30. 10. 08. Thursday. I finished painting Les Negociants 2 yesterday and sent it out to the usual suspects as proof that I’m still alive and well and painting over here. I had an enquiry last evening as to size and price etc and then this morning an e mail telling me that it was sold!!! Amazing, I only wish I could sell all my paintings this quickly. Thanks again Fran and Clive for your support.
26. 10. 08. Sunday. It has been a busy weekend. I completed a painting Umbrella Pines yesterday and then today as the weather was so warm and sunny I drove down to Florensac and did another river painting. Florensac is on the Hérault between Pezenas and Agde. High noon on a lazy, sunny fall day. After I had finished I drove on to Marseillan and then alongside the beach we go to in the summer, between Marseillan and Sete. Not the crowds of summer, but still people sunbathing and even a few paddling at the water’s edge.
23. 10. 08 Thursday. Today I went on a guided tour of Clermont under the auspices of an association celebrating local history and Languedoc culture. It began with a reception in the Espace des Penitents with coffee and pastries, during which there was an address by the mayor. Then the historian took over and, after a general overview, described the history of the Espace des Penitents. Construction began on the priory in 1319 and since then it has had numerous uses, from a meeting place for revolutionaries, an orphanage, a gymnasium, a vegetable market to finally now an exhibition space. By this time we had finished our coffee so on we went to St Paul’s and then up through the old town to the chateau. All the while getting the official history but also a more local and more recent history from several members of the group who reminisced en passant about landmarks and events from their childhood. It was absolutely fascinating and, even though some of it was not that easy for me to understand, it was a very rewarding morning.
21. 10. 08. Tuesday. I have been back here just over a week and have been busy with my series on the Hérault. I am documenting the river from source to mouth in a series of 16 drawings, 16 paintings and 16 monoprints. I have finished 3 new paintings and one monoprint since I got back and am hoping to finish the series before Christmas. I have also enrolled in a class for graveurs and am learning various techniques for printmaking – dry point, etching etc. I went to my first one today and was happy that there are only 4 in the class and everyone was very “sympa” and encouraging. As a bonus of course I get to improve my French at the same time learning all these new words. Just had an email from Jan and Ralph Marriott who will be staying here in early November for a couple of days en route to Italy.
08. 10. 08. Wednesday. Just got back from the Studio Tour in Merrickville. I went up last weekend and then stayed with Martin and Beryl throughout the week. Not as many visitors as last year or the year before. In fact it has been declining every year but still I sold 3 paintings in total which was better than 07. Last Saturday morning was pretty discouraging as we didn’t have even one visitor but Martin and I chatted away so the time was not wasted. The first weekend Martin and Beryl had a full house with Fran and Clive, Veronica and Arthur and Alan and Lea. It was a bit quieter this weekend as Virginia only stayed Saturday night and then we drove back together on Sunday evening. We were out and about in the week with our mandatory visits to Costco and Wallacks. We also managed a lunch at Brigadoon and Martin and I toured the galleries in Ottawa on Friday. Will we do it again next year? We are thinking about it and will keep you posted. Inspite of the low attendance and low sales we did enjoy chatting to the visitors who seem to have become more interested and interesting each year which is a huge plus. I also saw Judith Moore and saw Le Terminus which she had sold and had framed – it looked great as did my framed monoprints which she is currently showing in her gallery
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I’m back in France now and am looking forward to getting back to work.