"Azure Isle Embiez", Six-Four-les-Plages, France

"Azure Isle Embiez", France. 6x8 inches, oil on panel, $220. 

The weather finely cleared up and we got to enjoy a beautiful afternoon in Six-Four. We didn't take the ferry to the island but instead enjoyed some tartar a little cafe at its edge. Since our overnight ferry to Corsica wasn't leaving till 10:30 at night we stayed and swam I the protected azure waters. Everyone else snorkeled or bashed sticks while I painted this. 

"Rain and Sailboat on the Côte d'Azur", Six-Four-les-Plages, France

"Rain and Sailboat on the Côte d'Azur", 8x6 inches, oil on linen panel, sold

My 2nd painting good the day from the window of our little apartment. We did make one excursion down the street to cafe to have a drink. I ordered a gin martini with olives, which was 1 part gin, 1 part vermouth, 1 part simple syrup. The olives came in a dish on the side. Really not enjoyable. The thunder storm really came on and we hadn't brought our rain gear. So we ran laughing through the streets back to our apartment. 

"Rain and Sun Côte d'Azur", France

"Rain and Sun Côte d'Azur", France. It rained all day and nobody was too sad about it. After 8 days of traveling we needed a chill day. Of course I can't chill so I made a couple paintings while the kids and Julie read their books. 

"Sailboats and Islands from Six-Four-la-Plage", Côte d'Azur, France.

"Sailboats and Islands from Six-Four-la-Plage", Côte d'Azur, France. 6x8 inches, oil on linen panel, sold

Our first afternoon on the Mediterranean consisted of good food, 40mph winds and some swimming. Luckily we are staying in a 2nd floor apartment that sits on the water with180 degree views of the coast. I painted this one as the wind howled and the kids read their books.

"Arles and the Grand Rhone", France.

"Arles and the Grand Rhone", France. 8x6 inches, oil on linen panel, sold.  

Today we split our group so my son, Malakye and I could do all the Roman monuments and Van Gogh Foundation. My wife and daughter went to the salt marsh to buy salt, ride horses and swim in the Mediterranean. 

While the city of Arles does not own a single Van Gogh painting, they do have 30 on loan for a show right now. Malakye walked around to each painting with me and gave me his impression and listened to all my observations. Near the end, the 9 yr old said, " You know Papa, this is really boring for me but I'm doing it because I know it means a lot to you". After that I took him to his favorite place in Arles, the Cryptopolis, a huge underground Roman Cellar perfectly preserved after 2k years. Then we did the Arena, where I made this painting from the top while he read Fellowship of the Ring. We then met the lovely ladies for dinner at the nicest restaurant in the area for a real Provincal meal. 

"Van Gogh's room at Monastère Saint-Paul de Mausole", Saint Remy deProvence

"Van Gogh's room at Monastère Saint-Paul de Mausole", Saint Remy de Provence. 8x6 inches, oil on linen panel, sold. 

A short drive from Arles is St Remy and the site of the hospital where Van Gogh painted many amazing paintings like The Starry Night. I saw a hundred views I wanted to paint and might have wandered around for hours had not my family already choose a little spot in the shade in the garden below Vincent's room. A full set of colorful flowers in front of a medieval chapel... sounds like fun to me. I could only do a small one as we wanted also to visit Baux Provence town and castle. Another place I could paint a hundred different paintings of. Alas, a good tour of Europe is an exercise in not trying to do everything. I was happy to put some VG touches in the sky and then spend the rest of the day engaging with the kids.

"Rond-Point des Arènes and Arles Aréne", Arles, France

"Rond-Point des Arènes and Arles Aréne", Arles, France. 16x20 inches, oil on linen panel, $1200. 

Ancient Roman monument, curving street with angled buildings, colorful umbrellas, an amazing classical guitarist, and shade all afternoon. Then they brought a beer to my easel. This was exactly what I was dreaming about for the past year getting ready for the trip. 

"Pont du Gard", Nimes, France

"Pont du Gard", Nimes, France. 16x20 inches, oil on linen panel, $1200

We are staying in a 400 yr old town house in Arles. Its got three stories, with the kids on the top floor. Its something out of a fairytale. Ive always wanted to stay in a place like this. All the Van Gogh painting sites where calling to me but we had to get to the river so we could play in the water. 5 hours later after swimming and painting we decided to stay for the fireworks spectacle. A priceless adventure in a timeless place. 

"Notre-Dame Facade", Paris

"Notre-Dame Facade", 6x8 inches, oil on panel, $220

I choose this vantage point for the shade. Even so, there really isnt a bad place to see this magnificant structure. It was fun to listen to the tour guides telling the same story in 5 different languages. 

"Place des Vosges Shade", Paris

"Place des Vosges Shade", Paris, 6x8 inches, oil on linen panel, sold. We where having so much fun I was able to make a second painting. A nice change of motif too. 

"Le Roi a Place des Vosges", Paris

"Le Roi a Place des Vosges", Paris, 8x6 inches, oil on linen panel, sold

My first painting of our family trip to France and Italy. A perfect place for everyone to relaxe in the shade with tourists and Parisians. A passing local told us this mansion is known as le Roi, the King.