Cassis Marina

 

Since this will be visible on a Sunday, I thought I'd share the perfect Sunday destination, which is a painting of Cassis, France. It is a short train ride from Marseille, France for a day trip, though I recommend staying there to see it at all hours of the day. The town smells like the sea, cooked seafood, coffee, and wine. You will want to try all of those things while there in addition to some lavender glace. From the town center, you can walk to the hidden calanques or just hang out at the well-populated beach in town. Oil on 24"h x 30"w stretched linen. SOLD.

Chateau in Provence

 This painting provides a bit of a break from Spain, though it shares a similar aesthetic. Though the shadows in this painting look cool, I can assure you that it was hot everywhere, and a St-Germain Spritz always seemed like a good idea. SOLD.

A Fountain in Aix en Provence

 

After dinner in Aix en Provence, we would take advantage of the cool night air and walk around the city. Some of the squares were bustling with lively cafes and people walking from place to place. Other long and winding alleys were quiet, as they were probably inhabited by locals rather than tourists. Some of the alleys led to lively yet hidden squares, such as this one, which included a picturesque fountain. Oil on 24" h x 18" w linen.

Sunny Side of the Street

 

 

This sidewalk cafe is located on the sunny side of the street in Aix en Provence. In the heat of summer, visitors sit under the awning for a bit of shade. Oil on 12" x 12" stretched linen.SOLD.

Market Day in Aix

You can assemble an entire meal at the market in Aix en Provence. There is everything including herbs, fruits and veggies, seafood and little vials of truffles. I don't normally love to cook on vacation, but I enjoyed making a dinner from our market finds. Oil on 16"h x 12"w stretched linen. Availale at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier until July 30th. SOLD.

Coffee Break in Provence

 

This is an unusual composition for me. While stopping for a caffeinated pick-me-up in the shade on a hot summer day in Aix en Provence, I snapped a picture of my drink. I always love the event that some European countries make of their coffee. I meant to take a picture of the coffee with the sugar and cookie packets that accompanied it, but also captured some of the background, which was a sunlit street. I decided to make that part of the painting, even though it is only on 8"h x 6"w stretched linen.

This painting is available at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier, PA. It is part of the show I am having with my mother, Jolene Joyner, called "Looking for the Light in Dark times."SOLD.

Summer Afternoon in Aix en Provence

Afternoon shadows appear on the sidewalks and buildings of Aix en Provence on a hot and lazy afternoon. Everyone walking outside sticks to the shadows as much as possible to avoid direct sunlight. Frequent stops at outdoor cafes for refreshments is necessary. Oil on 30"h x 24"w stretched canvas. 

This painting is available at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier, PA. It is part of the show I am having with my mother, Jolene Joyner, called "Looking for the Light in Dark times." Please contact https://www.facebook.com/SAMALigonier/ for more information. SOLD.

Happy Hour in Provence

 

This cafe scene was the reward after several failed attempts to get to Provence in 2019. There were many flight delays which almost lead to the airline canceling the entire trip. Fortunately, the airline decided to make the flight 30 hours after it was originally supposed to leave, but we had to make a detour to Lyon to get to the originally planned destination of Aix en Provence. When we finally arrived in Aix two and a half days late, the suitcases were dropped in the room, and we made a beeline for the town center, bustling with cafes, for a pastis and a quintessential happy hour meal. This was the view from our table and our first glimpse into the lively town. Oil on 24"h x 36"w stretched canvas.

This is one of the paintings I have recently completed for the show I am currently having with my mother, Jolene Joyner, at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier, PA. "Looking for the Light in Dark Times" is available to view from now until July 31st. The exhibit will feature work that my mom and and I have done over the past year that is meant to add positivity to a world that currently has many challenges. The museum will be open Tuesday - Saturday from 12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Please visit this page for more details on the show and how to register for the opening reception on June 12th at 5:00 p.m. that coincides with the Museum's Woodstock themed Garden Party: https://www.sama-art.org/gardenparty SOLD.

Afternoon Stroll in Provence

 

A couple wanders through the streets of Aix en Provence during the heat of the day when there aren't many people around. Oil on 18"h x 24"w stretched linen.

Wining and Dining in Provence

 

After a hot day in Provence, nothing beats sitting outside in the relatively cool night air. This couple lingers late into the evening with a bottle of wine after dinner. The rest of the crowd has gone home. Oil on 16" X 16" stretched linen.

Market in Aix II

Locals as well as tourists search for their dinner ingredients at the market in Aix en Provence. The heat of the day intensifies the smell of lavender sold by the vendors. SOLD.

Market in Aix

I miss the days when we didn't have to social distance, and could slowly peruse markets and grocery stores without worrying as much about contaminating ourselves or others. This is a scene from the market in Aix en Provence last summer. Hopefully we will all be at farmers' markets again soon. Oil on 9"h x 12"w stretched linen.

Fountain in Aix

A lady takes a break from sightseeing next to one of Aix's many fountains on a hot summer day. SOLD.

Canal in Nimes

A walk along the canal in Nimes, France is refreshing on a hot summer day. It is an oasis in a town otherwise filled with Roman architecture. There are also many fountains where dogs and kids frolic to cool off. The streets are pretty quiet on a hot day, but at night all the squares are jamb packed with people on their way to dinner at one of the outside restaurants. Oil on 14"h x 18"w x 1 1/2"d stretched linen. SOLD.

Boat in Cassis

This cheerful boat rests in the marina at Cassis, France. Oil on 16"h x 12"w stretched linen. Available at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art

Cassis Beach

A painting of people enjoying their weekend on the beach of Cassis, France. One of my favorite beaches ever, as you can walk the calanques to other remote beaches, or just sip a glass of wine while eating fresh seafood at one of the many beach side cafes. Swimming in the Mediterranean is very refreshing, but I had to wear water shoes with all the small rocks. I seriously want to move there. Oil on 18"h x 24" w stretched linen. SOLD.

A Walk in Aix

A painting of some people taking a lunchtime stroll in Aix en Provence. Oil on 18"h x 14"w stretched linen. SOLD.

Cassis Marina

Some docked boats in Cassis, France. Oil on 24"w x 18"h stretched linen.

Market Day in Aix

I assembled a wonderful meal from the ingredients found at this market. It isn't typically much of a vacation when you have to cook, but in this case, trying to live like a local was a vacation. Oil on 24"h x 18"w stretched linen. SOLD.

A Walk in Aix

Midday in Aix en Provence is hot and bright. Many people are eating lunch or spending time indoors at this time of day. But, it is a great time to explore the city due to fewer crowds, and the city's trees and gardens are at their most colorful. Warm afternoon light casts rich blue and purple shadows on the sidewalk and walls. Oil on 11"h x 14"w stretched linen