traveling' in France is all about. These are place where tourist buses don't go. Every one has its own unique charm and this is what we set out to paint when we find them. This is Joucas, charming little village - a stop on our 'Lavender Route' when we paint there in June.

6" x 6" Oil on Archival Board.
As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability and prices.
or leave a comment below!
Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

30 in 30 Days #2 "Last Café Grand Crème"

Last Café Grand Crème

Last Café Grand Crème

On the 2nd to last day of painting in France, we let our paintings dry and we take off for the town for last minute shopping and relax with a little café culture. We delight in the sights. Young lovers on mobylettes and dashing waiters navigating the outdoor cafés balancing full trays. 

8" x 8" Oil on Archival Board.
As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me for availability and prices.
or leave a comment below!

Or buy through DailyPaintWorks for the duration of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

Provence - Wooden Door

Provence - Wooden Door. 8" x 8" Study, sold

My only new year's resolution was to actually blog, and blog often. My life has changed drastically over then last 15 months with moving the studio, my house, kid's school, family business and all of that - so I now have the life I want and all there is to do now, is just live it.

With that, I'm working on new paintings for the Addison Art Gallery on Cape Cod and promoting two trips to Provence this year. I'm pretty stoked about June because the lavender will be in full bloom. This will be a first for me and I can't wait to get sketching and painting there.

The painting shown above, Wooden Doorway was painted on one of my September art retreats. (Another glorious time to visit the region.) It's the building on a little plateau above the chateau - our home base for the tour. I have a great group photo taken in from in front of this old doorway - I should be finishing editing that pretty soon and I'll post it then.