Cruising

I have just accepted a teaching assignment on Celebrity Cruise line' ship the Century for the week of Sept 4-11 2011. Vancouver, Inside Passage, Icy Strait Point( new port), Hubbard Glacier, Juneau,  Ketchikan, Vancouver.
Anyone want to go? Quick decision required as date is so close.
You have to get yourself to Vancouver and home on your own.

Watercolor sketching , eating , and fun.

Let me know.

My France Experience.

Eight of us spent two weeks in France, starting in Paris as we all "did our own thing", together and apart. Everyone managed to see the sights as we wanted.
 My roommate and new friend, Janet, is a walker with a purpose and managed to pull me along. She was also very good at figuring out the Metro stations. We went to the Marmotan
museum, an exhibit of Monet and friends. particularly enjoyed the works of Berthe Morisot.
Through the courtyard of the Louvre to see the "pyramid" and on to the Pont de Artes, a bridge the artists considered the best views of Paris.
Sketched with some local artists. Across the bridge is the Left Bank and the San Germaine area . Lunch at La Palette, a cafe' of early artists get togethers, palettes and Impressionist paintings create the ambience.
farmers Market, Montmartre and a walk around the Morais district a very old part of Paris.
Next was three nights at "Pluie de Roses", a delightful B&B abt a mile from Monets Garden in Giverny. Everything as  I expected in This town. Wonderful.
The second week we spent at Le Petit Rousset near Eymet in the Dordogne/ Perigord area.
Wonderful food, good friends, some old, some new.
Visited several old Bastide towns to sketch, paint and shop....and eat. Oh I think some of us gained a little.

POsting a few small quick pieces. More later.

Bon Voyage

Tomorrow I leave for Paris, France. By the time I get there it will be Wed morning.
I will be staying at the Villa Beaumarchais in the Marais area of Paris. This area has a history of being very old, The Jewish quarter and a bohemian area. Lots of things to see.
Not doing the Museums this time. maybe the Monet . We have had  great Impressionist exhibits in SF from the Orsay. And now Picasso. I saw two Picasso musums in Spain a few years ago.
On July 2nd eight of us will be picked up for a bus trip to Giverny where we will stay at
 La Pluie de Roses, a delightful B&B, formerly the home of the  caretaker of Monet's Gardens. There is a museum here with a Bonnard show which I plan to see. Of course we will spend time in Monet's gardens and see his home.
Then on the 5th of July we return to Paris and take the train to Bordeaux, then bus to Le Petit Rousset in the Dordogne area for a week. Some days we will walk to nearby town of Eymet and a little church up the hill. We will also have two outings by bus to small towns. chateaus and more.
We will sketch and paint with pencil, ink and watercolor, both on site and in the studio.
Of course you are envious, yes?
Will fill you in on my return as I dont expect to do much computer.
Au Revoir mes amis

Giverny to the Dordogne/Le Petit Rousset

This is an invitation to join me on a 11 day trip to France in 2011. 
Travel by air, train and bus from Monet's Gardens to to Southwest of France.
We will sketch with pen and watercolor (or your choice) outdoors and paint in the studio at Le Petit Rousset. The restored farm setting is just the place to relax , enjoy and have a great time.rousset-perigord.org

Impressions and Icons of Umbria

Working hard to put this event in motion, so pass the word along.
In July Kathleen Mattox and I will teach for 2 weeks in a delightful part of Italy..Umbria!!
Many of the towns we will visit are small(pop.) under 500. The people are charming and there is a new view around every corner.
This is a terrific value with all ground transportation, tuition, accommodation and most meals included.
Non painters will love it too and photo opportunities abound. Then there is the food, wine , markets and unique shops.
Go to laromita.org for more details.

SKP Park of the Sierras

This lovely volunteer built and maintained co-op RV Park is located in Coarsegold, CA off Hwy 41 at Road 416. There are 250 sites on 40 acres of rolling hills covered with oak trees, manzanita, lots of birds and quite a few wild animals seen occasionally. Another 40 acres lie across the Coarsegold Creek, undeveloped. This was a gold mining area and there are still a few flakes found nearby.
Part of the Escapees (SKP) RV club. this was our home base for 10 years while we were full time RVers. So we feel like we have come home to familiar faces and places.
A lot of faces have changed as folks age and move to be near family as we did. Some have made the final move as we all will. They are all missed by this caring family.
We planned to visit some of our previous neighbors who are now in Arizona but our trip has been interrupted by the need for a new Refrigerator. So another week before we get under way.

Time flies!

January is gone and with it, I hope, the viruses and vertigo that seem to be going around.
Musing on the events of the year yet to come.
Delivered 3 pieces to The NIles Gallery as they are having a NIles exhibit in March and April.
 I took mine in early as we leave tomorrow for six weeks in Arizona.
My classes will begin again on Mondays in April. Early learners "Fearless Watercolor" 9am-12pm . Creative Watercolor 1pm -4pm.

Creative w/c class over until April

Because we are heading to Arizona. Packing up the old motorhome and "hitting the road" on Monday. Hoping for warmer weather by the time we get there. Not sure when we will be where although Jim and Barbie, my brother and wife will be in Quartzsite soon.
I promised to share some student work so here it is. None of us feel we are finished yet but some great starts.
These are by Florence, Frances and Donna .

Florence OR

Stopped here for 2 nights. weather nice. last time here it rained.
Spent an afternoon and dinner with Judy Hayden, former FAA member and treasurer. had a good day . Visited their co-op gallery where they pay $200. per quarter, staff 2 full days a month, and have a waiting list!
Sketch is Siuslaw River. Photo of Judy and I