Daily Painting

Presentation on Morocco- in French!

I'll be giving a casual presentation on my trip to Morocco. June 22, 11 am,  Alliance Francaise Smith St. in Providence for their friday Cafe/Croissant.  With lots of help from my friends at the Alliance me give lecture talking French on Morocco.  This reminds me of how much laughing outloud I did while reading David Sedaris' book Me talk Pretty one Day.  The lecture won't be that funny but will undoubdtedly make you laugh for one reason or another. It wil also include pretty pictures and people who do actually speak French fluently.  The lecture is free and open to the public, a small donation to the Alliance is appriciated.

Now I think I am going to get an audio copy of that particular David Sedaris book.  (I wonder if I can get just the audio of my favorite silly movies like bow finger, what about bob and il mostro?  that could completely change my studio life...)  

Better

Got a chance to do another and I think it coheres a bit more than the last one.  4"x6", oil on clayboard (immediacy of watercolor or acrylic, depth of oil) with blue ground tone. That is a Mosque at left on the horizon, not sure which one, against the Atlas mountains.

Wrestling with the dark

Whistler I am not but I do give myself credit for trying something that feels impossible to pull off.  I'll keep working at some sort of harmonie du soir of my own.  24"x24", oil on canvas.  A smaller scale would help but for some reason I yearn to make large night paintings right this minute.  (I often work backwards going from big to small rather than the other way around.)  Marrakech.

Medina Rooftops

16"x20", oil on canvas.

Covered Streets of Marrakech

Many of the streets in the Medina of Marrakech are covered to filter the bright sunlight.  16"x20", oil on canvas. 

Bahia Place

An impression of my experience in the Bahia Palace in Marrakech.  Arches, bright courtyards, painted wood....  9"x12", watercolor, pencil and pen on multi media paper.

Archway with painting process

At a few points during the painting process I snapped some pictures.  I am immensely pleased with myself because this feels like a stretch and it is satisfying to be able to put into paint some of what I observed while in Marrakech.  16"x20", oil on canvas.  A sister to the Jemaa el Fnaa at night painting.  (I hope that they will both have many siblings in the near future.)

Jemaa el Fnaa at night

Bit by bit, the creative seizure triggered by the glut of inspiration from our Moroccan Sketchbook trip is loosening its hold.  16"x20", oil on canvas.  This view overlooking the square is from Chez Chegrouni, a restaurant serving memorable tagines.  Here diners write down their order which returns later as the bill.  Such a relief on the first night when my sister and I were tired, overstimulated and starving.  

More is More

Oil Painting Workshop in Morocco

Elizabeth and I cooked up yet another Moroccan painting workshop.  In addition to offerning Moroccan Sketchbook April 7-13, 12013 we have an oil painting workshop, Plein Air Painting in Morocco in Marrakech and Essaouria from March 29-April5. This painting represents one of the many splendid rooftop views from the charming Riad in Marrakech that will serve as home base.  

8"x10", oil on panel.  It was a pleasant surprise to get this one done as it's been sitting half started for weeks.  I had given it up for lost until this morning.  I am quite pleased with it now.  A print of this painting is available here.