French Travel Journal 2017

In June we were given the amazing gift of a trip to France.  During our three weeks there we were able to enjoy seeing many friends, some we haven't seen since 1990.  There was not much time to paint in my travel journal, so I decided to paint little vignettes, several to a page of the places and events.  Each person, each place has a story of deep significance for us, ending with a visit to our baby's grave in Lamorlaye, France.  After seeing all the poppies in Flanders Fields as we traveled, we arrived at the cemetery to discover that the Lord had graciously planted them along baby Chantal's tomb. I was able to pick up some dead blossoms and hodge podge them to the page. What a wonderful experience, for which I am deeply grateful.

  

Vignettes Cards for French Friends

In June we had the blessed privilege to spend three weeks in France seeing many of our French friends.  It's been on my heart all summer to send each one a hand painted card of something from our time together.  Recovering from surgery has slowed me to a halt and given me the gift of time to paint them.  Each little painting represents a story, moments spent with precious friends.

Painting from the Late Summer Garden

It's been a full summer, France in June, (with travel sketches yet to post), the 3rd annual Mimi and Papi Summer Camp with our 4 grands, this year at Salisbury Beach in a Ocean Cottage (no time to paint with four grands!) and now ankle surgery with a leg in a cast.

The night before surgery I could not let the moment pass to paint the giant sunflower blossoms that were laying on the ground from the wind.  Such giant beauties - they always give me a surge of joy just looking at them! It was a great way to prepare for surgery.  I won't be strolling in the garden for awhile, so I'm glad I took the time.

Here is the process from photo to finished painting.