Avers-sur-Oise

Sunday was my second visit to the charming town of AUVERS SUR OISE, 20 miles outside Paris

Van Gogh spent the last 70 days of his life here and made 80 paintings.

Auberge Ravoux was his home. He probably sat out front sipping an absinthe or two at one time or another.

On Sunday it seemed like every visitor to Avers sur Oise wanted to sit in Van Gogh's possible chair

On Sunday I put down my pencil and picked up my brush to paint directly 'en pleine aire' as they call it.

Time has stopped in this quiet 19th century town.

Every doorway has secrets. Who has passed in and out.

Cezanne, Pissarro, Daubigny painted here.

It would be lovely if there were a few Van Gogh original paintings on view.

Instead large posters sit side by side to the places he immortalized.

This time I made it to the magical musee de l'Absinthe.

I bought this gutsy Absinthe glass and a postcard of "Vincent's Bedroom".

You can learn a lot copying a van Gogh. The perfect balance of complimentary colors. The tipped-up floor influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. Its a chance to walk in someone else's shoes.

Naturally there are wild irises by the side of the road in Van Gogh's last home. If you have a day to spare Auvers sur Oise provides a quiet respite from the glamour of Paris

A Big Merci to Marge!

She suggested I send out whatever Paris souvenirs I have on hand and I have  bags of them. Not to worry if they are unrelated to the art. For some unknown reason, 5-star hotels do not hand out their cards readily. In future all envelopes will have Paris goodies. 

Letters, maps and watercolor from Paris are up on Etsy. Take a look svp.

The Auvers Musee de l'Absinthe is coming up next.

Bon week PBers!