Normandy, A Feast to an Artist's Eye

Normandy is a feast to an artist's eye. There are so many scenes to be painted it is hard to choose just one, or two or three...... Just tonight, I decided to go sit in the garden to write this blog. I noticed a rose trellis on the house that had turned a pure cadmium red in the setting sun. I took out my camera to catch the moment, then I saw golden light streaming through the entrance to the garden, I followed it taking pictures along the way to the warm peach bands of light streaming down the front of our Normand style house, across the canal, past the church, over the bride, through the alley, catching the light in reference photos along the way. I decided that we would set up on the bridges over the canals tomorrow night so we would be ready to captures the light in paint as it streamed through the passage ways created by the canals, illuminating the buildings. This could be our only chance. ( I hope not)

Pont Audemer, often called the Venice of France.

Here are some photos from our painting and travel day today.

This is our home in Normandy. The house to the left is where all the artists are staying. The house in the middle and to the right are owned by our host in Normandy, Gail Knowles. Without her tis trip would not be possible. Her house literally could be a museum. Every inch is gorgeous, like the page of a French decorating magazine. It was an Inn built in 1650 before she and he husband bought it. The house on the far right belongs to our landlord, Mr. and Mrs. Foltz. What a charming, welcoming and elegant couple. Mrs. Foltz is French but speaks English beautifully with a soft upper class British accent. They could not have been more welcoming and more hospitable. The whole complex has been in their family for centuries. His father was an artist and his paintings adorn the house.

 This morning I was so happy to do a few demos in the garden for Gail Baird who is the newest painter in the group. She has the passion and the eye, all she needs is to learn the tools of the trade and she will be a fabulous painter.

 Layla was focused painted in the garden this morning.

Gail and I are painting as poor Tom is trying to fix his easel which TSA managed to mangle during their security check.

Connie on the medieval streets of Honfleur

In the afternoon we visited the medieval village of Honfleur, where Boudin and Monet painted side by side.

 We had a glorious lunch full of sunshine, wine, and delicious local specialties. At this point I turned to Gail Knowles (in the black sweater) and said "Do you realize that you live in Paradise?"  She said yes but it is always nice to hear.

 Adrienne Wyman Kralick
website - www.AdrienneArtist.com
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