This is the first of several posts, describing and showing my week-long painting experience with internationally known pastel artist, Elizabeth Mowry in France.
Salad Nicoise in Paris Cafe (click photos to enlarge)
Surfacing from the Paris underground and 20 hours of air & waiting travel, the first street sight I saw was the door to a cafe. Loaded with two rolling suitcases (remember, I have have had to pack my on-sight painting materials) and a backpack, I squeezed myself into small quarters to enjoy a lovely salad nicoise. What a way to begin my visual and cuisine journey in France!
It was a sunny summer day in Paris and I really did not want to leave, but being a bit travel weary – little sleep on the plane – and not really sure how I was going to arrive in Giverny, I pushed on to the train station. After a 90min. train ride, I arrived in Vernon, which is 4km from Giverny, I waited 20 minutes for a taxi to take me to this historic, tiny village that you cannot find on the map, but thousands travel to for inspiration.
Le Moulin des Chenevieres, Giverny, France
For the next 9 days, I stayed in an old mill that is now an Inn, with 9 fellow artists. Here is the front of the Inn and other photos. Again, I am awed by the aesthetic beauty surrounding me.
Front Room of the Inn - a wonderful first impression
I could not resist this scene inside the Inn
No one from our art group or from the Inn was present when I arrived that afternoon, so I left my suitcases to stroll the road just outside of the Inn. What a hoot to see these signs — some how I knew I was in the right place. I was grinning as I walked. Monet’s Gardens are just up this road on the left.
Sign indicating local plein air competition
Sign advertising the Pastel Society of France's Show
To help with my time transition, I arrived a day early in Giverny, and was able to spend a lovely evening with two fellow artists and our instructor, Elizabeth Mowry. The French do not eat dinner before 7pm, but legally your meal must be ordered by 9pm, so we strolled the empty main street until the restaurant opened.
Rue de Monet - the main street in Giverny at 6:30pm
Rose arbor serves as restaurant entrance
Evening light on flowers along the road
Do you think I was just a tad excited about the upcoming days in Giverny? WOW! Felt very grateful as I fell asleep that night.
…to be continued.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Ah!……the artist’s eye…….you have such a wonderful one!
Thank you!
Oh my! I’m back from the family/friends trek to Michigan so have time to devote to this adventure of yours. How beautiful! Ready for the 2nd day now. –J