Saturday 06. 02. 10 This is the drawing on a yellow ground for the winter landscape near Plaissan. I am hoping this colour will work with the more acidic colours at this time of the year.
George v1
Friday 05. 02. 10 Finally got some paint on the canvas for the painting of George, Lawrence and Diane’s lurcher whom I met when I was staying with them in Stevenage last November. The painting is based on a photo that I took when out walking in the woods near their house. I also sketched in another painting of the winter landscape near Plaissan which is about 10 minutes from here. I think I’m back on track after nearly two months out of the studio. Feels good.
Spring?
Wednesday 03. 02. 10 Today is market day and bunches of mimosa’s are on sale so I assume that Spring is here. It is sunny and there is just a hint of warmth in the air. Currently working on a couple of large landscapes. One of Lawrence’s lurcher George, in the woods near his home and the other a winter landscape near Plaissan. Both 100 x 80 cm. Have also been reading Sarah Bakewell’s biography of Montaigne – the world’s first blogger in 1572! A great read.
January Lunch
Monday 25. 01. 10 Yesterday went to lunch at Gisèle and Jonathan’s house. It was a dull, grey, rainy day but the gloom was soon dispelled when I went inside and was greeted by a warm, crackling log fire. We had a very convivial lunch with much laughter aided by the ice wine I had brought from Canada. Above is a photo of the previous lunch I had had chez Gisèle and Jonathan at the end of November with Arlette and Monique. Arlette took the photo.
New Landscape
Monday 18. 01. 10 Finally finished this big landscape 100 cm x 80 cm which I started last Fall and I’m quite pleased with it. Now off to my etching class to continue the etchings for The Ride series. Yes it is real grass>
Lunch chez les Valettes
Sunday 17. 01. 10 Today I went with Claire to lunch with Clemence’s family. Clemence is Daisy’s French pen friend who lives in Baillargues which is just on the edge of Montpellier. We had a very relaxed and tasty meal starting with Gamba shrimps, followed by 
pasta with mushrooms and then cake for dessert. I had brought some Canadian ice wine so we had this after the meal. They moved into their new house in September and are still settling in and finishing various projects. It is a great house and Jean-Luc and Isabelle have their bedroom on the ground floor and the girls have the second floor. The grey rabbit lives in the living room.
Family Portrait
Sunday 10. 01. 10 Today was the final family meal before I return to France. We all had a great meal at Carole’s and then Alisa took the official portrait above.
Christmas & New Year
Friday 01. 01. 10 Have had a fabulous Christmas and New Year. Christmas was the usual family extravaganza with lots of presents and good food, unfortunately marred this year by some sickness. Carole and Daisy were not in good shape on Christmas day but Carole still managed to cook the dinner altho she didn’t eat it. Julia was sick between Christmas and New Year, Poppy and Jason were sick before Christmas and I have had a cold since New Year. However despite all this we all managed to have a good time. New Year was quiet this year but that was OK too.
Canadian Winter
Wednesday 23. 12. 09 I have been back in Toronto nearly two weeks now. It has been cold but no snow yet. Drove up to Merrickville to see Martin and Beryl last week for a couple of days and it was seriously cold there -29 degrees! However it was sunny and there was snow on the ground which made a huge difference. Have been involved in the usual social rounds seeing family and friends, the dentist and the bank. Looking forward to Christmas but it may not be a white one this year.
December
Tuesday 08. 12. 09 It has been a busy week getting ready to leave for Toronto. I’m still working on my large landscape and have been also working on a big drawing of Liverpool Street station. Went to my etching class last friday instead of this monday as I had a book club meeting yesterday. A very festive meeting complete with mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas cake. Today I was in Montpellier finishng up some Christmas shopping and I also dropped in on Claire. It was a beautiful sunny day and above is a photo I took of Claire between her orange tree and her lemon tree. Not bad for December!