A Painting a Day, or perhaps a Week!

Having recently digested the wonderful websites/blogspots worldwide by a large group of artists (after discovering Julian Merrow Smith, an artist living in Provence) who have adopted "A Painting a Day", I think its time for me to expand my horizons and join in.
It will not only be a challenge and a wonderful discipline, but also a great way to keep my family and friends in touch with what I'm actually doing here on the other side of the world!
Initially, although I intend to work towards the Painting A Day..., I will produce at least one small painting each week, and email it out to everyone on my mailing list.
I will also post it on this Blogsite, along with the price and information about size, medium etc.
If anyone would like to buy that painting, simply email me and we will work out payment and delivery details. Obviously there is absolutely no pressure to buy anything, and if you'd prefer to be taken off the mailing list, please just let me know. At some stage in the future, I will send out a form, asking whether you'd like to remain on the mailing list for these paintings.

I will still be adding to this Blogsite regularly to write and to post sketches and photographs about life here in the Languedoc, on our recent travels and general day to day happenings.

Stay tuned for the first painting in the first week of December......

Languedoc Autumn

Wonderful vibrant colours as far as the eye can see - what more can I say. Take a look at my Languedoc Autum photos on http://picasaweb.google.com.au/jackiesinfrance

Towards Spain

We recently spent a couple of days at one of our favourite spots along the coast just above the Spanish border. Collioure is a wonderful colourful fishing village, a little touristy, but not too spoilt. In the early 20th century it was a favourite haunt of the Fauvists; Matisse, Dufy, Dupain etc. and even now many of the houses along the pretty narrow streets are painted in vivid colours, recognising this Fauvist style of painting. The light is also considered particularly special along this part of the coast.

The next town along is Port Vendres, though not quite as stunning as Collioure, its coloured fishermans cottages overlook a pretty working harbour and marina.

Next stop Spain. We ventured along the winding coast road into Spain and stopped briefly at Port de la Selva, a white higgeldy piggeldy town sitting low on the water with the afternoon sun peeking through the clouds.

The Pelopponese

Ah what an area - and I thought the sea was blue in the north! The eastern part of the Pelopponese was rugged with small fishing villages tucked down the side of rocky mountains. Just when we were tiring of driving along the steep narrow roads with eyes out on sticks for yet another amazing view, we'd stumble upon a sleepy village nestled in a bay with the traditional taverna, loud Greek music and welcoming smells and fishing boats galore bobbing on the harbour. A quick negotition for a room and we were all set for a night or two.

Korfos

Central Greece - Meteora

We visited Meteora - the village of Kalambaka is built right on the base of the most incredible array of steep rocky formations with several different monasteries perched on rocky outcrops. How they ever managed to build them is a mystery to me!

North Eastern Greece

After the drive through northern central Greece, where parts ressembled Switzerland (weather included!) we arrived at our destination for 6 weeks.

Peter's Mum has an apartment in Nea Peramos, a lovely beachside town with bars and restaurants lined up along the water, and the old town with teensy old shops lined up amidst the potholes!

Kavala, perched on a bay further north, was our nearest city. It is set on a hill around a harbour - a typical mish mash of white buildings.

Central Greece

Central Greece is a mixture of huge mountains, sometimes craggy and barren but also often covered in pines, and long flat plains growing every crop imaginable.