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 #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 #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 #6 Terrace Sunshine

Terrace Sunshine

Uneven slabs of ancient stone, sunlight playing with advancing shadows, dust motes suspended in summer air - humming cicadas and bumble bees. Pass my paints please.

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 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 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.