UN JOUR PLUVIEUX AVEC LES TOURNESOLS (a rainy day with the sunflowers)

Cher mes amis,

Today Serena and I took off for our first adventure. Rain did not deter us from our road trip around the Lot et Garonne area of the Midi-Pyrenees in the L' Aquitaine region of France. Our first stop was the beautiful village of Penne-d' Agenais , set high above the river Lot. Among the Artists studios and Galleries ,we found some of the finest renovated medieval homes one could find around this area. This is one of my favorite villages, and we enjoyed spending some time choosing our favorite one.

Next we visited Villeneuve-Sur-Lot a town which is situated along the river Lot. Dotted with riverboats and barges and down to earth people made this a real French provincial experience.

As we drove back through the country side we are captivated by the palette of colors that surrounded us .White stone farmhouses and chapels , green valleys and forests among the the plowed fields of ochre and gold and red...and again over and over the yellow, chartreuse green and aubergine shades of the sunflower fields. We were compelled to stop and walk among the Sunflowers, all with their heads turned downward now but still beautiful in a sad kind of way. We kissed them goodbye and continued on our quest to find and follow another little road that will lead us to somewhere.

Au revoir,

Marti and Serena

Au Revoir Castelnau de Montmiral

Bonjour,

This the view from across the valley looking at the medieval village of Castelnau de Montmiral, France where mon école des beaux-arts(art school) resides.

On Thursday,after 10 incredible days of study, my teachers Bunny and Mick Newth, their Jack Russell terrier Eddie, my classmate Jenny from Australia and I took off across the valley into the countryside of this region of Tarn in Southern France. As our little band of trekkers climbed higher and higher, I looked down on the valley and across the fields to the village, so peaceful and beautiful I felt as if I was dreaming. We passed heavy laden fig and plum trees, Eddie ate so many his belly bulged, but it did not slow him down. There were walnut and cherry, apple and pear trees also along the path, no longer bearing their fruit but lovely green leaves covering the limbs and fields upon fields of sunflowers that had passed away.

The fragrance of french earth wafted passed and landed on my clothes. Yummy.

Our evening was spent eating an exquisite meal in the town square, drinking great French wine and talking into the night. So thankful to be here. I bid farewell to my friends and I realized that I have made some new and long lasting friendships this time around.

But alas, I had to pack my bags and head to Toulouse to meet my buddy Serena for a week of exploration of the Midi-Pyrénées where my cottage lives. There will be more country side to enjoy and wine to drink so off to bed .

Stay tune for more l'amusement en France( fun in France)

bonne nuit,

Marti

UN COUP D'OEIL RAPIDE DANS L' AVENIR (a quick peek into the future)

Bonjour Mon Amis,

I have been working hard for the last 10 days to achieve the goals I set prior to arriving here at my French art school. The process of printmaking continues to fascinate me and as I learn new techniques they push my abilities to the next level.

What I have learned this time is how to create more then one etching plate at a time and how they relate to one another . Also what is needed to print these plates in a sequence and in registration to produce layers of color and texture. Each plate must be exactly etched to fit together and the outcome is wonderful. The photo is a peek at the piece I completed while here.

Soon you will see the entire suite of prints.

I have been inspired once again and the future holds the promise of new ideas and directions and looks brighter and brighter each day.

Thanks for your support and interest.

Love to all

Marti

LA GRAVURE COMMENCE!!(the engraving begins)

After five days of preparations I have finally begun the arduous process of etching the image onto the steel plate. This is the part of the process where expectation and patience come together. As the plate soaks in the bath of a formula of water and nitric acid ,the acid bites into the metal to reveal the lines and markings I have placed there. I block out areas that I do not want to etch and must always plan ahead and decide where the lines will go and how deep I want them. As the deeper the line the more ink is held and therefore the darker the line.

After I have determined the level of etching required to achieve my desired image I will begin to take quick test prints to see how the etching is progressing. Then continue the process until I feel that the elements are completed.

Once I have achieved a satisfactory print, I will then begin on plate#2 the color plate. This the area that I know the least about and why I have returned once more to study. Registering the plates so that the color falls into specific areas and enhances the over all print.

If other textures and background is needed then another plate is created. and on and on....

When I completed the entire suite of plates then the printing begins.

Oh what fun!!!

So check back and I will post a picture of the completed print.

Love

Marti

Nous permettre d'essayer encore(let's start again)

Bonjour Mes Amis,

Not sure why, but my last entry was published early and was cut short, so here is the rest of the story....

School is wonderful, My class mates who are all from England are diverse in the are world. All are friendly and we share a lot of laughs. Bunny and Mick, my teachers , are so creative and supportive.They have added a new mascot Eddie.He is a Jack Russel Terrier so I feel right at home with him running around.

Now about the photo.

The interior of the Catholic Church of England in Puyscli, France, a medieval village not far from Montmiral was built in the 11th century . I took a day trip here on September 11th and lit a candle in this beautiful church in memory of the lives lost in 2001. Visit this link to learn more about this interesting village http://www.puycelsi.fr (be sure to click on english flag to translate)

on a lighter note...

I have begun a new series of etchings inspired by images and colors found in the hand painted stained glass of these medieval English Churches in France. Not necessarily reproduced in a religious context and so my creative journey has begun.

First 3 days were spent recovering from jet lag and doing my research on the subject of this years lesson. I chose this idea because of the nature of the images and layering of color to create deep rich tones. I have found that the techniques of intaglio etching is rich in information and constantly challenges my artistic abilities. WHEW!

It is all very exciting and as always I find it hard to explain how this country and it's history somehow rings deep in my soul.

More to come....

Love to all

Marti

"L'Art d'emballer ma valise pour France" (The Art of packing my suitcase for France)

Oh my goodness!! Where are the days when I could throw in a pair of  jeans, paintbrushes , passport and a French guide book  into a backpack with my beret and take off...

 Sure, oh yes that's my alter ego,The sensible traveler,

the devil-may-care Marti.

 The" I don't care what people think" Marti.

  RIIIGGGHT! 

NOT! I must admit  ( and this will come to no  surprise  to those of you who know me well)   I am a clothes horse, Love to put my LOOK together and dress to the nines.

I have packed 3 times now, putting in and taking out... and the suitcase is 

STILL TO HEAVY!

 I even convinced Brooke, my beautiful, sensible dresser ,talented packer and experienced traveling daughter,into helping me decide what to take and what to leave. 

" I refuse to carry around a heavy suitcase for 3 weeks ~ my back won't take it"

We spent an entire afternoon, her sitting on the bed and me modeling the various options. It was a lot of fun, and we made all the right decisions. Putting the combinations together just like a painting.

Our color palette will be, black, grey, eggplant and indigo as our base colors, with mustard, orange ,magenta and cream as accents. What! no chartreuse  green ,you may ask,  well yes one t-shirt in that amazing color.

Beautiful, sensible and doable.

Nice but not over the top,

We did an excellent job.   First and most important,  several old painting clothes for art school, things I can just throw away when done , then 4 site-seeing outfits ( interchangeable of course) and last, simple black evening clothes with pearls. Oh yes, and 10 pairs of sensible shoes. 

Just kidding, only 3 pairs, one for each category.

 I forgot to mention the 2 zinc plates, for the etching class that weight about  5 lbs each, the brushes, the paper, the extra art supplies and smock needed for the 2 weeks of class. Oh my, this will be a challenge.

anyway... I cannot lift the case, so I go back in (4th time) to cut more out... maybe just this pair of jeans and  the green t-shirt? Or maybe the velvet coat?

Ok, enough of this compulsive behavior...

  the  beautiful eggplant velvet coat must go. BOO HOO!

I will take my art school supplies and not the coat. And perhaps buy some new thing in France to quench my velvet desire. 

OK, I FEEL BETTER NOW.

au revoir mon ami 

(Bye my friends)

jusqu'à ce que nous rencontrons encore

( till we meet again)

Love

Marti

 

ma maison loin de maison (my home away from home)

As the time grows near when I will once again visit France and my sweet cottage
" Petite Romarin" in Roquecor, the butterflies build in my stomach with anticipation, and excitment , as if getting ready to meet my lover there.

I become nostalgic remembering passed times there and the influence this region of France has had on me and my art.
Ahh yes, the muse waits for me there !!

I am truly blessed, as my lover David has sent me here once again to study and paint.
How fortunate I am to have found this perfect little corner of the world.
Although this year will be a short stay, it will be a new adventure.
Each visit adds a new layer to the comfortable feeling of familiar land,
and sparks new directions in art.

This year I bring along my buddy of 30 years Serena, we have travel many places together and I know that she will also fall in love with this magical place. I can hardly wait to show her my favorite medieval towns, smell the fields of sunflowers, meet the friendly farmers at the market taste the fresh goat cheese and drink some of the best wines of France .

I get to experience it once more through the eyes of another.

It is most definitely "ma maison loin de maison" my home away from home.

On My Way Once Again (Sur ma voie une fois de plus)

It has been 2 years since I have travel to beautiful France, 2008 was a year of weddings, mine and my daughter Brooke married our true loves .
So it is with great excitement and much anticipation that I plan this years Art Sabbatical.
I will attend once again my school, Atelier Montmiral, for advanced printmaking and then travel on to the cottage "Petite Romain" in Roquecor with my buddy Serena. We will visit new and wonderous places and I hope to journal this adventure with Pictures and insights.
Stay tune as we set out in exploration of new art ideas , meet new friends and have the time of our lives.

A Pressing Engagement!!!(Un Engagement qui Appuie)

Exciting News, the arrival of my intaglio etching press from Holland...it took 9 months and I  still have not given it a name yet.

Max ( one of the studio dogs) watches over it, and finds the movement of the press bed most interesting.
While studying at Atelier Montmiral in France I fell in love with the etching process. As most of you know, I have been a printmaker for years, and  have wanted a press to complete my work in a more professional way. This press built by Polymetaal in Holland is the best in it's class.

My new work can be seen on my update website martischmidt.com. 

I continue to push the envelope of my creative spirit and experiment with new techniques.

This press will allow me to take my art to new heights!!

Keep in touch and give me some feed back.

As always I appreciate your interest and support.

Love to all

Marti

"LA FRANCE EST DANS MON AME"

I arrived back to the U.S. safe and sound, already missing my cottage and atelier in France. As I reflect on my time away I am struck with one strong feeling , "FRANCE IS IN MY SOUL".

Even though I am person who trys to live in the moment, I find it hard not to reminisce or plan ahead each time I set foot on this land. I find these voyages to France evoke a feeling of having lived in this country before. Another lifetime. The smells , tastes and vistas fill me with such strong familiarity, I begin to understand on a spiritual level that I have come home once again. Comfortable and secure.
And then,I get a shot of inspiration from the colors and shapes around me .The cerulean blue sky; cerise red of the sumac plant, celadon green of the fields and the raw sienna from the turning leaves on the poplar trees. There I am again , off to create my next painting, rushing forward to catch the muse.
During the last few days in France I began to paint outside "Plein Air"style. Utilizing the wonderful light that is prevalent throughout this beautiful country, this is one of the reasons I come to paint here ( along with all of my impressionists masters and mentors). Not an original thought, you might say, but one that will resonate deep inside me for a long time.
I am already planning my next year sabbatical to my adopted homeland, but first , I must return to the moment and pack up my studio in Orlando, return to my wonderful home and studio gallery in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and move forward with a new direction for my art and my life.
Until next time mes amis,
Love to all
Marti

Pech Merle Sanctuary

I have had the opportunity to visit many galleries and museums throughout my travels over the years, but my trip this week to the Pech Merle Grotte was an unexpected and magical artistic moment. Located in the Cele Valley in the Midi-Pyrenees near the village of Cabrerets.
I found a treasure of influential markings that will stay with me a long time.

As I descended into the center of the French earth, cool and damp, there among the stalagmites and stalactites were works of art from the prehistoric age, preserved in perfect condition.
This cave was found in 1922 by two teenagers from of village of Cabrerets. It had been sleeping for 24x600 year( you do the math). It consist of seven magnificent "rooms" of the sanctuary, connected by passageways and galleries exhibiting
Engravings, paintings, enigmatic signs, the marks of hands and footprints.
After almost a kilometer of galleries, the dappled horses of Pech Merle suddenly and miraculously appear, and there is a tangible presence of something that reaches from the far depths of time.

You will see the influences from the these Cro-Magnon artists in my new work, layered with my newly acquired knowledge of the intaglio etching process. I am energized by my this latest discovery and look forward to many hours of experimenting and painting and of course sharing this new direction with you all.
Thanks for your interest in my adventures, see you again soon.
http://www.quercy.net/pechmerle/english/introduction.html

Love to all
Marti

Mon Temps en Atelier Montmiral

Bonjour mes amis,
Once again I am in awe of the beauty of South France. The photo you see is a panoramic view of the medieval village of Castelnau de Montmiral,home of my French art school,Atelier Montmiral. High above the clouds in the Tarn region of France it is a magical and inspirational place for me.

I have spent ten wonderful days here emersed in study with art professors Mick and Bunny Newth. As I learn new processes of etching and begin creating new images and directions for my artwork, the influences of the surroundings surface from time to time. Using the words "emersed" and "surface" to describe my focus this year is very apropos and is a true reflection of my new direction as" WATER" seems to be the theme so far. A hint for those of you who might be wondering where I am headed with this collection.

Working hard to acquire the technical knowledge also of the Polymetaal Etching press housed here at the school, was another goal. I have ordered my own press from Holland and it will arrive in December at my studio in Santa Rosa Beach. So you can imagine how my hands and head are full of much needed information.

I am headed now to my beautiful cottage and studio in Roquecor, France for 2 weeks of work and rest. Can hardly wait to try my ideas on canvas.

Watch for another entry soon and thanks for letting me share this amazing time with you all.

Au revoir
Marti

Préparer à la France (Preparing for France)

I am packing my baret, gathering my art supplies and heading to the airport!
My annual sabbatical to France is almost here. I will leave in early October to contiune my studies in fine printmaking, attending Atelier Montmiral once again. www.ateliermontmiral.com.
My artwork is changing and the etching process is the next key for me .Keep an eye out for new images and processes this winter.I am really excited about it!!
There will be also two weeks at my beloved cottage and studio in Roquecor, there I will continue to develope my body of work for my show in Spring of 2008.
Take a peek at the new work on my website http://www.martischmidt.com,this is just the beginning.
Thanks for your support and interest in my artwork
Let me hear back from you on my new direction.
au revoir pour le moment
Marti

L'Artiste Marti Schmidt Studio-Gallery

Hello Dear Friends,
SOME EXCITING CHANGES TO ANNOUNCE !!
I am back at my beach house and have decided to open my
L'ARTISTE MARTI SCHMIDT STUDIO-GALLERY
right away!
You are invited to come by and view new works of art at any time, just call me first to make sure I am around.
Please tell your friends about the new location and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Thanks for your interest in my artwork
Marti

My new contact information is

L'Artiste Marti Schmidt
Studio-Gallery
63 Point Washington Court
Santa Rosa Beach
Florida 32459
850-974-8543

FAREWELL BEAUTIFUL FRANCE!!

TOULOUSE, FRANCE

Dear Friends
Today is my last day at my cottage/studio in Roquecor and I am sad to leave.
This experience has been one of the most enlightening and creative ,my life and art will be changed forever because of it.
I am making my plans for next year, with great anticipation.

As I make my way home with my friend David, there will another stay in Toulouse
the capital of the Midi-Pyrenees region, and France's 4th largest city.
I love this city, it is smaller than Paris , but full of wonderful things to see.
Walking along the River Garonne, near the School of Beaux-Arts, you see artists displaying their latest works in hopes of a sale. There are great restaurants and hotels, art galleries and boutiques with unusual items for sale. I recommend this as a destination to all of you if you travel to France in the future.

This City is international and full of students who come to study at the many universities here. I have met new friends here and feel comfortable and safe. I will return here again next year to learn more about "La Ville Rose"

So I shall be back in the U.S. soon, back to my beautiful home and studio in Florida, seeing my dogs Max and Sophie.
Celebrating the holidays with family and friends, and I look forward to that.
However, I have fallen in love with this country, I will not stay away for long.
For now I say "l'adieu belle France' "

See you soon,
Marti
XX

THE VILLAGE OF ROQUECOR

Each day I walk from my cottage and studio down the mountain and back. It is one of my daily routines and provides inspirations for paintings. I am constantly greeted by the most wonderful panoramas .Farmlands and Valleys, dotted with small white houses and large chateaus with red tiled roofs.
The view of the village Roquecor on the hill top is one of my favorites vistas. A small medieval village not far from where I live , it is the closest for purchasing cheese , bread and wine.My french menu. And although it is a small village, it is full of rich experiences and wonderful, friendly people.

As the season progresses and I watch the fields change in patterns from harvesting and the colors change from the light, I am amazed at the difference created each day. Some of these have become embedded in my psyche and will no doubt show up in paintings for years to come. Little subtleties that leak out into the artwork, totally unplanned and recognizable only to me.
As my work here is almost completed ,I find that I am not ready to go yet. This place is one I have become attached too , It feels so familiar and has provided such a wonder place to work. Spending hours implimenting new ways to translate my visions , trying new techniques and directions.Whether they are beautiful or not, is not for me to say and does not prevent my artistic experiments from continuing. Some will go home with me and will hopefully take my art to new heights, others will remain here,in the trash,where they belong.

Renewing my artistic spirit has become the main focus of this sabbatical to France getting acquainted with my muse again and letting the creative process unfold. Those of you who truly understand this statement will see this spirit in my new work.

I am off for some more traveling now, exploring new towns and villages looking around the next bend hoping to find the next inspiration. Wish me luck...

Avoir
Marti

FROM AN ARTIST'S POINT OF VIEW

Cathedrale
Ste-Cecile
Albi,France

Mes chers amis,

As I travel around France I am always struck by the beauty around me. While visiting Albi a town near Toulouse , I was fascinated by this hugh Cathedral in the middle of town. As much a fortress as a church , built of red brick in the true gothic style,it was started in 1282 and took a century to complete. And for as stark as it is outside , the interior is completely covered with paintings and carvings. Amazing!

I look at all things differently here, old stone buildings with their wonderful textures and colors, the streets in the towns and villages that are lined with interesting buildings adorned with shutters in lavender and that shade blue that is only found in France. Maybe it is just the light here, but everything looks incredible and extraordinarily beautiful to me. Maybe I am just falling in love.
Looking at the shapes and angles of the roof lines and the arches that are found everywhere in the cities I find myself mentally working out a composition that might work well on the canvas. Some are so compelling that I have started a painting that was inspired by the view in the photograph.

While in Albi , I visited the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. It was full of sketches he made of cancan dancers at the Moulin Rouge and prostitutes with their gentlemen callers. He also loved to paint the cabaret singer Atistide Burant and the Circus people.
I learned a lot about his point of view from studying his sketches and paintings. Quick brushstrokes with a simple line on cardboard were his preferred style and surface. He captured movement and expressions so well with these techniques and I gained a whole new respect for his talent and subject matter.

So yes, among other things I am learning new ways of looking at things here on my art sabbatical, and acquiring an expanded artistic point of view.

XX
Avoir
Marti

Getting Started

As I begin my first paintings, I am struck with the surreal feeling of being inside a picture.
After months of seeing this lovely studio online and corresponding with my landlords the Jones about my visit , it is hard to believe I am actually here, living my dream.
Each day I walk the mountain, absorbing the magnificent vistas and then I hurry back to the studio to capture the feeling of the views and the colors on my canvases.
The smell of the rich,moist earth and the feel of the crisp,pristine air on my face,renew my artistic spirit and refresh my energy. I found fresh walnuts on the ground and use them in my salad at dinner.
And as I ate the salad I thought, I could live like this for the rest of my life, paint on my hands and fresh walnuts in my salad,here in the Midi-Pyrenees,France.
oui, ce serait une bonne vie.
Until next time,
Marti

Inspirations abound!!

Atelier Montmiral

Bonjour Friends and Family,

It has been quite an adventure getting to France and to my beautiful cottage and studio in the hamlet of Le Mas, near the medieval village of Roquecor.
First, Brooke and I traveled from London to Paris, and had such a wonderful time absorbing the sites and sounds of the city of Love.
Our hotel was near the Eiffel Tower so we could walk over and look at it anytime we wanted, it became the theme of our
visit there. Brooke took lots of photos of it in every possible light. I will be posting those soon.
We took a great bike tour of Paris with Fat Tire Bike Tours,it was good exercise and a great way to see the sites.
At the famous Paris marche' aux puces (flea market) we searched and found some special tokens to take home with us and enjoyed cafe' au lait often while people watching in the sidewalk cafe's. We walked for miles.
We hated to leave Paris but alas, we boarded the train to Agen and toward the SW Region to the Cottage. The views of the country side was amazing, colors of fall and patterns made in the earth by the plows were speaking to me constantly.
We arrive at the cottage during a rain storm that lasted for 3 days,it made it easy to relax and reflect on our trip together. Reading and card playing with a great glass of local red wine became our routine. Great memories!!

When Brooke left for home, I attended a wonderful art school , Atelier Montmiral , www.ateliermontmiral.com,
in another medieval town called Castelnau de Montmiral not far from Toulouse. A beautiful area with views that took my breath away and inspired my collection of prints.
My teachers , Bunny and Mick Newth , were gracious and talented artists from England. My classmates, also English, were from all walks of life and we created lasting friendships as we learned to translate our visions using the printmaking processes of drypoint and etching.
It was truly a turning point in my art process and my work is evolving from the images that flooded my vision during my in time in Montmiral.

But more about that later,

Avoir
Marti

L'ARTISTE ET LE PHOTOGRAPHE

THE VILLAGE OF CAHORS

As the days click by, Brooke ( my beautiful and talented daughter) and I finalize our travel plans.
The Artist and the photographer make their way over the Atlantic Ocean.
Our flights are coordinate,lodgings are booked and yes...
"THE SCHMIDT GIRLS", will be running the streets of London and Paris!!

Because we both love trains, we have chosen the Eurostar rail service for our Intra-European travel , we are in no rush and want to see as much of France as possible together. This will also give us a way to travel to some of the vineyards.
One of these areas is Cahors, known for it's excellent fine wines and spectacular views.
Check out this link from French Wine a day by Jean-Marc Espinasse
http://a-la-recherche-du-vin.typepad.com/french_wine_a_day/2005/09/deep_cahors.html


Now don't get the wrong idea, there will be tons of artistic endeavors going on also.
I will be dancing with the muse, looking deep inside for a new art direction.
Brooke, an excellent photographer, will be working on her portfolio.

We will post a glimpse of the progress as we travel together down the creative path.

So the next entry in this travel journal will be from over there,
keep an eye out!!!

A' Bientot

Marti