FW;Limoux staircase....28 steps

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From: mjcrist@sbcglobal.net
To: kzooartist@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Tue, Apr 30, 2013 9:29 AM EDT
Subject:

The studio on Monday

A day of exploring....

We set off today to explore and loaded our gear in hopes that the chilly damp day would give way to sun as is forecast. First stop was in Vals, a very quaint village of old homes and farms. The wisteria is blooming and drapes over walls and houses to make a pretty sight. The church here is built into the side of the mountain cave and is over 2000 years old , the religion celebrated changed many times. The vistas were beautiful in the distance with the Pyrenees snow capped in the mist.

From Vals to Mirepoix, a medieval town that never burned so has a central area of very old buildings. Heavy hand carved wood supports and stucco and wood upper stories set a pretty site and the subject of many photos. We set noon to meet at the cafe and set off to explore the town. Inside the cathedral was musty and mildew smelling but held beautiful art . The frescos were peeling and sad to see something so old in such need of restoration. The arched nave is the widest Gothic arch in Europe.

Cafe Castignelles was chosen for lunch and we gathered inside for our meal. many ate omelettes as we haven't had eggs here at all. Our breakfast is always fresh fruit, granola, cereal, pastries and really just right.

On the way home we stopped at Mairie that has a chateau and shaggy donkeys in the garden. Across the road we could see the patchwork of fields, canola in bright yellow, bright green and a sprinkling of poppies.

Back at Le Monastere some settled in to the studio to paint, catch up on correspondance and the shoppers went out for our lunch for tomorrow. Because it has been too cool to paint outside Chris and Isobel are giving us their day off to take us out tomorrow. A better forecast will help and sun would be wonderful!!

I counted the art pinned to the studio wall and there are now 29 hanging. Neil and Kathy have the most as usual.

Monday

We are back in the studio for painting after a trip to Esperanza again for the dinosaur and hat museum along with a tour of the countryside.. Tres belle with castles,horses, an ancient spa, and beautiful vistas wherever we looked.

Another photo

End of a day....

The day has ended with dinner at a local cafe.  We all enjoyed the different dishes offered as well as the local vintage.  Yes,K ris I thought of you!!  Back at Le Monastere it is quiet as we regroup for tomorrow.  Chris will plan a day for us taking in the weather report of onother cool day.  hopefully we can paint on site, but if not that is ok too.
We need another good nights sleep and then we will be all in sync!

more photos

more photos

first day

First day in Limoux ...a lovely breakfast of fruit,yogurt,cereals and pastries with great coffee. We gathered our gear and set off to paint despite the grey skies. Visited Ale. tantes a bain with an ancient Abby ruins, cafe for lunch and quaint village. Alas, it began to sprinkle to add to the already damp day. We changed plans then and drove to Esperaza and the market for supplies to make our pre dinner fete. Bruno & Meg v volunteered to be our shoppers....we should have a delightful. Start to dinner.

Limox cafe

Another attempt

In Limoux

Third time to send this photo.  Hope it works.  We are all here and the first crew ate a bit of lunch in the cafe nearby.  Karen has her bag and we are all resting a bit before diner.  

Are hoping for sunny and warm in the next week.   Le Monastere is lovely old place with spacious rooms and many antiques.  Wisteria blooming in the courtyard is lovely too and may be the feature of a painting or two.

Last Test- Thursday

Mangroves in Florida

Tomorrow we are off.....

Part of our group has already been in Italy for a couple of weeks,and will meet us in France, and another couple leaves today.  Most of us, however, will gather at the airport tomorrow to begin our adventure.

The forecast is rainy in the next week and although we will be prepared, I know we are hoping the Chris, our host, will find us a sunny location to paint each day.  I cannot use my pastels in the rain so might be relying more heavily on the watercolors than I had hoped.  It will be wonderful in any case!!

Au revoir!!

Packing challenge!!

Got it all in!!   Papers, pencils, pastels, watercolors and even an extra stool to use as a table.  Backpack is crammed to the limit and suitcase weights 42#s.  Not exactly "light" I guess but I will eat my Wheaties and manage to drag it up the stairs at Le Monastere.   There are only a few last minute things to do...of course I am well ahead of the deadline as usual but that's the way I operate!!

Now to practice a bit of French so I can order that first glass of wine!!

Photos from Bowditch...

Fred Bushnell and I painting at Bowditch Park, Fort Myers Beach .  Photos by Lynne Wesolowski.  This is my idea of Heaven!!!!

Testing camera and tablet

photos attached from today's paintout at Bowditch Park. Lynne W painting

Packing once again!!

This time for Limoux, France where we will stay at Le Monastere.  This very old monastery has been converted to a small inn devoted to special groups.  Biking groups and artists are welcomed for two week stays.  They provide meals and transportation to various sites to paint, a studio, and location in the middle of a quaint town.

Because I will take my pastels this trip and must carry them in my backpack, the balance must either go in my multi-pocketed vest or suitcase.  Additional watercolor materials and papers, backing, another stool and the rest of gear should fill it completely.  In the nooks and crannies I will stuff my clothes!!

I will be posting from time to time once I set up the path.


A practice sketch...watercolor with pastel pencils on pastel ground.   "Hammock Trees"