A Painting A Week No 129 - Virginian Creeper, Chateau Biron

For Sale - 27th August 2013 
Virginian Creeper, Chateau Biron
Size: 15 x 21cm
(Postage and handling included)

I took this photo during my first French sojourn in the Lot district in 2003. I've always loved the photo and intended to paint it, and its taken me this long!  Its a start, but I would like to attempt a large canvas - will add it to the list.

I was visiting Chateau Biron at the time, and was captured by the gold and red Virginian Creeper climbing on the stonework inside the courtyard walls of the Chateau.  Its been a long time, but I still remember it clearly!

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my  Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 127 - Chania, Crete

For Sale - 31st July 2013 
Chania, Crete
Size: 21 x 15cm
(Postage and handling included)

We were in Crete a little over a year ago with some Sydney friends, and this was my favourite place. Chania is the second largest city in Crete, but it feels more like a bustling town. The 'old town' is built around a lovely harbour, and crammed with the usual Greek tavernas and bars. Behind this, is a myriad of lanes and alleyways to explore - fairly touristy I guess, but the whole place does have a great buzz to it, even when you get further away from the harbour, where'll you'll also find some interesting Minoan excavations, as well as Venetian and Turkish areas.

This painting is of a very small area along the waterfront (our hotel was the pale blue one on the right!), with the haphazard line of awnings, and shops and restaurants below. It was fairly windy when we visited, and the harbour was rough, hence no boats lined up along the front.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my  Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 122 - Shutters, Pont de Vecchio

For Sale - 26th February 2013
Shutters, Pont de Vecchio
Size: 21 x 15cm
(Postage and handling included)

I finished this painting just before we left Koroni, and the photo was taken on a visit to Florence during our last spring trip to Italy.  I always seem to spend ages in the attempt to get good photos of the Pont de Vecchio - there's something about the angles that I just can't seem to capture, though I do have some photos with good reflections!  Until I do manage to crack it, here's my interpretation of its wonderful wonky shutters.

I do often wonder whether all those hoards of people peering into the jewelers' shops on the bridge ever spend time actually looking at the character of this lovely bridge. 

These photos show 2 different sections of the bridge. It was evidently built in medieval times, and is unique in that it still has shops enclosed inside.






And whilst I'm on the subject of the Pont de Vecchio, my father was in Florence with the NZ Military at the end of World War II, and took this photo. Its amazing that the bridge itself wasn't destroyed. This was supposedly due to an express order by Hitler!

As you can see from this photo, the approach to Pont de Vecchio was destroyed.

A little bit of history with this week's painting!


If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my  Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 120 - Koroni Rooftops, a Trip Down Under... and A Wedding!

For Sale - 4th February 2013
Koroni Rooftops, Greece
SOLD
(Postage and handling included)

This painting has been done in a rather sketchy palette knife technique - a simplified version of one I did as a demonstration at some recent Acrylic Classes that I taught, in conjunction with my art buddy, Gill.  Here is a link to her website showing the most recent session, and you can also look back over the previous 3 weeks of Wednesday and Friday classes if you wish. http://artistswindow.com/new/2013/02/final-friday-acrylics-2/

It was an honour to be able to guide these lovely people through the technique that I generally use, and I was impressed with the work they did over the 4 week course. Considering most of them hadn't used acrylics before, and certainly not in this way, they turned out some beautiful paintings. We look forward to being able to continue in the spring.

This view from one of the pathways through the houses down to Koroni port, is one of many that I love, and I thought it appropriate to have it as this week's painting as we leave tomorrow for the slow and rather involved trip back to Australia. Car willing, we drive to Patras, and take the overnight ferry to Bari in Italy (assuming they're running - they're a little few and far between during the winter months, and I believe they were all on strike this weekend!) We'll spend a few days driving through Italy, and hope to arrive in the Languedoc during the weekend. We'll have a few days around Pezenas to take care of a bit more French bureaucracy and then on Valentine's Day, we both fly out of Paris, but in totally different directions; I go straight to Sydney, and Pete to Los Angeles for a couple of weeks with his Mum.

It will be busy visit to Sydney this time. No exhibition to worry about, but a wedding instead!  Yes, we're tying the knot on 23rd March!  I'm sure there'll be masses of rushing about getting organised, and of course, lots and lots of shopping and socialising.  We're also going up to Northern Queensland for a week, to attend James' graduation  from James Cook University, and we're looking forward to exploring the areas around Cairns and Townsville during that time. In our usual topsy turvey way, we're also turning it into an early honeymoon (which is just as well, because when we leave Australia, I fly off alone to spend 10 days in New Zealand!) I'm looking forward to trying my hand at painting some Australian beaches lined with swaying palms (and obviously the wedding too!)

Of course, I'm still hoping to post blogs and my weekly paintings as we travel about. I'm sure its just a matter of notching myself up a gear or three once we leave quiet peaceful Koroni..... we shall see!

I'm just adding a little note here - the ferries are still on strike and are not committing as to whether they'll be running Wednesday, so we've launched ourselves into Plan B, which is to fly from Athens to Montpellier, via Paris, (where we'll be leaving from a few days later) - it entails all sorts of complications, but hey, we'll get there eventually!

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my  Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 117 - Vieux Menton

For Sale - 29th November 2012
Vieux Menton, France
Size: 21 x 15cm
SOLD
(Postage and handling included)

I love this view of Menton old town from across the bay. It comes into sight just after arriving in France from Italy along the coastal road, and to me highlights the wonderful haphazardness and colour of old Europe. Its rather tricky to photograph as it needs morning sun, and then a nice clear day, and a good long lens helps too. You may have noticed that I've painted a version of this 2 or 3 times before, and probably will again!

Menton itself is a slightly more sedate version of Nice or Cannes and a great base for exploring that part of Provence by train. Formerly entertwined with the principality of Monaco, Menton became a part of France in 1860.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my  Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 115 - Idle Boats, Vernazza

For Sale - 13th November 2012
Idle Boats, Vernazza
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

Now that we're back in Koroni, I have many many more photos to reference for my paintings.  Its been an incredibly busy year of travelling, and it's likely I'm going to have to spend all winter organising all these photos, not to mention  previous years. This one though, was taken during a spring visit to Vernazza in Italy's lovely Cinque Terre.  Some of the boats that are usually moored in a nice orderly line in the harbour were lying up on the higher level amongst the restaurants, I would suspect, following a nice winter paint job.

When I was actually painting this I was thinking it was Portofino as I have taken similar photos there, but then as I was working on 'ageing' the buildings, I realised it couldn't possibly be Portfofino; the buildings in the background were far too 'tatty' (just as I like them!)

We were in Vernazza again about a month ago with James, and I'm pleased to report it seems to have almost recovered from the devastating mudslide there last autumn. The harbour area is back to normal, though the main street through the town is still pretty chaotic and noisy, with workmen, jackhammers and the like. Most of the shops do seem to have reopened and are sporting new and interesting facades.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my  Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 114 - Albi, France

For Sale - 1st November 2012
Albi, France
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

We are still in belle France and the sun is now shining brightly after nearly a week of messier and colder stuff. It's been a sharp reminder of winters spent in France, and those 'warmer' items of clothing I packed in Greece really haven't done the trick at all!

I took the photo for this painting some years ago, and despite the 'washed out' blue sky, it was a very cold gloomy day. Following a lot of heavy rain, the buildings across the river Tarn glowed in rich shades of ochre, with the water almost matching them. The photo was taken from the garden outside of the lovely Musee Toulouse Latrec, which stands next to the huge cathedral which is so very stark from the outside and incredibly detailed inside.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my  Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 105

For Sale - 7th June 2012
Le Restaurant, Bergerac, France
Size: 15 x 21cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

Bergerac in South West France, has a lovely old town, along with its well known airport!  It's well worth a wander through the small streets with their cafes and restaurants.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 103

For Sale - 24th April 2012
Près de l'arène Romaine, Arles
Size: 15 x 21cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

I've been intending to do a painting of this street corner in Arles for ages. Each time I go to the Roman Arena there, and look down onto the town and rooftops, this interesting little corner opposite, crammed with the green and red umbrellas, Pizzeria signs, plants, and tableclothes for sale, 'jumps out' at me! I spent a week in Arles a few years ago, and suspect I may have photographed nearly every corner, door and shutter in this old Roman town. I'm always happy to go back there though.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on this link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 98

For Sale - 7th February 2012
Vieste, Italy

Size: 21 x 15cm

Price A$90

(Postage and handling included)

We discovered the little town of Vieste on our trek through to France to catch our flight to Australia. To avoid having to drive across central or northern Italy in case of snow when we returned in January, we caught the ferry across to Brindisi in the south, then headed to what looked like an interesting, and for us, unvisited part of Italy.

The small spur north of Bari is the Gargano promontory - a mountainous area of mostly national park, with the remains of ancient oak and beech forests and some coastal towns. Vieste itself, sits on a rocky outcrop, with a lovely and reasonably unspoilt old town. As is the case with a lot of towns in this part of Italy, it had a rather Greek feel to it, with mostly whitewashed buildings spilling down to the Adriatic Sea. It is most definitely an area for us to return to and explore. There are some great beaches in the area, but I suspect the summer months would be bedlam in true Italian beachside fashion!

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on the following link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 95

For Sale - 4th October 2011  [SOLD]

Le Bellevue, L'Isle sur la Sorgue

Size: 21 x 15cm

Price A$90

(Postage and handling included)

Back in the Languedoc region of France again and its lovely to be amongst the never-ending rows of vines and the big blue skies.  I did this painting after a visit to the lovely Luberon town of L'Isle sur la Sorgue on a previous trip. This restaurant always caught my eye when we wandered around - I suspect it was all the red with the deep green of one of the many the canals behind. If you've been there, you'll know what I mean.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on the following link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 88

For Sale - 13th July 2011

Skiathos, Greece

Size: 21 x 15cm

Price A$90

(Postage and handling included)

What a lucky one I am – here in Skiathos, I wake up in the morning and jump into the pool, then after my favourite Greek yoghurt and fruit, I take a wander over to the adjacent beach bar for a coffee, and perhaps another dip, then it’s into the studio for a few hours of creativity, followed by more swims, perhaps a siesta.... well it has been extremely hot, and painting is such hard work!  This is a truly beautiful spot – I doubt I’ll ever manage to do it justice in my paintings – you’ll have to come and see it yourself! .........

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on the following link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 85

For Sale - 24th May 2011

Portovenere, Italy

Size: 21 x 15cm

Price A$90

(Postage and handling included)

When we were in Italy recently we discovered Portovenere, a lovely village south of Cinque Terre, perched on a promontory in the Gulf of Poets. It has a similar feel to it as the Cinque Terre villages, with narrow colourful buildings squeezed in between the harbour and interesting little alleys leading up to a fort and castle on the hill.  There's also a beautiful grey and white striped 12th century church (San Pietro) standing at the gateway to the peaceful harbour.

Portovenere (Portus Veneris) was built by the Romans as a base enroute from Gaul to Spain, and was used in later years the Byzantines, Lombards, the Genovese and Napoleon. It is also reknown as a former haunt of the poet Byron.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on the following link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting A Week No 83

For Sale - 11th May 2011  [SOLD]
La Baie, Nice
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

We spent a couple of nights in Nice recently and a friend had given me a brochure from the local tourist office which showed paintings of the area by famous artists. How exciting was that - standing in the actual spot (well, close anyway) where Matisse, Raoul Dufy and Picaso had stood to paint, and seeing that same view that they'd turned into masterpieces. This painting is a modest attempt from me to capture 'la baie des anges, Nice' - the Bay of Angels - the large sweeping bay which was a favourite to paint in the early 19th century.

If you would like to buy this painting, please click on the following link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

A Painting a Week - No 75

For Sale - 22nd February 2011
Saint Cirq Lapopie
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

Saint Cirq Lapopie in France, is a tiny hillside village overlooking the River Lot, and is a 'must' to see when visiting the Lot region. With its medieval fortress and church sitting proudly above the village, and the little village houses spreading down the hillside towards the winding road, it provides some stunning photos as you head up towards the village. Saint Cirq Lapopie has been a haven for many artists throughout its time, and there are some wonderful galleries tucked into the tiny streets, as well as good restaurants and fascinating shops. It has already been the subject of a few of my paintings, and I know I sound like I'm working for the tourist office, but it is well worth visiting if you're in the region!
If you would like to buy this painting, please click on the following link to my Art Weekly Online Shop, or if you'd rather deal with me direct, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com.

Please note that there is also a Currency Converter in both this blog site (scroll down), and my website at http://www.jackiesherwood.com/

A Painting a Week - No 68

For Sale - 4th January 2011  [SOLD]
Siena, Piazza del Campo
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

Siena was rather impressive despite the tourists, and I would think the subject of the painting, Piazza del Campo, or Il Campo, as the locals call it, would take a huge amount of people before it felt crowded anyway. Its a massive space! This is the site of the famous Palio di Siena - the horse race which takes place twice annually, with bare back jockeys on horses hurtling around the Piazza as they did in medieval times,though I believe they then raced buffalo and donkeys.

Another wonderful discovery in Siena was the mindboggling array of beautiful handbag and shoe shops. So many of them side by side and all seemed excellent quality and well priced. I will have to get back there soon to have a good look around for sure.

If you're interested in purchasing this painting, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com to arrange payment and delivery.

I now have an accompanying site which allows you to use Paypal or credit cards to purchase these paintings. Please click on the following link Art Weekly Online Shop.

Please note that there is now a Currency Converter in both this blog site (scroll down), and my website (http://www.jackiesherwood.com/)

A Painting a Week - No 67

For Sale - 28th December 2010
A Glimpse of Paris #2
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

As I mentioned in the email, I painted this one at the same time as 'A Glimpse of Paris #3', following our stay there in October. I particularly love being in Paris in autumn, but for some reason this year, a lot of the leaves on the trees looked as though it was spring, with fresh lime green foliage - perhaps there'd been more rain than usual.

I tried to get in some Paris sketching, but it was a little cold to spend much time outside with my pen and sketchbook. What little I did seems ok and I stayed fairly loose, probably because I couldn't take much time fiddling with them. I've posted some of these Paris sketches on my new Art Blog http://jackiesherwood.weebly.com/art-blog.html

If you're interested in purchasing this painting, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com to arrange payment and delivery.

I now have an accompanying site which allows you to use Paypal or credit cards to purchase these paintings. Please click on the following link Art Weekly Online Shop

Please note that there is now a Currency Converter in both this blog site (scroll down), and my website (http://www.jackiesherwood.com/)

A Painting a Week - No 65

For Sale - 12th December 2010  [SOLD]
Van Gogh's Sanctuary, Arles
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

I discovered this spot a few years ago when I spent a couple of weeks in Arles and did little apart from wander around the town and take photos. This was the hospital where Van Gogh spent some time - not sure whether it was after he chopped off his ear or during one of his rather frequent bouts of depression! It is relatively difficult to find unless you know where to look for it, or just stumble across it like I did as its almost amongst the old shopping streets. Van Gogh actually did do a beautiful painting here called Courtyard in the Hospital in Arles.

If you're interested in purchasing this painting, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com to arrange payment and delivery.

I now have an accompanying site which allows you to use Paypal or credit cards to purchase these paintings. Please click on the following link Art Weekly Online Shop.

Please note that there is now a Currency Converter in both this blog site (scroll down), and my website (http://www.jackiesherwood.com/)

A Painting a Week - No 64

For Sale - 8th December 2010
St Tropez
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

St Tropez was chaotic when we visited recently. We'd arrived in the middle one of their biggest annual Sailing Regattas, Les Voiles de St Tropez.  The harbour was crammed with giant yatchts and cruisers and you could barely see the other side of the harbour, the rows of coloured houses being towered over by masts. The bay itself was a picture of movement under sail - a lovely time to visit albeit rather frantic. We took a break from the harbour and spent time wandering around the lovely quiet laneways eating ice-creams!
If you're interested in purchasing this painting, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com to arrange payment and delivery.

I now have an accompanying site which allows you to use Paypal or credit cards to purchase these paintings.  Please click on the following link Art Weekly Online Shop
Please note that there is now a Currency Converter in both this blog site (scroll down), and my website (http://www.jackiesherwood.com/)

A Painting a Week - No 61

For Sale - 15th November 2010
Rooftops of Corfu Town
Size: 21 x 15cm
Price A$90
(Postage and handling included)

We spent a few days in Corfu last month on our way through to Italy. Corfu Town totally impressed me as it really is a beautiful place. Admittedly it is fairly touristy in parts but it has a great buzz about it and you can still feel the 'presence' of the place, despite all the cafes and restaurants. The old town, where we stayed, is made up of masses of interesting narrow streets which are intertwined by wide pedestrianised areas lined with grand colonnaded buildings, built mostly by the Venetians. The rich yellows and ochres of many of the buildings give the town a more Italian than Greek feel and then just to confuse you even more, there are wide green ovals which on which you see white clad men playng cricket.

I took this photo from the top of the New Fort (built around the 1670's) It had the most amazing views over the rooftops of the town and I was in seventh heaven visulizing more paintings (what is it with me and rooftops I wonder - perhaps I was a bird in a previous life!)

If you're interested in purchasing this painting, please email me at either jackiesinfrance@hotmail.com or jackie@jackiesherwood.com to arrange payment and delivery. Please note that there is now a Currency Converter in both this blog site (scroll down), and my website (http://www.jackiesherwood.com/)