Sunday, June 07, 2015

Provence Colors

Warm colors...earth colors
Aix en Provence is one big apricot.
Walking apricots too with orange matching man purse and trousers.
Keep cool wearing sheer whites to keep cool and look good in the surrounding earth colors.
You can't go wrong drinking an Italian granité - syrop drizzeled over chopped ice to keep cool.
The many fountains provide cold water. I wanted to jump in.
So much eye candy
So many shades of ochre
Against a robins egg blue = perfection
Peeking into a courtyard.
Why do people ask ' What should we DO in Aix'? Or anywhere for that matter.
Just walk and walk some more.
Feast your eyes.
And eat pistou, a traditional Provençal dish.
Pinky terra cotta walls with olive green doors. The color names sound delicious.
Everywhere places to stop and repose
Browse restaurant menus and never go inside. I do that all the time.
Look at the shadows! No wonder Cezanne didn't want to live in Paris.
Don't miss the terrific-playing-forever film at Caumont centre d'Art (something you should not miss) an exquisite 'hotel particulier' on 3. Rue Joseph Cabassol off the Cours Mirabeau.

22 comments:

  1. ooh ! Provence colours my favourite, & I can smell the lavender, Rosemary & wild thyme from here.
    I'm sure you did lots of little wash sketches. I've been having problems posting comments on your blog

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    1. I have problems too. Hit preview then edit.
      Can be quite frustrating Barbara.

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  2. I love Provence..Hope to go back..I spied Diane K again..well look alike..
    Love YOUR Provence colors..what a nice watecolor book.

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  3. What a luscious bunch of washes!
    You are the Queen of Color Matching!

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    1. Tanks, Hang out in France long enough..you get the apricot color.

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  4. Aix en Provence is marvelous. I remember going there last year for the market and visiting a,wonderful old church with a mysterious crypt.

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  5. Ruth S.2:13 PM

    Wow, Carol! I might just have to spend a week there next time I am over. It looks absolutely marvelous! Your photos are terrific and inspiring.

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  6. Carol, how do you pronounce Aix? Always wondered...how do the locals pronounce it?

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    1. Just like the letter X.
      That's it. ;))

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  7. The last 2 posts are excellent! Also love photos of fashion in the store windows. Your pictures are better and better

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  8. Shooting everyday helps!

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  9. How charming..love the color of the buildings and the ivy growing on the buildings..people are better dressed than here..

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  10. Gorgeous photos, Carol! Provence looks fabulous - like you said, "look at the shadows."
    The colors seem so soft there, and you can "see" the temperature in the photos - especially by the clothing.

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  11. Gorgeous! I spent 6 wonderful weeks in Aix at the university 25 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long!). As a college student with no car we had to walk everywhere so I saw a lot just walking :-) Such great memories! The fountains, ice cream and flowers standout in my mind. Thanks for talking us along on your walk.

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  12. What a wonderful snapshot of Aix! I just LOVED the houses/streetscape. What a way to LIVE! I so want to be their! Would love to see more homes/courtyard images. You have a great eye! 😊

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  13. Anonymous9:02 AM

    Though I may never get to travel to Aix, I'm glad I got to see it through your tour. Lovely place, thanks for sharing!!

    Lida

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  14. Hello Carol...thought I left you a message here yesterday, but will try again. I do want to tell you how absolutely glowing these reports from Provence are! The colors! Your photographs really do convey a sense of the lovely pace of the place. Great that you are able to do some painting while there, too.

    xo

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  15. Love your stuff, and as soon as I get settled, plan to buy many summery watercolors! Just a note - and I know you know your spelling is kind of atrocious -- it's bollards, not ballards, that are the stanchions on sidewalks that protect pedestrians from cars... If you need a proofreader, I'm available (free!).

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    1. Parisbreakfast1:15 PM

      Do you keep EU hours CJ?
      I need instant gratification. Posting at the Apple store in Aix on my ipad with no computer handy doesn't help a bit.

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  16. Did you go to Cezanne's studio? It was one of my favorite things in Aix. Love those siennas & ochres and peaches, they all say warmth! Here, a lot of Payne's gray in the air today & light spring rains...Agree with you, just walking & looking is enough!...Flâner...PS Are you enjoying speaking/ understanding French after your time there?

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  17. One of my bucket list places -- and after seeing this, it still is!

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