It is no big secret that I love to travel. I love everything about it – discovering off-the-beaten-path places, meeting new people, and trying out the local dishes and wines.
I just returned home after a three week getaway in Europe. The trip came about on sort of a whim. I was on the constant go for most of September with the start of New York’s art season. There was an opening or event just about every night of the week. I love this time in NYC’s art world, but it can be tiring. When the opportunity for a “European Holiday” presented itself toward the end of the month, I thought what better way to recharge my batteries.
Alsace wine region, France
I spent most of my stay in France. My first stop upon landing was the Alsace wine region. Everything about this area is breathtaking. The atmospheric colors, hues of the vibrant green vines and purple/red grapes – all of it left an intense impression in my mind. The region is most known for its white wine and I am here to say that every single one I sampled was lovely.
My next destination was Aix-en Provence in the south of France. Another beautiful-beyond-words region. The greens of the vines and trees were at their height. And the skies were this cornflower blue filled with those sort of clouds that you looked at as a child and could morph into a dragon, horse, or flying ship. A highlight of this stop was going to the Jas de Bouffan, which was the family home of painter Cezanne. I love learning more about these modern masters who actually had lives beyond their paint and canvases. Cezanne’s father bought the house in 1859.
Jas de Bouffan
Chateau of Vauvenargues
Next on the agenda was the Chateau of Vauvenargues. Situated on the north of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, it is the burial site of Picasso. The chateau has a very colorful past and Picasso bought it in 1958 – just a week after seeing it for the first time.
I then headed over to Nice for a few days. There, I went to the Musée Marc Chagall where I saw the artist’s paintings and stunning stained glass windows.
Other highlights from my trip included visiting the Picasso Museum in Antibes, stopping in Cannes, and then heading over to Munich, Germany.
Now back in New York City, I am looking through the photos that I took. Everything that I saw and felt is still very fresh. Sometimes I think that I like reflecting back on my travels as much as I like actually making them. My senses feel more awake now. It is the act of reflection, recalling the intensity of the colors of the landscape and sky and how the light changes from region to region that makes me want to get back in the studio. I just want to express all that is swirling around inside of me. I knew I needed this trip. I can’t wait to start painting again.
Stained glass windows by Chagall
