Friday, October 4, 2013

L'Air du Provence




Corner of Les Murets, 6 x 6, Color study, late afternoon



Simple Color Notes, Les Murets, late afternoon


Color Study, Mt Ste Victoire, 6 x 6


Quick Gesture and Color Demo. Late Afternoon, Les Murets, 9 x 12






Something about Provence, a certain je ne sais quoi -- perhaps the dry air contains fairy dust -- produces an incredible synergy that lifted all spirits last week during our trip to Les Murets, Ann Huff's hilltop mas near Gordes that serves as our home base.

My words can not adequately describe the feelings that we (8 wise and amazing women, all painters, plus me) experienced as each day built upon the last.  I'm still pinching myself and holding the memories tight.

We enjoyed charming restaurant lunches, rose wine, outdoor dinners at home, walks, talks, market visits, a meeting with French artiste Andree Thobaty -- and we did actually paint along the way!

Our painting mission was to do color studies, and to focus on the large shapes; we were not concerned with  creating "completed" works.  Instead, the goal was to capture l'essence of this special place.

As so aptly put by designer Norma Kamali in a recent newspaper article: "If there were a description of what heaven looks like, I would say this [Provence] is it."  


Below are just a few shining examples of the fine studies done by my fellow travelers last week:    

Caseneuve Morning, 8 x 10, Mary Muir


Mt Sainte Victoire, 12 x 16, Suzy Dmetruk


Caseneuve Doorway,  12 x 9, Debbie Bruce


Caseneuve Vista, Ann Currey, 8 x 8
Color notes taken first are on the left!


Captured View,  Eygalieres, 10 x 8,  Dawn Douglas


Vineyard near Aix, 8 x 10,  Dianne Williams


Morning Light, Mt Sainte Victoire, 10 x 12,  Sandy Cox


Mt. Sainte Victoire, Color Notes on right, 8 x 10,  Martha Elder


I am flying high right now, despite a bit of jet lag -- such beautiful times with like-minded friends, seeing through the eyes of all of the artists who have traveled the path before us; for me, that's the magic of this art life...  Sante, mes amies!




4 comments:

  1. Sounds like such a fun amazing time with you and the students are so very lucky. Love the idea of focusing on color notes and they are just beautiful! I also see you as one of the "masters" helping share the love and joy and knowledge of painting just like those before you...something very special indeed!

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    1. Hi Kathy, or "grand-mere,". I've been thinking of you and that baby! You are nice to dismay these things..much appreciated...

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  2. What a wonderful idea to paint color studies and it ended up with such a great output. They are beautiful - all of them, and I enjoyed spending time absorbing my pleasure on each and every one. What amazing memories you must all have.

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    1. Yay Julie, love your interest and insights...always! We must meet one of these days

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