We’ve had a bit of rain the past few days.  The blue skies have filled with clouds . . . ah, it feels like home.

There’s something about being on the road, especially when you have a wonderful host like Sally Gaucheron, that frees you to do art when the spirit strikes . . .inspiration from newly discovered artists and some old favorites . . . the fields of sunflowers we are surrounded by . . . the elegant water bottle on the dinner table . . . and when you don’t have to prepare the meals or do the dishes, you have no excuses left.

One of my goals on this trip has been to make art every day, sometimes sketches, sometimes paintings, often a combination.  I’ve missed a few days, but not many, and I’m feeling more confidence at putting the lessons I’ve learned in the past few years to use.  It isn’t always easy.  Inspiration, doesn’t always strike.  But I’m finding that putting pencil or pastel to paper leads to new insights and understanding, even when I’m not feeling great inspiration.  And when I am feeling it, magic happens.

Here are two sketches, one inspired by Constable, another one an interpretation of his painting, Salsibury Cathedral and Leadenhall from the River Avon, and a photo of Constable’s original.  The cloud study was inspired by a roomful of his plein aire watercolor and oil sketches we saw at the Victoria and Albert in London.

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These are a selection of other sketches from various stages of our trip including Montcabrier.  The sunflowers are studies for a painting that I’m working on.

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And here are the paintings and a pastel study.  My general inspiration now is to create the kind of luminescence that Redon achieved with soft pastels.  It will happen eventually.

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That all for now.

Jean