Painting in the Luberon II

Been to the Luberon, around Roussillon and finished a painting for Elayne's clients that bought this beautiful house in Isle sur Sorgue:Seems a real good deal to me, such a lovely house - and now that I know what the surroundings look like I am sure the new owners will be so happy there! More on the Rousillon area soon: watch this space!

Painting in the Luberon I

Last week I travelled to Roussillon to visit my dear colleague Elayne and do a bit of painting in the "ochre" deposit. Roussillon was happy, because it rained, for the first time in months! But I couldn't paint or draw: way too wet! It still looked fantastic though, these unbelievable colours, from light yellow to dark brown and the surrealistic rock formations. Elayne took me to the interesting Ocre Conservatory and a lot of other good places and we'll do it again soon, some sunny day. I discovered a new part of the Provence, that is very beautiful - even in the rain!!

Business Person of the Year

Riviera Home Finders Chief Richard Green is nominated as "business person of the year" by the DJ's of Radio Riviera! It would be so great - and deserved- if he would actually win!! You can help us by voting for him through:

http://www.rivieraradio.info/bcc_businesspersonoftheyear2007/

Stormy weather

Last Friday I was going on about the great weather, the spectacular blue sea and then the next day I drove on the same road - and there was an unbelievable storm! Very impressive, we drove the coastal route just before it was closed off to clean up the huge stones and other stuff the waves threw on it. The car was covered in salt from the waves that were blown over us... Surfing with your car! Everything is possible here, 'cause today it was hot and sunny again. What a place! Tomorrow it is back to painting houses again, after an exciting weekend in the South of France.

Glad to be in the South of France

Just a note about how great it is to live here: I had to be in Nice today, it was a glorious mid-october day, a bright blue sky, the mediterranean an incredible colour blue and for the thousandth time I realized what a privilege it is to be here! The pictures I made with my phone, from the car, ok - just an ordinary day..

Roussillon - Ochre city

Next week I'll do a two hour drive from the Riviera Home Finders office to meet my friend and colleague Elayne Murphy, who lives close to Roussillon. We'll meet each other for business, for drinks (and gossip), I'll hand over a painting that I made for a house she sold (it is not yet quite finished at this moment) but my main reason for going there is to paint and enjoy the stunning landscape!

Roussillon is famous for its red cliffs and ochre quarries. It is actually located in one of the biggest ochre deposits in the world and the red, yellow and brown shades of the earth have inspired artists for ages! I am told that just by walking along the ochre pathways, you get an instant feel for Roussillon's unique natural history.

What I am also looking forward to, is a visit to the "Conservatoire des Ocres et des Pigments Appliqués", an old ochre factory, that is now a museum and exhibition site around "Ochre": They show how ochre is treated and used in the building industry, and everything you want to know about colours... My thing entirely! Next week I'll have loads of pictures for you.

Painting in St Trop I

Yesterday's sale was in St Tropez, tomorrow's (painting below) will be in Gassin (very close to St Trop). The VAR department of Riviera Home Finders is doing quite well, especially if you know that the one before that was in Bormes les Mimosas, and the next in Ramatuelle! It is not surprising by the way, as this part of the Riviera is so great!! In the summer the St. Tropez area is the place to be for the international Jet Set. If you want to meet celebrities, go there. It is also the place where you can admire classic sailing yachts (the Voiles de St Tropez are just over and all the biggees were here!) But apart from that jet set life style, St. Tropez also has its "true nature" that you can appreciate in the off-season. Then you can take the time to admire the charming little streets, the Place aux Herbes early in the morning, where you find vegetables and flowers and buy ultra fresh fish directly from the local fishermen. The "regular" local market is on Tuesday- and Saturdaymornings on the Place des Lices. Depending on your preference, there is a great lifestyle waiting for you over there. If you are interested in buying property there, visit our website!

Aquarelles on the Côte III

And another one (two in fact) hits the dust! This time a fabulous hotel "Castel Laudon" in St Tropez, sold by our Karim.Things like this might happen there:

"...will there be anything else, sir?" the bellboy asked after setting out an elaborate dinner for two."No thank you," the gentleman replied. "That will be all."

As the boy turned to leave, he noticed a beautiful satin negligee on the bed. "Anything for your wife ?" he asked.

"Yeah! That's a good idea," the fellow said. "Please bring up a postcard."

Aquarelles on the Côte II

Spot the differences - Two paintings again, this time of a house in Biot. There are many differences, if you look careful you will find at least 10, but these aquarelles are made after a photo - so the basics are identical. For those of you who do not like paintings (expect a lot more in the coming days!)... a joke ....

The Best Boss in the World
I went to see my supervisor in the Riviera Home Finders office."Bossman," (thats what I call him) I said, "we're doing some heavy house-cleaning home tomorrow and my husband needs me to help with the attic and the garage, sorting out and moving stuff, cleaning and scrubbing."

"We're short-handed Marina," replied my boss. "I can't miss you today.“

"Thank you, bossman!!" I said, "I knew I could count on you!"

Aquarelles on the Côte I

The Marina Artists' team is working against the clock - Of this lovely house in Bormes-les-Mimosas my colleague Marina (that's what we're all called :) made two paintings this week, one for the new owner and one for the former owner! I'd say - spot the differences...Het Marina Artists team is bezig met een race tegen de klok... er wordt niet meer gepost, behalve om op te scheppen over onze aquarellen. Ik hoop dat jullie geinteresseerd zijn in schilderijen, want verder hebben we even geen tekst op het moment! Deze twee, van een beeldschoon huis in Bormes-les-Mimosas zijn gemaakt door mijn collegaatje Marina (zo heten we allemaal!) eentje voor de nieuwe eigenaar en een voor de vorige eigenaar. Zoek de verschillen!

Out - Painting Riviera Houses

And that's why I am posting such short messages: not enough hours in a day, or, in other words, we're stil doing great! Imagine my job: It is october, 6.30 PM, I am sitting outside in the sun, it is 23°C, it has rained a bit today - so everything smells fresh, the birds are singing and I have just finished a painting for James, who has sold this lovely house in Ceret. 3 down - 3 to go... I am typing this but I have to go out with some friends, to have dinner outside, on the best terrace in the neighbourhood: Valbonne Center. The stress!! O well, somebody's got to do it. That's life in the South of France, not so bad eh...

Daarom schrijf ik steeds maar van die korte berichtjes: niet genoeg uren in een dag, of, met andere woorden, het gaat nog steeds erg goed! Stel je mijn baan even voor: Het is oktober, half zeven 's avonds, ik zit buiten in het zonnetje, het is 23 graden en het heeft een beetje geregend dus alles ruikt fris. De vogeltjes zingen en ik heb net een schilderij afgemaakt voor James, die het bovenstaande huis heeft verkocht in Ceret. 3 gedaan, 3 te gaan! Ik zit dit te typen, maar eigenlijk moet ik zo weg, met vrienden, lekker eten buiten de deur, op het beste terreas uit de buurt: Valbonne Centrum. De stress!! Maar ja! Iemand moet het toch doen... Dat is het leven - In Zuid Frankrijk. Niet slecht hè!?