Painting in the Languedoc


Firstly Happy Thanksgiving Day to all my lovely American readers, hope you are enjoying yourselves. For my sins whilst you have been indulging I have spent the entire day sweeping up the leaves from the fig trees. It's really rather naughty of me for intensive French beckoned but with guests due imminently I can't concentrate. I don't know when I became a worrier but the only remedy for me is the garden. A beautiful still day ensured that the smoke did a steady spiral upwards whilst crackling in a satisfying manner from the base.

Well, we have our first artist coming to stay at Le Chateau in 2008 and whilst I am biased I do so hope that she is filled with inspiration from the surrounding countryside of the Languedoc. Jill Campbell has been a professional painter since 1990 and now spends an increasing amount of time on painting retreats in the South of France having made the decision to spend more time travelling. Her gallery is based in Salt Spring,Canada and her delightful sounding husband says he is going to devote his time and expand her website. A double bonus for me then, a talented painter and someone who is a computer whizz. I've been saying for ages that I really must promote painting holidays here at Le Chateau, I am sure that Jill is going to produce some simply stunning work, heavens at this rate I'll be getting the canvas and sable brushes out myself !

Finally the sacred plum puddings arrived from England today for Christmas feasts. So my only little worry now is sourcing an 8ft high Christmas Tree and a fine turkey for the weekend after next. Easier said than done in France. Oh and some fireworks for New Years Eve.

No peace for the wicked.

Comments

Elizabethd said…
Lovely idea to have painting holidays. Or any sort of Craft/Art based weeks, patchwork, etc.
Frances said…
Sally, Please do keep me informed of you painting holidays. I might be available to help carry the bags, make the beds, wash the dishes ... and all the while just absorb the beauty of the surroundings, hoping to be able to return home full of the colors, and textures so that I could paint them.

Seriously, I do wish you well. It would be a dream to spend time in southern France again. My only visit way way back in 1982 and the memories are so alive. That was when I really began to understand the genious of Matisse.

xo
muddyboots said…
you forgot to mention the wine tours, the AGA cooking courses plus the springtime countryside walks looking at the local flora. you are just getting tooo excited at the thought of plum pudding & turkey, what about goose?
Un Peu Loufoque said…
Oh my dear sounds just the sort of thing to inspire Un peu to get her brushes out again!!!Nude study of Madame Grognonne by the pool perhaps?
lampworkbeader said…
As you have such a quiet life could you nip over and sweep up my leaves, please. The apple tree has just shed a whole barrowload on the lawn, just when I'd swept up the beach leaves. Alas no fig leaves though.
A painting holiday sounds just lovely.
Exmoorjane said…
How lovely to have a bona fide artist staying.... art holidays sound wonderful.
jxx
Mary said…
It all sounds so fantastic.
CAMILLA said…
Oh Art Holidays sound absolutely wonderful Sally. Love that painting by the way. Love Plum Pudding, one of my favourites.

Camilla.xx
painting holidays...why not offer yourself up as the French version of the Arvon foundation...writing holidays....I'm sure we would all turn out a best seller in those surroundings...drool
Suffolkmum said…
Sounds like the ideal retreat for painting/writing. Might mention it to my parents - they're both keen (amateur) artists. I like her painting.
Anonymous said…
Thanksgiving should become a Global holiday. It's fun, no presents to buy, no serious religous repurcussions and turkey is good any time of year!
Maybe a thanksgiving special proferred to your transatlantic cousins might start an annual run on your talents as host and hostess!! Better start making gravy!!
Zoë said…
Love the painting and how fab to have an artist coming to stay ....

only artists likely to stay here are my son and his student friends and we all know what sort of artists students can be!

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