watercolour – Caramany
This post is about my week in Caramany, a small, ancient hill top village – in the Pyrenees-Orientales department in southern France. A very beautiful area.
My friend the artist Suzy Davidson (www.suzydavidson.com) – has been renovating an old ruin there for the past nine years …..all of this done whilst living in South Africa and and Malaysia. Quite a feat. On her regular visits, she has managed to organise builders, and much more…..and being a hands on person has done a lot of work herself, including building walls….
To get there, I flew to Carcassonne and then a two hour drive to Caramany. (On my return trip to Brittany and then London, I travelled by train – more about that in a minute)
I left London just before the ‘Beast from the East’ descended on the UK and Europe. For the first three or so days it was freezing cold. Fortunately Suzy had just installed two wood burners!
Suzy between house and atelier. 
Initially it was too cold to paint outside (we actually woke to a dusting of snow one morning!) – and so I painted some interiors, plus portraits of the local Caramany people – again an excellent way to connect with people and to learn about a place.
A very warm spot next to a wood burner (now shown in this picture:)
A rapid sketch from open window. 
Built into rock, the community sits on many levels. I took this photograph overlooking the courtyard to Suzy’s house with the ravine, village and hills beyond. 
There are 150 full time residents – (during the summer months this number grows) Through Suzy, I was able to meet some of the locals who not only made me very welcome but also provided in one case a delicious typically French five course lunch, and in another a superb evening meal.
Marie – a multi talented lady. – watercolour 
Seven year old Capucine – watercolour 
By mid week the sun was shining and in sheltered spots it was very warm. I actually enjoyed my first al fresco lunch of the year.
Part of the village in mild sunshine. 
Remy – Caramany resident – watercolour
Vivi – wife of Remy – watercolour
I certainly hope to visit Carmany again during a warmer period when I am able do much more plein air painting. I believe that Late April/May or September/October would be perfect….as I think the summers might be a little too hot for my liking.
Perpignan is about a 35 minute drive from Caramany, and so it was here that I caught the first train on my way to Lorient in Brittany. Other than the initial local train, I was travelling by TGV – the superb French train system which travels at high speeds and for the most part is very efficient.
Between Perpignan and Narbonne – I was able to see the lagoons with Pink Flamingos….what a treat. After a quick change at Narbonne onto Toulouse, – Toulouse to Paris and Paris to Lorient where Elisabeth and Herve were waiting for me. The train was right on schedule. It sounds like a long day, and it was but given that the trains are so comfortable and everything on schedule….it is a far better way to travel than flying!. An excellent opportunity for reading, writing, thinking and people watching.
A rapid watercolour/gouache in my sketch book looking down on the reservoir beneath Caramany….It was extremely windy and cold that day. . 
Now onto my next trip where I will be giving a workshop at the beautiful school in Olhao Portugal http://www.artinthealgarve.com starting Wednesday 18th April….
We have received two late cancellations and so if anyone is interested in joining us on what is always a wonderful week, please contact Camilla at +44 203 2877 140
I have a limit of 12 for these workshops and am fully booked for September.
At this time of year, especially after our very cold spring, the thought of arriving at the School is such a treat. The top of the old olive tree that grows up through the centre of the School….simply beautiful. 
I finish with a pile of magical hummingbird watercolour doodles 
A Bientot
http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk
People who sign up for courses at the School in Olhao – 
At this point it doesn’t matter what the subject is, the key is to open one’s eyes and begin to see so that we ready ourselves for the day’s sketching and painting.
After the morning warm up, each person then decides where they would like to sketch. Some choose to stay within the School with its endless supply of inspiration….or to go out into the surrounding alleyways and town…..all within a minute’s walk of the School.
After plein air work some members of the group bring their sketches back to the studio setting where they continue to develop their work.
Those who have followed my blog will know that I believe the creative process in its many forms is the key to mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing, and so the week in Olhao is not only learning about new tools and techniques, but also experiencing those moments of deep contentment and wellbeing that the creative process can bring.
I believe that by loosening up we advance our observational skills. Regardless of what kind of work we would like to develop,….the loosening up process will help you to reach your goal. 
After a morning of sketching – we then join together for lunch at 1 p.m.
We then work from 4 p.m. til 6 ish.
And….lovely Joanna, who does the housekeeping and makes our breakfast every day, brought the twins to see us….who have grown so much.
I couldn’t possibly finish this post without sharing the beautiful portrait of me drawn by six year old Beatrice….(sister to Charlotte)….I will always cherish this.
For more images of the group’s work you can go to Art in the Algarve on Facebook 
A Bientôt
This post is to encourage those who might feel a little nervous of painting in public, to throw caution to the wind, and give it a go……..
One of the watercolours I painted during that visit. I plan to return again this year and do many more sketches there. 
It’s important to remember that when painting outside technique comes second to observing the essence of the subject. The aim is to capture a sense of place…rather than every detail.
When I painted this rapid watercolour/gouache sketch, I was on the edge of a 4,000 ft cliff overlooking the white village of Zuheros, Andalucia, Spain, with forests and olive groves going off into the distance. It was very windy, and numerous lion eagles were flying overhead. An extremely exhilarating moment.
From a pocket sized sketch book – Fishing boats on Armona Island, Portugal…..
I sketched this on a boat in Kinsale Harbour, County Cork Ireland.…and the colours were just like this…..Often when working in sketchbooks, I join up the pages as you can see here. 
Another very happy moment. I was with my dear friends Mariethe Salort (artist) and Bonnie Halsey Dutton (artist). We were celebrating July 4th that day and sketched this village – Courrier-sur-Sein – not too far from Paris……watercolour/gouache. I remember there were lots of little boys who wanted to get in on the action. 🙂
From a pocket sized sketch book off the coast of Akyaka, Turkey. watercolour. 
Catering to both amateur and professional artists, participants will enjoy plein air painting guided by Sadik Kasa, Professor at the Academy of arts, Albania. Basic art supplies will be supplied and a translator will be available.
After a comfortable nights sleep in air conditioned and well appointed hotels, the group will enjoy breakfast followed by a morning of plein air painting. After enjoying lunch in local restaurants, galleries and other places of interest will be visited for the remainder of the afternoon.
As you can see from these photographs – the landscape and subject matter is diverse. 
My Life as an Artist (2) 