Post Trip Studio Painting From Photos

If you come home from a trip and want to paint some of the interesting things you've seen, you need to make some decisions.
You have to decide if you need to clean up your studio before you begin painting. I decided not to clean up. I pushed aside everything on my desk until I made room to paint. If you busy yourself with straightening out your studio your feelings and emotions about your painting subjects will fade. If you choose to paint right away while your trip memories are fresh, I think some how the excitement you felt about your subject will be carried into your painting.
The other reason to decide
to paint immediately is because you still have memories of the time of day and intensity of light to add to your photo reference. Once your feelings and thoughts about the light fade, you have only your photo to go on. You might make notes about the light and color during or after your trip and those notes will help you remember when you are back home painting.

Why I Have To Go Back To France

It's all very simple. I have to go back to France as soon as soon as possible. There are so many more towns in the south of France with wonderful scenery to paint. Then there is Nice and the surrounding areas that have artwork by Chagall and Matisse that i need to see firsthand. I must also head North in France and see the Loire Valley and visit some chateaux. Of course I have to visit Paris again and discover more incredible neighborhoods and view more art exhibits. I would really like to take you with me. You could keep a journal with daily notes and I will help you draw and paint your travel sketches. Equally important as all of my other reasons for planning another French workshop is that the French chocolate bars have run out.
Plans are now in the works for a workshop in Fall 2013. The thought is to land in London, spend some time in the English countryside, then take the chunnel to Paris and explore the North. If you can fit this into your schedule let me know. We will have a great time.

Painting of the Provence Restaurant I Photograped on My Trip

I came across a copy of the painting I did a few years ago then actually saw the real location 2 weeks ago. I sold the painting some years ago too, so maybe I will paint a new version from my recent photo, it could be an interesting painting experience, what do you think?

Back to Burittos and Beagles Etc,

Returning home from a workshop in Europe requires a gradual adjustment. After dining in Paris bistros and at the Sous L'Olivier in Lagnes in Provence every night for a week, I could not immediately go back to my own cooking. My husband was kind enough to take me out to our favorite burritto joint for lunch yesterday to ease my transition to my kitchen. I put the tablecloth I bought in the market in St. Remy on our kitchen table to remind me of the bright Provencal colors. The beagles have all been very sincere in welcoming me home and so has our mini aussie. Of course they all wanted to know why the Canadian standard poodle (pictured a few posts ago) got to go to Paris and they had to stay home. To keep up the Paris feeling in my soul, I am trying to imagine the power line tower I see from my backyard is really the Eiffel Tower.

Flying Home From Paris

Well I am on the plane headed home after having to squeeze 2 suitcases into one as Delta changed their luggage policies and wanted to charge me $100.00 for my 2nd bag. Luckily, Debbie helped me contort my belongings and figured out how to zip up an impossibly full bag. After I got through security I was able to throw out non-essentials such as old jeans, socks and 25 napkins saved for dabbing watercolor but could not part with the bag filled with cookies and candy for my family or the 3 books i might possibly need to read on the plane.
All of my students have gone their separate ways and all expressed the desire to make time to paint when they return home. Anyone of you readers discovered ways to find time fit a bit of painting into your daily life? How about commenting on this post and letting us know your discoveries...

So Today I Met A Poodle in Paris

I think the pictures say it all today. However, the poodle who I bet you assumed was French, is actually a Canadian poodle who just flew over to Paris from Southern California.

St.Remy de Provence

On the last day of our workshop we traveled to St. Remy for their market day. The town was very busy with shoppers and merchants filling almost every square and passage way. However, the old section of the village was less crowded and I was able to find the small bistro storefront I painted from my friend's photo several years ago. It was amazing to actually stand in front of Bistro de Marie and peer inside the windows. The bistro was located down a shady winding side street and when I took some deep breaths to calm down my excitement at finding the bistro, I smelled the spicey scent of the market. I definately hope I can conjour up this memory when I am wait ing line at Costco next week.