MsAdventures: Uschi

Friday, May 08, 2015

Chateau Lantilly

We were staying in a little town in Burgundy, Corbigny, that had about 2000 residents within the actual town boundaries and quite a few more in the surrounding countryside. The little hotel that we were staying in had 14 rooms. Our little group occupied 10 of them, which gave the entire stay a sense of being in a family gathering. In the morning we would gather in the tiny breakfast room for our croissants and/or baguette and whatever specialty bread they were offering that morning and some very good coffee. Good coffee is a rarity in France, but the hotel had some.

Certain days, we elected to remain close to "home" and on this day, particularly after such a long drive the day before, we decided to pay a visit to Chateau Lantilly. It was still in private hands and not open to the general public, but with our French cohort, we were able to obtain permission.

Chateau Lantilly moat, Corbigny, FR

from Tours de France,

sketchbook journal entry dated 7/16/04

Here is a classic case of a less-than-successful attempt. It is true to what I saw and is a very accurate depiction. That is the crux of the problem... I most likely should have used artistic license and toned it down a bit. See the dark slanted bit on the moat's bridge? That is an actual shadow being cast by the building itself. See the golden and green reflections in the water? That is an actual reflection from the building and the trees in the background. See the dark -- very dark -- shadows cast by the arches under the moat bridge? I checked the value, i.e., the "darkness", a half dozen times before I painted it. Bottom line: I should have "prettied up" the scene by merely suggesting it, not painting it precisely as it was. Lesson learned.

Oh, and look! I painted another doorway!

Chateau Lantilly, Corbigny, FR

from Tours de France,

sketchbook journal entry dated 7/16/04

Since we were in our home area we had extra time to spend here... I decided to do the painter-paints-another-painter-painting thing, so I moved my stool closer to Uschi and painted her while she painted the fountain and garden inside the garden walls. Uschi works in oils, so I knew she wouldn't move before I finished!

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Sojourn in Burgundy, France

More than a few years ago, I travelled to France with a small group of South Carolina artists for the sole purpose of spending about a month painting in the French countryside. My companion from Hilton Head Island was Irene, but we met up in Paris with 7 others from various areas around the state and 2 friends of friends from Wisconsin. Then, we connected with a group of French artists we joined forces with in Burgundy.

That trip would ultimately become one that I frequently wish I could experience one more time. Prior to that, I had always considered art to be a solitary pursuit; after, I longed for the camaraderie of kindred spirits.

French Farm Cart at Uschi's House

from Tours de France,

sketchbook journal entry dated 7/12/04

France can be rainy quite often, so we found ways to cope with a rainy day here and there, although we lucked into quite a bit of sunshine. On this particular day, we sought refuge at another artist's home near the foothills of the Morvan mountains. The farm cart is an antique hay wagon that Uschi had outside her house. She has recently informed me that it finally fell apart and is no more.