"Produce From Limoux" and a Presentation in Saugatuck

"Produce From Limoux",  14x11"  Oil on Linen

I started this painting on a rainy day in France.  The produce stands in Limoux' central square were brimming with the most beautiful fruits and vegetables, so we loaded up our baskets with the intention of painting them when the weather turned inclement.  Luckily, we had a spacious basement with good lighting where we could spread out and paint whenever we wanted.  Some amazing paintings were produced in that basement that week!

For purchase information, please click on Ann Feldman Limoux

Do you have plans on April 16th?  Consider a road trip to Saugatuck, Michigan to visit me as I paint at the J. Petter Gallery from 3 to 6pm.  Enjoy tasting some new wine and meander through the gallery to see all their beautiful new art.  I would love to see you there!  The details are below:

J. PETTER GALLERIES April 2016 Events Petter Art Gallery & Petter Wine Gallery One of the largest and oldest fine art galleries in West Michigan with a cozy boutique wine bar and gourmet retail shop. Sat. April 16th 3 to 6pm - Artist Demo & Reception, Ann Feldman All Month April 1 to 30 - Art Exhibition, Still Lives in Focus Sat. April 30 4 to 6pm - Wine School, Spring Sips and Picks ARTIST DEMO & RECEPTION with Ann Feldman Still Lifes, Landscapes, Portraits Saturday - April 16th from 3pm to 6pm We are pleased to invite you to an artist reception and open house for Ann Feldman.  Meet Ann and enjoy delicious refreshments while she paints on site.  Stop in to see how her varying techniques with pallet knife and brush allow her to convey light and shadow. STILL LIVES IN FOCUS Featuring art from Philomene Bennett, Ann Feldman and Cindy Peterson A still life experience. On exhibition all month - April 1 to 30, 2016 This April we celebrate our artists who live in the moment at our 'Still Lives in Focus'.  Philomene's large scale paintings are splashed with vibrant and bold color.  Ann's work is filled with touches of light and composed of rich beauty.  Cindy creates still life contemporary work with an 'old master' feel.  Join us as we celebrate 'Still Lives in Focus'.      Live in the moment this month at J. Petter Galleries. ____________________________ WINE SCHOOL Featuring Sommelier Stuart Spring & Summer Picks Saturday - April 30, 2016 from 4 to 6pm It is time for our April Wine School with some exciting wines for the upcoming spring and summer season.  Join us with Sommelier Stuart for a fun and educational afternoon of tasting wines.  Price is $25 per person, includes wine tastes and appetizer pairings.  Take advantage of special pricing on wine school selections. To RSVP phone 269-857-2230 or emailinfo@jpettergalleries.com with name(s) and contact information to save your place at the table. Cheers wineaux!

"Autumn in Giverny", 16x20", oil on linen

"Autumn in Giverny", 16x20", oil on linen

At the Petter Gallery, Saugatuck, Michigan

(269) 857-2230

I'm continuing to work from my references from France.  I knew when I saw this scene in Monet's garden that it had many elements which would make it recognizable as Giverny: the lily pads, the little pink and green building, and the purple/pink reflections in the water.  The leaves had just started to turn and to begin dropping into the water like colorful little jewels.  I enjoyed painting this piece so much-- I hope you enjoy it too!

"Les Mandarins", 9x12", Painting in a Secret Garden

Les Mandarins, 9x12"

During our first few days in Limoux, we would stroll by huge cement walls that lined the sidewalk near the river.  Our hosts told us that there were some incredibly beautiful gardens behind those walls, and what a pity it was that we would never see what treasures were there.

And then our fortune changed!  A neighbor couple befriended us one day as we were painting the river behind their house.  They invited us to come to their home a few days hence to paint their garden.  From the elated look on our host's face, this was indeed going to be a rare treat.

Painting "Les Mandarines" in the secret garden

The view from our neighbor's window

 Winding paths led from one garden treat to another

Persimmons weighed down the branches of this tree

How fortunate we were that our neighbors opened their door to us.  We were able to see (and paint!) a secret part of Limoux that very few get to see.

"Tiny White House, Limoux", 7x5" (study)

 "Tiny White House, Limoux", 7x5"  oil on linen

"Early Fall, Vineyards of Limoux", 7x5", oil on linen

Painting in the vineyards near Limoux was so easy with the help of our hosts at Montfaucon.  Penny and Nicolina knew which vineyard to visit in the morning, and which in the evening, because the light was best at those times of day.  They made arrangements with the landowners for us to set up amongst the vines, and plopped us down in the most incredibly picturesque areas we could imagine.  From there, we would hike about and eventually settle on the view that spoke to each one of us.

These two studies were painted on the spot, and I'll be using them to develop some larger paintings.  I tried to capture the feeling of the light hitting the vineyards in the foreground and the misty foothills in the back.

More to come, mes chers amis!  Next, I'll tell you about painting in a secret garden...

"Where Next, Fifi?", 8x10"

Why are the French so elegant in everything they do?  Even when perusing a tourist board-- they do it with flare.  I should have been photographing architecture, but found myself constantly drawn to the people in France.  And now that's all I want to paint!

"Sunday Morning, Aix en Provence" 20x16"

Aix en Provence was full of surprises.  We were walking along a narrow cobblestone street when all at once, our path opened up into a town square filled to the brim with flower stalls.  The light, the color, and the fragrance caught us off guard.  A few steps further and we were back on the quiet cobblestones again.

"Red Bicycle, Paris", 11x14"

I think I could paint for a year using all the references I got in France over the last two weeks!  I was there with my mom and my niece to study the works and workspaces of the Impressionists.  One piece of information that stuck with me is that the Impressionists were quite scientific about their use of color. Complementary colors were used especially effectively by all of them.

In this piece, I used the complements purple/yellow to mix my grays, and I used red/green for the more vibrant colors.  I hope these lessons stay with me!