Mushroom & Artichoke Salad

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The very first time I tried artichokes was, believe it or not, in California.  My husband and I had finally taken a long awaited trip all along the CA coast on Rt.1.  There are no words to describe this, you just have to do it.  Tim had mentioned that we taking this trip to a friend of his and he asked if we happened along a market or two, might we pick up a case of fresh artichokes.  Sure, of course.  We found beauties.  Said friend proceeded to surprise us with some of the freshly prepared still warm artichokes and that was it.  I was hooked for life.

So when Lynn from Southern Fried French posted this salad on her blog, I was there...  Thanks Lynn!  oh and ps - the painting looks so much better in person.  I tried everything, but just can't get the glow to show on the bottle properly, lol

Cabanon

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The french countryside is full of these structures/cabanons/sheds frequently built in vineyards with such character.  I imagine there are some wonderful stories to ponder with perhaps a bit of fromage and a delightful glass of wine.  Speaking of wine, check out Chef Grape (Kristin's husband who just happens to own a vineyard).  Very hard work indeed...

Photo compliments of Kristin at French Word a Day blog.

Our Daily Bread

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The moment I saw this woman's glow of reflected light from the refrigerated section of this market shop, I knew without a doubt that this was going to be an absolute joy to paint straight through from beginning to end...  I'm sure I'm not the only artist out there that can say 'I love it when I stay this loose'.  It's fresh, like the paint is still wet - I can almost smell wonderful gobs of paint as I look at it.

It makes every lesson, every book read (not just looking at the pictures, lol), every discarded painting, every angst moment, every plein aire study (including red ant bites, etc), all of the monies spent not just on supplies, but marketing mistakes (OR lessons learned), etc, etc - WORTH IT.

This was a shot from a trip my husband and I took last year on our 20th Anniversary to San Francisco.  When you depart from the ferry, there are great shops and food markets all along the pier.

Bicycle Passages - SOLD

I think a lot of us really enjoy riding our bicycles just about anywhere, but this looks to be a very easy peasey day of extraordinary peace while aromas are lofting through the air via a wonderful French lavender field. And we all know what lavender is known for. I'd probably have fallen off the bicycle from just being so relaxed!

Photo compliment of Kristin from French Word a Day blog.

Garlic

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I considered emotional responses to the subject matter with this piece and truly enjoyed painting it.  Finding all the nuances of color, the very slight variations and then 'not' overworking it... challenging, but truly happy when I felt I managed my original concept.

Shades - SOLD

True story...  so I find this material that I like, throw it on the still life support, etc.  I had my sunglasses in my hand cause I was going to run outside to do something.  In the meantime, my cell phone rang and I threw the sunglasses down and answered the phone.  When I came back and looked down, I loved what I saw and that was that.  End of story.  I simply love it when things come together all by themselves.  Oh happy accidents...

Summer Soire - SOLD

Perfect thoughts of summer evenings come to mind as we see her head towards a romantic rendezvous with great expectation.  Photo compliments of Peruvian Connection.