Friday, August 7, 2009

Provence Sketches

My "ode" to the lavender fields. David took us to the fields where we were able to sit along the lavender and sketch. The rows are very rounded and at harvest time the mowers come and give them a hair cut leaving them with a "green" buzz cut!
I sketched this door in Saint Saturnin on Bastille Day. The door was actually brown but Fran said, "Well, we are in France and it's lavender time." So I painted the door lavender. The metal key is a door knocker that I bought that day at the village's "Clean out your attic day sale", and the metal cricket was on the mantel in my room.
As I sat and sketched this lovely little Citroen, it's owner, Patrice, came by to chat. He gave me his name and address in Paris so I can send him a copy of it. His wife, Katarina, came out and they invited me to see inside their summer house. I would have loved to sketch their little kitchen but alas they were going for a hike.
I can't help myself, I see the details. The little yard sketch was my view from my window. Every morning as I opened my shutters it was breath taking. So peaceful. The door handles around the house were so interesting, I decided to seek out different ones and sketch them. And there's Gloria in her blue chair, sketching in Sault.

Robert Bateman 6" x 9" Sketchbook
Pen and Watercolor

14 comments:

Kelly said...

Fields of lavender... now that just sounds peaceful and I can almost smell them. Your sketches are amazing. I would have sketched my heart out too ~ taking time to notice the shapes and colors of everything, now that's a vacation!

Aurileide Alves said...

Dear Deborah thanks for the lovely comments you´ve made to my little drawings. That made me so happy!
I also liked your work very much. In fact, I got really surprised with your ability to make cuts and creativity to interpretate things. Beautiful work!

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful paintings - I can smell the lavender, just looking at them.
There is a lavender farm not far from me, in Norfolk UK and I am just about to harvest me own garden lavender to make lavender bags. Lovely time of year.

nanke's stuff said...

Very charming drawings (and well done, I might add), and I loved reading the little stories that went with them. What a wonderful trip! nancy

Alex said...

These are so good it's hard to specify where to begin. The details are great, and I totally love the composition.
I was at Barnes & Noble and I was obsessed with the sketchbooks ^^ my Fiancee had to remind me over and over again that I've got 2 more that I haven't even started on :p I'll get them later!!!

Linda T said...

These are great little sketches. Looking at them makes me feel like I'm on vacation and relaxed and enjoying the sights.

Benedicte said...

Looking at your Provence pages is like strolling in these old villages,full of lavender and rosemary aromas. I love your 2cv! and all the charming details you see
and draw.

Victoria Bolton said...

Beautiful work! Your sketches make me want to go to France right now.

Anonymous said...

These pages are treasures - wonderful to share your holiday.
thank you

john.p said...

Great travel sketches, as usual. Sounds like it was a great trip. Being with artists, too, must have been nice. No guilt trip when you sketch.

Nancy Goldman said...

I love all of the details that you paint. Your joy of being in France comes through.

Margaret Ann said...

These may be my new all time faves of yours... I am in love with the latches...so special and quaint...You painted these spreads with a happy heart...It is most evident! :)

Anonymous said...

I love all tyour sketches...have been waiting to see what you were taking home from Provence! You've captured the special ambiance of provence with your colours and that quirkiness that Provence overflows with. Beautiful and very special!
Ronell

Anonymous said...

I enjoy looking at your sketches - I really like the car and the door/key in this post.