Goodbye France....Hello Barcelona

We have arrived in Barcelona it took us all day from Amboise, France by train to Paris then on the Metro to the airport...our flight was delayed and it was well after my bedtime by the time we arrived at the hotel in the heart of Barcelona.

I spent the past weekend painting and sketching in Amboise; enjoyed the sunny warm days and tried to absorb all things French.

I have included two more sketches of the The Belfry (done on watercolour paper) and Bigot Pastissere.

Both of these city structures are at the heart of Amboise. Hopefully on Friday I will have some interesting sketches of Barcelona.

Thank you for your support and taking the time out of your busy day to read my blog.

Happy creating....until next time

Nadine

My Escape In France

A long time ago I had a vision that someday I would spend 3-6 months in a little village in the south of France; painting and drawing.....learning a new language and just enjoying the French culture and history.

I believe my vision to escape to France has come true. It may not be for 3 or 6 months but hey, I'm not going to complain if I can sketch and draw for 6 days I feel that I have arrived. That time is now and is not to be wasted. I'm taking this opportunity...it may never happen again. The following photographs are not great, but a girl has to work with what she's got! I have been sketching a lot and it's very hard to choose what to include.....

Happy creating...until next time

Nadine

Practice and Perspective

Yesterday I found myself feeling discouraged with a sketch...just couldn't get that perspective right!

Paris is a huge city with people all around; I found that I was able to focus for short bursts at a time. The buildings and street scenes appear busy and overwhelming most of the time; so focusing on a smaller section and build the sketch from there seemed to help me out.

Now that life is quieter and the pace is slower in Amboise, I am hoping to practice sketching perspective more! At least that is the intent! There are so fabulous views and subject matter that I

Would love to capture not only on camera but in my sketches. So today, no matter what I need to sketch something and leave it in the sketchbook, it's all part of my creative journey!

My perspective of the Chateaux Amboise.

Happy creating...until next time

Nadine

Monet and Me

I don't have a PhD or a Masters in art history, Impressionism or in gardening...but I do love all do these creative outlooks. I have come to realize that creativity and me have always been Cinderella spirits!

Today, when I first stepped into this tiny village of Giverny, my first thought  was that nothing much had changed in the last 150 years. Then I thought, "Why wasn't this place more developed, exploited and built up like Graceland was for Elvis?" And next came, "How did the local community prevent the expansion of growth especially with the great explosion around Impressionism in the art world"?

I was about to enter into another time - Monet's Home and his gardens. I could hardly contain my excitement. Here was a man that wanted his children to grow and learn in a beautiful environment and a place where he could paint whatever was blooming at the time. That garden would become an obsession as well as his painting of those same gardens. The image that Monet had, a riot of colour in an organized manner, was so unusual in a time of clipped and sculpted hedges. He simply broke free!  For me, it was a joy to see it, walk it and breathe it! What a fabulous day - even the rain held off! Yupee for us..

I've included a small sketch of the Staff Quarter's at the Baudy Hotel in Giverny.

Happy creating...Until next time....

Nadine

Paris and Us

The best part of today was waking up in Paris. I can't believe just a week ago I was reflecting on going back to school and birthdays and here I am with the love of life in the "city of love".

We had an amazing day. First of all the rain stopped and the sun broke out, so immediately after breakfast we visited the Rodin Museum. The gardens were beautiful and the highlights were two of Rodin's  famous sculptures; The Thinker and The Gates of Hell. It truly is amazing to see all that emotion cast in bronze.

We walked down the des Champs-Élysées and window shopped at all the upscale stores including Laduree. We climbed to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to take in the spectacular views of Paris. Very impressive...and our bodies didn't rebel too much! We have been navigating the Metro and doing such a fine job of it, we decided let's have lunch in Montmartre! We were off once again!

After lunch we toured around Montmartre and just enjoyed another neighbourhood around Paris.  It doesn't take a lot of thinking to know how beautiful and unique Paris is.

until next time...

Nadine

Friday, France and Fabulous

Today I'm housekeeping, emptying the fridge and packing up for yet another fabulous adventure! My husband and I are travelling to France, visiting Paris, Amboise and a number of other destinations in France still to be determined; and finally spending our last week in Barcelona, Spain.

I'm very excited to say the least.  Imagine spending your birthday month in a place that embraces
all things decedent; art, wine, cheese, fashion.....it's wonderful.

In response to all this pending excitement and to calm myself; I journaled a mixed media piece....to be completed after our visit to France. Here is a peek!

Happy creating....until the next time

Nadine

Today

Today is my birthday and back to school for thousands of students. This day, in particular, conjures up many images for me from the time I can remember. Rarely it is a sad memory; but instead memories of great excitement and anticipation involving the return to the classroom and seeing my friends.  My oldest granddaughter starts her first day of school this week, making new friends, meeting her teacher and growing up so fast. A new chapter in her life begins, how exciting is that!

Fall is definitely in the air and often that means the flowers are finishing and the harvest is winding down after a bountiful summer crop.  However I just love the roses that are in bloom now...bright and fragrant that remind us that there is beauty all around us no matter what time of year it is.

I feel very blessed in my life...and for all the adventures that lies ahead of me.

Happy creating....until next time.

Nadine

No Excuses

I gave myself permission not to blog during our family vacation knowing that I wouldn't have the time let alone the energy, however I am reevaluating that decision. My blog is about doing just what I am able to at that moment with no added pressure. The process is about the "journey" of creating not producing masterpieces every day or every time I want to post a story. Originally I committed to blogging twice a week (Tuesday and Friday); I am re-committing to this original schedule as this will show a true "creative journey" that anyone can start or do. So in conclusion, no more excuses.

I did manage to "create" a little on our family vacation and I shared this venture with my grandchildren. (Small watercolour sketches on Qualicum Beach (10" x 7"). How sweet is that! Note to self....it's the journey that matters no matter how big or small.

Until next time....happy creating

Nadine

Qualicum Beach looking towards Lasqueti and Texanda Islands

A Touch of Orange

I've been away with the family on vacation....as a result, I've been way too busy to blog.

Today is September 1st; summer is disappearing all too quickly however, my favourite time of year has got to be the fall. The air is crisp as is the ground we walk upon. The colours are warm, full of yellows, oranges and reds. The city and country markets have an incredible array of produce to temp our tastebuds. My sketchbook reflects all of this.

Today, I've included a little peek! Now I just have to figure out how to turn this image around!

Happy creating...until next time....
Nadine