2017 France #6

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day

France #6   $250.

Went off the normal grid today and tried my hand at a gargoyle...

Day #6
We have a long day planned today.  We meet our guide Cecile (who we had a few days ago) in the city of Tours.  We started in the Cathedral which is in a flamboyant Gothic style and had beautiful stained glass windows.  We were able to tour a special part that brought us right next to gargoyles!  We have never seen them up close, usually its ground level looking up.  I am talking reach out and touch them close!   
Linda was thrilled about this.

We then had a walking tour of Tours and stopped to see a lute maker, Didier Jarny.  A treat our guide set up for us.  He is one of 7 in Europe and trained 3 of them.  He happily showed us his workshop.  Almost made me want to order a lute!

Next we did a little shopping.  I lost my cap along the way so the girls talked me into buying a new one at a hat shop.

We then stopped for a bottle of wine, went to market and picked up foods for a picnic and met Clement our boat guide.  He built this boat, spoke little English and was SO French! We had a wonderful ride on the Loire River with a special picnic.  Kathy is in the corner trying to figure out how we are getting on board!

Our day is not done...we are now off to Amboise.  Took a guided tour of the Chateau and then did a special subterranean tour.  We paid our respects to the final resting place of Leonardo and by now we are very tired.  

2017 France #5

SOLD!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day

France #5   $225.

A window from the village of Lavardin.


Day #5
We started the day in the little village Lavardin.  Classified as "a most beautiful village".  Linda has a of list of them and we always try to add a few to our sightseeing!  We came here mostly to see  the roman style Church of Saint Geneste.  The church dates to the 1000's and the frescos done between 1100 and 1600's!  Can you imagine the age!!  We were the only ones there.




















We then went into the city of Blois.  We met our tour guide Fabrice who took us on a walking tour around the city.  He was an excellent knowledgeable tour guide. We asked especially to see Church Saint Nicolas and it was off the beaten path but worth the walk.  Look at the light coming in the windows!

Show update:
We were in Saratoga Springs, NY over the weekend.  Well it grew a lot from what we remembered 20 years ago.  We connected with a few past clients but overall I would say the show was more of a "happening" than big sales. although the work was all very good.  Seemed like every other person in my booth "paints"!  I may try it one more time just to see if I can grow it.  We camped...  the campground was awful.   The bathhouse was super filthy, and Linda refused to go in.   Do NOT use Lees Park under any circumstance!  We need to find a better campground in the area!  We got home around 5pm to unpacking and laundry.  So no Monday blog.

2017 France #4

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day

France #4   $275.

I went with an interior today just to shake things up!
This is from Chateau de Cheverny.

Day 4
This is a two castle day but it did not start out smoothly.  We were on a toll road and put in our ticket
and the toll came up 62 euro!  This should be a 5 euro drive.  No people around and the gate will not go up unless you put in the required amount.  There was nothing we could do but pay!
We arrive at Chateau de Cheverny in time for the feeding of the dogs.


100 tricolor anglo-french hounds.  (a cross of English Fox Hound and French Poitevins)  Now that was a sight to see.   This chateau was spared from destruction during the Revolution because the owners were well liked so it is beautifully decorated and had a lived in feeling.   Probably our favorite.
Next was Chateau de Chambord

This was HUGE!  And it was packed, took an hour in line to get our tickets.  We rented ipads as a guide and they were a little hard to use.  The showstopper here was the staircase and I did not take photos.   Another long day of walking.

This is my last blog until Tuesday.  Off to Saratoga Springs, NY

2017 France #3

4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day

France #3   $250.

This is from my walk in Montresor.
You just want to follow the steps up...



Day 3
Our first castle... Chateau de Chenonceau, the one build over the water.  It looks small behind our heads but we are very far away!

According to Linda and Kathy the most memorable thing was the flower arrangements in each room, which i did not take many photos of but the girls were ooh and ahhing!  They were unique and we heard the arranger was from the US but I cannot confirm that!   Also memorable was the copper cookware collection in the kitchen.

We left the castle and went to a Saint Aignon.  Our guide Cecile (who we are using on another
day) was born here and she wanted to show us real life in a French town.  We started with lunch in a local place and she chatted about her life in St. Aignon.  She was a great guide, in her 30's and a music major with a beautiful voice.












Here we are in Saint Aignon.  Roses were in full bloom everywhere we went.  I was looking forward to the hollyhocks but we were a little too early.  The roses made up for it!

Our next stop is Montresor, listed as one of the most beautiful villages.  We were all pretty tired so this was a quick stop then back to our little castle and off to bed.

Weekend

I am posting twice because I did not want to
mix my travel posts with my next show.

This Weekend...hello Saratoga Springs, NY
It has been years but I am back.  Tell all
your friends to come out and say hello!  Booth #23

2017 France #2

SOLD!
4"x 6"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day

France #2

$250.

Walking around in Chartres historical area I found lots of wonderful doors.  Loved the color against the old limestone walls.

Day 2
The French really do not do breakfast like we are used to however our B&B put together a wonderful spread for us.  Everything was fresh!  Homemade yogurt with homemade granola!  A smoothie, fresh OJ, bread and croissants baked that morning with homemade jellies all brought up to our room.  I highly recommend Maison Alleurs if you find yourself in Chartres.  Went to the Musee du Vitrail (glass museum) then back to the cathedral just to take it in one more time. Back on the road for a 2 hour drive with a stop for groceries.  You have not lived until you shop not being able to read what you are buying!  It may look somewhat like what you are used to seeing but who knows!  We are now checking into our VRBO home base for 5 nights.  Chateau De La Noue outside the village of Villedomer.  We are staying in a real Chateau!  

Linda just taking it all in at the Cathedral, the beautiful windows did not photo well but you get an idea of size.

Our home!  We rented the wing straight ahead and our host lives in the part on the right. Dating back to the 16th century and in our host, Christine's family for 200 years.

2017 France #1

SOLD!
5"x 5"  Original Watercolor - A Painting A Day

France #1

$125. unframed   (value framed: $250.)

Available to the 1st person to email
offer good till 7pm 6/7

This is the front door to our wonderful B&B.

We are back from 10 great days in France.  Linda found these $395 round trip direct flights on British Airways Open Skies.  It included 1 checked bag, 1 overhead bag, meals, movies, a pillow and blanket!  I was told it's a deal we could not turn down and talked our friends the Woodruffs into going along.  My plan is to paint something from each day and give you our itinerary and links,
in case you want more info!  Then at the end of the trip I will backtrack and keep painting! 

Day 1
We landed in Orley and rented a car.  Our first stop was Chartres.  We checked into Maison Ailleurs B&B.  A splurge for us but it was beautiful and within walking distance of everything we wanted to see.   Then off to the Chartres cathedral - built in the 12th century!! Known for their blue stained glass windows. We had a Cathedral and Crypt tour.  Next was a ride on the La Petit Train for an overview of the historic district followed by a very good dinner at Cafe Blue.  A long and busy 1st day.

Our huge bedroom, I am writing in my journal.

This gives you an idea of scale.  I am in the courtyard of our B&B looking up to the 2nd floor windows.  Linda, Bruce and Kathy are looking down on me.  

This does not even begin to show the windows... they did not photo well but I wanted an impression just for my own records. Imagine being surrounded by this beautiful glass.  All removed and saved during the wars.

News:
I was included in the Top 45 Traditional Artists list!  I do not apply to these lists, somehow i get chosen and it just shows up in my emails.  I am thankful!

Friday

25x29  Pink Beauty  $2500.

The track Banquet is over and that wraps up the season.  I took two days to do a little work on our popup camper so its ready to roll in June.

Remember I said I printed my blog into books with BlookUp, well they did a little interview and its on their site.  Click here to read it.  I recommend them to anyone who wants to print their blog or facebook pages.
Here are other links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blookupnews/posts/1896539683959725

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlookUpNews/status/865567553128726528

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BURqXc_jDp2/
They were great to work with.

Update

I will start with the most important news!  Warwick M.S. Track...Both our boys and girls were undefeated this year 7-0!  And to top off the season both boys and girls took 1st at the Lancaster Lebanon track meet with 26 teams!  I have been thinking back over my coaching career and I started
at Warwick in 1996 as a volunteer for a club team.  Then in 1998 the school made it part of the sports program and I volunteered two more seasons.  Then in 2001 I became a paid coach. My Head Coach Brett Miller has been a friend and a leader for my 21 years.  We share the same coaching philosophy and love of the kids.  Here we are at the end of our League Meet, notice the big smiles!
Shout out to a job well done!


Now a show update...
Williamsburg was HOT! 91 and Linda hated the heat!  The good thing was she was able to meet with her brother Jimmy who lives there.  We had a great dinner together.


The next show was local in Womelsdorf, and it was drizzly and cold.  There we sat all bundled up.
So when last weekend popped up with rain all Saturday I made the big decision not to attend the show in Hershey.  We both just could not face a day outside.  I almost never bag a show but there are limits...  
BlookUp interviewed me and will post something on Friday 5/19 all because I turned my blog into books!

Personal update...
Had a dentist appointment today.  Tomorrow Linda gets knee shots.  Thursday is our track banquet. As you can see I am not getting much painting accomplished!  And then for the exciting part, we leave at the end of the week for 10 days in France, concentrating on the Loire Valley.  Linda found this great $399 round trip on British Airways, who can turn that down!  Spending the time with friends makes it all the sweeter.  I will be painting France when I return so get ready.   I may post some photos of France on my Facebook page (Andy Smith Artist).  I promise I will come back refreshed and ready to wow you with new work!

check in...

Ok, so I need to say I am absorbed in track. It is hard to get much else accomplished! You should know by now that I coach Warwick M.S. track as a sprint coach.  The season is at the finish line.  We finished all the dual meets and we are 7-0 both boys and girls.  WooHoo!!  A great season.  Next week is the big invitational...   My job is to give them skills, vision, and encouragement. The kids do all the hard work.  I am so very proud of the team!

As for painting, not much happening!  I have one I have been playing with for a few days.  I did get the van packed today since it is to rain tomorrow. Set up was also scheduled tomorrow so I will need to wait and see what the weather brings.

The Show:
Artisans in the Park
Saturday, May 6 from 9 to 4
Held at Conrad Weiser Homestead
28 Weiser Lane (off Rt 422) Womelsdorf PA
free admission ~ rain or shine