Have you noticed how August usually goes by so quickly? As if we had forgotten to enjoy summer in July and that everything really starts in August. So I swapped my painting outfits for construction site ones. We are currently renovating a stone house and the light on these limestone walls captivated me to the point of stopping the work to organize a photo shoot. After all, when an idea comes to you it is so satisfying to give yourself the means to implement it, whether it works or not, at least we have been test it!
Inspiration from nature
Since I arrived in the Verdon (in the South of France), the legendary hike of the Blanc-Martel trail has tempted me greatly. Announced for 14km in 6h30, classified as difficult, it took us a beautiful day to cross the gorges. I wanted to start this hike with the sun because I find that the sunrise on the white rock reflects a particular atmosphere. The contrasts between the warm light on the left bank and the cold blue shadow of the morning of the right bank fascinate and inspire me.
It was also an opportunity to go hunting for giants, to find faces, hands, silhouettes in the cliff... A treat! But it wasn't just the cliffs that came to life, the trees too, century-old oaks with sublime curves, branches like hands turned towards the sky, moving away from the trunks... One of my favorite parts of this hike was these crossings in the shade of the trees.
Halfway, after about 3 hours of walking since our departure, we stopped at the confluence of the Jabron and the Verdon. We were able to observe the trout and feel the freshness of the water (without having to swim in it). The atmosphere is peaceful and invites us to sit for a few moments in silence to enjoy what nature gives us as a spectacle. Access to the Verdon during this hike allowed us to take a few breaks to rest a little with our feet in the fresh water and take the time to draw a little.
The second half of the trip was more athletic, braving the rock stairs before reaching La Brèche Imbert where steel stairs have been installed to pass the obstacle, offering us a dizzying view of the gorges. The passage through the Baou tunnel is also one of my favorites with its few openings to see the Verdon running a few meters away.
In short, this superb family day in the heart of nature inspired me a lot, especially to create a new sculpture and continue the story of Samson in order to rework the sensations of this day: the giant bridge between wood and rock.
Right now, I'm in the middle of a construction site, which is why I only briefly had the opportunity to join the workshop, going through pencil sketches and then applying oil colors on paper using the "Alla Prima" technique. From my feelings was born the last painting in the Contemplation series: Madrid. Why this name? Well, because it inspired a follower who saw the Madrid sky at the end of the day. With a supporting photo, I was delighted to share this moment and I wanted to pay tribute to this moment.
The nature also wakes up at night
This year, I intervened for the first time with the PNR of the Préalpes d'Azur thanks to the environmental and territorial education component at the Séranon leisure center for children aged 3 to 4. Together we created a fresco on the nocturnal world to highlight the animals that are active at night. We created our color palette, painted our animals previously identified in children's books and then glue them on the fresco. A great time with the children to make them a little more aware of their territory.
In September, I will have the pleasure of intervening again for the PNR with our association L'Odyssé de Raoul during the Fête du Parc which will take place on Sunday September 22 in La Roque-En-Provence and Roquesteron. For the occasion, we will create a participatory fresco inspired by the place with Swedish paint (homemade flour paint with pigments, flour, linseed oil and black soap) on a recycled panel.
And that's not all! During a Hearts & Arts episode on the 2of Entertainment channel on Youtube, I was invited to talk about my paintings and my bias. Indeed, on Tuesday I was interviewed by Steven, Morten Klementsen and Emma Coffin to talk about art and the ideas behind my paintings. So if you feel curious, I invite you to discover this episode below :)
PS: I am sorry about my english, please don't pay attention to my magnificent French accent, I easily recognize that the lack of practice is very present...
Plein air painting
This month we continue the colorful walks with Frédéric and Julien. We have one today in Gréolières (06) and next Sunday in La Martre (83)
These one-day gouache painting courses are perfect for trying to create your palette from primary colours, learning to use gouache, learning to observe nature, understanding it and drawing inspiration from it, as well as discovering the landscape in a different way thanks to the explanations of our guides.
In October, we offer you the opportunity to enjoy an entire stay with accommodation included in the Gorges du Verdon! Visit the Aventure Trekking agency page to find out more: https://aventure-trekking.com/produit/sejour-verdon-colore/
And then autumn is also the season of exhibitions! See you from September 28 to October 4 in Mantes-La-Jolie (close to Paris) for a new edition of the Arbustes Fair where I will present the painting "Under Control" still available in original, print on paper and special edition (1 only)!
See you soon I hope!
Happy Sunday,
Auriane
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