Wanderlust

Florence Cafe

Oil

Available 

When you close your eyes, where are you? Are you still in your own environment surrounded by things that are familiar to you?  Or are you someplace where you have been where you remember the sights, sounds, and smells?  Maybe you can imagine a place you would like to go.  Is it very different from where you are?  What do you envision you will see?  What do you hear? Are you alone or around others?  Is the language the same as yours? Are you in a town or out in the country? Maybe at a beach or in the mountains?  Do you smell traces of flowers or freshly baked bread at a market?

There is something about experiencing a new place that has always drawn me to travel.  Perhaps you enjoy discovering new places, new sounds, and new foods?  Where would you go if you were given a trip?  There are places I have been where I would return.  Still others that I would like to visit.  

Part of the joy of being a teaching artist is helping others to record what they see in sketches or paintings.  It is like you can stop time for a moment and capture it all to yourself.  When you return and see your artworks you created, you can still feel the presence of the place.  You can close your eyes and imagine being there again, hearing the sounds, smelling the air,and feeling the heat, cold, or breeze.  

Let me know if you want to experience some of the places I will be going this year.  I would love to have you join me!

Plein Air Painting in Venice  October 5 - 12, 2013, contact:      info@ilchiostro.com 

Painting in Provence  May 25-June 1,2014, contact:    contact@frenchescapade.com

Ciao!  or Au Revoir!

Durinda

Day?

French Courtyard

20 x 16

oil on museum quality board

OK!  I know I said I was painting 30 paintings in 30 days as part of http://www Lesliesaeta.blogspot.com challenge for the month of January.  Admittedly, I am not up to 20 paintings that would be the total for today.  I have been painting nearly every day.  But due to sickness and then injury the first weeks of the month and (can I blame the rainy dark weather for some of this?)  I am just a little behind.  Hopefully now I am getting back into the swing of it.  I was able to photograph this painting today.  I have a few others who are in various stages of development that can be shot later this week including you guessed it, another poppy field!

This painting is from a tiny French village in Provence called Oppede that we visited and painted on our workshop in May.  Oppede had an interesting background with a fortified stone wall and a church that was up behind it on a hill.  Seems one of the major past times in olden days was to attack your neighboring village.  Then you had rulers who liked to tax everything and everybody.  Oppede started to fall into disrepair until artists and writers and others discovered its charm and began to restore the stone buildings and open businesses again.  I just know that I loved the architecture, blue shutters, and flowers that were there.  Thanks to Jackie with http://www.frenchescapade.com who hosted our group and took us to so many beautiful places.  And, I will give you a heads-up:  I am returning in May 2014 for another workshop and this time, an artist's retreat!  Watch for updates on my website http://www.Durinda.com  where you can sign up for my newsletter or check out my Fan Page on Facebook.  

So don't give up on me yet- I will see if I can put several photos in one post so you won't be getting something from me every day.  Then I will see if I can pin them to my Pinterest board that I made.  Wish me luck!

Hope the sun is shining where you are today!

Durinda

30 Paintings in 30 Days

Early Morning Market

20 x 16

Oil on museum quality board

 

I decided to challenge myself and sign up for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days on Leslie Saeta's blog: http://www.lesliesaeta.blogspot.com .  What was I thinking?  Today was Day One and I painted a 20 x 16!!  I'm not sure, but just looking at the others on the posts, I think most were 6 x 6 or something.  I just thought, here is an image from Provence I wanted to paint and I have ALL DAY.  Right?  Well, you know what happens when you think that!  Everyone including the cat needs you to do something for them.  Not to mention the house still needs a good cleaning from Christmas, but I won't go there.

Actually too, I changed the scene somewhat.  The cart in the front was folded material and not flowers.  Luckily I had photos of flowers in the markets that I could get ideas from. SO, it may need a little more twinkin' in a few days but that's it for Day One.

Stay tuned for the rest of the month!  I plan to travel through France and Italy with my images.  After all, I haven't painted Monet's Garden since I returned.

 

Happy New Year to you and yours.  I wish you a prosperous and healthy coming year.

 

Durinda

 



Monet, Monet!

Jeanne and Pat on the Japanese Bridge in Monet's Garden

Yes, it was raining the day we went to Giverny to see Monet's House and Garden.  And, it wasn't an easy trip.  First, we left Paris on the Metro (their subway) to the train station.  Then we took the train to Vernon, a town next to Giverny because the train doesn't go to Giverny.  I think Monet chose this town on purpose for that reason!  So then you catch a bus from Vernon to get there.  You could take a cab, but then you would have to make arrangements for a pick-up since they don't hang around in Giverny.  Finally we are there in every painter's paradise!  I have been there and painted there in the past, but never saw the iris and the wisteria in bloom.  Amazing!  Even in the rain, the colors were spectacular!  

I just happened to catch ONE of the school groups having a group photo.  They looked to be 4 or 5 yrs old.  There were hordes of school children there!  I felt sad that it was raining on their field day but very pleased that their teachers wanted to bring the children to see the home and gardens of an artist! 
Monet loved children.  After his first wife Camille died, he and Alice who became his second wife, raised his two sons and her children in Giverny.  He painted them in the gardens.  I like to imagine the family living there.  The kitchen is my favorite room.  It is tiled in blue and white and is large and cheery.  I can see the children coming and going while Alice cooks, Monet outside painting with Blanche, one of his stepdaughters, rolling a wheelbarrow filled with canvases for him.  She loved to paint too! 
I just want to say, "Thank you, Mr. Monet, for devoting your life to painting and to gardening so that generations to come can enjoy your art and your home."  And thanks to the Claude Monet Foundation for restoring the properties and maintaining them.  If you like Monet's paintings, I hope that you have a chance to visit Giverny and see the places in the paintings!

That reminds me, I need to water my flowers!
Au Revoir!

Durinda

 

An Artist's Life

Van Gogh's portrait sculpture outside the Maison de Sante Saint-Paul  Mental Hospital in St. Remy-de Provence-France

I am still haunted by the memories of visiting the St. Remy mental hospital where Van Gogh stayed for a year (1889-1890).  He has always been an artist that I was interested in.  I wondered about his heavy worm-like brushstrokes.  What did he see?  What did he think?  The more I read and researched his life, the more questions would appear.

Fortunately for us, his sister-in-law kept all the letters that Vincent wrote to his brother Theo.  She also kept the paintings, hundreds of them that Vincent shipped to Paris, thinking that his brother the art dealer was actually selling some of them.  We all know he only sold one in his lifetime.  Thanks to Jo we have some insight into what and why Vincent painted what he did. 

At St. Remy, Vincent painted 142 paintings, some books say 150, and over 100 drawings.  Probably the most important period in his work. He had admitted himself to the hospital for rest, after a disastrous stay in Arles (I won't go into that).  When he was "improved" he was allowed out to paint around in the area.  This is where he painted the famous "Starry Night" and quite a few others that you would know. Think of all the money that Theo sent to cover canvas and paint! 

A bedroom typical of what Vincent would have had with a reproduction of one of his paintings he did while there.

Vincent for the most part, lived a very unhappy life, unable to have meaningful relationships with friends or family.  He had bouts of manic depression, maybe epilepsy, and maybe glaucoma.   But his inspiration to us is his passion and devotion to his art.  

So some of the questions:  Are we in love with his art or with his story?  If he were alive today, would his art be valued?  Would he be your friend or someone you would help?  Do you have to be crazy to be an artist? 

What do you think?

Off to the studio...
Durinda





ICE

Spending the day shopping at the street market in Isle sur de la Sorgue

May 17,2012

I don't know if you have ever traveled to Europe, but I am addicted to it.  There is just something about being in a new place that is very different from home.  I love everything about it.  There are however, a few things that we as Americans take for granted that the Europeans seem to live happily without.

Ice- never comes with a drink, not coke or tea.  Forget having it in a glass of water.  I know from being in New England it is not as common there either, but usually you can ask for it.  I figure the New Englanders are just too cheap to take up space in a drink with frozen water (sorry all my NE friends- this is a generalization of course!)  But in Europe, ice is used to keep things cold in a freezer and not to be consumed in a liquid drink.

Soft sheets and towels-never take for granted your indoor dryer and fabric softeners.  Most laundry is hung outdoors to dry in Europe just like your great-granny did it.  So no thick fluffy towels or 700 thread count cotton sheets unless you are staying in a 5 star hotel and paying the big bucks to sleep a few hours.  You're in Europe, for pete's sake, don't spend it in a hotel!

Washcloths-who knew that not having a washcloth would make any difference?  It's all in what you are used to, right?  A couple of our gals even bought some while we were there since they are not provided.  It is pretty universal in Europe not to have them. 

Shower curtains-some places do have glass doors for showers, but if there is a tub, there isn't a shower curtain.  You have to do the best you can to shower and not flood the entire bathroom.  OK, so it was me who flooded the bathroom in Paris the first day.  And given that you only get one towel for a week, you learn to direct the water so it doesn't spray all over the room. 

Toilet seats- now here's the "touchy" subject!  Few places have a separate men's and women's.  That means there usually isn't a seat on the toilet.  Guess it saves cleaning time?  No problem with keeping the lid up or down?  And that is if you are lucky enough to find an indoor toilet in a public place.  Yes, they still have the "holes".  I found it funny that they would have fancy metal hangers for purses or coats in the same room.  And usually have electric hand dryers.  I remember my dad telling me about the "water closets" that he saw when he was there during WWII.  Still there.  Maybe even some of the same ones? 

Despite the minor differences in things we deem as "normal" in the US, we 6 Tennessee gals plus 2 Minnesotans did a fairly good job of contributing to the ailing economy of France on this trip consuming delicious meals, pastries and desserts. And maybe a bottle of wine or two.  Not to mention the clothes, scarves, linens, and other items we all bought and brought back.  It was a hard job, but hey, somebody had to do it without ice on this trip!

For Memorial Day, let's not take for granted the lives and sacrifices of our military.  Enjoy your weekend.


Durinda

Every Artist's Dream!

Be prepared for what I am about to tell you! Painting in Monet's Gardens is every painter's dream if you love flowers, gardens, French architecture and landscape. What better way to experience the life of this famous artist than to live in his village and actually paint in his gardens! I have been fortunate to have been twice to experience this. I am about to make you an offer you can't refuse!

Art Study (http://www.artstudy.com/) in Giverny is able to offer us a week of living in Giverny (see the photos above for the house, the sunny kitchen, and the artist studio) at a reduced rate in the early fall. You can read all about them via their website and see that the other workshop sessions are listed. This one would be early September. I have been during that time and the gardens are aglow with dahlias, sunflowers, nasturiums, and the waterlilies! This is THEIR season! I can't guarantee the weather, but it won't be summer and it isn't too cool yet. I remember being quite comfortable painting out. We will have daily access- yes! Daily access to the Gardens to paint!

I have met Cello Bennett and been to her house and toured the studio. I can tell you that she is a very gracious and accommodating hostess. She is carrying on the en plein air experience for artists after the passing of her husband, Gayle, in March of this year. IF you ever thought you would want to see Monet's Gardens and Home, paint the French countryside and small villages, live and eat the French way, and actually paint in Monet's Gardens, this is the time for you!

Because Cello is giving us a reduced rate which includes all meals prepared by our own French chef except 3 lunches and 2 dinners (which will be events in themselves)and includes ground transportation for our side trips to paint around in the area, she is asking that we respond with a YES or a strong MAYBE asap. The deadline I am setting is February 5 for you to respond to me (no deposit yet). I need to tell her we have 7 painters interested! And, you can bring your nonpainting spouse or friend or other! Just remind them that it is a quiet village where they can relax, read, walk, ride bicycles, take photographs, etc. Of course they are welcome with us anywhere we go too! She will give a 10% discount on that second person with you!

This week will be YOUR focus. Bring what you want to work in, Cello will provide easels and turp for work in oils, watercolors or acrylics. I will offer as much or as little direction as you want. Take tons of photos. This is a chance of a lifetime for you as an artist or if you know an artist who might be interested, please tell them to contact me! I know the economy is all we hear about, but it isn't going to get any cheaper and this opportunity may not be offered again and for some of us, we ain't gettin' any younger! ;>)

Email me at: Durindacheek@gmail.com if you are thinking about it, have questions, etc before the deadline of February 5. Feel free to pass this information on to your art groups and friends. I am sure no painter will want to miss out on living every artist's dream!

Dreaming in French!

Durinda

Paintings from France

Here a few of the paintings from the Fountaine-Fourches workshop in France.

The first is a door on the barn/studio. I painted it one late afternoon when the sun was out. Then later I was able to "kick up" some values on the sunlit parts. It is oil on multi-media board that had been gessoed.

The center painting is part of the climbing rose over the pergola on the house. The window with the geraniums in the boxes is actually the room where I stayed. This was a morning painting. It is oil on Sourcetek panel.

The last painting is of a cottage in a village called Gravon. We set up to paint across the street from it. Ann, Sarah, and L.J. worked in watercolor while Anne painted in oil. Faye did a beautiful sketch of a door on another cottage and Kippy worked on the street scene in pastel. The lady of the house came out several times to see our progress. She was so nice. Kippy invited her to our final night reception and she came! I am very honored to say that all three were purchased that night. I will post a few others later to give you some idea of the picturesque landscape and architecture of the region.

One of the nicest things about staying in one place is the opportunity to work more on something when the conditions are right. Monet always worked on more than one painting at a time and would go back to work on them when the light and atmospheric conditions were the same. If the light and shadows change while you are working, stop! Sometimes you can "nail" the shadows first and get away with painting after the sun goes behind a cloud, but it is hard to remember all the colors you saw while it was shining. It is better to go back at the same time another day and finish it.

Another thing about staying in an area is you can locate the best time of day to paint. I like cast shadows when painting architecture, so I want the sun on it and behind me. One of our stops was the lovely town of Moret-sur-Loring, where Alfred Sisley painted. Our view of the river and mill was in shadow that afternoon. I had to move up the bank and to the left to see the light hitting the facade of a building across the bank and see the sunlight dancing on the water. (That will be another post!)

Hope you have a great National Holiday week and enjoy being with family and friends. I will celebrate my birthday with fireworks and a cookout. Sometimes, it pays to have a July 4 birthday!

Back to painting!

Durinda

Au Revoir, La Bonne Etoile!

Our workshop ended on Friday night with a "Vernisage" in the studio. Kippy explained that it was the night that the artists who were juried into the Salon in Paris would put the final coat of varnish on their works before the show opened to the public. It was the preview night for the patrons with a reception. Ours was lovely! The studio had tables decorated with flowers and of course, cheese, wine and champagne!

Each artist had a panel of their paintings and sketches from the workshop on display. Our watercolorists also had their sketchbooks out. Kippy and Jerome invited several guests including our chef Marc; the sculptor John-Paul; Chantal the art restoration expert; the house manager Madame DeLahye and her husband; neighbors; French friends Monique and Raymond from Gravon; artist Nicole and her husband from Villuis; and even ladies from Marnay-sur-Seine where we painted.

I was very proud of the work that each of the participants had completed from their first en plein air experience! I hope that they will all look back on this with many happy memories as I will: Living the life of an artist in France!

Check out my Picasa web photos for more workshop scenes!
Durinda

Bonjour from Fountaine-Fourches, France

Not sure if I can post any photos on this, I am trying to read the French on Mon Yahoo to know what to do. It is beautiful here in the countryside. It has been rainy and cool. I am sitting beside a fire after painting outside for an hour or so. I got cool- yes, I know it is quite warm back in the southeast US, but it is more like March here right now than June. I haven't been able to paint outdoors as much as I had planned, but the rest has been wonderful so far.



Tomorrow the workshop participants will arrive! I am ready to get to painting for the next two weeks. Kippy has driven me around to several villages and spots that will be perfect for our plein air experience. IF the weather continues to be cool and damp, we will use her barn/studio that has all the comforts and paint tres francais pottery, linens, fruits, vegetables, and beautiful roses from her garden.



As for painting, I am most happy with my Sourcetek panels. I wish I had brought a dozen more! I am painting with my Gamblin paints and trying out a medium called archival lean from Chroma that Kippy had in the studio. I will let you know how I like it. It is similar to Liquin, but not as gel-like, more like Galkyd Lite. I have been painting here around the house and studio, one of the door to the boiler room, but I call it the pottery shed, one of the rooftop of the house with the roses over the arbor, and one of the barn doors which lead to the studio upstairs. Will try to shoot and post them soon!

Until next time,

Au Revoir!

Durinda

Sourcetek Artist Panels for Plein Air Painting

Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Sourcetek at www.canvaspanels.com that I had won $100 of their products in their monthly drawing! I had gone on the site to order their artist panels for the upcoming France workshop and saw their promotion for their 10 year anniversary. I registered with the thoughts of placing my order later.

Sourcetek makes handmade artist canvas panels. I have used their birch panels for quite a while for my plein air work. They are easily packed, carried, and stored. Perfect for plein air work. This time, I am trying the Gatorboard panels. They will be even lighter to carry. I am so excited to share the panels with my workshop participants.

The owner, Will Pierce, also phoned to offer his help with the workshop. He will be sending sample product panels as well. This will allow my students to try the different supports and canvases to find their preference. Thanks Sourcetek! You will also see on their website the other products they carry such as brushes, paints, cleaners, and carriers. It is really nice to have a company with such top quality products that makes an artist's life much easier!

Keep painting!
Durinda