Thursday is departure day! I am grateful and delighted to announce that I will be traveling solo to France to live in Paris for two months on an intensely focused artistic retreat. The basic premise: to yank myself out of familiar daily routine and to be challenged and inspired by experiencing life anew in this vast, varied, and exquisite city. I fell in love with Paris on my first visit in 2006 and longed to return. For April and May, I have rented a simple but lovely apartment in the Latin Quarter of Paris, blocks away from the renowned Sorbonne University and the Seine River – a neighborhood that has historically been home to many poets, painters, novelists, and great thinkers. During this time I plan to paint, explore, write, read, linger for hours in museums and cathedrals, and of course – sample plenty of cuisine! I will also try to muster up as much of my 3 years of high school French as I possibly can.
Lately in my studio I have been developing large-scale paintings involving the figure. These upcoming months will be a time to step away from large projects and paint simple, small compositions from life. I will post updates to this blog as often as possible.
To my family & friends who encouraged me to do this and sent me off with love & prayers: My deepest gratitude - You make my life rich.
