Painting the Sainte-Victoire

Pour faire suite à mon post précédent, je voudrais partager avec vous la peinture aquarelle que j’ai fait sur la colline de Lauves (en Provence).

Following my previous post, I’d like to share with you the little watercolor painting I made while sitting on the Lauves hill (in Provence).

Taking in the view before starting to paint.

My spot

Final result! “Sainte-Victoire vue des Lauves” ~

Cette peinture (avec 10 autres) est exposée au centre ville de Grenoble. Si vous habitez dans le coin contactez moi pour plus d’informations.

This painting along with 10 others are on view in Grenoble’s city center. If you live in the area and would like more info feel free to contact me.

Postcards from Provence ~

J’ai passé les derniers quelques jours en Provence, pour le deuxième novembre consécutif. Comme le temps commence à devenir très froid à Grenoble pendant cette saison, aller vers le sud prolonge un peu l’automne. Il fait plus chaud, plus ensoleillé; le feuillage est plus vif. Si vous vous trouvez en Aix vers le fin de novembre, comme j’étais l’année dernière, le marché de Noël sera déjà ouvert (et donc vous pourrez boire du vin chaud quand c’est pas encore possible à Gre !). En Aix-en-Pce, comme artiste, je pars immédiatement pour le Terrain des Peintres et l’atelier Cézanne (20 mins à pied nord d’Aix) parce que je le trouve inspirant et reposant. Voici quelques photos via Instagram (@grenobloise) prises pendant mon séjour dans cette région adorée de France.

I spent the last few days in Provence, for the second November in a row. As weather starts getting real cold in Grenoble this time’a year, heading south can prolong autumn. It’s warmer, sunnier; the foliage brighter. If you happen to be in Aix towards the end of November, as I was last year, the Christmas market will be up already (which means: you can drink vin chaud when it’s not yet possible in Gre-town!). In Aix-en-Pce, as an artist, I immediately head to the Painter’s Ground and Cézanne’s studio (20 mins walk north of Aix) because I find it inspiring and relaxing. Here are some of my photos taken via Instagram (@grenobloise) from my stay in this enamored region of France.

“Ici peignait Cézanne” – @ the Painter’s Ground / le Terrain des Peintres

Painting the Sainte-Victoire on the Lauves Hill, like Cézanne once did!

A little resting area in Cézanne’s garden which is full of little nooks and crannies.

Spying on faux “twins” while waiting for the bus.

Thanksgiving Getaway & the Marché de Noël

On Tuesday I called to make reservations at Pumpkins for their Thanksgiving dinner for a group of five. Booked. They told me to try Café Mari which was also doing Thanksgiving. Booked. Of course; there are two restaurants in anglophone-ridden Grenoble serving the T-day’s feast; best reserve at least a month or two ahead!

Then I thought of cooking a large stuffed turkey in haste… which didn’t seem like a good thing to try last minute. No luck finding an obese turkey anyway:

Just kidding... I know it takes more than the yellow pages to find a big mama turkey in France...

But, it ended up working out because I was then able to accompany the BF to Provence on Wednesday morning and stay in the South all through the weekend. I looked a little less odd while in the south speaking my French sud-Occitan mixed with American accent because ever’one be speakin’ with a southern twang. Three star hotel with breakfast included, sunshine, blue skies, no pollution, warm personalities, shopping, art history, new places to discover; ‘was a nice change.

Now, I have a LOT to update about. I just returned to Grenoble last night and have a lot of experiences and photos to share since Barcelona a few weeks ago!

But, if you don’t hear from me, it may have something to do with the marché de noël opening in Grenoble, which looks much bigger than it was last year! And I thought I didn’t like Christmas…

My 1st day back in Grenoble since Tuesday of last week.. Skipped breakfast and went right to the diot line for le déjeuner.

I must say, Grenoble’s Christmas market (over 120 vendors!) makes the one in Aix-en-Provence look pathetic. If you haven’t visited Grenoble yet, you should come this winter! Also, the Alps = amazing winter food! And Grenoble’s the Alpine capital!

A few posts I hope to get to soon:

Barcelona; photos (Flamenco included!)

Thanksgiving in Provence and the funny thing I ended up eating

Aix-en-Provence, highlights/recommendations

Weekend in Arles, Camargue & Saintes-Maries de la Mer

Weekend in Aigues-Mortes and Le Grau du Roi

Stuffed pepper recipe

Grenoble, Christmas Market photos &  highlights

1/4 Aix-en-Provence, 7 photos

Avant de déménager à Grenoble, j’ai visité le midi: Provence, Marseille, Cassis et Avignon pour un week-end. Les quatre posts suivants vont inclure mes photos préférées de mon petit séjour.

Before moving to Grenoble I ended up visiting the south of France: Provence, Marseille, Cassis and Avignon for a weekend. The following four posts will include a few of my favorite photos from my trip.

Sainte Victoire (hilltop where Cézanne made is infamous paintings).
I walked here after visiting his atelier.

Walking around the petit, often crowded streets of Aix-en-Provence.