Sommieres 2018

first evening by the pool on the roof

I was more than delighted this year to make a return visit to the wonderful French town of Sommieres. Even more thrilled to learn that my dear Dutch friend Corry Kooy was going us with husband Ted. Our accommodation Hotel de l'Orange is situated in the town so we had no distance to walk to find a good spot to paint.  We received a warm welcome from our lovely hosts, Elizabeth and Tom. Mary Jackson's daughter Amanda and husband Phil were our chefs for the week and I really don't think I have ever eaten so well, the food was varied and delicious every night.

breakfast served in the garden, (Paul Banning got there first)

Dinner by candle light

One day a week there is a huge market, all the roads are closed as the town is taken over by every stall you can imagine, of course being France there is a large area dedicated to food where you can buy beautiful fresh veg, cheeses, wines and fish. You can buy your food and any of the restaurants will let you sit and eat at their tables for a small fee so you can imagine the atmosphere. The square was heaving with people all having a great time.

I shared the same room as last year with my dear friend Felicity, I'd hardly seen her since the last visit so we had a lot of catching up to do. Oh yes, I was there to paint, here are some of my paintings from the trip.

Sauve, backlite, painted from a dry (ish) river bed 12" x 10"

Fish in reflected light under the bridge in Sommieres 12" x 10"

Through the garden of de l'Orange 8" x 8"

Sunlit bridge in Sommieres 12" x 10

In the vineyard Fontines 6" x 8"

Morning Shadows, Sommieres (Julie Jackson in pic) 12" x 10"

By the fountain in Sauve 12" x 10"

6th C footbridge into Sauve 12" x 10"

These are just a few of the 20 paintings I did that week. We were blessed with the weather although we did get the tail end of a Mistral one day. The company was as always brilliant. it consisted of Tom Coates, Mary Jackson, James & Tanya Burton, Corry & Ted Kooy, Rick Holmes & Paul Banning, Julie Jackson & Steve, and last but definitely not least Felicity House.

a selection of work from the week

Our Hosts Tom & Elizabeth