Monday 30. 07. 12 Last night went over to Octon with Vincent and Carol to a concert by Bertrand’s group Jazzymuté. A very convivial evening with a meal and music which was an eclectic mixture of tunes from Mi’Lord to Lady Madonna to Brubeck’s Take Five. Quite wonderful.
Tuesday 24. 07. 12 After my trip up the Hérault yesterday I thought that I would experiment with a different technique today. The above is painted on oiled kraft paper. The technique is quite quick and you can use washes/glazes – this painting was done in one go but I want to see if you can build up washes/glazes. Painting on paper is interesting too – it makes me feel free to experiment and make mistakes.
Monday 23. 07. 12 Worked on La Coiffeuse in the studio in the morning and then in the afternoon went up the Hérault looking for reference for the Hérault series. Solved the mystery of the man in the boat in Valleraugues – it is a dummy!!!!
Monday 16. 07. 12 Spent most of the day riding along the Hérault up to Valleraugue and back researching potential landscapes for a series of paintings on the Hérault valley. I shot this at Valleraugues and couldn’t figure out whether he was reading a Kindle of sketching on a iPad in his garden boat in the middle of the river!!!
Sunday 15. 07. 12 Since Carole left to go back to TO on Wednesday I have been casting around for a new project. I have cleaned up the studio, gone to the beach, watched the Tour de France, watched the Bastille Day fireworks, tried out my new watercolour pastels and thought a lot. This week I hope to be more focussed.
Thursday 06. 07. 12 Just back from a few days in Brittany. Totally different landscape to here, no wines, greener, lusher with skies that change constantly. Cooler light with wonderful clouds – very similar to Ireland. Culturally similar too with the common celtic heritage. Will go back for longer and to do some painting.