Still life and urban sketching. Because apparently, I can’t sit still OR leave my house without a sketchpad.
So Leonardo da Vinci’s Notebook told me something rather inconvenient: artists need to constantly find new things to paint or draw. (Thanks a lot, Leonardo—no pressure!) Thus began my endless quest to think outside the box that I’m apparently always painting inside. This summer, I had a minor epiphany: watercolor graphic technique is NOT just fancy coloring books. Shocking, I know. It was a small discovery that spiraled into full-blown artistic obsession, and now here we are.
My still life muse? Bright reddish peonies, obviously. I arranged them artfully on my treasured Leonardo da Vinci book, added my glasses (for the intellectual look), threw in a cup of cappuccino (for the vibes), and created what I can only describe as a masterpiece of self-indulgence. Voilà! Another watercolor and ink painting in my beloved impressionist style was born.
Watercolor fantasy. Cappuccino and red peonies and a book
Just imagine it: a warm Mediterranean evening, you’re wandering charming cobblestone streets, and voila—red and pink peonies spill from a straw basket on some picturesque wood door or window. That’s watercolor and ink, my friend. That’s impressionism at its finest. That’s also my elaborate fantasy about our future travels to southern France, Italy, or possibly Greece (I’m not picky when it comes to vacation dreams). Who knows where wanderlust will take us? :)
Summer flower fantasy.
Shout-out to my daughter for the phenomenal gift: Leonardo’s Notebook. This book is basically the gift that keeps on giving—centuries-old wisdom from a guy who was basically good at everything. It’s like having a Renaissance master constantly looking over your shoulder with 500-year-old advice. Terrifying and inspiring in equal measure.
Bon voyage! Until the next adventure awaits! Stay healthy and hydrated (your skin will thank you when you’re sketching in the Mediterranean sun).
All paintings belong to the author. Seriously, don’t copy them. I mean it. My lawyer says I have to say that. Just go make your own masterpiece!
Tools used for my painting: Watercolors by Charvin and Van Gogh (because apparently only the best will do for this artist’s delusions). Pastels by GrayPas Expressionist (the feisty cousin of regular pastels). Derwent watercolor pencils and Faber Castell artist pens (because one type of pen is never enough). Paper: Strathmore Watercolor and Mixed Media albums in that perfect 15×20 cm (6×8 inch) size—not too big, not too small, just right for my control-freak tendencies.
Urban sketching. Antibes, France. Itinerary for seeing one of the gem in Provence.
Going to Antibes in France… Why Antibes?
A watercolor painting capturing the scenic beauty of Antibes, with its vibrant coastal landscape and distant hills.
I will tell about the beauty of Provence based on our experience of 10 years. We have had a long relationship that we hope will continue for many years… We fell in love with the Mediterranean coast of France and its towns right away. We always come back here again and again.
Artist’s watercolor depiction of a journey from Toronto to Antibes, highlighting the joy of travel and cultural experiences.
What is the beauty and goodness of Provence? Discovering Antibes: A Traveler’s Guide to Provence
Toronto- Paris- Antibes itinerary, 2019. Our voyage’s feeling always started from an airport door.
People are free from problems and minor life concerns. They exist between countries and continents. The air is full of a vibrant mixture of cultures, customs, and nationalities.
My favorite scene with Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan in the movie “French Kiss” is the take off scene. Everything is behind you…
Freedom of speaking with temporary neighbors is everywhere on a road. At any airport, especially during international flights, is driving my happiness as the traveling artist.
This flight was with Air France. I enjoy their safety movie featuring five young beauties. It reminds me of the French movie Eight Women with Catherine Deneve, Fanny Ardant, and Emmanuelle Bėart. Classic chic madams and mademoiselles and their flared dresses and colored shoes, beautiful and stylish, back in time.
A vibrant watercolor painting depicting women in traditional attire, evoking the charm of cultural celebrations.
The safety video shows in funny way usually regular boring but must-be learning process. Why not be entertaining and have safety training explanation at once? :)
You had a blast watching the video “Consignes de sécurité Air France – Bienvenue à bord.” It was flirtatiously fun. It felt like a romantic ad at 30,000 feet.
A vibrant watercolor painting showcasing the beauty of Provence, highlighting the colors and essence of the Mediterranean landscape.
How to get there?
In Provence, south of France, there are many intercity buses. These include both speedy and local buses between Nice airport and Cote d’Azur towns.
A watercolor illustration of the bus route from Nice to Antibes, highlighting the picturesque landscapes of the Côte d’Azur.
We took bus #250 that goes every 30 min from Nice airport to Antibes. It then continues to Cannes. I highly recommend taking the express bus.
It will save your time and energy especially on the first day of your vacation after flight.(information about the bus on the bottom of post)
I started to do my sketches right away :) My Watercolour painting is done with Provençal magic Watercolour box Charvin. In the Nice’s store I hesitated to buy ALL of them.
Finally, 12 clear sea and old Provençal roofs’ building color paints were chosen, and the owner unexpectedly gave me one extra for luck:)
Thank you, I will come back soon.
CHARVIN PAINTS
Artistic watercolors from Charvin Paris, perfect for capturing the vibrant colors of Provence.
French Riviera Beach painting on Salis beach (Plage de la Salis)
Watercolor painting of Salis Beach in Antibes, showcasing the serene Mediterranean coastline and vibrant skies.A serene moment on the beach in Antibes, showcasing visitors enjoying the sun and sea.Watercolor painting depicting the serene beach scene of Antibes, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean coast.
I will tell you about this wonderful place with some notes as a traveler. My artist’s paintings and drawings of the Antibes will also be included. It is one of the Mediterranean French coast’s cities. Antibes is known for its legends, friendly people, museums, and yummy food. It offers sunny beaches and a warm sea. Most importantly for me, it includes artists’ paths.
A vibrant watercolor painting depicting a sunset view over Antibes, showcasing the town’s coastal beauty.
Napoleon’s family Legend in Antibes
Let’s start with one of the Antibes’ legends is about Napoleon’s family. Locals are saying that Napoleon’s mother and his sisters lived in Antibes. It is not confirmed in fact. Nonetheless, the locals added some explanation on a house’s sign. Below is the photo from this place.
A sign on a historic building in Antibes claims Napoleon once stayed here. It is surrounded by a charming stone wall and colorful flowers.
Antibes beaches with its mild colors, tender rose, blue and violet painting. I was painting this view of local houses and beach with hill surroundings. The long path leads to next town Juan les Pins, our favorite two long sandy beaches, Ponteil and Salis.I was painting sea’s stones on Antibes’ beach. This type of sketches is relaxing time spending…
I was painting sea’s stones on Antibes’ beach. This type of sketches is relaxing time spending…
This is a watercolor painting. It showcases the colorful stones and pebbles found on the beaches of Antibes. It captures the vibrant essence of this beautiful Mediterranean town.A serene watercolor painting capturing the sunset over the coastal landscape of Antibes, framed by trees.
Antibes is town with lots of energy and has “all in one”.
The old city of Antibes is full of charm
The old city of Antibes is full of charm. Under the south sun, all houses look like gold buildings. Flowers cover their walls.
A vibrant watercolor painting capturing the warm tones of Provence, showcasing charming architecture and colorful flora.
Antibes has the Archaeological museum, see below the map of the Ville d’Antipolis, how Romans used to call it.
Map of the ancient city of Antibolis, highlighting significant archaeological sites and surrounding areas.
Watercolor painting of chocolate-covered olives, a charming treat inspired by the flavors of Antibes.
Archaeological museum in Antibes
One day, I visited this small archaeological museum. Even without translation into English, I learned about the ancient history of this place. It was the former settlement of the Greeks, then the Romans, the Etruscan and then Galls. There are lots of underwater amphorae and wrecks off Antibes. These once held fine wine and were raised from the bottom of the sea.
It was the former settlement of the Greeks, then the Romans, the Etruscan and then Galls.
There are lots of underwater amphorae and wrecks off Antibes. They once contained fine wine. These were raised from the bottom of the sea.
Etruscan vase sketch, reflecting the ancient culture and art of Antibes.
Another legend is the Etruscan learned to make wine residents of Provence’s French Galas. Interesting, isn’t it?:)
I drew one of their works of pottery’s art Etruscan vase.
10 years ago, I felt a deep connection to the Etruscan culture. It had gone into oblivion. I read some books about Etruscan culture by Jean-Paul Thuillier, Nemirovsky, and Jean-Noel Robert.
It opened my eyes to many things and historical events. After this, we visited the special Etruscan museum and Villa Medici in Rome. Our local Toronto’s museum, ROM, also has an Etruscan section with some good exponents.
An artistic interpretation showcasing Etruscan faces, highlighting the individuality of ancient personalities.
Etruscan faces on painting what remained of the exhibits expressed the display of the personality, individuality of a person’s traits. After the influence of Greek culture it started to be prettier but faceless personal features.
Connection between Antibes and Impressionism
Another fascinating story of Antibes is about the connection between the city and Impressionism. This was a new art movement in the 19th century.
It started from Monet, my favorite artist and the creator of impressionism style.
I read the book Monet and the Mediterranean several years ago. Joachim Pissarro wrote it. This book actually opened for me the city of Antibes.
Monet stayed in Antibes for 5 months in 1988. He painted many paintings from this place. His works include “Antibes seen from La Salis”, “Morning at Antibes”, and “Gardener’s House at Antibes”.
Others include “Antibes seen from Plateau Notre-Dame.” There is also “The Gulf of Antibes.” Another one is “View of the Bay and Maritime Alps at Antibes.” Monet wrote to his wife Alice “What I will bring back from here will be pure, gentle sweetness.”
Winding paths offer a view of the ancient city. The silver-violet color of the mountains is visible in the distance. These elements are inviting for a romantic walk.
Old pines are handed close over the path, setting beyond the horizon highlights the sea and the city in distance.
There are some artists discovered this amazing city and landscape around it. Long path near Antibes is very popular among impressionists and post impressionists like Monet, Sisley, Cross, Signac. Their artworks made this town famous.
Everywhere on a long path you see lots of reproductions of artists. They are standing exactly on the places where they created by different artists. This place inspired many artists and me. It can invite you to visit for traveling and producing some artworks.
Gourmet Immigration or Mistress of the Copper Mountain
We once traveled to France for our family summer vacation. During this trip, my husband invented a new expression, “Gourmet Immigration.” It is a brilliant discovery. I hope we will implement it in the future.
Chocolate olives in chocolate, chic, isn’t it? Full impression that it is OLIVES. No, no, no, no, no, no! It is dark and milk chocolates in the form of black and green olives
A watercolor painting of chocolate olives, highlighting the unique and delicious treats found in Antibes.
Two ladies, maybe sisters or friends offer any French chocolate treats. They seem like the mistress of Antibes’ chocolate makers with mouth-watering chocolate. Alternatively, they resemble the legendary Mistress of the Copper Mountain who loves chocolate. Instead of minerals, their product is made from chocolate.
Note. Mistress of the Copper Mountain, also known as the Malachite Maid, is a legendary creature from Slavic myths. She is a fairy tale character and the mountain spirit from the legends of the Ural miners. As the Mistress of the Ural Mountains, she is depicted as a beautiful green-eyed young woman in a malachite gown.
Watercolor painting of French chocolate olives, showcasing creative culinary delights found in Antibes.
Picasso Museum
I’m not really a fan of Picasso but his story of living in the Antibes is joyful. Picasso lived here after the Second World War when everybody’s feelings were happy because of the end of world war. Picasso drew local women Antibes, and one of his famous painting is Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (The Young Ladies of Avignon). Then suddenly he decided to learn something new, but again in his style. It was start of the new era of Picasso’s pottery.
My favorite expressions of Picasso from this period are many. One expression is, “I have spent my whole life knowing how to draw like a child.” He famously said, “J’ai mis toute ma vie à savoir dessiner comme un enfant.” Another expression is “I do not seek, I find.” In French, it’s “Je ne cherche pas, je trouve.”
A watercolor painting depicting the sculptures along the Antibes coastline, highlighting the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and artistic inspiration.
Picasso decided to learn how to make sculptures from scratch when the local pottery master visited Picasso’s exhibition. It turned out to be 7 years of relationship. During this time, the famous artist learned from very basic vases in his 70th at the local workshop. This led to the creation of great and individually recognizable artworks.
Picasso learned it for many years, and yes, it was free of charge training. Nonetheless, the workshop can copy Picasso’s pottery artworks. These were originally made in this place. They can copy them for a certain number of times and sell these artworks. They are saying that the agreement is still in force. Picasso began with simple vases, and then went on to do art in direction. Some sculptures you see in the Antibes museum.
I’ve drawn and later finished with watercolors some of his vases. This is the advantage to being an artist. You not be allowed to take photos, but pencil sketches are fine under the museum’s rules. Voilà!
Antibes’ locals love cats; there are some signs on the doors in the Old Town. I drew them on the location.
Artistic depiction of a house sign in Antibes with a charming cat theme, reflecting the local love for cats.
The market in the Antibes is particularly remarkable. Baguettes and croissants, handmade early in the morning, are sold at the market quickly. You can buy real Antibes wine. You will also find Pâté de Foie Gras (goose liver) with colorful ripe vegetables and fruits at the Marche provencal. Address: 27 cours Massena, Antibes
Famous Gelateria is just next to the Market.
Watercolor illustration of Gelateria Del Porto in Antibes, showcasing delicious ice cream offerings.
Our favorite bakery was near our Royal Antibes hotel. It is a great place that you will enjoy. It is in very close distance to Salis and the private Royal beach with a restaurant on it.
A charming watercolor painting of the Royal Antibes Hotel and nearby bakery, reflecting the beauty of the French Riviera.
The bakery is just next to the beach, named La-brasserie-de-lillette. I want to highlight some rules inside the small store that sells croissants and other bakeries. Customers must not wear swimsuits, even though it’s just a minute away from the beach. Please respect the “Queen” – French baguette.
Sunset in French Riviera, Antibes
You get up at 7 in the morning and you go to meet the dawn. Nowhere in the world there is no such beauty.
A vibrant pastel painting capturing the serene beauty of a boat on water, reflecting the colorful sky in Antibes.
We visited more than 30 locations in Provence in last 10 years, and I am enjoying to paint on location, and Antibes is the city you will enjoy travel and paint with Joie de Vivre (a feeling of enjoyment of life)
A watercolor painting capturing the serene beauty of Antibes, a charming town on the French Riviera.
Daily trips from Antibes. Transportation
For daily trips I recommend to buy the “Ticket Azur” that allow you to take two transport networks in succession, to finish a journey, including one change between one of the lines on the Departmental Council’s TAM network and a line on one of the following networks: Envibus (Antibes and surrounding area), Communauté de la Riviera Française (Menton and surrounding area), Sillages (Grasse and surrounding area), Bus Varmer (Carros and surrounding area), Ligne d’Azur (Nice and surrounding area), Bus Azur (Cannes and surrounding area)
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)
You are welcome to visit my personal website pages. There, you can find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings. You can buy canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
Tools used for my painting include Charvin and Van Gogh watercolours. I also used Pastel GrayPas Expressionist. Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens were used as well. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
Urban sketching and Still life. Travel and Art. Urban Sketching: Exploring Parisian Life Through Art
Paris is simply an amazing place for artists and photographs. This is especially true in spring, summer, and early autumn. During these seasons, the splendor of countless flower beds and shrubs is wrapped in luxurious blossoms of amazing flowers.
A cozy watercolor sketch of a vase with flowers and a scenic window view, capturing the essence of Parisian life.
The way Parisians buy them in many stores and Sunday markets, sell and grow at home is worth of imitation:)
I bought viola tricolor, one of my favorite flowers. I did the paintings in this post in our Parisian hotel’s room.
Watercolor painting of a charming flower shop in Paris, showcasing vibrant blooms and an inviting street scene.
Did you know that in Roman mythology, the ancient gods turned men into violas? These violas secretly spied on the bathing goddess of love – Venus:)
Watercolor painting of viola tricolor, capturing the delicate beauty of spring flowers.
Parisians often spend leisure time, sitting down on benches with a bottle of water, a baguette, a book or just a cigarette to take a little breath, relax after a working day or bask in the sun, going to market and flower stories and bringing these little beauties in their rooms to continue getting a feeling of being in touch with the wonderful:)
A watercolor painting of a glass vase holding viola tricolor flowers, showcasing vibrant colors and artistic flair.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
Tools used for my painting. Watercolour brands Van Gogh and Cotman. Paper Canson Mix Media album 28×35 cm (11×14 in.) and Canson Watercolour album 25×35 cm (11 x15 in.)
You can visit my personal website pages here. Find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings. You can also buy canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
For my artist colleagues. Workshops. Holidays spirit for creative community.
Feeling stuck? Try a 2-brush, 2-paint challenge! You might surprise yourself with the beauty you uncover. and please share your creations!
Let’s continue to learn about clausura: where creativity meets tradition
Clausura: A History of Creativity. In the 16th century, the first academies of architecture and art in Europe set the groundwork for student evaluations. They assessed true knowledge and skills in a rather unusual way.
At the end of the semester, students entered separate rooms where they were locked up. This process, known as clausura, tested their creativity and abilities in drawing, painting, and sculpture. This system led to the creation of graphic images and layouts known as clauses. These clauses became the visual representation of a student’s creativity and talents. Today, clausura legacy continues through practical assessments. It also persists in creative evaluations in art and architecture schools globally.
Before and After. Wildlife, sunset and palms. Transformation of a watercolor painting, showcasing the evolution from ‘Before’ to ‘After’ with vibrant colors and artistic techniques.
Let your imagination run wild! What creatures do you see in this piece? Tell me in the comments:)
This is what I see: Golden hour magic. Two cheeky monkeys are totally captivated by the evening twilight! Painted with watercolor and the *clausura* technique, this piece captures the serenity and vibrancy of the sunset. What’s your favorite part of the day? What’s your favorite thing about sunsets? Mine is definitely the way they paint the sky! This palm tree art perfectly captures that feeling.
This painting just *happened*. It is a spontaneous explosion of color and emotion. The artwork captures more than just a scene. It conveys the pure, awe-inspiring feeling of being there.
Bringing the wild to life, one brushstroke at a time. The process of creating this piece is truly inspiring me.
The clausura history highlights how important practical assessments are. Hands-on evaluations are crucial to accurately gauge a student’s skills and abilities.
The next time you see a stunning painting, remember that it might be the result of a tradition. A breathtaking sculpture or an awe-inspiring building might also have origins in tradition. This tradition dates back to the 16th century.
Relaxing place in a home with sunset and wildlife painting
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The magic of the holidays is in the making! Join me on this artistic adventure as I explore the captivating world of #TravelVibes #ArtAdventure
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You are welcome to visit my personal website pages. There, you can find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings. You can buy canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Still life and urban sketching. Where I convince tiny flowers to sit still for their portraits while dodging pigeons in European streets.
Why do I love daisies? Because they’re basically flower emojis that actually exist. Adorable, cheerful, and completely indifferent to my sketching abilities.
Daisies in the wild. They had no idea I was about to make them famous.
I genuinely hope to return to a truly cozy Norman village in the near future. You know, the kind where every cobblestone has probably been stepped on by centuries of people who knew how to properly enjoy apple cider and weren’t obsessed with their phone cameras. Picture this: leisurely evening strolls down the main street, gawking at the kind of farm architecture that makes you question every design choice you’ve ever made, ducking into tiny restaurants that smell like butter and dreams, and pairing crisp apple cider with slices of camembert so good you’ll question why you’ve wasted money on cheese your whole life.
White daisies: looking effortlessly elegant since forever. Unlike me before coffee.
Here’s a fun daisy fact that I definitely verified on Wikipedia (so you know it’s true): the word “daisy” is the French word “marguerite,” which sounds way more exotic and romantic. In Greek, it means “pearl” — which explains why they’re basically the Beyoncé of flowers. The English “daisy” comes from Old English “daeges eage,” meaning “day’s eye.” Our word “day” comes from “dawn,” so basically daisies are just flower alarm clocks. The term “day’s eye” refers to how the flower opens its petals in the morning and closes them at night, like a tiny botanical snooze button. Cute? Absolutely. Slightly controlling? Let’s not judge.
Early summer morning — the kind where everything is still wet with dew and the moist grass looks almost black in the shadow. This is the moment I attempted to paint marguérites (fancy name, same flower) in watercolor. Featuring the majestic shasta daisy: nature’s way of saying “I’m delightful AND low-maintenance.”
Watercolor daisies. Took 2 hours. They still look happier than I do on Mondays.
Plot twist: in the Middle Ages, daisies were called the “Romanov Flower.” Honestly, they should still go by that name. It makes them sound like royalty instead of something a five-year-old picked for you because you were standing still long enough.
In ancient Egypt, daisies were dedicated to Ra, the sun god. Clearly, ancient Egyptians had excellent taste and questionable work priorities. Meanwhile, the Greek name translates to “white flower,” which honestly is just giving up on poetry entirely.
Summer daisies at golden hour. Even flowers know how to pose better than most people.
Unpopular opinion: the whole “he loves me, he loves me not” petal-plucking game is deeply pessimistic and needs a rebrand. My version goes: “he loves me, he loves me dearly, he loves me tenderly, he loves me passionately, he loves me…” (you get the idea). This way, your mood is GUARANTEED to be good, and the daisy feels validated that she didn’t sacrifice her petals for nothing. The daisy is pleased. The daisy is wise. The daisy says: “Guess the right way, love and be loved.” So believe the daisy, because it will absolutely confirm that your person loves you! (Even if the original game said otherwise. Trust the flower, not the math.) 😊
Still life. The daisy was still. I was not.
Another watercolor masterpiece starring the glamorous Gerbera daisy, nature’s way of saying “regular daisies, but make it EXTRA.”
Want to nerd out about Giverny? (And honestly, who doesn’t?) Check out the Foundation Monet at fondation-monet.com/en/giverny/ — it’s basically a pilgrimage site for everyone who has ever been emotionally affected by water lilies and French gardens.
Can’t find it? No problem. Giverny’s address is 84 rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny. GPS coordinates probably not required, since it’s the place where literally everyone is taking the same photo.
Bon voyage! Until the next adventure. Stay happy, and hug a daisy for me.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission. (The author has very strong feelings about this and also a decent lawyer.)
Daisies have already helped millions of lovesick romantics settle the eternal question: does this person actually like me, or are they just being nice? (Spoiler: the flower doesn’t know either, but at least it looks pretty while lying.)
Recited solemnly while engaged in the delicate art of aggressive petal plucking—because apparently, we decided flowers could predict love better than therapy ever could.
He loves me, He loves me not. He loves me, He loves me not. He loves me, He loves me not…
(Narrator voice: “The flower had no opinions on the matter.”)
Petals: the original dating app. No wifi required.
Watercolour painting of a flower plume of daisy petals—captured before they could escape the romantic nonsense being projected onto them.
Giverny. With the arrival of spring, the first flowers appear in Claude Monet’s garden—hyacinths, daffodils, pansies, and daisies all staging a botanical fashion show that makes the rest of us look bad by comparison.
Monet’s garden in spring — where even the flowers are better dressed than you.
Giverny is a small village in Normandy where the home and garden of the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet is located—basically the botanical equivalent of a celebrity mansion, except the residents are flowers and the paparazzi are just a bunch of very serious garden enthusiasts.
A summer hat painting. For when you want to look chic but a daisy already stole your spotlight.
Watercolour painting: a bird’s-eye view of daisies—painted from the perspective of someone who probably should have been working, but got distracted by flowers instead (relatable).
Bird’s-eye view of daisies. They had no idea they were being watched. Classic daisies.
#workfromhome goals: We are dreaming, planning future vacations around the world, and learning other languages. In my example, French—because nothing says “I’m productive” like avoiding actual work by becoming weirdly fluent in compliments and croissant-related vocabulary. :)
Fantasy. French countryside vibes. Currently unavailable to anyone with a job and responsibilities.
You might visit the Foundation Monet website to learn more about Giverny—or you could just stare at it longingly on the internet for free like most of us mortals do. http://fondation-monet.com/en/giverny/
Giverny address: 84 rue Claude Monet 27620 Giverny
(GPS is optional; just follow the trail of art students and disappointed daisy pluckers.)
Bon voyage! Until the next travel adventure—may your daisies be abundant and your romantic outcomes less dependent on flower petals. :)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission—unlike the daisies, which are free to be plucked and interrogated by anyone with questions about their romantic future.
Even a regular #MondayMorning could be enjoyable and relaxing—especially when #WorkingFromHome means you can attend Zoom calls in your pajamas. This is the view from my downtown Toronto home office: a dark rye sandwich piled high with salmon (nature’s way of saying “I’m fancy”), a small cup of coffee (the fuel that makes Mondays bearable), and the burning question on every artist’s mind: “What else could an artist possibly need?” Well, possibly some watercolour paint. And maybe a shower. But mostly coffee.
Salmon on rye: because adulting requires at least one fancy breakfast decision.
Paintings with oil pastel: A small cup of coffee for a busy-morning breakfast—because nothing says “healthy nutrition” like caffeinated courage and hope in a ceramic vessel.
Coffee: officially a still life subject AND a survival strategy.
Wild flowers in a vase: fighting back against Toronto grey, one petal at a time.
Paintings with oil pastel. Coffee aromas come in all different flavours: fruity, caramelized, sometimes nutty, and occasionally burnt (which tastes suspiciously like Monday morning mistakes). It always energizes me. I take a few precious moments every morning to savour my coffee while watching the vibrant young Toronto hustle and bustle outside my window—basically, I spy on everyone else’s productivity while I’m still in my pajamas. Living the dream!
A cup of coffee and flowers—what could be better in the morning? Absolutely nothing, unless you count oxygen and consciousness. I add some bright and delicate colours to the grey downtown city landscape of #Toronto to prove that life doesn’t have to be monotone—a wild summer flower bouquet in a vase, basically nature’s rebellion against urban beige.
Bon voyage! Until the next adventure :) Stay healthy, stay caffeinated, and for heaven’s sake, use sunscreen—your future self will thank you.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission. (Yes, even if you think you can sneak it past the internet. You can’t. We all know about screenshots.)
Summer vacation is basically nature’s way of saying “Go forth and create art!” So naturally, the only sensible thing to do is pack paint supplies and pretend you’re not sweating through your shirt. What do you actually need to paint masterpieces in the great outdoors? Just some simple art tools and the delusion that you won’t spill watercolors all over your lap.
Love the summer feeling with this hat
Behold! My beloved art bag—the tiny vessel that somehow holds a travel brush, a modest watercolor paint box, a sketchbook for doodling my failures, AND a silk scarf. That scarf serves dual purposes: it makes me look artistically sophisticated and doubles as a mask when I need to hide from other hikers questioning my life choices.
The whole studio. It fits in a bag. Take that, real artists.
So there I was at #Toronto #downtown, perched on the shore of #Ontario lake, racing against an impending #downpour because apparently I make terrible weather-based decisions. The park was eerily quiet—that perfectly calm, slightly ominous feeling right before a storm hits, with only a few boats gently creaking and swaying on the waves, as if they, too, were nervously waiting for nature’s tantrum to begin.
Boats patiently waiting for the storm. Relatable.
I could literally smell the ozone (which sounds more dramatic than it actually is), so I wisely abandoned ship and sprinted away just before the rain started its assault. But plot twist: I totally captured the pre-storm atmosphere in my painting—see those actual raindrops? I didn’t accidentally get water on the paper; those are intentional artistic choices. I absolutely love summer storms, even when they’re chasing me away like an angry mob.
Those dots are raindrops. On purpose. Obviously.
#Ontario #Kawarta #lakes—This watercolor was painted directly on a boat during a warm summer evening while my husband was fishing approximately one foot away from me in the same tiny boat. The artistic process is truly romantic, except for when you realize you’re both taking up maximum space and someone’s going to accidentally knock over the paint water.
Painted this while my husband caught fish. We both tried our best.
My mission: capture the soft, dreamy evening hues of a charming little cottage on the shore, surrounded by lush green leaves and moody monochrome stones. The lake and those two birches on the high shore? They took me straight back to #Belarus, my motherland—minus the actual traveling part, which is the real dream during #lockdown.
A cottage so cosy it made me homesick for a place I’ve never lived.
Bon voyage, you absolute legends! Until our next adventure. Now go forth and create some art before something terrible happens on the weather front!
All paintings belong to the author and are protected by the international law of “I made this and you can’t copy it.” No image is to be copied without permission. Seriously, don’t do it.
Summer is here! Are you one of those people who gets bizarrely excited about local markets while traveling? Because I am definitely guilty. My favorite one in Rome is practically next door to the Vatican (meaning I can repent immediately after overspending on berries). It’s called Mercato Trionfale, and yes, the address is coming up—patience, my friend!
Our family camped out in a Vatican-adjacent hotel, and we visited Mercato Trionfale so often the vendors probably thought we were casing the joint. But no—we were just on a top-secret berry reconnaissance mission. Berry shopping was our favorite activity. Yes, that’s how wild we live.
For this post, I hunted down the brightest, most absurdly colorful paintings from the market—because apparently I’m obsessed with painting fruit. And not just any fruit, mind you. Only Italian berries would do. My standards are ridiculous, I know.
(And yes, watermelon technically counts as a berry—yes, really. The internet didn’t lie to you this time.)
A watermelon is technically a berry. Botany is a liar and I love it.
Now, cherries. I absolutely adore Italian cherries, especially because they somehow trigger my most sentimental memories. Apparently, my brain associates their aroma with my parents’ summer house—you know, that magical place where there was always a bowl of bright, juicy cherries on the table, sometimes sweet, sometimes shockingly sour (the betrayal!). The smell of cherries instantly transports me to endless summer evenings at the cottage, all leisurely and carefree. Cherries basically smell like bottled joy and femininity and everything summer is supposed to be. Romantic, right? (I’ll wait while you roll your eyes.)
Sweet. Sour. Zero warning. Cherries are the trust-fall of fruit.
My daughter texted me this photo of their breakfast in Positano, Italy—perched dramatically above the Mediterranean Sea with berries, fruit, and orange juice spread out like they were posing for Vogue. Naturally, I was instantly jealous. So, I did what any reasonable artist does: I added myself to the scene by painting in my sketchbook and favorite Staedtler pencil. Problem solved! Now it’s basically like I was there (in my imagination, which is just as good, right?). Fingers crossed my dream trip actually happens someday!
My daughter’s breakfast view. I painted myself into it.
And then there are grapes. Fun fact #1: they’re also berries. Fun fact #2: apparently they’ve been lounging around Earth for 65 million years. Now, here’s where it gets delightfully ridiculous. According to a (probably made-up) ancient legend, grapes showed up eons ago as the children of Earth and Sun. Back then, they didn’t take months to ripen like spoiled celebrities—nope, they went from morning to sunset in one day, like productivity on steroids. The ones that ripened by dawn got the rosy blush from the morning sky and turned pink. The afternoon bunch hoarded the sun’s gold rays and went golden yellow. And the latecomers? They borrowed the Southern night’s dark, velvety blue tones and went deep purple. Essentially, grapes are just showing off their gradient wardrobe collection.
Grapes: 65 million years old, still unbothered, still gorgeous.
And that, my friends, is why grapes come in so many fabulous colors. Voilà! Nature’s color palette at its most extra.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel misadventure! (And stay healthy—berries help with that.)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission. (Yes, I’m watching. I have eyes.)
Nerdy tools section: All these beauties were painted with Watercolour brands Van Gogh and Cotman. Paper: Canson Mix Media album 28×35 cm (11×14 in.) and Canson Watercolour album 25×35 cm (11×15 in.). Yes, I’m that person with the fancy supplies. Don’t judge.
Mercato Trionfale address (for your pilgrimage): Via la Goletta, 1, Rome. GPS coordinates recommended to avoid wandering around like a lost tourist. (Though we all know you’re going to wander anyway—that’s half the fun.)
#lemon #art #travel #Italy (aka my holy trinity of happiness)
Yellow, sour, fragrant… and absolutely the diva of the citrus world. In tea with sugar? *Chef’s kiss.* It’s pleasant. Also full of vitamins (or so I tell myself between paintings). And its name is LEMON! Perhaps each of us, both adults and children, knows this bright, yellow citrus fruit—unless you’ve been living under a Mediterranean rock your whole life.
Still life. Still delicious. Still not edible.
It was in Italy (the land of carbs, art, and lemons galore) where my family dragged me around the Italian “boot” from top to toe several years ago. Because nothing says “family vacation” like touring every inch of a country! The painting happened in the south of Italy, in one of those charming little towns where time moves slower and espresso is cheaper than water. Naturally.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but this lemon was painted in one. (Lies. It took three.)
Our next stop was the north of Italy, literally the “top of the boot” (geography humor—I’m here all week). Lemon trees were EVERYWHERE on the Borromean islands, like someone’s obsessed Pinterest board came to life. The backdrop? Mountains. Swiss mountains. Beautiful, indifferent, Swiss mountains that made the lemons look even more golden and smug.
Lemon trees: nature’s way of saying ‘you’re in Italy now, calm down.’
The lemons were HUGE. Like, absurdly huge. And their aroma? Everywhere. It was less “fresh citrus scent” and more “olfactory assault in the best way possible.” I still remember the weight of those yellow orbs in my hand—fruit so heavy it could double as a gym weight. Nature’s dumbbell.
Shall we have tea with lemon now? Or should we just sit and contemplate the sheer absurdity of how a little yellow fruit has consumed my entire artistic existence?
Tea. Lemon. Existential peace. You know the vibe.
According to legend (and I’m not making this up, mythology nerds), the aromatic fruits the color of the sun were gifted to Hera’s wedding when she married Zeus. Because if Zeus’s new wife wanted to stay young and beautiful forever, obviously you give her lemons. Logic. The ancient Greeks apparently believed: “Its aroma amuses the mind, the peel and grains are good for the heart, the flesh is excellent food, and the juice quenches thirst.” Basically, lemons are fruit’s overachiever. They’re doing cardio, aesthetics therapy, AND hydration all at once.
All paintings belong to the author. Seriously, don’t copy them. I’m watching. (Jk, but also—don’t.)
Tools used for my paintings: Watercolour brands Van Gogh and Cotman (because why choose when you can be indecisive?). Derwent watercolour pencils for when I need surgical precision on my lemon chaos. Paper from Canson Mix Media albums (28×35 cm / 11×14 in.) and Canson Watercolour albums (25×35 cm / 11×15 in.)—basically, I invested in better paper than I invest in my actual life stability.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel adventure (hopefully with fewer lemons and more personal growth, but let’s be realistic). Stay healthy, stay hydrated, and may your tea always have the perfect squeeze of lemon.
Travel and Art. Urban Sketching in Paris: Bastille Day Highlights.
French National Day
Every year, French Nation celebrates the most important day for the country French National Day or Bastille Day.
July 14 in 2019 was year of 230 anniversary of Bastille and 130 years of Eiffel Tower. It was one of my life’s highlights and here are some tips how to celebrate the Bastille Day in Paris.
A watercolor painting of the bustling Pont Alexandre III in Paris. It showcases its iconic golden statues and lively atmosphere. This is perfect for celebrating Bastille Day.
The most attractive bridge in Paris, Alexander III, that connects Artillery Academy and Concord square. It is illuminated day and night. The bridge features gold statues and gorgeous street lamps. Relaxing and busy locals and visitors from all countries enjoy it.
Sketches capturing the festive atmosphere of Bastille Day in Paris, featuring fireworks, a military parade, and iconic street lamps.
Fireworks in Paris
July 14, some sketches were done on location with fireworks, parade and street lamps on the streets of Paris.
A vibrant urban sketch captures the Eiffel Tower against a colorful sunset. It showcases the lively atmosphere of Paris during Bastille Day celebrations.
Sketch of a military parade during Bastille Day celebrations, showcasing uniformed soldiers and a festive atmosphere in Paris.
I suggest watching Paris’ morning military parade down the Avenue des Champs Élysées, there are representatives of different military units. Interesting view when airplane planes are painting the sky in a 3-color rainbow- red, blue and white.
Wedding in Paris
Then, relaxing walking around city, it is nice holiday atmosphere. I made few sketches on location.
How about wedding in Paris? I did the painting of a bride on one of the Parisian bridge when a designer, groom and photographer were around this young lady in her white dress in one of important day in the life:)
A bride poses for a painting on a Parisian bridge. She is surrounded by her wedding party. The iconic Eiffel Tower is in the background.
Sport in Paris
In the center, next to Grand Palais, people are playing football. Others are sitting and enjoying lunch on the grass. They are waiting for the fireworks. I noticed there were no one unpleasant incident during a day even the city is full of people:)
Sketch of people enjoying leisure activities at Grand Palais in Paris, capturing the festive atmosphere of Bastille Day.
There is a young couple on scooters exploring the city. A mother and a girl are playing games next to the Paris Military Academy. This day has a very relaxing feeling.
A lively sketch shows a young couple on scooters. A mother and her daughter are enjoying a relaxing day near the Paris Military Academy.
Where to eat- how about the historical place?
The restaurant Bouillon Chartier is known for its magnificent stucco molding on the walls.
In Les beaux quartiers, Louis Aragon mentioned Le bouillon Chartier. The young medical student character Edmond Barbentane has lunch there regularly…
It has a majestic atmosphere. The waiters write the bill directly on the tablecloth. They have followed this custom since the opening in 1896.
An artistic watercolor depiction of Bouillon Chartier, highlighting its historic charm and vibrant ambiance.
Most importantly, its food is ingenious, homemade, and varied. The dishes are not very expensive, always offering something to surprise and welcome their clients. There is even a song about this restaurant. The restaurant is mentioned in Albert Willemetz’s 1939 song “Félicie aussi”, sung by Fernandel.
Evening events on National French Day
A vibrant watercolor sketch captures the fireworks above the Eiffel Tower. The scene reflects on the Seine River during Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.
And of course the highlight of this day- firework in the evening! We chose a place to watch firework on the bridge. We were standing in Parisian Babylon. We admired the view of the Eiffel Tower and the firework itself. We also saw the reflection of the city and the next bridge, Alexander III. People were shouting joyful exclamations, they were from different parts of the world, enjoying of this show there were people from the UK, China, Portugal, Russia, Japan, and us, from Canada:)
Well, there are 5 reasons to be in Paris in National French Day
Start with the morning parade. You can relax or play football with your friends in the center of Paris. Alternatively, rent a scooter and enjoy Paris with some speed. Don’t forget to view the Eiffel Tower with some snack. A baguette is a must-have. Enjoy the night fireworks. Additionally, engage in urban sketching of happy life. Capture the architecture of the old and young city of Paris.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You are welcome to visit my personal website pages. There, you can find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings. You can buy canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Tools used for my painting. Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
There are many options to do one-day trips from Paris. This time we chose a day trip to Fontainebleau & Vaux le Vicomte chateaus.
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is accessible by public transport. But, it will take a couple of hours with subway, train, and a local bus. Alternatively, you drive by car.
Illustrated map detailing the route from Paris to the châteaux of Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau, highlighting a romantic one-day trip itinerary.
Map to two chateaus. Our one day trip’s itinerary is from Paris to Chateau de Veux le Vicomte and Fountenableau, back to Paris. We took a bus from Paris City Vision.
Departure is from Paris’ center, highly recommend this trip, just book it in advance:)
In the middle of sketch is our couple, my husband and I, who loves traveling, art and architecture.
The first castle was Vaux le Vicomte château
A view to stunning Vaux le Vicomte château that later inspired the famous Versailles. I imagined that beautiful ladies with little colored umbrellas from 17th century are walking at the park.
A watercolor depiction of the stunning Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, showcasing its elegant architecture and surrounding water features.
The legend says that Nicolas Fouquet invited King Louis XIV. He also invited the whole court to the inauguration of the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
The owners organized a grand and luxurious party and a dinner. Gold-plated gondolas glided through the channels. Gold salad bowls decorated its tables.
The monarch was blinded by the brilliance of the stolen gold. He refused to stay away for the night. Instead, he went to Fontainebleau. The unlucky aristocrat dared to challenge the Sun King. The musketeers arrested him on charges of fraud of the state treasury. Sentenced to life imprisonment and deprived of connection with the outside world.
Illustration of a legendary lady associated with the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, representing the influence of women in its history.
Ladies who guard the family and peace. What is the most fascinating in the history of the chateau are their legendary ladies of Vaux les Vicomte chateaux. Just some of amazing legends.
The first, Marie-Madeleinede Castille, the spouse of Vaux les Vicomte, continued supporting her husband. He received what was initially supposed to be three months of detention. It was later changed to a life sentence.
Mme Fouquet fought for her husband for many years, and recovered their family property 10 years later. Guyonne de Durfort was another intelligent lady. During the revolution, she didn’t let the castle be plundered. She kept the whole situation in her hands. She gave the castle to the “disposal” of the revolutionary committee and … voila … the whole furniture is still in place.
One more heroic lady Permisine Cas de Dorier set up a military hospital in the chateau during World War.
Artistic illustration of the history of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, highlighting Nicolas Fouquet and the architectural team behind the masterpiece.
The history says that the castle was built by three masters. Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Superintendent, assembled a team. He brought together an architect, Louis Le Vau. Charles Le Brun, a painter, was included as well. Lastly, André Le Notre, a landscape gardener, joined to execute the entire project. The result of this fraternal union was a work of supreme gorgeousness.
Artistic representation highlighting Nicolas Fouquet, architect Louis Le Vau, painter Charles Le Brun, and gardener André Le Nôtre, who collaborated on the magnificent Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
By the way, a cafe in the chateau will appeal to any lover of French cuisine
A watercolor depiction of the elegant gardens and architecture at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, showcasing its stunning design and historical significance.
Crews and fun were present at only during the first ball. You feel ghosts everywhere…
Artistic representation of Vaux-le-Vicomte château, depicting its iconic features and surroundings.
Why do not buy a magnet and little spoons with little squirrels on top. Yes, squirrel is emblem of the family and chateau.
On summer evenings, costume candles are held here by candlelight, we will definitely return…
Next castle was Fontainebleau chateau, Stendhal called it the “architectural encyclopedia” and Napoleon called the “House of Ages”.
UNESCO World Heritage
Four French monarchs were born in the Fontainebleau palace, and for many rulers it was the main residence. At present, the palace is part of UNESCO World Heritage. Its chambers, galleries, parks, and gardens are simply amazing.
BBC series “The Impressionists”
I’ve learned about the Fontainebleau garden from BBC “The Impressionists” where young Monet, Renoir and Bazille were painting Fontainebleau forest.
Artistic depiction of the Egyptian Sphinx statue at the Château de Fontainebleau.
In the middle of the magnificent French-style formal gardens, there is a statue. This statue is the Egyptian Sphinx of Chateau de Fontainebleau, Paris, France. Why did it here, in the majestic royal and imperial château in the heart of the forest of Fontainebleau.
A colorful watercolor depicting the throne room at Fontainebleau, where Napoleon famously signed his abdication.
Chambers of Napoleon
The chateau was the first to be conceived as a residential complex and not a bastion. Kings were born here; Napoleon signed the abdication in this room, on this chair the great commander was sitting. According to the legend Napoleon said to his subordinates “Did you want to relax? You will get your rest”.
Artistic depiction of Napoleon’s throne from the chambers of Chateau de Fontainebleau, showcasing the grandeur of French history.
In the chambers of Napoleon, you can immerse yourself in the time of the great emperor.
He was famous for his wish to go down in history.
Gallery of Diana
The Fontainebleau library bathed in the sun, thanks to Italian masters, the French Renaissance was born. In the middle of the library there is a vast globe. The library holds the originals of books dating back to the 13th century.
Watercolor illustration of the Gallery of Diana in the Fontainebleau library, showcasing its grandeur and historical significance.
Well next time we visit another chateau, maybe Versailles?:)
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:)
You are welcome to visit my personal website pages. There, you can find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings. You can buy canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
Tools used for my painting include Charvin and Van Gogh watercolours. I also used Pastel GrayPas Expressionist. Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens were also utilized. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
PARISCityVISION agency. address: 2 Rue des Pyramides, 75001 Paris. Trip to Fontainebleau & Vaux le Vicomte
Chateau de Vaux-Le-Vicomte. address 77950 Maincy, France
Chateau de Fontainebleau. address Pl. du General-de-Gaulle, 77300, Fontainebleau, France.
Join me on this artistic adventure as I explore the captivating world of #TravelVibes #ArtAdventure
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