Mixed Media with Kieran Stiles 23rd~30th July 2011

The group have been working with inks watercolours and wax resist in the studio.  The tables are filled with an enticing array of colours.  Kieran's free style and enthusiasm have encouraged experimentation and an exciting use of materials.

David's week 16th-23rd July

A shaky start to the week with a bit of rain and a dip in the temperatures meant that people worked in the studio on still lives as well as getting out into the countryside when there were breaks in the clouds. 

The last of the lavender on an overcast day

The Mistral brought the sun, but kept the temperatures down at night which was refreshing as sometimes at this time of year it gets difficult to sleep because of the heat.  David has become skilled at finding places sheltered from the wind, so the group went to Rustrel, which is protected from the full force of the wind by the Monts de Vaucluse, and also Oppède le Vieux which is protected by the Luberon.

Oppède le Vieux

David found a small and secluded shady ochre quarry near Rustrel that made a perfect spot for painting in amongst the pines.  The deep oranges and reds highlighted by the strong light brought by the Mistral, contrasted beautifully against the bright blue of the clear sky.

Rustrel, abandoned ochre quarry

Bird spotting

Scops Owl,  its call people often mistake for a electronic beeping!

Matt, an ornithologist and husband of Giovanna who was painting with David this week, kept a diary of birds that he spotted in Les Bassacs and its immediate environs, some of which are shown here. 

Cirl Bunting, Blackcap, Common Redstart & Melodious Warbler

Golden Oriole, Stone Curlew, Hoopoe, Short-toed Tree Creeper, Booted Eagle & a Wood Lark

I am indebted to the site http://www.birdforum.net for the photos.

Dramatic sunset and full moon over the Luberon

Sunflowers

David has been tracking the progress of this sunflower field all summer, just waiting for it to burst into flower.

Tom's week 9th-16th July

The week started with hot weather that built to a thunderstorm on Tuesday, producing some dramatic skies.

Calm sunny weather returned, but with a fresher feel.  Murs was looking particularly inviting as a painting venue, with the freshly cut corn fields that fringe the village.

Tom's teaching, a mixture of individual tutoring in front of the subject and inviting students to watch while he painted and talked about what he was doing, was inspired.

Baby Bird

Jess and David rescued this baby Redstart that had flown into the studio this morning.  Its mother was outside in the Tilleul tree making a very agitated clicking noise.  Once liberated, it squatted in the undergrowth whilst its distressed mother encouraged it to fly.  We are hoping that none of the local cats get wind of it before it gets its act together!

Maggie Siner's Group

Our third week of American groups.  This week Maggie Siner is the tutor.  She has arrived from Venice where she has been living and painting for some months.  You can see her work at http://www.maggiesiner.com .

 She knows the Luberon like the back of her hand, having spent many years teaching and painting here.  Maggie works her group very hard with painting sessions starting at 8.30 am, afternoon sessions often followed by time in the studio in the evening. She is passionate and knowledgeable about landscape painting and this is reflected in her own beautiful landscapes of Provence.

Lavender - scouting for painting spots

Choosing a new painting spot isn't as easy as you imagine, it involves a compass and David's discerning eye.  This field of Lavender spotted from the car, looked like it had potential, but no shade at any time of day ruled it out.  It is a beautiful spot nevertheless!

Hameau Les Riperts

Tom's Bithday

Tom celebrated his birthday at Les Bassacs, and he being American,  I made him an Oregon Trail birthday cake.  I had to improvise with rather depleted resources. 

Last time I made a cowboy and Indian cake people insisted on taking sides and a war broke out over the dinner table.  Many of my toy soldiers and Native American Indians went walkabout, so when it came to this one all I had left was a lone Native American Indian with a spear.