|
Provence
Joanne painting in the hills above Rasteau in Provence
"On my first trip to Provence, strictly as a tourist not an artist, I felt deprived; I was desperate to paint. I felt that I would have to return to capture that beautiful endless landscape in paint as soon as possible. Seeing it, drawing it and photographing it was not enough. I had to paint it. And so the following year I found myself indulging in a return trip with a mission; a mission to enjoy this extraordinary landscape bursting with pattern and colour by capturing it in oil. To my surprise I was able to shed all inhibitions immediately and paint large paintings standing at my easel in the middle of vineyards; nobody minded, in fact they enjoyed it. The beauty of this landscape suited itself perfectly to my style of painting and I feel that I have captured the essence of what Provence offers - a vast place, unspoilt and almost edible! A simple and calm place, bursting with colour, basking in an intense southern light. I hope that my paintings enable the viewer to feel as passionate about this very special area as I do."
Joanne painting a mural in Provence for Ferme La Garrigette |
