Monday, February 18, 2008

Picnic with Cezanne

From the Sketchbook

"Painting from nature is not copying the object, it is realizing one's sensations." -Paul Cezanne

I have Cezanne to thank for permission to attempt an expression of color, line and shape with nothing but my paints, paper and brushes.

I set up this still life and painted it at home in anticipation of a trip to France. When we got there, I realized that the light is completely different there. I thought it would be, but, still, I was amazed!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Michelle! You know me...always curious! How is the light different there? I would love to go someday! Smiles, Cindy

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  2. Hi, Cindy,

    Our light here in the Pacific NW is a sort of silvery pearl grey most of the time. Very good for capturing reflected light without the blue shadows of the Southwest.

    In France, especially in Provence, there was a silvery lavender tint to the brilliant blue. It was particularly noticeable in the late afternoon. Very early morning light held an underglow of gold.

    No wonder the impressionists tried so hard to capture it!

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  3. Hi Michele! It sounds beautiful! Now I want to travel there even more! I would love to be a part of the Federal Way workshop. Can you add me to the list? My youngest daughter is getting married sometime between June and September so things are a bit up in the air for me until she formalizes her plans. Megan and her older sister got married in our yard and Kelly may be going that route too. So, you see why I'm not certain whether or not it will work for me, but it sounds like fun and I'd like to be added in case it works out. Smiles,

    Cindy

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  4. Okay, Cindy,

    I will send you a PDF brochure and add you to the list.....we are getting registrations already and I hope we don't have to start a waiting list!

    Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. If it is in June, you are going to be one busy mother of the bride!

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