There, the light is magical.
Port Vendres, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department
Charles Rennie Mackintosh lived there for four years. Henri Matisse, after discovering the light here, summoned his family to be with him. Charles André Derain and other artists found endless inspiration in the landscape and light of the Roussillon area of France*; and along with Matisse, they were inspired to create a new style of art. The Fauves emphasized emotion and color over representational images.
Collioure, Department Pyrénées-Orientales
Have you ever felt the presence of someone you admire greatly in a place you both shared?
The Collioure bay
This was an inspiring trip for me; the best kind of getaway, creating energy and inspiration. I was delighted to immerse myself in the same harbor, walk the same streets, visit the same lighthouses and breakwaters as my artistic mentors and idols. Both Matisse and Mackintosh have been sources of inspiration for me throughout my artistic career, albeit from museums and books. But here I was, standing where Matisse stood, seeing the same line of buildings and houses lining the harbor, walking next to the same lighthouse and the same chapel overlooking the sea.
It’s not a glitzy area—pas du tout. But the movement of the sea is constant, the wind companionable, the sky clear, and the starry nights comforting. The sounds of the wind and the waves are very relaxing. The seafood—fresh off the boat—was delicious and nurturing.
The working harbor in Port Vendres
Port Vendres and Collioure, neighboring towns, are an easy walk from each other. In fact, we first hiked along the sea; on a very windy day we clambered across the rocks, feeling like mountain goats, glancing down regularly at the swirling sea below us
Remains of fortifications by the sea
And my church!! My church is there. I was so comforted to arrive at Port Vendres and see my church of the Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle. I wrote about her in the past. Just as the birth of a child signifies the continuation of a life, seeing my church once again, comforting the harbor, caring for the sailors, the fisherman, the pieds-noirs*; an emblem of history, the community, the care—ah, my church. My painting, which I created after my first visit to Port Vendres just over 10 years ago, now lives in its new home, loved by its new family, with a life that will extend beyond me. I am forever honored when art lovers buy my artwork and invite it into their homes, where it continues on to become part of their lives, their history, and their family.
Église Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle, Port Vendres
This is how I described my painting at the time of creation:
“The church was a wonderful discovery in a French town, Port Vendres, on the Mediterranean coast near the border with Spain. Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle (Our Lady of Good News) is a fitting name for the late 19th century church whose town is a fishing and cargo port. I can imagine the women of the village awaiting the return of their loved ones from the sea, expressing gratitude for their safe return by praying to Notre Dame de Bonne Nouvelle. The church faces the harbor, and I loved the idea of this amazing building inviting people to enter, whether it by foot, bike, auto, or boat.”
Église Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle, Port Vendres
In honor of this fantastic experience and my ability to share it with you, I am offering giclee prints of this painting for the first time, so that she, and the memories and dreams of beautiful French villages by the sea can grace your house also. At 10” square, the luxurious Fine Art Velvet paper size is just right for framing in a 10”, 12”, or 14” square frame.
If you would like to welcome this lovely painting into your home, click here.
The framed print of Église Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle, Port Vendres
Let me not forget to mention the Millau Bridge! On the way there and equally, on the way back, we stopped at the Millau Bridge, which is, in my estimation, the most beautiful bridge in the world. It is graceful. It is big. It is a wonder of engineering, civic community, art, and beauty. Can a person fall in love with a bridge? If so, I have.
Millau Viaduct, Aveyron department
*Roussillon is a culturally rich area otherwise known as Northern Catalonia or the Eastern Pyrenees.
**The Pieds-Noirs, singular Pied-Noir, are the people of French and other European origin who were born in Algeria during the period of French rule from 1830 to 1962, the vast majority of whom departed for mainland France or Corsica as soon as Algeria gained independence, or in the months following. (Wikipedia)
Where the Port Vendres harbor meets the sea
