Saturday, June 18, 2011

Painting Provence

'Home' in Provence - Watercolour

Here I am living the dream in a beautiful artist/writer's house in Provence. I could stay a year and still not have time to appreciate the ambiance, the art, the books, the cats (sorry Dermott!), the terrace, the view, the mountain!

If you want to share the dream buy Ruth Phillips beautiful new book, Cherries from Chauvet's Orchard, about how she and her husband, Julian Merrow-Smith made their wonderful life here. My limited edition copy was waiting for me when I arrived. I'm reading slowly, not wanting it to end.

Quite a lot of sketching and painting is being fitted around a great deal of eating and talking with Sarah Wimperis, Katherine Tyrrell and for four delightful days, Ronell van Wyk.

There are great days and wonderful days and there are Watermelon Days....

Ochre Bluff - Watercolour

This magnificent feature is a short walk from the house. Like a little Uluru in Provence. Sadly I made it look like a wedge of watermelon.

I'm having enormous pleasure and great luck to have the opportunity to look over Sarah's shoulder as she paints a couple of oils before breakfasts, and a few watercolours before bed. Inspiring. Katherine is keeping us entertained with wonderful sketches of our restaurant meals and making a great fist of her first oil paintings - ever! All of this you can see on our group blog Four Go Painting in Provence.


The Ruin - Watercolour and pencil

If any of you are wondering how La Bianca is getting on in France - she headed straight for the nearest vineyard. Like owner like car!


12 comments:

Anita said...

Gorgeous sketches, Robyn! I love the first one - really captures those great Provence colours. As to La Bianca - can you blame her?

Unknown said...

This is such a great post! You must be having the time of your life. I love the ruins, and the watermelon hill! Beautiful!

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Love all of your paintings I saw in life there as well as the new ones...rich in colour and atmosphere!
and little Bianca...still in her spot!
ronelle

Katherine Tyrrell (ipad) said...

But you forgot to tell them all about your yummy culinary exploits!

annie said...

I am enjoying these, so much, Robyn. Such fun to watch all of you painting on the Provence blog.
annie

dinahmow said...

Go! Bianca!

I'm following your tale(s) with much interest, Robyn.As to your watermelon...I did a small watercolour of Uluru which a friend thought was a yam!

"JeanneG" said...

Now I'm hungry for watermelon. Cute car. Love the first painting.

belindadelpesco.com said...

Your paintings are wonderful and I can almost feel the heat from the sun bouncing off the plaster and stone. And bravo to you for your bravery with Bianca. Courageous Artist. :)

Cathy Gatland said...

It all looks and sounds blissful Robyn, and the sunshine and vineyards (smart La Bianca!) glow from your pages - it's wonderful to watch the different ways that you've all reflected this experience in sketches and paintings, I'm so enjoying your trip!

caseytoussaint said...

Wow - you capture Provence beautifully in your paintings. Are you in France for long? I wish we were closer, it would be so much fun to meet you.

A Brush with Color said...

Oh, Robyn, it sounds idyllic. And you're with some of my very favorite other artists, too! Wow--even better! Love your paintings here. Enjoy!

Unknown said...

Fabulous sketches. It looks a perfect place for an artistic holiday.

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