CREATIVE INSPIRATION

France, une source d’inspiration: Week 3

Here in southwest France, April—unwilling to be satisfied with its allotted 30 days—extended its engagement into the first week of May.  Cloudy gray skies, chill Atlantic winds and rain outdistanced even my ebullient mood. 

Yours truly, out and about on a chilly rainy day in Bordeaux:

April, come she will
When streams are ripe and swelled with rain
May, she will stay
	(Simon and Garfunkel)

Less sight-seeing, more painting and writing became my agenda this week.   I began to notice how my creative process operates while on holiday.  During week 1, I was busy looking at everything, taking the new environs in through all my senses.  The paintings I made (see my April 15 & 22 newsletters) were mainly images of things that appealed, ideas that captured my interest, things in my immediate environment or seen on walks. 

During week 2, my painting began to move from the representation of ideas towards expression of feelings.  This was a deliberate choice on my part. 

Two watercolors done in week 2:

Two pastels of the same subject, showing progression towards more abstract expression during week 3.

In the sodden aftermath of daily—sometimes dreary, deadening— rainfall, I looked for evidence of life force.  A visit to a 14^th century castle in southwest France:

Daily collage project took a new turn last week.

I leave you with a poem to inspire and a hint as to the connection between my time in France and my creative work.  Keep Saying This by English poet, Wendy Cope.

Keep saying this and don’t forget:
Although you think you’re very old,
The party isn’t over yet.

You lie awake at night beset
By dread of being dead and cold.
Keep saying this and don’t forget:

It doesn’t help at all to fret
About what cannot be controlled.
The party isn’t over yet.

Although your nature wasn’t set 
In a serene of fearless mould,
Keep saying this and don’t forget:

In ten years time you may regret
Surrendering to gloom. Be bold.
The party isn’t over yet.

No point in living if you let
Your terror of the end take hold.
Keep saying this and don’t forget
The party isn’t over yet.

Wishing you cloudless skies, sunny days, new growth and many colors.  Reactions to this newsletter? I love to hear from you! Celeste

Something to think about: