CHRIS BELL DIARY
A WEEK IN PREPIGNAN & BARCELONA
9th to 17th October 2008
(day one)
Walking viewing the painting possibilities in the garden and immediate surroundings. Drove with Terry and fellow artists to have a picnic alfresco overlooking vineyards in the spectacular wine valley of Vingreau. Did my first pastel picture of the view in hot sunshine 23degrees.
First evening meal taken at the local auberge included goats cheese salad, chicken and parma ham followed by profiteroles, washed down with delicious local Rose wine!.
(day two)
Had a Salvador Dali day visiting the pretty and sunny, Costa Brava seasidevillage of Cadeques, tried watercolour of a local fishing boat. Onto Dalis house at Port Lligat-very entertaining outdoor area-hot pink lips sofa. In the evening went to the Auberge. delightful fishy meal after local wine aperitif.
(day three)
Went to lovely sunny and famous town of Ceret and its colourful Saturday market. Lunch Salad Nicoise in picturesque square with central fountain. Visited exhibition of Hungarian fauvists with Terry (wonderful colours) in the museum of modern art. Dinner at the Catalan Farmhouse including melt in the mouth confit of canard.
(day four)
Morning spent doing a Fauve like picture (in the sun)of a field of bright green lettuces in pastel. After a yummy pasta salad lunch prepared by Terry and eaten outside in the garden. Taken by Terry in the car to charming village of Chateau Roussillon and sketched the 12th century church and two houses. For dinner, enjoyed homemade onion soup followed by fish pie.
(day five)
A two day trip to sunny Spain and Barcelona. Did a Gaudi Sagrada Familia cathedral visit. Informative and inspirational. Terry knew where all the best views were and a great spot to do an experimental drawing of the cathedral from our memory. Visited Gaudi Casa Batillo then onto Gaudis Park Guell. Amazing concept! Ended the day having tapas and paella in the Rambla-no cardigan necessary in October!. Overnight stay in very comfortable 2 star hotel in central Barcelona.
(day six)
In the heat of the morning, went to visit the Jean Miro foundation and also marvellous views of Barcelona from the hilltop location. Saw clear progression of Miros work to the strange and spiritual. Terry had reserved a lunch table for salad at the foundation and had time to relax. Evening back in perpignan.
(day seven)
Another clear sunny day. Terry took us to Collioure made famous by Matisse stopping enroute to view the terraced vineyards. Drew the church and the bell tower before an anchovy salad lunch eaten over the harbour with white wine. Later sketched balconies in a leafy flag bedecked square. Had a cup of tea in les templiers hotel, a café full of paintings. Lovely evening meal in the farmhouse.
(day eight)
In the morning sun, we went off to the centre of Perpignan. Viewed the possible painting opportunies before relaxing with coffee.
I am a dabbler,that is I am interested in art and attend a couple of classes at home. Although in perpignan I was with other artists who have had or intend to have exhibitions. Terry made me feel my work was valued but could be developed. After producing some realistic pencil, watercolour and pastels. I was encouraged to adopt a more impressionistic approach which I enjoyed. This gave me the confidence to develop further in this and other directions.
9th to 17th October 2008
(day one)
Walking viewing the painting possibilities in the garden and immediate surroundings. Drove with Terry and fellow artists to have a picnic alfresco overlooking vineyards in the spectacular wine valley of Vingreau. Did my first pastel picture of the view in hot sunshine 23degrees.
First evening meal taken at the local auberge included goats cheese salad, chicken and parma ham followed by profiteroles, washed down with delicious local Rose wine!.
(day two)
Had a Salvador Dali day visiting the pretty and sunny, Costa Brava seasidevillage of Cadeques, tried watercolour of a local fishing boat. Onto Dalis house at Port Lligat-very entertaining outdoor area-hot pink lips sofa. In the evening went to the Auberge. delightful fishy meal after local wine aperitif.
(day three)
Went to lovely sunny and famous town of Ceret and its colourful Saturday market. Lunch Salad Nicoise in picturesque square with central fountain. Visited exhibition of Hungarian fauvists with Terry (wonderful colours) in the museum of modern art. Dinner at the Catalan Farmhouse including melt in the mouth confit of canard.
(day four)
Morning spent doing a Fauve like picture (in the sun)of a field of bright green lettuces in pastel. After a yummy pasta salad lunch prepared by Terry and eaten outside in the garden. Taken by Terry in the car to charming village of Chateau Roussillon and sketched the 12th century church and two houses. For dinner, enjoyed homemade onion soup followed by fish pie.
(day five)
A two day trip to sunny Spain and Barcelona. Did a Gaudi Sagrada Familia cathedral visit. Informative and inspirational. Terry knew where all the best views were and a great spot to do an experimental drawing of the cathedral from our memory. Visited Gaudi Casa Batillo then onto Gaudis Park Guell. Amazing concept! Ended the day having tapas and paella in the Rambla-no cardigan necessary in October!. Overnight stay in very comfortable 2 star hotel in central Barcelona.
(day six)
In the heat of the morning, went to visit the Jean Miro foundation and also marvellous views of Barcelona from the hilltop location. Saw clear progression of Miros work to the strange and spiritual. Terry had reserved a lunch table for salad at the foundation and had time to relax. Evening back in perpignan.
(day seven)
Another clear sunny day. Terry took us to Collioure made famous by Matisse stopping enroute to view the terraced vineyards. Drew the church and the bell tower before an anchovy salad lunch eaten over the harbour with white wine. Later sketched balconies in a leafy flag bedecked square. Had a cup of tea in les templiers hotel, a café full of paintings. Lovely evening meal in the farmhouse.
(day eight)
In the morning sun, we went off to the centre of Perpignan. Viewed the possible painting opportunies before relaxing with coffee.
I am a dabbler,that is I am interested in art and attend a couple of classes at home. Although in perpignan I was with other artists who have had or intend to have exhibitions. Terry made me feel my work was valued but could be developed. After producing some realistic pencil, watercolour and pastels. I was encouraged to adopt a more impressionistic approach which I enjoyed. This gave me the confidence to develop further in this and other directions.
