Tea and inspiration....

Yesterday I was invited for tea at Carol Whatanabe's studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Carol is a woman who leads an inspired life and because of that, she is so interesting and fun to be with.  We connect on a level that has nothing to do with time spent together.  It is more a recognition of spirit and the play that life can be.

How could you not love strawberry shortcake with whip cream at 11 AM!

 Her art speaks her spirit.  Loud, joyful and full of life.

 I loved her freehand painted checkerboard floor.

Be sure to take a look at her website and check out her houses in France and Mexico.
I found her book so inspiring that I bought copies for all of my friends.  This is a woman who talks the talk and walks the walk of an artist, not just in her art, but in her life.
http://www.artfully.com/

OH La La!!

Gail has arrived and we have gone to our first flea market to find treasures! A French medal, old newsprint....a wonderful old hat and short tuxedo jacket, religious statues and medals, and old worn French flag on a flag pole!..... and a fantastic old corset, dating back to the early 1800's....well worn and tenderly repaired with little pieces of a ladie's kid leather glove.....Oh, what stories this could tell!

The Castle Royal

Collioure has always been a coveted place because of its opening to the Mediterranean Sea and its two bays which are easily defended. Many Phocaean, Roman, and Greek sailors traveled to Collioure and left behind a very rich archaeological heritage. In 673, Collioure was occupied by Wamba, King of the Visigoths. He named the place "CAUCOLIBERIS" (Port of Elne) which confirmed its importance as a trading port.

From 981 on, the counts of Roussillon and the kings of Majorca began to develop Collioure and build a fortress which was used as the summer residence for the kings of Majorca from 1276 to 1344.

Throughout the entire 13 th century, many crusaders passed through Collioure, e.g. the knights of the Templar order (hence the famous legend of the treasure of the Templars) in 1207, the Cistercians in 1242, and the Dominicans in 1280.

Later, the discovery of America in the 15 th century led to the progressive decline of the port of Collioure. 

From 1462 to 1493, Collioure was under French occupation during the reign of Louis XI. In 1642, after the Catalans had freed themselves from Spanish supremacy, Collioure fell again into French hands. During that period, Sébastien le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707), a French officer who built fortresses under Louis XIV, altered the fortifications giving Collioure its current appearance. Through the Pyrenean Peace Treaty of 1659, the Roussillon definitively fell to the French crown.

In search of sunshine.....

In search of sunshine, we headed 2 hours to the Colliqure on the Mediterranin Sea.  

Here it is still summer.  The air is warm and soft and the colors are so vivid.  

This is a painter's town.   Matisse and others where inspired by this town.

I am inspired too.....

backroads of France