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.

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 #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 #10 Rolling Lavender at Lioux

 Rolling Lavender at Lioux

Rolling Lavender

One way to find the best lavender fields in Provence is to head to the hills and see what you see. Another way is to ask on Twitter. That's amazingly effective. Luckily we are returning to the area and have already located great places to paint this year. 
Criteria for painting location.
Lavender - check. 
Parking - check. 
Nearby café - check.
 A loo - check. 
We're all set.

8" x 10" 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 #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 #5 Lavage En Plein Air - Hanging out the Washing

Lavage En Plein Air - Hanging out the Washing

Lavage En Plein Air

French people wonder why I would want to paint their laundry. Don't they get it? Their laundry is just more picturesque than ours. Seriously, why plug in a tumble dryer when nature provides? 
6" x 6" Oil on Archival Board.
As with all my 30 in 30 paintings, please contact me if you 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.