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 #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 #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 #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 #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 #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 -Day 1 - Evening Star - Provence

Thirty Paintings in 30 days. Day 1

Evening Star

An evening view from the upper terrace at the Château. Dusk arrives, the birds grow silent and the first evening star appears. I stop to admire the light on the church tower. A quiet moment after happily painting in a French vineyard and right before sitting down to a dinner with my artist friends. Salut!

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.

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.