Pommier

 

9.Nearly there ...?

 

8.Bringing it back

 

7. Toning it down

 

6. Too bright

 

5.

4.

  3.

2. Working with longer brushes - less fiddeling, looser work 

1.

A larger orchard

2.

1. Underpainting

Apple tree (cropped)

 

 

Small apple orchard by the river

La Moutardiere is an old farm complex. Art works by local, national and international painters and sculptors were displayed in the gardens and in the restored barn, stables and pigeon tower. A selection of my French Field paintings were exhibited in part of the beautiful stables (a fitting location). The 'Red Tree' painting was a favourite of many visitors.

Finished tree, detail,  plus stages 1, 2 and 3

I am delighted to participate in Les Impromptus at La Moutardière on Saturday 23 July from 18.00 hours onwards, where I shall exhibit paintings inspired by my frequent stays in SW France. La Moutardière is a restored farm in the countryside on the edge of Caussade (82), dating back to the18th Century.

 Maryvonne Constant is the enthousiastic driving force behind the cultural activities taking place there throughout the year. These include art classes, ateliers for artists, art residencies, and exhibitions and once a year Les Impromptus, a showcase of local, national and international artists. Participation in Les Impromptus is by invitation and I was so pleased to be included in this year’s event. This year’s artists, will exhibit their paintings, sculptures and installations in the restored barn, the old stables, a tower and of course, the extensive garden. The exhibition runs from  23 July till 8 August. I shall be posting photos as and when they are available. Watch this space.

Spending a a good deal of my life each year in France, it is about time I post some photos of everyday things that interest me. It won't be very structured, more of a hotch-potch.

Autumn indeed

Looking forward to returning to Najac 'Le Paradis', seeing the autumn colours and  going for misty early morning walks

Autumn has come early this year.  Leaves are turning colour and falling. Grapes are darkening while August has only just begun.

Encounter with a day-glow caterpillar, discovering a witches-ring of field mushrooms and early morning mist drops on foliage - it all happens on an early morning walk

Historic moment - Emptying the fosse septique, 20 years of ....

Sunday morning market in SW France

At La Boriette it's a case of 'Want not, waste not'

One of the most endearing things during our exhibition was the visit of two groups of local schoolchildren. One group of 8-10 yr olds and later another of 5-7 I guess. They came to change their library books and for a story. As the gallery is attached to the ‘bibliothèque’, instead of being told a story, they were invited to make up their own stories by visiting our exhibition and asking questions from the teacher and the artist (me). I was very impressed by their questions and the way they expressed themselves. They really ‘looked’ at the work and responded either very positively or negatively to the work. Their responses were well argued; very refreshing from children attending a small school in a tiny village in SW France. I wonder how many schoolchildren of similar ages in UK would be given the chance of visiting a contemporary art exhibition in their local gallery?