Walking in Maine with David Dewey

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My hostess in Maine (I have not moved here permanently to Rocklnd in case you were wondering) goes fast walking every morning at 6-6:15 am with her pals. I decided to join in. Of course I cannot keep up with them which is fine. But its a great way to immerse yourself into the landscape as preparation for painting that landscape. Another very good thing - you can listen to ON VA DEGUSTER PODCASTS (Let's go taste) whilst walking and improve your French. Plus learning essential facts about French cuisine. This morning I learned how to say 'rue fuud' (raw food). You can say things outloud too...very helpful. Great for the pronunciation and how I tuned up my French before moving to France.

What I saw on my walkies...

Why I Must continue to go walkies when I get back to Paris on Wednesday! The best pizza in the world bar none IMHO from RUSTICA'S on Main Street in Rockland, if you like corn meal crust.

Lush porridge from the SALTY OWL at the Owl's Head airport.

Nice rhubarb-blueberry muffins

The essential ePod

A few choice podcasts fron ON VA DEGUSTER. I recommend repeated listenings. Maybe even memorizing like French kids do in school. Really fun with funky music and famous chefs etc.

I have their first book (in French) full if infographics plus recipes toute en Française

I have yet to get their new book but I plan to. Plenty of recipes included. I will definitely miss coming home from walking to lovely Theolonious Monk. I'm considering cat-napping him. My carryon is fairly light. Oui o non?

Bonne journée from Maine PBers

David Dewey watercolor workshop, Rockland Maine

First day DAVID DEWEY WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP in Rockland (really Owl's Head) Maine. We head to the dog rock at Owl's Head Beach to paint.

David explains,'Let the color release into the shape'Leave bits and pieces of white in the rocks'

David's palette is always a work of art on its own...a vintage enamel butcher's tray is the best to see your color mixtures. Check ebay.

David's motley crew of old-as-the-hills paintbrushes.

How ever does he make those light-as-a-feather marks and washes with that crew is part of the fun of watching David paint. 'Use the brush to drop color into it' 'The first touches of color down tell the story'

An early stage of delicate washes making the foundation and structure of the painting.

'The shape is formed by the colors that are there'

'Your painting is always on your palette first' David reminds us.

'A touch of dark anchors it. Let the white paper reveal the color. Know where to be clear and where to be vague' 'there has to be light in your darks, so just don't go black'

I paint the facing big Etretat-like cliff across from Dog rock

First thumbnail

Later stage

Rock time

Really fun finding all the colors lurking in these rocks

I do 5-7 small watercolors to everyone else's 1-2 full-size paintings. Comme d’habitude

My palette/paintbox trying to reflect my watercolors..

David likes this one

The crit end of day. Always exciting to see what everyone has done.

Dinner at the fabulous McLoon's

An absolute must if you're in this part of the world.

Et volia. This lobster was picked out of the baskets just off the warf and steamed to order.

Top that! I Love❤️❤️❤️ Maine!!

La Biennale - Grand Palais

A very quick view of LA BIENNALE on now through sunday at the GRAND PALAIS. if you're lucky to be in paris you can enter free this saturday (a first) and I recommend you go. The show's decor is by designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and quite fabulous. Why you should go? You will get a sneak peek at artworks from private collections about to go into other private collections. So worth it.

The hanging flags surround this small enclousure

Containing a rarely seen private collection of Napoleonic artifacts.

The design of the individual art dealer stands seems very different to my eyes. Elegant.

Of course there will be Champagne. I was at the early press preview before the grandees arrived for bubbly and tid bits.

What is de rigeur for your average gallerist to wear to these things? Isimyaki's Pleats Please outfits.

Some early guests wearing black of course and brilliant color blocks.

Traditionally the Biennale was mainly antique rooms like this

And this.

Plus essential accessories for big houses

And of course important jewelry.

This year painting both old and contemporary was added to great advantage.

My eclectic selection leans more towards the older works like this stunning Fantin-Latour. You may remember him from past posts.

Closely related to the Picasso masterpieces show is this fast combo ink and pastel sketch of the artist with his model. The artist references Valasquez or some other old artist. Wonderful IMHO.

I picked this for the lovely glass rendering...strictly a personal choice.

Some summery picks..an oil by Marquet.

Beach scene by Boudin...remembrances of summer gone

A wild crazy drawing just to show you the range though I'm missing all the modern stuff

The show is international and quite fabulous. The only fabulous art I saw yesterday in Rockland, Maine is this at the ROCKLAND CAFE on Main Street. My steamed lobster was perfection and you can't beat the price. Double the meat in any lobster roll...just sayin' Today is the 1st day of David Dewey's watercolor workshop. More to come.

Cheers