Giverny

The highlight of my trip, which from my long list is a hard thing to choose from, was the day Sam and I went to Monet's house in Giverny. You take the train, that follows the Seine, to his home and gardens. They don't let artists in to paint until after they close, around 5:30, but since I was the only painter there that day, they let me have the run of the place and I could paint anywhere I wanted. We went through the tunnel to the lily pond and I set up while Sam knitted new designs for "Wool & the Gang". I think we are in about 500 holiday photos taken by Japanese tourists, and one British gentlemen stopped to comment "Does life get any better than this?" I replied that "two glasses of red would be good, but no, other than that, it doesn't."

So the painting is much softer than I normally paint, but I really liked the way it turned out, and think it represents the feel of the gardens. Very "Monet-ish" It will be a good one for the show at Ella Richardson's Fine Art next week.

"Monet's Lily Ponds" 12x12

Jazz Exhibit

I can't believe my trip is almost done - and I am not ready to leave. There is just so much to do, all the time, and Sam and I have been walking to everything. Morgan left for LA a few days ago, I moved back into their place, and after having her move here almost 11 years ago, it is so nice to spend the time together. 

Eight of us met up for dinner at an African restaurant Friday, and then made plans to all drive up to Normandy on Saturday to go look at Aunt Mimi's house on the beach. But the weather turned cold and rainy and we went to the Jazz Exhibit at the Musse Quai Branly instead. It was really an amazing collection, and as a former graphic designer, I loved the album covers and posters. They also had a jazz band playing so have some great photos to work from - been dying to do some trombone and sax painintgs.

The shopping is what they all say it is- just wonderful. I keep having to remind myself though that  the "layers" they are showing here are not condusive to Charleston climate in May. If you come to Paris though, check out the store "Merci" on the Rue Bon Marche. It is a very funky, three story store, with a florist and coffee shop on the first floor, housewears in the basement, and retro clothing mixed with designer wear on the top floors.

Tomorrow is my final adventure - painting at Giverney. We are getting up early to take the train to go see the wonderful gardens and house of Monet. avoir pour mein te nent!

Room With A View

I am loving my little apartment. Across the street they are setting up the market, the smell of saffron and cumin rises from the Eastern deli below and I am painting by the window as everyone walks or bikes by. The weather has been wonderful and I have walked everywhere - including to my new find - the art store! On the way, I have to walk by this great store called "Merci" which is three floors of clothes, housewares, and flowers. Came back to the studio with one bag of canvas the other bag full of flowers and a few bowls for still lifes.

It's pretty funny to paint outside here. You'd think that there would be tons of painters everywhere, but I seem to be the only one, and everybody comes up to talk. I am very embarrassed by my horrid French, but we all seem to get along fine. 

The other side of my new social life is going to some of my daughters appointments for the fashion end. The designers are showing their new collections and I get to see what is the new style for fall. We also went to one of her promotions for Wool & the Gang (a very hip knit wear company she designs for). It was in an old movie theater where they knit squares and sat around drinking Cosmos. Great fun and quite the change for someone whose wardrobe consists of t-shirts with paint on them.

First Week in Paris

I have been so good all week - great weather, lots of photos, great laughes with family - but itching to paint now! We've been to galleries, the Louvre, the flea markets (new little treasureas to paint if it rains), John got all of us to the horse races at Longchamps, and we are pretty good at the metro now. So I've scoped out the city and now have lots of places to go paint in the mornings and evenings. Mornings should be the best as no ones gets out the house til 10 am, at the least. And with all the tourists here I need to get out early. 

I love it here. The croissants, the food, the people, the light, and the walking. You get to walk EVERYWHERE.

So we are taking John to the airport tomorrow to go back home, I move into my little studio and then I am back to work!

Favorite new purchase: funky ankle boots with buckles that are so chic