Artwork

I can’t really say that I have ever longed to visit Marrakech. But when I learned it was to be part of our painting expedition, I looked forward to a chance to capture some of the colors of life in Morocco.

Unfortunately, shortly after our arrival, I ended up sick and spent the first day and a half confined to quarters. Fortunately, quarters – in this case, Riad Catalina – offered lots of opportunities to dip into my colors. It was as much fun as someone who is under the weather has a right to expect. Thought you might enjoy a sketch or two that came out of my confinement.

Although I missed out on a first hand experience of the Fnaa (complete with snakes, watersellers, and henna artists), I did recouperate enough to take a ride in a calleche to visit the Majorelle Gardens and also to spend an afternoon shopping the souks for souvenirs.

Now that I’m back in Canada again, here are a few notes from my Moroccan experience:

* Marrakech is a city of contrasts – crazy, chaotic street action offset by cool and refreshing oases (riad courtyards, Majorelle Gardens, rooftop terraces high above the din)

* Colorful pigments, yarns, spices – all on offer. Spices with odors so strong, a few grams in your suitcase is enough to scent your entire traveling wardrobe.

* Fabulous tastes. Picture twelve different cold plates of salad, each one featuring a veggie individually spiced and flavored, each plate more interesting, colorful, and delicious than the last.

* Call to prayer five times a day – broadcast from the mosque to the neighborhood at large. I’m sure I heard every word of the 4:30 am call on our last morning in Marrakech.

* The shopkeepers’ determination and glee in bartering for their goods. After a satisfying exchange and subsequent agreement, a shake of hands and more  relaxed and congenial conversations.

*In the last deal of my visit, I purchased 6 glass and silver bottles to hold the pigments I’d bought the day before. When the shopkeeper discovered he only had 5 on hand, he told me to stay right there, he’d be right back. Then he rushed out of the shop, hopped on his motorbike and disappeared into the souks. leaving me solo in his shop. Five minutes later he’s back with the final item. Whether it was retrieved from a storehouse, borrowed or bought from a buddy, I do not know. I do know he showed a phenomenal level of trust you don’t find here in North America!

Terra cotta roofs and white washed buildings.

Vineyards and olive groves.

Port wine and fresh seafood. Painted tiles in blues and yellows.

Cork trees biding their time for harvest.

Tasty breads, dried meats  and olives.

Last year’s huge overripe oranges hanging on the same trees on which new orange blossoms perfume the air and set the fruit for the season ahead.

The photo above from Porto on the Douro River. The painting below sketched on location on the same riverbank.

A few glimpses of scenes from Sao Martinho north up the coast from Lisbon.

Many boats in the bay. Lovely houses up the hills.

Gotta love a house on the hill!

Lunching al fresco in Lisbon.

Newstand just opening up for the day in Largo Do Carmo.

Serenaded by one of the happiest roving minstrels I’ve ever met.

The Rockies: a consolation prize or a cancellation prize? When Volcano Iceland swiped London & Paris from the calendar, we stole a few days in the Rockies instead. Here’s what I saw – or at least what the end of my brush saw!

Sketched from Lakeview Lounge at Fairmont Chateau overlooking Lake Louise, while savoring a bowl of hot corn and crab chowder and a Grasshopper ale. Definitely warmer inside than out. (more…)

Well, I don’t know about Carmen, but Dave and I are still here in Saskatoon. Tuesday evening’s Calgary-London flight was cancelled, and although skies now appear to be opening over Europe, it would be another 4-5 days before we could get rebooked seats out.

Dave and I have decided to step off the volcanic roller coaster. We have cancelled our London/Paris vacation plans in favor of future more settled timing.

I have rebooked my flight for May 3 to arrive in Lisbon just in time to join the Portugal/ Spain/ Morocco painting tour group for what was to be the last part of the adventure. Hopefully that will still go forward. We’re in the process of dismantling all other reservations – and then we’re going to take the rest of the week off.

While we’ve been twiddling our thumbs and watching the skies, I’ve also been painting. Why not? Here’s a wee bit from the brushes.

One of the best parts of any travel adventure these days is the chance to give my paints and brushes a workout. Here are a few of the results.

Willemstad, Curacao – Brightly colored buildings along Anna Baie on the Punda side of the floating bridge. Apparently years ago the Governor’s eyes were bothered by the light reflecting off the white buildings and ordered them all to be painted different colours. I think maybe he was just longing for something a bit more European in flavour.

Hilton Marina – Fort Lauderdale. Picture pretty poolside.

Key West, Florida – In the garden of the Mermaid and Alligator Bed & Breakfast. It’s a great garden setting – with orchids in bloom spilling out of pots and hanging from pillars. And yes, it is the middle of winter here.

Key West, Florida – The Artist’s House on Eaton Street. I’m not normally a fan of purple, but something about the shape and shutters on this building caught my eye. The Traveling Conch Tourist train made three passes, while I perched  across the street with my paints.

A week spent in Sedona and Tucson was good for the soul. Warm air, beautiful colors, distinctive landscapes – not to mention the good friends and food.

Painting and sketching in the mountains and desert were a treat. I might have known I’d run out of Burnt Sienna pigment given the colors that surrounded me.

Here are a couple of the images created – under the Arizona sun!

Bell Rock #1 – painted on our first morning in Sedona.

This view from the backyard of our beautiful inn, the Canyon Villa.

Lunching along the banks of Oak Creek at L’Auberge Sedona.

Sunshine, salad nicoise, a glass of wine, and ducks to keep us company.

Here’s the  Poci Volki. That’s a Pocatello Volkswagon, if you need translation.

This painting/sketch was inspired by a photo of new-to-her wheels on niece, Jill’s blog: http://thenoisyplume.blogspot.com/2009/10/morning-has-broken.html

If you’re generally in the mood for some very creative writing, you’ll find plenty on  Jill’s blog, The Noisy Plume.

She is, as she proudly notes, a young Canadian woman transplanted to America soil, where she lives and toils as a jeweler in Pocatello, Idaho.

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Highly recommend the dining room at Sooke Harbor House, just an hour drive west of Victoria, BC. Arrived early enough before our reservation to stroll and explore the grounds, enjoy the excitement of a wedding in progress on the lawn overlooking the sea, and do a quick sketch of Sooke East Point across the bay. Seated for dinner at a table with a spectacular view – and savored every mouthful of the Dungeness Crab.