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 #15 Low Tide, Scotland

Low Tide, Scotland

Low Tide, Scotland

This is a study for a larger painting. Boats at low tide, at Isle of Whithorn, Scotland. 

Oil on archival board. 6" x 8"

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 #14 Kirvennie, A Study for a Sunny Day

#14 Kirvennie, a Study of a Sunny Day

Kirvennie, A Study for A Sunny Day

A study for a larger painting of a family cottage in Scotland. During a particularly wet early summer, the day I arrived in Scotland the sun came out, and as I left it began to rain. I would still like to offer a workshop there providing there was enough interest.
If a Scottish art retreat interests you. let me know in the comment box below.

Oil on archival board. 6" x 8"

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 #11 Lavender Field

#11 Lavender Field

Lavender Field

After a long afternoon of scouting before the guests arrived, we headed back for a glass of something cool and regional. We were in the Côtes du Rhone after all. We drove past this farm house and in unison decided "Let's paint that!" A quick U-turn, we pulled off the road and whipped out our gear in a race before the golden hour ended. I managed to start this sketch, then got distracted photographing my artist friends thigh-deep in lavender. See Instagram for those pics. Oh well I never finished it there. But I did manage to complete it 6 months later in the studio.

Oil on Linen Panel. 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.