The Hangar party (25th anniversary)

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Hangar 25 party

I went to the Summer party for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Hangar art centre in Chateauneuf de Grasse. It was a great party with friends and family . There was a very well organised buffet dinner as well as live music with Jo Bens Duo. The music was great and gave a very relaxed and festive atmosphere to the whole celebration. I hope to translate this warm evening with the special light effects done with watercolour.

As I won a beret as a Tombola prize…..I take my hat off to all the organizers !!!

Playing with texture.

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cauldron

I used a traditional watercolour paper and put on top some gesso. Once dried, I made the wood effect scratching the gesso and glazed over with watercolour.

The cauldron got the veined effect of the gesso too. It was a fun exercise to do and gesso as a base can be imprinted with any design to obtain a more textured painting.

From my sketchbook an unusual house in Québec

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Tadoussac maison

A unusual house in Tadoussac, Québec caught my attention. I had to paint it in my sketchbook. Normally Tadoussac is known as a tourist destination because of the rugged beauty of the Saguenay fjord and its facilities for whale watching. I was lucky enough to spot several whales in fact they were white ones called belugas. I could see their tummy coming out of the water just like white clouds popping over the waves. Very exciting but not easy to paint so I opted for a house instead…

Quebec City, Château Frontenac

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Frontenac

During my recent holidays in Quebec, I visited the glorious Quebec city which is a real jewel with wonderful architecture and grand views and parks. Although several of Quebec City’s buildings are taller, the landmark hotel “château Frontenac” is perched atop a tall cape overlooking the Saint Laurent River affording a spectacular view for several kilometers. The building is the most prominent feature of the Quebec City skyline as seen from across the Saint Laurent. I took a picture of the whole building without too many people crossing the park. I just left 2 tourists on the right to invite you into the scene…

Juice box

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Juice box

This “Juice box” is a small business run by a young woman selling fresh fruit juice around Cannes and Nice. This picture is a commission from one of her relatives as a present. I hope I captured the joyful energy of this young lady offering a fruit juice to a cute little girl ! I am known to do paintings of old vintage car so this commission was very much in my comfort zone. I was very keen to  paint such a beautifully renovated vintage French van !

Mary Poppins’ bag

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Mary Poppin's bag

Mary Poppins left her bag in the Hangar art centre during a watercolour class for the greatest pleasure of the students !  The bag and umbrella were put in the middle of a table  with a white background. I added a bit of colour and texture to the foreground to contrast with the sleek and shiny leather effect of this vintage bag.

Cuppa at the hairdresser’s

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at-the-hairdressers

From my sketchbook :  The other day,  at the hairdresser’s , while waiting for my hair to be done, I was given a nice cup of tea served in an interesting tea set : The teapot and the mug were catching my attention because of their colourful texture as well as the reflection of the handle in the wooden framed mirror. I took a picture for reference as I did not have my sketchbook with me.