Africantapestry

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2011-03-01T20:08:00.001+01:00

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PLEASE GO HERE!

2007-11-30T12:45:00.002+01:00

My foodblog MYFRENCHKITCHEN

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My artblog AFRICANTAPESTRY

Sorry for the inconvenience!
Thank you
Ronell

Goodbye to the old....

2007-09-12T16:23:00.001+02:00

A while ago, I went to Sharon's blog, http://flatsoundofwoodenclogs.blogspot.com/

and saw she had a new blog. And just there I decided I wanted a new one too! A change is always as good as a holiday! And one of my biggest fears in life is that I'll stagnate or grow stale, become a dusty shelf....Therefore, change is one of the most important words in my vocabulary!

It was a bit of an uphill road getting to this new blog, but I believe it worked(will work soon). Now don't expect something exotic, it actually looks quite the same as it does now, but who knows, that might change soon too?

The new Africantapestry is not yet linked to the EDM superblog, but I hope to have that done soon.

So, I'm packing up my art stuff and moving here, where I'll unpack my bags and stay...for a while.

and with this, I say: "Goodbye to the old..."

Last greetings..

2007-09-11T22:58:00.000+02:00

This is my last post from SC. I am leaving for my home tomorrow!
These Gerbera daisies are giving me their last whisper of beauty; their heads are nodding after they cheerfully brightened up my little corner here in Oconee for the last week.
I've enjoyed my time here, but now I miss the embrace of my home! I miss the warm bodies of my cats, their calling for their food in the mornings. I miss my friends. I miss my computer and my studio. I miss the smell of my wooden floors, the squeeking of my bathroom door and I miss mywild, untamed garden. I miss the rustling noise of the birds on the cliff and the sunsets on the Loire. I miss my croissants in the morning and I miss my Peugeot.
I am ready to go home.
I will see you all at the next post from home and will then be a regular blogger again, hopefully without computer problems!

Watercolor on Fabriano HP.

A carriage

2007-09-06T20:57:00.000+02:00

I could only succeed in getting this one sketch done in Charelston when we were there a while ago. It rained from the moment we got there until we left. I couldn't even get my camera out to take a picture or two...
Done in pencil, with some lines in pen and lightly smeared over the finished sketch with water.
Fabriano HP 23 x 30.5(9" x 12")

Rooftops and a church

2007-09-06T20:52:00.000+02:00

A view over some rooftops and an episcopal church...
Both done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano CP and HP alternatively(23 x 30.5 cm)

Fruit and vegetable market

2007-08-30T22:06:00.001+02:00

We stopped at this frsh produce market to buy peaches for lunch...ended up buying much more than only peaches! I have a weakness for fresh produce and always end up buying more than I need!
Done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano CP.

This sketch was done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP. I like playing around with the HP and CP papers, getting different effects every time. Alternating between the two blocks, is also easier in terms of drying.

I prefer the blocks to the moleskine. The bigger format allows me to be more spontaneous in drawing/sketching.

View on the lake

2007-08-30T20:43:00.001+02:00

This is a view from our balcony on the lake.
I am irritated with blogger for not allowing a bigger size. No plein air scene done in bigger format looks decent, because it is published into this limited size, so everything disappears into a little colored spot.
Nonetheless, this was done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP.

Streetscenes

2007-08-29T22:46:00.000+02:00

Some scenes from Highlands, NC.
"The Speckled Hen". selling all kinds of garden things. Beautifully decorated on the outside with a wild garden and birdhouses.
Done in pen watercolor on Fabriano CP, 25 x 30,5cm (9 x 12")

Ristorante Paoletti, with it's cute black awnings.

Done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP, 25 x 30,5cm (9 x 12")

Lastly, The Old Edwards Inn, which opened in 1935 as the Hotel Edwards, has recently been restored after 40 million dollars and two years of work.

Done in pen and watercolor in moleskine.

A boat or two

2007-08-28T22:14:00.000+02:00

Two boat sketches, in moleskine with ink and watercolor

Enthrallments!

2007-08-20T23:47:00.000+02:00

I have to share with you all these fascinations I found here in SC.

First thing I saw was these magnificent, frightening spiderwebs in the trees. They cover whole branches, sometimes even whole small trees. I tried to do a search on the internet for the type of spider, but couldn't stand looking at all these spider photos coming up on my screen. So I still don't know....they captivate me completely, scare me and fascinate me at the same time.

I am also fascinated by the hundreds of car dealers on every which road out there, with their hundreds of cars in every color, parked in neat rows, almost measured distances next to each other, the angles perfect and decorated with colorful flags and balloons...how can you not stop and buy a car? They have turned car sales into an art! I get a kick from these scenes every time I'm on the road and find those without this flair very boring!

I also have to mention the kudzu, which took my breath away. I have had nightmares where I stand still for just a moment too long and I'm being taken over by these vigorous growers! Once again, an exhilirating sight where they form thick carpets in the valleys, growing up trees and wires and poles, everything and anything that can be a host...magnificent and scary...

There are many more of these enthrallments I find on my daily outings, but I'll leave them for next time.

All done in moleskine with pen and watercolor.

People in South Carolina

2007-08-17T15:51:00.000+02:00

Well, at last a post from me...
It was a struggle from the moment we set foot on US soil! and I'm still struggling! But that might be a story for another day. We've settled into a condo, overlooking the beautiful Keowee lakes here in Oconee county, SC. We've stepped into an incredible heat wave and I have a suspicion I am being punished for my constant complaining about the weather back home in France!

I'll start off my experiences here in Oconee, SC, with some sketches of people. Because I had no internet or a computer up to to now, and it was too difficult for me to be outside, even for sketching, I kept mostly to coffee shops, watching and sketching the people of SC.

I do enjoy watching people, making up stories about them, wondering what keeps them going, what inspires them, what depresses them, what makes them laugh, what are their sadnesses...

One day, I hope I'll have the ability to convey that hrough my paintings, not the realism of thier appearance, but the story behind their living, the emotion in their gestures.
So, meet the strangers I swiftly met in my wanderings to Paneros, Joe muggs, Barnes and Nobles, Bi-Lo, on a bench in the mall; some were empty nest-moms, serious writers, some just enjoyed reading and some did interviews, others were almost asleep and some were watching the wordl go by...

These sketches were all done in pen in moleskine, given a few washes afterwards....

and now I'm leaving you to go throw another tantrum!!...I'm completely fatigued - I've been interrupted and I've restarted this post so many times since this morning, I've lost count and now I'm completely fatigued from driving around to 5 different places to find a connection! And this is my birtday...sob, sob!!!

PS: Please forgive the many mistakes and bad writing, I have not done any editing on this entry...

All my bags'r packed, I'm ready t'go....

2007-07-29T19:23:00.000+02:00

My bags are packed...no not yet, but almost.
I'm packing all my sommer clothes and three tubes of toothpaste, because I use a particular kind. My tennis gear and all my art gear, my computer and some back up. And many shoes. Just because I love shoes.
I'm also packing Hartman, but truth be told, it's the other way around. He's tagging me along...joyfully of course!
Our daughter will babysit Tokala and Aiyani, she will water the garden, she will clean the house, cook her own food, pay the bills. She will not touch our car and she will never have parties. For the next three months.
We're exchanging our Peugeot for ..I don't know, maybe a Ford or maybe a Mustang...convertible would be nice?

I'm also packing my strong will and self discipline. I'll need it where we're going. The food is too easy available everywhere and anywhere and at all hours.

We're leaving in two days and in 10 days, I'll be up and running and computing, posting and commenting from my laptop for the next three months from "You know where". I'm VERY excited!!

See y'all in 10 days!

Both sketches done in pen and colored pencils in moleskine.

Happy birthday Casey!

2007-07-23T10:00:00.000+02:00

Today is Casey's birthday, Monday 23 July. She turned a wonderful 21 today...again..!
Happy birthday! May your year be filled with ecstatic moments!

Watermelon

2007-07-20T16:23:00.001+02:00

I bought my first watermelon of the season this morning. They've been in season for some time, but I just wasn't in the mood. Watermelon wasn't created to be eaten on cloudy days. And that is France for you this summer. A sunny day here and there. Like this morning. So I thought it is summer. And bought a watermelon.
I stared a long time at this cute little round fruit on my table. How very elegant, I thought, very chic and small enough to carry in my basket. It can even fit into my fridge. I could even have chosen a yellow one and one without seeds....a watermelon without seeds! What has civilation done to us?
Let me tell you a little about those I grew up with. I run the risk of being tagged as a tough, sturdy amazon after this, but that's OK, you might be thinking that already!
I love a huge long, oval watermelon, big and lush in its greenness. Too big for the basket or under the arm. Too big for the fridge. And too big for a dainty lady like me too carry. You need a strong quarterback. You scratch it, you knock it with that knuckle, move on to the next one, scratch it, knock it, nod your head and Mr Qurterback lifts it onto his shoulder.
This prize is taken home and wrapped in a cold, wet cloth, stored in the coolest corner of the garden, often splashed with cold water to keep it cool.
Then, there's a time and place to eat a watermelon. It is not eaten as an amuse bouche at a candle lit dinner table with a drizzle of balsamic, or cocktail picked on a pretty platter or served on a bed of mesclun with fancy feta cheese or graniteed, a la mediterannean!It is eaten on a buzzing hot, late summers afternoon, cut up by Mr Quarterback right there on the lawn, into proper oblong watermelon slices, crackling broken off so that the luscious "crown" is displayed, the creme de la creme, and a sigh escapes from all onlookers, eager awaiting their slice. You then dig into your share with bare feet and hands and gusto. Finesse and manners have no place in eating a watermelon. With your slice, you plonk down on the grass and chainsaw through it, with your knees almost draped around your ears, making room for the dripping juices and seeds. Every so often you'll shake those hands to prevent the juices from running into your armpits and you'll spit those seeds gathered in your cheeks olympic distances.
That's how a watermelon asks to be eaten. The only knife in sight will be the panga for slicing it up and a small knife for Aunt Posh, who doesn't want to dig her freshly coiffed hair into a slice.
Then of course comes the smearing and peel-attacking and seed fights and the pool and the throw-ins....
But unfortunately, I'm miles away from that kind of watermelon. So, here is mine from this morning... decently small, round and chic, calm and quiet.... and the clouds just moved in front of the sun.
Watercolor on Fabriano CP.

Chanel, and a river runs through it.

2007-07-17T16:41:00.000+02:00

While I was still acting out as Forest Gump on the run a while ago, I also made a quick stop by the perfume shop while speeding along to who knows where. That is of course the day Hartman left on his business trip. Normally it doesn't bother me and I use the time for some good old fashioned selfish indulgence into whatever takes my fancy. This time though, caught my mood off guard and drove me to extremes. I sought solace in the arms of Coco Chanel and Hermes no less. On top of my sadness and depression I had now successfully added the load of guilt. I picked up speed.

For the week I was alone, I struggled with my conscience, having spent this obscene amount on perfume and tried my best to blame it on my impulsive nature, which is true after all...still, it doesn't justify an excuse. So, being born both impulsive and ingenious, I arrived at a solution to the problem. The problem of my guilt that is.

On Hartman's arrival back in Paris, we had this glorious magical summer's day. I sent him a message telling him to be home at 18:00. We have a date. He was not to be late. Now, send a man a message like that and see what happens...?

Oh, you want to know about the date? Well, imagine this...I have a basket at the ready, filled with his favorite goodies like peaches wrapped in prosciutto, scallops with orange and a saffron mayonnaise, a cold champagne, a baguette to dip into rich seductive olive oil and fleur de sel...I have ordered and received my golden exuberant sunshine. The river Loire is 2 minutes walking from our front door, the water rushing by, heightening the sensation of summer madness, sun, and bare skin.....and me, enveloped in Coco Chanel.

I am home. I have no guilt. I love my Chanel. I have a happy husband. And through it all runs a river.

All the sketches were done where we lounged by the Loire(except for Chanel)..in watercolor, pen or pencil on Fabriano sketchpads. (I apologize for the off-perspective of Chanel..it was done in the speediest of time, I didn't check!)

A thank you...

2007-07-17T14:24:00.000+02:00

When the going gets tough, the tough runs away....or something like that. That was me the past few weeks. Not that I had such rough going and not that I'm that tough either. But that's just how it was. I ran away. Sarah(biteyourowntail mentioned the book Women who run with wolves (Clarissa Pikola Estes). I couldn't wait to dig out my copy and read it again. It is a great book. Pequete(Pequete's art journal) also advised reading Living out Loud(Ker Smith). Will have to get it, it sounds like good reading.
Luckily life stayed true to itself and my wheel started turning upwards. And luckily I have people in my life who helped push it. Some with faces I see every day, some further away and then some whose faces I have yet to see.

A thank you to Hartman who so patiently puts up with all my whims and goes even a step further...descending at 11:30 at night down to the river with a torch to find me a frog for my fountain. My frog was missing.
A thank you to those who make me laugh when I get too serious.
A thank you to everybody who left and still leave a few words of encouragement on my blog.
A thank you to those who not only leave a comment, but also take the time out of their busy summer activities and work and blogging, to send an email with some nice thoughts.
A thank you to those unknown faces who make a loyal stop at my blog regularly, to those who are new, to those who say nice words when my art sometimes just simply sucks, to those who laugh at a joke that's not really funny, to those who read my sometimes boring words, to those who care and to those who are feeling drained themselves, but still find the spirit to encourage. To those who advise books to read, fun things to do and send recipes to indulge in.
A thank you to Casey down the road in Amboise, who always cares and often stops for a coffee.
A thank you to all, whom I've come to know through your art and your words and your actions.

Time out.

2007-07-09T15:42:00.000+02:00

It has been a while now that I've been struggling to get anything on paper and I was getting just more stressed by the day. Lindsay mentioned that when she gets this slump, she does nice things, naps, fun outings.... So I decided on some time out.
I put away all art, all stress, all guilt, all expectations. I went shopping(mostly window shopping) and I fiddled in the garden. I played piano and even wrote a song. You will never hear it. I concocted new recipes and did some cooking classes. I stole some mirabelles off someone's tree and got chased by the dog with the pink bow. I moved the furniture around and changed the kitchen. I took down wall paper and started painting the living room. I played and slept with my cats. I ate too much and excercised too little. I'm blaming it on the weather. I watched Wimbledon and cried because it's over.
I baked a cake for a friend's birthday, decided at midnight I'll do another one in the morning and helped myself to many slices. I sat in the rain and ate ice cream. Now I'm taking double dose vitamin c, because my throat is on fire. I went "brocante hunting" with a friend and bought other people's junk. I sold a couch and bought a bed.
I never switched on the computer. That makes me feel bad because I didn't visit any blogs. I dropped Hartman off at the station to go the States. I was so sad so I drove to the perfume shop and bought a bottle of Coco Chanel and a bottle of Hermes, now I don't feel sad anymore...just guilty.
So I did indeed take time out.....no more stress, no more guilt, maybe more inspired...? Don't know, time will tell. In the meantime, I have a living room to finish painting, I will be back next week, catching up on everybody's work.
In fear of being completely forgotten, I thougth I'd post some of my finds at the brocante, while I'm waiting for the undercoat on the walls to dry.
An old dilapidated little car, while waiting for the brocante to open after lunch and then some old silver and pewter finds and lastly the old daybed(lit ancien as it is simply called), which is to replace the couch I sold, but only after some restoration. I just did some quick sketches in my moleskine with pencil, pen and a wash...all wonky still, which means I probably still need some time out.

If all else fails, try vegetables

2007-06-27T17:01:00.001+02:00

I've seen a few people on EDM struggling with being in a slump. I guess it is my turn. I can't seem to get a hold on inspiration.
There is a whole wide world out there to paint, to draw and I can't find anything. I have the pencil and brush in my hand, like a knife and fork, waiting for the perfect meal to come from the kitchen. Unfortunately I am the "cook" in the kitchen....so I literally took my pencil and brush to the kitchen and tried to cook up something...I painted the first things my eyes fell on. Just earlier today I bought fresh produce which were on the table and so here are my carrots and aubergines...interestingly, the striped one is called a Graffiti. I struggled through 6 sketches, going from bad to worse. So I threw away the rest and kept the first attempts.
Both these sketches were done in WC on Fabriano HP.
Click on the image to enlarge.

Touches of yellow

2007-06-20T18:39:00.001+02:00

I have nothing yellow in my garden. But I have white flowers with touches of yellow.
Two vignettes from the garden done in their setting, in bright sunlight.
A white Hemerocallis, the only one in flower.
Done in WC in moleskine. Click to enlarge.

I also have Feverfew(Chrysantemum parthenium), a small camomile-like white daisy with bright yellow centre. They make a wonderful display in the herb garden, and work wonders on a migraine, they self sow profusely and look beautiful picked by the armsful.

My goal with both these paintings was to keep them light and fresh by incorporating the white paper as part of the composition. With the feverfew, I used more "dabbing" of color, since that is how I perceive them in the garden.

Done in WC in moleskine. Click to enlarge.

Monday night's dinner

2007-06-19T15:52:00.000+02:00

Monday nights are detox nights. Actually, the whole of Monday is a detox day.. I have a bad habit of overeating on the weekends....everything I love and even sometimes don't love. What can I say, I live to eat. I live to love. I live to paint, to draw, to have fun, to be naughty, to dream, to laugh, to cry, so...I live to eat.
And on a Monday I detox. I drink water all day and for variety, I drink rooibos tea, without caffeiene and stacked with anti oxidants. I can even go without coffee on a Monday. But only on a Monday.
Here is my menu for a Monday night's dinner. OK. So it may not be completely detox, but I did say earlier I drink water all day long! We'll start off by tying our aprons and pouring a glass of Perrier. Would it be weekend, we would've had a glass of red wine, or maybe a beautifully chilled rose, seeing that we're in summer. But now we'll stick to our sparkling water.
We'll go out into the vegetable garden and pick some glorious, succulent tomatoes of all colors and sizes, leave some on the vine, rinse them uncontrollably outside and bring them inside in your favorite tomato basket, worn and stained from years' harvesting of tomatoes. On the way you'll pass by the herb corner and go wild on the basil, and don't foget to pull some spring onions . Chew some parsley for good breath and rosy cheeks, since you're not having any wine to see to that. Now into the kitchen we go. Have you remembered to pick the cherries for dessert...great for detoxing!
Now, doesn't this sound idyllic? If you don't have all these freshness in your garden, then do what I do...take your basket, and go to the market.
For the how to on this dinner, you can go to my foodblog here.
The following sketch was done in WC on Fabriano HP and then I had to "Fix" it again with pen!!

This sketch was done in WC on Fabriano HP....and no pen this time!

Unknown faces on the train

2007-06-17T15:32:00.000+02:00

Some faces on the train to Paris. All done in pen in moleskine and given a wash later at home.

Bells in watercolor

2007-06-17T15:21:00.000+02:00

A glass bell in the garden.
Watercolor on Fabriano HP extra white.

A glass bell in the kitchen.

Watercolor on Fabriano HP extra white.

Summer guests

2007-06-13T21:50:00.000+02:00

Every summer our Bed and Breakfast is fully booked. Mostly by regulars who visit year after year, finding our meals unsurpassed, our hospitality most gracious and our facilities nothing but quality; in short, five star accommodation at a reasonable price.
Mr Frog arrived later than usual this year and is still awaiting the lady of this affair to arrive. Every evening he protests his discontentment at her not being here yet, in his distinguished baritone voice. I hope she arrives soon, I don't like seeing my guests unhappy.

Once again we had the honor of assisting in the arrival of Mr and Mr Swallow's young ones. What a lovely couple they are, so caring and loving and protective of the live they have created. the happy event happened only 5 days ago and it was a grand event here. We opened up a bottle of bubbly and all the guests attended to celebrate the wonder of new life and admire the 5 adorable infants.

Miss White butterfly brought many more of her friends along this year and I really had to be inventive to accommodate all these teenagers. But I love every minute of their delightful company! We have come into the habit of sharing an hour or so together every afternoon, where I learn from them all about being a delicate and beautiful and delightful adolescent again. Along with the ever roaming dark and handsome bees, they enjoy energetic parties until late night, Fortunately the neighbors haven't complained yet. I suspect they know and understand all about the habits of these young people...

We are also very honored to accommodate very well-known international models in our B&B every year, miss Dragonfly and company. They keep mostly to themselves, are very discreet and love their privacy. But when the moment shows itself, I'll stare at them shamelessly, wishing I had their elegance and beauty. Soon they will all be moving on to make room for the next half of the summer guests, leaving me just enough time to tidy up, restock the pantry and put out fresh flowers. The arrival of our summer guests, is a highlight in the season, something we look forward to year after year.
All these sketches were done in pen and WC in moleskine.

Urns and tennis

2007-06-09T17:17:00.001+02:00

I have a passion for urns...Medici, cast iron, soapstone, old stone...I love their shape and touch and smell, their poise and nobility. While I watched the tennis today, my hands looked for something to do. Since I've been longing to do a few urns for some time now, I thought I should start right away with the first one, an old French cast iron urn. The first painting is oil on linen which I did a few years ago. It is close to my heart.

This next one is one of three watercolors I did while watching the ladies final at Roland Garos this afternoon. I wanted to go for the same composition as the oil just for comparison.

This was the last of my attempts and probably the one closest to what I intended. Maybe because by this time the tennis result was a clear cut thing, no doubt who the winner would be, so my attention was mostly on the paper.The shape is awkward though, but that doesn't bother me too much. I'm never too fixed on realism. My watercolors are a bit sloppy lately, but my goal is to bring more expressionism into them, to accentuate color more and the big one ...to fiddle less!!

This sketch comes in second. I'm not happy with it, although there is something that makes me look at it again. It is very wild and uncontrolled, dark a with lot of confusing leaves....that actually sounds very much like my mind.... or it could be the tennis. By this stage in the match, it was a very one-sided game.

And finally, my first attempt right at the beginning of the match, when I still thought it was going to be a tough battle and my attention was eagerly turned more to the game. There is really no interest in this one, very flat and floating with no excitement. After these attempts I had enough of this urn, however much I love it. I'll try some others for next time.