Sunday, May 31, 2009

This is one of the small narrow streets in the
little town of Chartres. I made the buildings
a whole lot more colorful than they were...one
of my other watercolor teachers always told us
that we were the masters of the environment;
we could control the color. We were not always
limited to what they call "local color." Anyway, I
am not entirely satisfied with this one, I will try
again.
I am still waiting on the arrival of the Paris sketchbooks.

Chartres Street 11 x 14 $150.00

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Collage Fun


I finished these two Paris collages today. I used some
reproduction vintage Paris postcards that I bought in
the gift shop at the Arc de Triomphe, and some decorative
papers, etc. They are done on 9 x 12 canvas.
Pair of Paris Collages 9 x 12 on canvas $50 each/$100 pair

Friday, May 29, 2009

More Paris

Original Watercolor Cafe de la Place 11 x 14
$150.00
I am in the process of planning our trip for next
summer. We are doing the Mediterranean cruise:
Leaves out of Venice, goes to Greek islands, Croatia,
and back to Venice. It will be in early June 2010.
I will know the exact dates soon. If you are interested,
please let me know, and I can get the info to you.
I am also planning to go to Yellowstone in the fall, 2010,
and take a photography workshop. I will know more
details later also. Should be really neat. They take
you places in the park that regular visitors don't get
to see. I would like to take a group with me if anyone
is interested.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Metro Mania




Anyone who has been to Paris has probably taken
the Metro. It was a fun experience, very clean,
and safe. We rode it a lot.
I was intrigued by the variety of Metro signs...
from the vintage ones on Montmartre, to the
more modern versions I saw in Montparnasse.
The two pages are from my sketchbook, and are
included in the printed version. The Metro sign
is one of the only two left in the Art Deco style.
This one is at the Abbesse stop. It is also in the
sketchbook.
Original Watercolor Metro 7 x 11 $50.00

Sketchbooks Finished!

I have permanent computer cramps in my hands
and back...I have logged countless hours trying to
get the uploaded version of the Paris Travel Sketchbook
finally finished. It would have been done earlier if I
weren't such a perfectionist...I kept changing and
re-arranging. Anyway, I am happy with it now, and
they have been ordered. They should be here in
about 2 weeks. If you would like one, please let me
know.
Paris Sketchbook Art and Photography from
Paris Spring 2009 $60.00 40 pages/leather cover

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Fun Food Page


Here's a photo collage page from the printed version
of the sketchbook. I had some great food in Paris, as
you can see, mostly sweets! And pastry...ooh la la.
I am in the process of trying to lose the weight I
gained while there!

Paris Sketchbook Art and Photos from Paris Trip
$60.00 each Free shipping
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Monday, May 25, 2009

Sunset in Paris

I was able to take some photos at sunset one evening while in
Paris. This statue is on the Place de la Concorde, one of the
five royal squares in Paris. It is flanked by two royal palaces,
and the obelisk from Luxor is in the center. It was here that
Louis XVI, Danton, and Robespierre were publicly guillotined.
It was much more peaceful while I was there!


I am almost finished with the printed copy of my sketchbook.
It should be available early in June. I will let you know.
Original Watercolor Concorde Plaza - Sunset 11 x 14 $150.00

Friday, May 22, 2009

More Cafes'

My watercolor instructor in college always had
issues with the way I paint. He always wanted
me to loosen up...to get more abstract. He said
that if a painting was going to look like a photograph,
you might as well just frame the photograph. A
painting should look like a painting.
This is the same sidewalk cafe that I posted a couple
of nights ago. This however, is a little looser version.
I am TRYING to loosen up...sometimes it is such a
struggle. Will keep trying Dr. Bryant!!

Original watercolor 10 x 7 Rosy Cafe' $50.00
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Maison Catherine

Our guide told us that this was one of the oldest restaurants in
Paris. It is up on Montmartre, where the artists paint. Charming...
Original Watercolor: Maison Catherine 11 x 14 $150.00

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Snack Time



People in Paris dine out on the sidewalk...and raccoons dine
on my sidewalk every night! I came home to find the little
scavenger finishing off the cat food on the back porch. He
was very bold, and refused to be afraid, and stayed right
there till he was finished, despite me moving closer and
closer to get the photo! He comes every night to polish off
whatever he can find....my grapes on my grapevines,
birdseed in the birdfeeders, etc. I guess that is part of living
in the woods...we are not alone.
Original Watercolor Pink Cafe 12 x 7 $50

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Charmed by Boats



















If I had to single out one experience that was my
absolute favorite while in Paris, this is it. This is
Allun and his handmade boats that he rents to
children at the pond in front of the Louvre in the
Tuilleries Garden. I just happened upon them,
and I was instantly charmed by the cherubic
children running and pushing the colorful boats
across the little pond, squealing with delight,
and entertaining us all.
I spoke to Allun at length. He told me he had
hand crafted the boats himself about 25 years
ago, and has been there almost every day since.
He wears the bright purple shirt most days so
the children can spot him. He rolls in the cart
loaded with the boats and poles, and sets up by
the pond, and waits for his daily participants.
He rents the boat and the pole for 30 minutes
for a few euros. He lets the child pick out the
boat..he says they always know just which one
they want.
I did some painting while there, and did some
sketches of the children as well. It was a grand
time; I had a peaceful smile on my face while there.
I am doing several other paintings of these boats
and children...will post soon.
Original Watercolor 3 boats 5 x 7 $25.00

Monday, May 18, 2009

Tower Eiffel

Another pen & ink and watercolor sketch of the
Tower. I will probably do several more versions.
Original Watercolor 11 x 14 Eiffel Tower $150.00

Rolling Stone

I traveled outside of Paris to the little town of Giverny to
tour Monet's home. This little stone cottage was down the
road from his house. I loved how the vines were growing
all over the building...it looks so quaint, so "French".
Original Watercolor Stone Cottage-Giverny 11 x 14
$150.00
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Down by the Riverside





I love the water...When I was growing up, we always
had a place on a lake. I learned to swim and ski very
young. And I still love being around boats and water.
I enjoyed strolling along the river in Paris, and seeing
the boats and the beautiful bridges. I believe this river
creates part of the magic and romance of the city. There
is one bridge where lovers gather at sunset to view the
sun setting over the river...very romantic.
This is a page from my sketchbook of the charming boats
and one of the bridges. I am working on some finished
paintings of some of these scenes. Will post soon.

Friday, May 15, 2009

More Paris...




Three more new Paris paintings...
The top one is in the area around our hotel,
the Montparnasse district. There was one
street where many of the theatres were located,
and this is one of them
The middle one is Notre Dame as seen from the
river.
And the flower market is one of the oldest ones in
the city, along the river as well.
All are 11 x 14, and are $150.00 each

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wet Paint





Three new paintings of places I loved in Paris...
The first one is La Mansion Rose, a great little
cafe in Montmartre where I had the best meal I
had in all of Paris. It was tiny inside, and the two
waiters did a "ballet" to get everyone served inside
and out. Wonderful experience
The second one is the view up the street to Sacre Cour
in Montmartre. We stopped here and listened to our
guide tell us some of the history of the area. I took this
photograph, and knew I would paint it...
The third one is a flower shop (one of the thousands I
saw!), also in Montmartre (can you tell I liked it up
there... :)
I am working on some more, and I am also working on
the printed copy of the sketchbook...will keep you posted.
Original Watercolors 11 x 14 $150 each

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

More Notre Dame



I love this view of the cathedral, from down the river.
You can see the wonderful flying buttresses, and the
whole structure. I will be doing some other paintings
from this angle..this one is in my sketchbook.
sheltongail@hotmail.com

St. Chapelle












If you are ever in Paris, you MUST go and see this
small chapel. It is a hidden treasure that is worth
the trip. It was built in 1242-48 by King Louis IX
to house a relic of the passion...the crown of
thorns. He acquired it in 1239 for a sum that
exceeded the cost of the chapel itself. (we all know
it was probably a fake...but he believed it was the
real thing, obviously!)
You climb a narrow winding set of worn stone steps
to reach the chapel, and are asked to be reverent and
quiet. Which is hard to do as you gasp, and exclaim
out loud, "how beautiful!" I was lucky to be there on
a sunny day, and the glass simply sparkled, and cast
lovely colored specs across the mosaic floor. I sat and
lingered awhile, just resting in God's promises and
"being still" in His presence...awesome.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

In the Garden....





More photos of the Japanese water garden at Monet's
home in Giverny. That is me in front of one of his large
water lily paintings that is in the Orangerie Museum
in Paris. They have two rooms entirely devoted to his
over-sized paintings of the water lillies. The rooms are
oval, and the paintings wrap around the room; you are
surrounded by them...immersed in them. Fabulous...

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

More Monet


These are a couple of the watercolors that I did while
at Monet's home. While I painted the one in the Japanese
garden, a woman from Japan sat next to me on the bench...
ironic. I gave her a card, and she may be looking at this
blog! The world is getting smaller and smaller. And I still
have so much I want to see!

Monday, May 11, 2009

A Little Monet











Who hasn't seen and admired a Monet painting? I
think he would be flattered that his images are on
umbrellas, sticky notes, and mouse pads....
We made the journey out to Giverny; Monet's home
during most of his lifetime. The home with the famous
gardens, and the infamous Japanese water garden.
When you visit, you are overwhelmed by the riot of
color in the gardens, and you begin to understand his
color selections, and his palette of blossoms. It is
breath-taking, especially this time of year.
You can begin to understand his fascination with painting
it; everywhere you turn, is a painting waiting to happen.
What a thrill to stand where he stood; to view it
first hand, and see what he saw. To sketch and paint
where he did... too cool.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Flower Markets

















When we left the cathedral, we walked
along the river where these lovely
flower markets are. They are next to the
river, and offer an extensive variety of
potted plants and flowers...absolutely
gorgeous. The colors were vibrant, and
the variety was intriguing. I understand
there are birds for sale here as well on the
weekends...must be really amazing.
There is a video on www.geobeats that shows
these same markets. Just go to "Paris flower
market"; there are lots of others there as well
that feature other areas of Paris. Really neat.

I plan to do several large paintings of the
flower markets, and will post when finished.
I am still finishing up my sketchbook, and will
begin uploading it soon to do the published version that will be for sale. Let me know if
you are interested.
Paris Sketchbook $60 available June 09