I have been back in the studio on a regular basis, and am absolutely loving my time there.  I must confess though, it is exhausting.  Such concentration on a regular basis for long stretches is a challenge, but so satisfying when something good comes of it.

The Cities series begins in the studio.

I spend an hour or so each morning working on the Creativity Workshop we are planning for next September in Bath. Can’t wait.  Art and England and My Beloved Brit.  Heaven on earth.

The River Avon at Bath

The workshop will focus on the artist traveler and how to use their precious time in an unfamiliar environment to best advantage. When we get back to work on our art at home, we will have an immense reservoir of ideas and reference.

If you click on the “Workshops” link at the top of this page, you can see all the details.

The Crescent, Bath England

The “Cities” series of paintings I am working on now is a direct result of my years of travel.  And it is the true satisfaction and increasing interest I find in the subject of using travel for inspiration that led me to put together the workshop.

Musee d’Orsay, Paris. My photo.

If you remember, back in August I began the “Cities” series, sketching a painting of the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, a direct result of my visit last spring to the magical city.

The first sketch on canvas

Musee d’Orsay is one of my favorite museums in the world.

The Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Photo by me after a long happy visit inside.

And of course, Paris….need I say more.

Starting to choose a color palette

As always, one of the most difficult things when you get home from travel is what to choose to paint.  Even though I have a pretty good idea of my choices before I leave the foreign location thanks to editing my photos and sketches on the road, I looked at this image as well as a few others for months before I decided I had to try to interpret this particular idea. The multiple perspectives were daunting, and the arches and architectural details could be a nightmare. But I decided to tackle it.

What I wanted to come out in the final painting was the art lovers, the museum visitors, who were dwarfed and stunned by the gorgeous museum, carved from an old train station in the center of Paris. (I love how cities have re-purposed old buildings for art–think Tate Modern in London which used an old power station)

The last stage of the painting. Art lovers embraced by architecture.

This Parisian landmark is reminiscent of an ancient tomb. And yet it is so light and bright with the arched skylights overhead, perhaps it seems more like a cathedral. I am always awestruck by this museum…the building as well as the content.

Paris: Musee d’orsay, painting and photo by me

I think the painting is where I want it. Such satisfaction to finish the last stroke. Now it sits drying in a corner of the studio while I get to work on other ideas from other travels.

New beginnings. Photo by me, the studio

I have about 5 different pieces in almost finished stages.  Unusual for me.  In the past, I have worked on one or two pieces at a time. But this series is so interesting to me, I keep rushing on with it.  There are at least 5 more ideas that I have not even started sketching yet.  Such fun, and I get to relive each travel adventure as I paint.