The Path Since France

 The Trip Winds Down

Toward the end of this journey we walked past the imposing Abbaye Sainte Marie to the nearby market in Souillac, but did not visit the nearby vineyard or local distillery.  Below is the Abbey.

That evening we treated our hosts to dinner in Gourdon.  Gourdon is near the border with the Dordogne.  Historically Gourdon was an important town and had four monasteries at one time.  This evening the main street was obstructed by a raucous visiting carnival, so we experienced a whole different “vibe”!  But it was fun and we saw the local teens and families out having fun on a Friday night.

Carnival ride at Gordon

The Road

We traveled many miles around this region.  We had lots of fun and relaxation.  Like all good trips, it changed my perceptions.  When I originally signed up for this painter’s retreat trip I approached it much like other overseas workshop trips.  Though it was not teacher led with scheduled classes, I thought I would be “producing” paintings and practicing skills.  I packed and prepared to focus on watercolors, to sharpen those skills as opposed to oils.  As the trip progressed I concentrated more on quick pencil sketches, photo shoots, and gathering of information in my notebook—more on “seeing” than producing, These were a different set of skills and valuable too.  It was more relaxing and, in the end, more instructive.  I learned so much in observing another highly successful professional artist, watching how she photographed, used technology to stay in touch with her customers, blogged and painted.  In watching her, I started thinking about issues I had not given much thought to—the business side of art.  Now that I am in a gallery, I realized I needed to think seriously about presentation, a unified look in terms of framing and pricing.  I needed to think about marketing and staying connected to people who enjoy and buy my artwork.  I have already made many changes since returning home and have a long to-do list!  The learning curve in painting and the business of painting is certainly a life time journey.

Drop in Cary Gallery of Artists 200 S. Academy St. in downtown Cary for these and other paintings. 919-462-2035

In the Wilmington NC area, drop in Figments Gallery,  Landfall Shopping Center, 1319 Military Cutoff Highway  28405  Tel 910.509.4289

www.sheffieldartstudio.com