Just Up The Road

Just Up The Road  5 x 7 oil on museum board

for more info click here

Every where I go I am inspired to paint.  I think I could find

about 50 thousand paintings within 5 kilometers of my home.

Just up the road from me the beautiful morning light

was hitting the unusual blue door ahead and 

it took my breath away.

That feeling of "oh,wow" is what inspires me.

Only in France:

Moving in has been much more chaotic than expected and

I've had to spend alot of time on co-ordinating repairs since the house

has been empty for the past six years- and with my French-

that takes a while.

One of the things we needed was a new gate and I wanted one

where Robi would be able to see out of. After stopping by the

'portail magazine' (gate store) it was agreed that a

salesman would stop by the next morning to take a measurement and

decide on a final design.  He arrived promptly at 9:30 and within 5 minutes

all the details were straight so I asked if he would like a cup of tea- in my best French.

Of course he would, he loves tea and most people here only drink coffee, he tells me.

So I offer a Madeline as well which he graciously accepts, and we continue to

chat over breakfast about my cow paintings, the back lighting, the French life, followed by 

all things about the portail business and his philosophy on customer service.

Delightful! Only in France:))))

Could there be a better French lesson?

Blue Shutters

Blue Shutters 8x8 oil on museum board

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Some things just make me happy:

sunshine, bright colors and blue shutters:)

Wishing you some happy moments today.

Les Charolais

Two in the Brush 6x6 oil on museum board

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I loved the way these two cows peeped around

the bushes to get a better look at me.

They actually stopped chewing for a second:)

 

 

Bonjour

Bonjour 9x12 oil on museum board

for purchasing info click here

I am really enjoying painting these cows. They are

such Rubenesque models,

as a friend politely pointed out to me;)

Food and Wine in France!

Walking in Lavender  6x6 sold

I'm back from my trip to France so that I could get things

ready for me to move in next month. I didn't complete everything

on my check list but I did get the internet hooked up and my

studio and office cleaned up.

Did I mention food?(and wine?)

After all, moving is hard work and I need to make

sure I keep my energy level up;)

Let's begin with a little Amuse Bouche,  bite sized treats of flaky pastry topped with a sauce

 that just explodes with flavor in your mouth. Quite the surprise.  From left to right the

flavors are pistachio, olive, and curry.

Followed by:

Quail eggs (the little green dots) on petite toast served with thinly sliced rabbit rounds, topped off with

and emulsion of  something amazingly delicious, but I have no idea

what it was.  I was impressed with the artistic presentation and combination of flavors.

(I feel like I'm beginning to sound like a waiter in a fancy-fied restaurant or maybe even a food critic!)

Also important:

The setting:

Burgundy vineyards as far as the eye can see!

Hope you enjoyed having lunch with me:)

Cheers!

Thanks for following my blog and letting me share with you.

I love your comments and appreciate you taking the time to do so:)

Until next time-

St. Cirq de Popie

St. Cirq de Popie  8x8 oil on museum board

for purchasing info click here

This was one of the most beautiful villages I've ever

visited in France.

You can see more images by clicking here.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Room With A View

Room With A View 8x8 oil on museum board

for purchasing info click here

This painting was done late in the afternoon sunlight.  

The room above had the most spectacular view of the

sunset across the rolling French countryside.

 

 

Hobbit House

Hobbit House 6x6 oil on museum board

for purchasing info click here

I found this charming little French house irresistibly appealing,

very cozy and inviting.

The owner gave us a tour through his luscious back yard with

over 160 varieties of roses.

I wonder if he realizes how much art he inspired.

My guess is at least 160 paintings from the group I was with:)

Oh- I almost forgot!
Announcing two more French postcard  winners:
 Bartlett Teachout
and
Joan Cole
:)

 

Sparkling Vine

Sparkling Vine 6x6 oil on museum board

for purchasing info click here

 

This vine was sparkling in the sunlight,

waving in the breeze,

and whispering my own thoughts back to me-

"it's great to be alive"!

 



 

Weekend Retreat

Weekend Retreat  6x6 oil on museum board

for purchasing info click here

Perched on a hill in the countryside of France,

overlooking a quiet village,

this weekend retreat welcomes you

with a weathered door shaded by a vine

sparkling with sunshine:)

 

 

 

 

Pruning Ladder

Pruning Ladder 5x7 oil on museum board

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I really enjoyed painting the afternoon light in this piece.

This is another of the plein air paintings done in France.

I'm still giving away a couple of French watercolor postcards each Friday in July.

So if you'd like to join the fun you can email me

your name and address here:

brucebingham@gmail.com

and I'll put your name in the paint can.

Winners this week are:

Motti Shoval

Sumie Shibata

Thanks!

Climbing Roses

Climbing Roses 5 x 7  oil on museum board

to purchase click here

Roses climbing to the light on a rambling shed

striking a charming pose,

brightly colored laundry flapping in a soft breeze,

warm sunshine hugging my shoulders as I'm painting,

this is where smiles are born:)

 

 

Red Geraniums

Red Geraniums  6x6  oil on museum board

for purchasing info click here

I loved painting outdoors in this beautiful French courtyard,

filled with wonderful flowers

warm memories,

and occasionally some sunshine:)

 

 

Off to France!

Bonjour!  6x6 oil on museum board

sold

 

The bags are packed and I'm off for another fun filled

workshop in France with the wonderful:

Dreama Tolle Perry

 

Come along for the fun by following this blog.

I want to share inspiration, painting tips, and

some watercolor post cards as well.

 

If you'd like to be in the drawing for a free

watercolor  postcard directly from France

please email me your name and address to:

brucebingham@gmail.com

 

-or-

if you know of a support group for workshop junkies

and want to send me info

my buddy Robi would be really happy:-o

 

It's the" I see you packing your bags again so I'm gonna block the door" look!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Le Marais

Le Marais 6x6 oil on board

I rented an apartment in the Marais with a friend. It was a wonderful

central location in Paris very close to the Latin Quarter.

We spent lots of time at a cafe close to where

we 'lived'. Maybe it was because the apartment was

a little on the small side, but it seemed like everyone would

just hang out, talk on the phone, or pay bills.

Just give me my sketch pad= bliss!

to purchase for $100 click here

Book Enthusiast

Book Enthusiast  6x6 oil on board

 

When I saw this collector on the left bank in Paris

I had to snap a reference photo to

bring back to my studio.

I love a good book don't you?

I'm trying to stay as loose as possible and still give you 

enough information to understand the subject.

It's a really fun process inspired by my 

recent flirtation with watercolors.

 

Thanks for viewing and comments are welcomed!

to purchase for $100 click here

 

 

Country French Vines

Country French Vines  6x6 oil on board

to purchase click here

The recent challenge to paint 30 paintings in 30 days

by Leslie Saeta

was great!

Sometimes it was fun and sometimes not so much.

I didn't get to 30 but feel like I did as well

as I could considering I was abroad for twelve days.

 

It was like attending Procrastinators Anonymous for big time

wasters like me who can loose focus in a heartbeat.

 

But the best part of participating, besides the motivation to

get my booty in gear, was seeing lots of fabulous art and

making so many wonderful new artists friends. 

Thanks to all for your encouraging comments

and lets stay connected!

In The Weeds

In The Weeds  6x6 oil on board

All that blogging I did yesterday about Burgundy and

all the delicious specialties they serve there

made me kinda hungry.

And we all know where this delicious food is created don't we?

Out of all the paintings I've done for the recent challenge on

Leslie's blog

this is probably my favorite.

Maybe it's because I had the most fun painting it.

Pity it's the last day,

I feel like I was just getting warmed up.

No pun intended!

to purchase for $100 click here

Burgundy Friends

 

Burgundy Friends 6x6 oil on board

 

These are the famous Charolais cows that surround

my country french house in Burgundy.

Some of the other specialities of the region

include snails, mushrooms, and of course the famous

Burgundy wines.

And did I forget to mention cheese?

Our house is just ten minutes from the  historic

Rues des Grands Crus

with hundreds of vintners, a delightful gastronomic adventure!

 

What was I talking about? Oh yeah, cows.  They are always so

cute and curoius. They just look at you with their big brown

eyes and sweet expressions, chewing and chewing,

constantly chewing when they're not mooing that is.

 

to purchase for $100 click here

 

 

 

 



Le Champs

Le Champs  6 x 6 oil on board

This is another paint the rain challenge on Daily Paintworks.

I had so much fun with the first one, 

I decided to do another.

I think to make something look like there is moisture

in the air, it's all about muted colors

and the reflections.

to purchase for $100 click here