Day Five - Avignon

Rhone River Walk
Oil on Linen Panel    6 x 8"

My first trip to France was in 2009. I took a workshop with two of my favorite people, artists and teachers, Brigitte Curt and Jim Smyth. Our group was to rendezvous in Avignon to rent cars and drive to our destination in the more remote villages of Provence.
My first night there I was alone, having spent a wonderful 5 days roaming around Paris before taking the train down to Avignon. I decided to take a walk through the city and just at dusk I came to the Rhone River. Just north of this area is the famous Avignon Bridge (Pont d'Avignon).
I took a bunch of photos of the bridge, cobblestone streets, steeples, and market area. Then I tasted the best gelato in my life!
I'll plan to continue my theme of all things French and share more about Avignon as I paint my way through my French travels.

View from Aurel, Provence

This painting was kinda fun. An exercise in atmospheric perspective to be sure, but I couldn't get away with using a lot of cool colors while doing it. I'm not sure it is really done yet. Do you see anything that would help me finish it up? A lot of the time I take photos so I can see the problems with a painting. I'd appreciate your suggestions. I need to finish it up and get it to a show in about a week....

I want to share my feelings with you......

I just have to share with you a recent letter I received from a friend. She and I used to share in some things in life together, and we have somehow lost touch with each other over the years. Our kids are friends and we do see each other, but only occasionally. I had posted on my blog and shared the post on facebook. I was overwhelmed with gratitude when I read her words, so honest and heartfelt.....

Randy,

This is going to seem really strange to you to hear from me, but artists are people who "feel"in order to create and I want to share my feelings with you.

I was on Facebook, I saw your beautiful painting, and I wanted to look at it more, so I clicked on your blog. Suddenly, I was in another world. I started clicking the older posts link so I could read more about Paris and Provence. I found myself getting very emotional, and suddenly I started to cry. I didn't know why, but I imagine it has to do with several things. One, the beauty of the country held me. Then, reading about the joy that you were feeling while you were there moved me greatly. When I read about the man at the station trying to help you, I imagined you all alone, a bit fearful, and how brave you were to try to maneuver through this unfamiliar territory. I began to think of all the times that I have been in that position and thinking to myself "What's the worst thing that could happen? I could die, surely, but other than that, I'm ok." Unfortunately, it was never about a wonderful journey like yours, but nonetheless, it was the same feeling, I should think. I began to think about how I have always wanted to paint. I am a very good sketch artist, but painting has always intrigued me. I then began to think about my life and how it is solely made up of working and raising kids. I will never have an opportunity to go to France and study art. I will never be able to even stay anywhere in a first class hotel in America! I'm 57 years old, I have done most everything I ever wanted to do in my life, except have money enough to relax and enjoy it. Your blog touched me beyond words. In a way, I am sad for what I miss out on, but mostly, I am moved by the beauty of this world. Should I make a bucket list, or should I be content that God has given me a home and healthy children? Do I leave care to the wind and charge up a trip to a place that pulls at my heart, or spend all my money on this house and the repairs? In a few years, both my kids will be grown and I will be nearing retirement age. Will I have enough to survive, let alone enough to enjoy what remains of my life?

I am not asking for pity, at all. I am not even sure why I am telling you this, except the painting of a well dressed homeless French man brings me to tears and a picture of beautiful gardens where a famous artist once painted does the same. Is this the power of art? Does it move you so much that you begin exploring within yourself and go to places where you don't want to? I am not going to paint, as I imagine you will invite me, because I simply don't have any energy left. But, I thought to myself, "I wonder if Randy thinks about what people are feeling when they read her posts? Does she think that only artists and students of art are reading it? Does she think that her friends are reading it because they love her and want to see what she is up to? Or does some old friend from the past curiously explore her world and find emotions that haven't dredged up in a very long time?"

I think I should thank you, for the emotion that has come over me. I am not jealous, because I learned a long time ago that what I have is what God wants me to have. I just want you to have this gift, this knowledge that a simple post on Facebook has changed me today. Maybe just for today, I don't know. Or maybe it is the beginning of something that needs to stir inside of me.

I asked her if I could post her letter. She said I could, maybe an excerpt. But I had a hard time leaving anything out. Yes, she is an artist. But until I read this I thought she was an actress and I didn't know she was interested in painting. So, maybe some day she will decide to give it a go. I hope so. What I love most about being a teacher is seeing how much painting can bring joy, just pure joy, into one's life!
Why do I get to live my dream and not her? I think we shall find a way my friend. Blessings to you......

A Look Inside....5 Days in Paris

A Look Inside  

Oil on Linen Panel

12x9"

by Randy Blasquez

I've been painting from my studies and photos of Provence from last summer for months now. Well, I'm moving on....

I've started a new series from my five days in Paris. I took this shot as I was walking by this restaurant in Paris as the Mat re de' stood there and gave me this look as if to say "what do you think you are doing - you tourist!". I'm glad I got the shot, even though it wasn't the one I wanted. The server inside the restaurant turned his back to me while I hesitated. As it turned out, it still worked for the painting.

Here we go, I've got 1200 pictures from those 5 days........

Christ was born for us!

Hey All,


I taught my last class of the year last Wednesday. Class will reconvene on Wednesday, January 6th. It's that time of year again, already, and I'm looking forward to Christmas with my family.

These past few weeks have been a struggle for me as an artist. Don't know for sure why but I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that I have a huge desire to get onto canvas the ideas in my head, but I have not had too much success. Too much new information, not enough practice. I have the terrible habit of telling myself that I'm a failure as an artist if I can't paint the way I want! How silly is that?

Anyway, I've been working hard, but with nothing much to show for it. Well that's not altogether true. I did spit out a couple of promising pieces this week, so we'll see. But, when I am in the truth of it all I can see that it is just my lack of patience with myself and that I shouldn't let that get in the way of my progress. Let's face it, painting can be a struggle at times.

This year has been a year of learning. I had a wonderful trip to France. That was amazing! Things at home are wonderful and I'm so proud of my kids this year. My husband is the best.

I just want to wish you all a blessed Christmas filled with the joy of Our Lord. He was born into the world to be like us, and to take on all of our sin and conquer it to give us freedom from our sin, and life with Him!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Village of Brantes

On a beautiful warm day we drove to the village of Brantes. It sits on a hill in the Luberon Valley, a little bit farther for us to drive. Before entering the village we stopped on a hairpin curve where Jim told us we were going to paint. Okay! After that, we earned our lunch and dinner just walking up into the village. The bell tower stood above it all. A very historic place with an old, old church that was open to the public. And then, as we get beyond the bell tower, an incredible view! The valley below with a few ranches and then the huge mountain range behind. We had lunch right there in a little restaurant/book store, outside looking at the view.

After lunch, it was time to take a historic tour by our walking encyclopedia/teacher. For the rest of the afternoon, we opened our sketch books to record some of the beauty inside the village. Finally, we had the opportunity to visit the local potter and his wife. Ooo la la!

To leave a comment on this blog click  onto the comment link at the bottom of the blog. I'd love to know what you think and we can reply to each other if you would like to discuss anything about painting or France!

My French Getaway

Got back on Tuesday night, after two days of travel. Trained from Southern France on Monday up to Paris, and flew out on Tuesday, 14 hours of flight. Surprisingly, I feel pretty good. Slept throughout the night (mostly) these last two nights. I'm up early this morning watching the Tour de France, as they are cycling right through the same region in which I've spent the last couple of weeks. Beautiful country, sky's, fields of lavender and warm weather!

I've taken over 23oo photos and now face the task of trying to organize and post the ones I want to share with you. My trip started with five days in Paris, so I will start with those photos first and document my trip so you can follow along! So much to share so I'll be working hard to get it all posted. I'm excited about the photos. For me, this was the trip of a lifetime and I want to share the experience. Originally I was to take the workshop in Provence but since this was my first trip abroad I decided right away that I couldn't go all the way to France and not spend at least a few days in Paris. It all worked out beautifully and was better than my greatest hopes.

More to come...