Eygalieres Plus

A restaurant owner suggested I check out a church that was nearby in the town of Eygalieres. It was a really tiny town, with some lovely views of the countryside. "Eygalieres Landscape" was painted with watercolors from an overlook outside of town. "St. Sixtie, Eygalieres" was painting in watercolor and ink. I was freezing while I was painting because I was in a shady spot and the Mistral winds were blowing and cold that day. "Provence Window Out" was done sitting in the kitchen of our rental apartment. I just had to capture the Provence designs and color while I was there. All the paintings are 5 x 7.

The Charm of Provence

We took a drive down to the sea and stopped in Cassis. It was a lovely harbor with colorful buildings and lots of boats. "Cassis Harbor" was painted there. "Vaison La Romaine" was done in ink and watercolor in the Haute Ville, or older part of town. The buildings and arches were wonderful! "Seguret View" was painted in watercolors from a parking area looking out over the farmland. The countryside there is so lovely. All of these are 5 x 7.

Rural Provence Scenes

There are such great views along the back roads in Provence...but often no place to pull over to take photos or paint. I did find a spot to pull off the road to paint "Le Vignoble" with the vineyard and the house behind it. "Chez Pauline Patio" was painted at our home base in Provence. Our bedroom was right through those doors. "Rural Road" was painted in another spot I was able to stop without driving into one of the famous ditches on the side of the French roads. I love capturing the countryside in plein air. All of these were done in my 5 x 7 watercolor journal.

Le Beaux & Roussillon

Staying at Mas Saint Antoine put us in a central location to drive to a lot of the beautiful towns in Provence. Le Beaux was a beautiful, rocky area up in the hills. I used the rental car front seat as a studio to paint "Le Beaux I" and "Le Beaux II." In order to see the area I really needed to be downhill from the town. Roussillon is one of the few colorful towns in Provence. They are known for their ochre quarries, so all the buildings are in shades of ochre and reds. It was a lovely town to walk around in with shops and galleries, but of course I was more interested in painting it. "Roussillon Village" was painted while sitting on some rocks across from it.

Mas Saint Antoine, Provence, France

This was the property where we stayed in Provence. It was just outside of Rognonas, France, and I loved it! The buildings had such character with the stone walls and the shutters. I could have painted each of the buildings. The first painting "Mas Saint Anoine" is 5 x 7 and shows the front of the building. " "Courtyard" is the patio to our 1 bedroom unit. "Chez Pauline" is the front entrance to our unit. There were pots of flowers and plants everywhere and the scent of rosemary growing. The apartments were well equipped...even your own gas grill. All of my Provence paintings are 5 x 7 and are in a separate watercolor journal.

Loire Valley - Part II

I awoke early in the Loire Valley so I painted the floral arrangement on the dining room table ("Le Fleur" 4 x 6 watercolor). Luckily I can paint anytime. The second painting was of a hotel in Amboise near the river. I loved the bright yellow stripes on the canopies ("Amboise Charm" 4 x 6 watercolor and ink). I just had to paint a castle while I was there, and although Chenonceau is considered a "chateau" it looked enough like a castle for me. I sat on a bench in the garden area with a view of the towers that blocked out the scaffolding that covered a big part of the outside because they are doing renovations...just my luck. lol ("Chateau Chenonceau" 4 x 6 watercolor and ink)

Katherine Tyrrell was in France at almost the same time as I was visiting. She has wonderful sketches, photos links, and video links on her two wonderful blogs. Check them out if you have the time.

www.travelsketch.blogspot.com

www.makingamark.blogspot.com

Loire Valley - Part I

We rented a car when we were leaving Paris and headed to the Loire Valley. Our accommodations were upgraded to Le Cardinal, a 4 bedroom, 2 bath house in Amboise. It was beautiful! The first painting "Le Porte Rouge"(4x6) is of the front of the house. I just loved the red door! Our first morning brought some rain, so I hunted up a few things to do a still life painting and "Le Bon Vie"(4x6) was created. When it stopped raining I found a spot on the other side of the Loire River with a view of Amboise. "Chateau du Amboise" (4 x 6) was painted from the front seat of my rental car. I did miss having a painting chair with me!!

Painting Monet's Garden - Day 2

Since the trip was so easy to do, I left my husband back in Paris when I went back to Monet's Gardens alone. I figured I could paint more if I didn't feel guilty about him getting bored. The garden wasn't as crowded as the first day, but every so often big tour groups would come through. The day was beautiful and I was in my glory! There were just so many lovely spots to stand and paint. I made sure I painted another version of the view of Monet's House that I had sold the first day. A woman from Taiwan came over to look at the paintings. We started talking and I showed her all the work I had done there. She wanted to buy a painting too and had a hard time deciding between two of them. She searched through her bag, but apparently she had left some of her money with friends and only had enough to buy one of them (the first one posted of the water pond). She was so excited about buying it, and took a photo of me with the painting. I gave her my blog address so she could see the other paintings I've been doing, and my email address because she promised to send me a copy of the photo she too when she gets back home to Taiwan. She was at the beginning of her trip and was going to be gone for a month.

Painting at Monet's Gardens was really special and emotional for me. It definitely was the highlight of my trip, and lived up to everything I imagined about it.

Katherine Tyrrell was in France at almost the same time as I was there. Check out her sketches, photos, and videos of Monet's Garden on her two blogs.

www.travelsketch.blogspot.com

www.makingamark.blogspot.com

Painting Monet's Garden - Day 1

Wanting to visit Monet's Gardens was the reason I started to plan our visit to France. It was going to be my birthday celebration (a big birthday). Monet's Gardens in Giverny is about a 45 minute train ride from Paris, so it was very easy to do. I wasn't sure if they would let people paint there, so I took along my postcard sized watercolor paper, my field kit of paints, watercolor pencils (just in case I couldn't use paints), my waterbrush, and micron pens. When I got there I was so emotional that I started to cry...it was just so perfect!!! My husband said it was his second favorite place to visit ever. The grounds were gorgeous, even that late in the season, and nobody stopped me from painting. There were a few people doing quick sketches, and then a class of teenagers came with their watercolor materials. They were all over...sitting on the bridges and on the paths. For most of the paintings that I posted here I was standing while I was painting. I did find a bench to sit on to paint the one of the house, and sat on the ground to do the last one of the flower beds leading to the house.

While I was painting a couple came over to talk to us and wanted to look at my painting. They were from Hawaii and asked if I had done any other paintings there. I showed them the ones that I completed earlier in the day. They wanted to buy one of them. I really didn't want to sell one since these were my souvineers of the trip, but they were very persistent. They were at the end of their trip and said they would rather buy something beautiful and original than something from the gift shop. They bought the one of Monet's house with the flowers in front of the windows. I felt like a real Parisian artist!!

Next I will post my paintings from my second day at Monet's Gardens.

Artists & Friends Gallery Show

Right before I left for France, I did a show at the BAFFA Gallery in Sayville, NY with a small group of local artists. Here are photos from the show. The first one is of myself in front of my wall of art. The other artists are Marion Marino, Lydia Peterson, Laurie Samara-Schlageter, Doug Broadhurst, Carol Musac, Carol Corbett, Alma Pancir and our fellow artist/organizer Marianne Thorvaldson.

Paris Scenes (Posting #8)

Here are my last two 4 x 6 paintings done in Paris. "In Front of the Master" was sketched in the d'Orsay Museum, which has a wonderful impressionist collection. It wasn't easy to sketch the people. They usually moved on before I got anything done, but there were a few who stayed put looking long enough for me to get their shape down. I didn't think they would allow me to paint in the museum, so I added the color as soon as I got outside. "Restaurante Le Consulate" was painted in Montmartre. I was attracted to the colors on the building. The man sat there well long enough for me to sketch and paint him. That is the good part about painting Paris cafes and restaurants...people sit for a very long time. Next I will post my favorite part of the trip...stay tuned!

More of Paris (Posting #7)

These are the last of my 4 x 6 paintings done in Paris. "In Front of the Master" was done in the d'Orsay Museum which has a wonderful impressionist collection. "

More Paris Highlights (Posting #6)

Here are a few more 4 x 6 paintings from Paris. "Paris Shadows" was done of a window across from our apartment. I loved the morning shadows. In the middle of the Luxumburg Gardens is a huge pond where kids sail these huge boats that they rent. They use long sticks to move them along. "Sailing in the Park" shows that scene. There are so many wonderful views from the bridges in Paris, and "View from the Bridge" is one of them. "Tuileries Garden" was done in this lovely park with all kinds of fountains and statues. You can never run out of painting opportunities there.

Paris Life Paintings (Posting #5)

Paris has such life to it. I loved wandering the streets to find new spots to paint. There is a square up near Montmartre that is filled with artists painting and drawing. They paint portraits, draw cartoons, do silhouettes, and have easels set up and are painting and they are busy selling their work. It has such atmosphere! I tried to capture that in the painting of the Paris artists. These are 4 x 6 and are titled: "Caroussel Below Sacre' Coeur," "Montmartre Village," "Paris Artists," and "Vendors Along the Seine."

L' Tour Eiffel Paintings - Posting #4

The Eiffel Tower is something that I had to try painting and sketching. It is so massive that you sort of get lost in it when you're looking at it. Our rental apartment in Paris had a view of the tower, so I was able to paint it at sunset and at night. The titles of these are:

"Alnog the Seine" 4 x 6

"Night View of the Tower" 4 x 6

"Tour Eiffel" 2 1/2 x 3 1/2

Along the Seine (Posting #3)

Here is my third group of paintings in Paris. There are so many bridges and so much along the Seine. I had so much fun painting there. In order these are : "Tour Boat on the Seine," "Photographer's Dream," and "A Walk Along the Seine." All are 4 x 6.

Dining in Paris (Posting #2)

Here is the second installment of paintings done in Paris. These were done in ink and watercolor. The cafes and restaurants all have such character there. In order these are: "Parisian Lunch," "Paris Europe," and "Clair de Lune." My problem was always finding someplace to sit and sketch and paint. Often I ended up standing and leaning against a building.

Paris Flowers (Posting #1)

I am back from my month in France with lots of paintings. These 3 were done in Paris. The flower markets and stores were just gorgeous!!! In order they are titled: "Flower Market", "Cler Fleurs", and "Les Floralies." I could have painted every flower store in Paris! These are all 4 x 6 which I find is an easy size to deal with when traveling. I'll be back tomorrow with some more. I usually painted 2 small paintings a day, so I have lots to post.

Bonjour

I had intended to upload my sketchcrawl paintings and my photos from my gallery show that took place the last two weekends, but I don't seem to be able to upload any photos today.

I won't be posting for a while. My husband and I are leaving tomorrow for 4 weeks in France. I plan to be back with LOTS of paintings done while I'm away. Until then, Bonjour!!!

Beach Fences VI & VII

Here are 2 more paintings of beach fences. Each is 4 x 6.

Beach Fences V

This is another of my beach plein airs. I had fun with the sky in this one. 4 x 6

Beach Fences IV

This is another plein air done in watercolor and ink. As you can probably guess, I love doing beach scenes.

Morning Meeting

This is 11 x 15 done from a combination of photos I had taken one morning in Myrtle Beach. The reflections were a challenge to do and it was hard to get the birds to stand out against the water and sand. I'm fairly happy with it.

Carmine's

I don't often work from photos at this time of the year, but I worked on this a little at a time. It is 11 x 15 and was done from 2 photos that I took at a favorite restaurant of mine in Manhattan. I combined them to give a "taste" of Carmine's.

Landscape and Sky

I am so far behind!! This was also done for last week's WDE on WetCanvas. This is 7 x 10 and was done in watercolor and ink.

Ceramic Corner

This is 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 and was done for the WDE on Wet Canvas. I poured the undercoat for the background tiles. It was fun to paint a still life for a change.

Jordan Pond

Here is another painting from Acadia National Park. This is Jordan Pond, a peaceful spot if I ever saw one. The restaurant there has the best popovers and you can sit out on the lawn. This is 4 x 6.

Acadia Cliffs

This was painted on location in Acadia National Park in Maine. I started it in watercolors but the view was just too much to handle without adding a lot of ink work for the details. This is 8 x 10.

Pemaquid Lighthouse

This is one of my favorite places to visit in Maine. Climbing down on the rocks wasn't so easy carrying my backpack, painting chair, and stool. But the views are worth it. Due to the heat and humidity, this is only 4 x 6. I'll have to go back in cooler weather to paint there again.

Boothbay Cove

This is another watercolor and ink from my trip to Maine. This is 8 x 10. Luckily I had a nice shady spot to paint from, since it was very hot & humid that day.

Pemaquid Beach

While I was visiting Maine we spent a day at Pemaquid Beach, which is quite different from the beaches here in NY. This was part of the view if you were standing near the water, facing the beach. This is 4 x 6.

Birches

This is a watercolor and ink done while in Maine. In fact, this tree is right outside my sister's back door. It is 4 x 6.

Ocean Point Beach

I spent last week in Maine visiting and painting with my two sisters. This is 5 x 7 and was done in plein air at Ocean Point near Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It is a beautiful spot, despite the excessive heat we had while we were there.

Waterfall

This is a 4 x 6 ink and watercolor done for the WDE at WetCanvas.

Log by the Dunes

4 x 6 ink and watercolor done on location the other day. I think every part of the dunes is just waiting to be sketched or painted.

At the End of the Dock

This was done the same morning as "Across the Marsh" below. I decided to try one more since it hadn't started raining (but was windy and humid). This is 8 x 10 done in watercolors alone. I had just enough time to finish this, walk back to my car and throw everything in the trunk, hit the ladies' room, and get into my car before the predicted rain started. I timed it perfectly!

Across the Marsh

I did this 4 x 6 on Sunday on the grounds of the Maritime Museum in Sayville. The skies were overcast (artistic license was used here) so I decided I'd better do something small so I would have time to finish it before it rained. It was windy and damp but I kept on painting.

Jasper National Park

This was also done for the WetCanvas WDE. It is ATC sized (2.5 x 3.5) done in ink and watercolor.

Pretty in Pink

This is ATC sized (2.5 x 3.5) done for the WDE event on WetCanvas. It was fun to do this tiny and see how much color I could get into the petals. The only drawback to the tiny size was painting the stamens which didn't show well as light as they should have been. I had to darken them

Mom & Child

Here is another ink & watercolor done at the beach. This is 3 x 5 and was done in my moleskin journal.

Beach Scene

Just a little beach sketch done yesterday in my moleskin journal.

Underwater

This 5 x 7 ink and watercolor was also done for the WDE on Wet Canvas. It was fun to play with the underwater background.

Coconut Palms

This 4 x 6 ink and watercolor was done for this weekend's WDE on WetCanvas from a photo supplied by crispur2005. Christine, thanks for the wonderful photos.

Oyster Pond View

Our forecast yesterday was for rain starting in the afternoon. I tried to find a place to paint before the rain started. This was out on the north fork of Long Island about an hour east of me. I pulled off the shoulder of the road and painted this 4 x 6 from the car. Before I finished this it was showering, followed later by lots of rain.

"Beach Fences III"

4 x 6 ink and watercolor done at the beach yesterday. The dunes can have a different look no matter where you look.

"Zebra" and "Nutria"

Here are two more ATCs (2.5 x 3.5) from the exchange I'm doing on WetCanvas. Doing animals has been a lot of fun!

Lighthouse Path

4 x 6 done at the Fire Island Lighthouse. I did this after viewing the art show on exhibit there. I had two paintings in the show, one of which was another painting of this same lighthouse with the dunes in front of it. I found out yesterday that the painting sold. Now I'm sure I'll go back and paint it again.

Church in the Field

I met a local group of painters on Tuesday to do some plein air painting at a site that has several replicas of historical buildings. This is the small church and is 8 x 10. I think I lost the church steeple a bit, but I was happy with the way it came out.

Just Peachy

5.5 x 8.5 done from my own still life setup. The peaches looked much better than they tasted. I had fun doing lots of layers on these.

23rd World Wide Sketchcrawl

Usually I go out for the World Wide Sketchcrawl, but I had company this time. My sister and niece were staying with me and we took my niece to the airport on Saturday. She flew to Austrailia as an exchange student for the upcoming semester. My sketchcrawl mostly revolves around Kathleen: 1)sleeping; 2)her suitcase, purse, sunglasses, and waterbottle; 3)Kathleen checking things on her laptop before we left for the airport; and finally a view of my hanging plant when my sister and I got back from the airport.

Angel Fish and Seahorse ATCs

Both of these are 2.5 x 3.5 and were done for the exchange I've been doing on WetCanvas. They both safely swam to their new owners. They were done in ink and watercolors.

Mother and Child

This is 4 x 6 and was done the other day at the beach. It is always a challenge to paint the ocean and sky in plein air on a sunny day. The paint dries almost as fast as you put your brush on the paper.

Over the Fences

This was done in my moleskin journal and is about 3 x 5. The structure is the top of the beach building that houses the concession stand, lifeguard's office, etc. This was done in ink and watercolor on location.

Glowing Yellows

This is a 3 x 5 done in my moleskin journal. It is some of the flowers at the Flight 800 Memorial Garden at Smith Point Beach where I often go.

Perfume Bottle

I don't paint glass very often, but I was doing this as a scavenger hunt item. The painting is only 3 x 5 . The perfume bottle belonged to my mother. There are a pair of them and she always had them on her dresser. Now they sit on mine.

Tibetan Girl and Monkey

Both of these were done for the WDE on WetCanvas from references by Gail. I thank her for the vairety of images. "Monkey" is ATC sized and done in ink and watercolor. I'm using it as part of my alphabet exchange. "Tibetan Girl" is 4 x 6.

Mary's Hibiscus

I did this 7 x 10 painting back in May. I used the hibiscus plant that I bought for my MIL for Mother's Day. The painting has been sitting in my living room since then while I pondered if I wanted to do anything to the background or leave it white. I think it will stay white.

In Bloom

7 x 10 watercolor done for the WDE on WetCanvas from a photo supplied by KreativeKay. Many thanks to Kay for this wonderful blooming cactus reference.

Beach Fences

We did have a few hours of sun on Friday, so I went to the beach and did this ink & watercolor postcard (4 x 6) there. Unfortunately the clouds and rain have been back since then.

Bitten

Here's another 4 x 6 food painting done when I couldn't get out to do plein air painting.