"Stalking Monet"

"Stalking Monet" 40x26" watercolor by Paul Jackson.

Having just spent a wonderful workshop adventure in France and a
fantastic time in Monet's Gardens in Giverny, I couldn't wait to get
back in the studio and translate my love for this magical place. Enjoy!

Holiday Gift Ideas!

Hi Friends!

The Shameless Commerce Department has reminded me that the holiday season is soon upon us and I should encourage you to shop at the Paul Jackson Zazzle store for cool gifts for your best friends and family. It's an easy find for some great stuff you won't find anywhere else, and you'll benefit the artist a little bit in the process. In this economy being an artist is rather a tough gig, but I am so unqualified for much else.

My artwork is available custom printed on all sorts of neat stuff like Ked's shoes, postage stamps, mugs, calendars, t-shirts, notecards, bags, mousepads, posters, ties and even skateboards!

Please check it out as you shop for the holidays, and support the arts as much as possible! It's a sure bet that your friends and relatives don't already have this gift, and I've painted enough diverse stuff over the years that I can almost promise there is something for every personality.

Here's the link that magically transports you there: http://www.zazzle.com/pauljacksonart*

Thanks for your support!

Paul

Adventure on pause

Our adventure in France could not have been more fun! The workshop was flawless and the participants were fantastic. We are weary from all the travel, but it isn't quite over yet. We're home for a short bit, but head south before the month is out. The dogs & kids are enjoying our company, and my studio needs some painting time for a spell. We have a busy year planned for 2010...check out the workshop calendar. We hope you can join us somewhere, sometime! Au revoir! Paul & Marla

One more sunrise on the Seine

What a grand adventure we have had, sketching our way thru France. I hate to go, but tomorrow we must return home and feed the dogs, kids, plants etc. There is mail to answer and paintings waiting to be painted. We have only days at home before we travel again. Deep south, here we come!

More Versailles

A day at Versailles

We had the best time sketching and playing in the gardens at Versailles! The weather was perfect and the company unbeatable. We watched the fountains dance, rented bicycles, and saw the entire place. We laughed so hard, so often that I had pain in my ribs all afternoon.

Painting at Place de la Concorde

This morning the rain soaked streets were shiny and the sun appeared just in time for a sunrise watercolor session in Place de la Concorde. Afterward we hiked up to the Eifel Tower, then caught the Metro to the Isle de Cite for a sketch session at Notre Dame. Busy day!

Napoleon's Carousel

I took my group on the Paris tour of art museums today. Lots of
walking, overload of art , but we stopped for a few hours to paint in
front of Napoleon's Carousel before tackling the Louvre. My group is
awesome, open minded and carefree. I love traveling with these folks!

Levee St Michel

The light at Mont St Michel depends entirely on the weather. This trip
we got all versions of light, mostly the wet kind, but occasionally
the sun shone through and we made the most of the time we had.

Painting in the Rain :)

Painting Mont St Michel

For the past three days I put this fantastic group through rigorous
exercises in sketching Mont St Michel in watercolor. We had a great
subject to work with and got a variety of weather conditions to render
in. It rained a bit, but gave us atmosphere and dramatic light. I was
so pleased with the experience and glad we took enough time to really
get to know our subject. Now we're off to Giverny to paint in Monet's
Garden!
Adieu Mont St Michel...until next time!

Marla knows where the rocks are

Pilgrims across the Quicksand

Only the brave or foolish venture out in the quicksand at low tide
without an experienced guide to lead the way. You really wouldn't want
to be caught out there when the tide comes roaring back in. It is a
beautiful sight to watch the pilgrims hike out for a better view

Storm Cloak

The rain might deter some from making the walk to the Mont, but I am
always in search of a stormy sky to add a bit of drama to the
landscape. We held class inside this morning as it drizzled, but later
went out and braved the elements for even better views.

The locals

Never the most cooperative subjects to paint are the local sheep that
feed on the saltgrass around Mont St Michel. They tend to wander in
and out of the view as we work. We did a bit of shepherding today to
get them to pose for us, and as thanks, we skipped the Rack of Lamb on
le Menu tonight.

The Magical Presence of the Mont

In every light the silhouette of Mont St Michel is captivating, but
with a dramatic sunset it is so breathtaking you can hardly look away.
Rising up from the quicksand of the surrounding bay, this rock and the
ancient city upon it are the inspiration that brought us here.

Mont St Michel

After more than a day in transit, we have arrived at Mont St Michel on
the Normandy coast of France. My Watercolor Sketchbook Tour of France
begins here and we'll spend the next few days exploring the area and
making liquid notes about it.

This is the view from our room at the Hotel Relais St Michel! Even if
we never ventured out we could paint this panoramic landscape for
days. Tomorrow morning we'll paint from this distance and then hike up
to the Mont for a closer perspective.

It's chilly and overcast, but visibility is good. My group of nine can
hardly contain their excitement, despite how tired we are from the
long journey.