Wanting to visit Monet's Gardens was the reason I started to plan our visit to France. It was going to be my birthday celebration (a big birthday). Monet's Gardens in Giverny is about a 45 minute train ride from Paris, so it was very easy to do. I wasn't sure if they would let people paint there, so I took along my postcard sized watercolor paper, my field kit of paints, watercolor pencils (just in case I couldn't use paints), my waterbrush, and micron pens. When I got there I was so emotional that I started to cry...it was just so perfect!!! My husband said it was his second favorite place to visit ever. The grounds were gorgeous, even that late in the season, and nobody stopped me from painting. There were a few people doing quick sketches, and then a class of teenagers came with their watercolor materials. They were all over...sitting on the bridges and on the paths. For most of the paintings that I posted here I was standing while I was painting. I did find a bench to sit on to paint the one of the house, and sat on the ground to do the last one of the flower beds leading to the house.
While I was painting a couple came over to talk to us and wanted to look at my painting. They were from Hawaii and asked if I had done any other paintings there. I showed them the ones that I completed earlier in the day. They wanted to buy one of them. I really didn't want to sell one since these were my souvineers of the trip, but they were very persistent. They were at the end of their trip and said they would rather buy something beautiful and original than something from the gift shop. They bought the one of Monet's house with the flowers in front of the windows. I felt like a real Parisian artist!!
Next I will post my paintings from my second day at Monet's Gardens.
10 comments:
oH JOAN!!! WHAT GLORIOUS! THE PAINTINGS, THE WRITINGS, ALL OF IT!! AND THE SALE TO BOOT!!! CONGRATS ON ALL COUNTS. THOSE FEELINGS ARE JUST HOW I FEEL WHEN I VISIT ITALY .... OVERWHELMINGLY EMOTIONAL!! DID YOU HAPPEN TO HEAR THE NPR STORY ABOUT THE WOMAN WHO GAVE UP HER HOUSE AND JOB TO WORK AT MONET'S GARDEN AS A GARDENER? IT'D MAKE YOU CRY TOO! FANTASTIC JOB, HON -- I AM SO GLAD FOR YOU!
Joan..I am SO envious of your obviously amazing trip. I love the painted-diary you are always so good at keeping...these are beautiful! I'm sure you are SO inspired now! take care!
Lin - Can you imagine working there and being surrounded by that beauty on a regular basis? Thanks so much!
Holly - Thanks. I've been going through the photos I took on the trip to try to organize them and make a folder of "possible future paintings."
Beautiful work and congrats on the sale. And I am sooooo jealous! Would love to visit France but it's not likely to happen in this lifetime unless I win the lottery.
Well done - you've both captured the profusion of the gardens and the colours. I'm so amazed at how many paintings you managed to produce - you must have a very understanding husband!
Oh, I love them all. I can't wait to see them in person. I'm so jealous!!!!!!
Dear Joan
I was the one who "bought" your paintng from window with flowers of Monet's House. I came from Taiwan(Asia). It was 2.5 months past since I left France. Today I started to reviewed the information what I took from Monet's House and "MY" painting(yours),and listening to Jerry's music u gave me,I wept for my emotion as same as yours when you first got in the Lily Pond. it's just hard to give you my voice to u through my poor English. I'll write you another e-mail. Keeping touch if you want. Happy New Year!
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