Thursday 28. 04 11 I have been working on this drawing of all the cousins that Rob and I visited on our trip. I think it is finished. Today have aso been working on the working drawings for a series of monoprints of London stations. Drew Paddington, Euston, St Pancras and King’s Cross today and yesterday did Waterloo. Still got Liverpool Street and Victoria to go.
Monday 25. 04. 11 Today I met Claire and we went for a stroll in the Parc Meric the home of the 19th century painter Frédéric Bazille which is near where she lives. This weekend there was an open air art show put on by ZAT. The show was throughout the parc with various installations including full size figures made of chicken wire stuffed with laurel leaves, young women wrapped in seranwrap attached to tree branches like cocoons, a tree with transitor radios hanging from it playing strange insect-like buzzing sounds, two dancers stripping in front of a huge tableau, a woman living with a horse. All manner of different things creating an atmosphere of exuberance and joy. It was quite wonderful.
Wednesday 20. 04 .11 Just back from tour of my cousins. Met up with Rob last Tuesday at Luton airport courtesy of Ryanair. Drove to Chris and Viv’s house in Hemingstone in Suffolk Tuesday. From there across country on Wednesday to John and Julie’s in Porthmadog. Thursday across Wales to Gerald and Chris at South Cerney and then on to Margaret and Martyn in Fovant near Salisbury on Friday. Richard and Lesley were also at Margaret’s so we connected with them too. On Saturday we met Bill in Bournemouth and then back to Margaret and Martyn Saturday night. Sunday we visited Maureen in Sandhurst and then I went on to London and Rob went back to Andrew’s. Quite a tour but brilliant! Everybody was wonderful, very hospitable and we ate magnificently. Rob flew back to Nova Scotia on Tuesday and I flew back here. Lots of good food, drink and conversation. Family is important and we must all stay in touch.
Monday 11. 04. 11 A very productive week at the atelier. I got all my Cross Canada monoprints done and 3 London stations. Off to the UK tomorrow to meet Rob. Whilst I’m there will try and photograph the stations again.
Thursday 07. 04. 11 It just gets better and better. Another good stint this morning and I produced another four monoprints in this series – only one left to go! I will have another week in the atelier at the beginning of May when I hope to do a series on London stations.
Wednesday 06. 04. 11 Another beautiful morning ride to the studio and I managed to print another five monoprints so I now have a total of 15 ready for painting. George dropped by on his bicycle this morning to see what I was up to. The photo above gives an idea of the Village des arts and metiers and each studio is the size of the triangular segment of the roof. Lac du Salagou is sparkling in the distance.
Tuesday 05. 04. 11 It has been two good days of work at the atelier. Both mornings have been warm and sunny so the drive has been a good start to the day. So far I have managed to to make 10 different monoprints based on my drawings. I have been surprised at how efficient a bigger studio with more working surfaces is. Once I’m back from the UK next week I intend to reorganize my own space.
Sunday 03. 04. 11 Another busy week. I have started two new paintings and have also been working on the large white van canvas. Have booked Joan’s studio and press for next week where I will be working on a series of monoprints based on my Cross Canada drawings.