The French Collection
Created in oil pastel on board, ‘En Plein Air’ in the South of France, these paintings were the subject of my first exhibition. I made the original sketches in the Languedoc, a region I love. Approximately ten percent of the population speak Oc, one of the ancient Romance languages, brought to life in this song written and performed by local writer, poet, musician and friend: Claude Marti.
I hope you enjoy the collection as much as I enjoyed creating it!
Route de Cornèze
As the road rises steeply out of Couffoulens, this view never fails to please!
Towards Mazerolles
Detail from Tournesols et Cypres.
Towards Pomas from Couffoulens
When I made this sketch, the sky was darkening towards Pomas. The old road drops away down a steep bank into the vineyard, the Cypress trees stand like centurions at the field boundary.
Towards Domaine Le Fort
I made this sketch in Spring, it loosely depicts the sweet spring vines of green, blue skies and Les Midi Pyrenées in the distance. The finished piece has a more abstract feel to it.
Razes Sky
The Murphy family agree that this is the best place in all the world to fly a kite!
Tournesols et Cypres
This part of the countryside is so reminiscent of Umbria, Italy, with its settlement on the outcrop and Cypress trees.
“The hill road wet with rain, In the sun would not gleam Like a winding stream If we trod it not again.”
Edward Thomas (Roads, collected poems)
April Vines
The vines have not yet come into leaf, so the wired, gnarled trunks come into focus. “Souche” - the dead wood - is often collected for firewood.
Rue de Seignadou
This is true Tour de France country, with the bicycles passing through the region as one, a bizarre caterpillar speeding through the french countryside cheered on by locals and tourists thronging the roadsides; “Allez! Allez! Allez!”