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Sept. 13: and a bit more about Sept. 12.

Turns out that last night didn’t end when I ended my blog post. Indeed, we do have both feet and art to add to my report for Thursday the 12th! Cathy and I ate our dinner around 8 p.m., as described in yesterday’s blog, and we did drink that half bottle of wine. But that didn’t slow us down any. We got our art materials spread out on the kitchen table and got to work. For this session we didn’t time anything, and we ended at about 9:30 – each of us did 2 works. Take a look at the photos.   Now, on to the post for Friday the 13th – LUCKY Friday the 13th, as I prefer to see it. This morning we were at work at 7:30 a.m. and I didn’t take any photos. The first part of the morning I spent clearing out leaves again and the second part, after coffee break, Cathy and I swept out the patio and stairway of one of the apartments in the main house. This might not sound like such a big job, but it isn’t your normal size stairway! And everything was thick with fallen pine needles and leaves. It took us maybe an hour and a half, or maybe even 2 hours. I should have taken a photo, but I was too tired to think by the time our 4 hour stint was up. We walked home and had a delicious lunch of cheese omelets, baguette, cold green beans, strawberries and chocolate. Food tastes so good when one has done some vigorous physical work outdoors surrounded by nature and sunshine! Now, after lunch, Cathy has wandered off on her own and I am here in my bedroom “office” writing this blog. When I’m done, I’ll turn my attention to doing some art. Then, we plan to walk down our hill to Le Pin to buy some groceries. Then…who knows? Our plan is to make this a quiet day – we need a bit of a rest. We aren’t sure what’s going to happen on Saturday, but we know that Sunday is an all day excursion, including biking, to the island of Porquerolles. And there is talk of a potluck supper at Mick & Nicky’s on Sunday evening. I’ll let you know later whether or not Friday remained restful. Now I’m going to do some art. It’s 8:30 p.m. and I’m back to finish today’s blog post. Hey! Congratulate me! I worked on my art for over 3 hours today. I’m not sure about the exact time, it might have been 3 1/2 hours. Mostly I worked on my book. I did begin a single collage, but quit working on it when we were offered a ride to the grocery store. Cathy also went off and did a couple of sketches, then she sat out on our patio with S and T, who moved in below us today. With the sound of their animated conversation about roses and art in the background, I sat alone in my kitchen studio and worked happily. The book will take at least a month to finish, maybe it won’t be finished until I return home, but I made more headway on it, and I have inclulded photos here. I’ve also included photos of Cathy’s work. Our new friends and neighbors, S & T, are very generous to us and have been giving us rides everywhere. Today they saved us that wicked trek uphill carrying heavy bags of groceries. They took us with them in their convertible, top up this time as the evening had turned a little cool, to the Dia Supermarket and we restocked our very empty cupboards and fridge. Once home, Cathy and I made great salads with rocket (arrugula), shredded carrot, tomatoes and tuna, with cheese, butter and bread on the side. For dessert we had bread with butter and chocolate. Don’t laugh, try it! It’s fabulous! But you do have to have very good bread, excellent butter, and top notch chocolate. Cathy says that when she lived in France as an exchange student, this is what the children of the family she lived with had for a snack after school. Oh, yes, and did I mention the half a bottle of red wine we managed to consume along with it? Bon apetite. Bonne journee. Bonne nuit. With the time difference I don’t know which to use!! But I do wish you all much joy, and I’m pleased you are following me on this incredible adventure.
Our dinner, Thursday night, the 12th.

Our dinner, Thursday night, the 12th.

Gorgeous! But is it art? How do you like the composition on the plate. How about the composition of the entire photo?

Gorgeous! But is it art? How do you like the composition on the plate. How about the composition of the entire photo?

Cathy, hard at work AND having some fun.

Cathy, hard at work AND having some fun.

Debi: working seriously AND playing around.

Debi: working seriously AND playing around.

View of our "studio" with our works hung up on our "gallery" wall. I guess Cathy actually did 4 in total on Thursday - 2 while she was out wandering while I was writing my blog post, and two at the kitchen table after dinner.

View of our “studio” with our works hung up on our “gallery” wall. I guess Cathy actually did 4 in total on Thursday – 2 while she was out wandering while I was writing my blog post, and two at the kitchen table after dinner.

Close up of Cathy's 4 works.

Close up of Cathy’s 4 works.

Close up of my works. The two on the top I published in previous posts. The two on the bottom I did after dinner on Thursday night (9/12).

Close up of my works. The two on the top I published in previous posts. The two on the bottom I did after dinner on Thursday night (9/12).

Feet of the artists. Would you know which feet belong to which work? Any connection? And how about this photo - does the composition work? Would any of these many feet photos be interesting on its own with no explanation? Or would one have to see an exhibit of all the feet photos in order to appreciate any one of them?

Feet of the artists. Would you know which feet belong to which work? Any connection? And how about this photo – does the composition work? Would any of these many feet photos be interesting on its own with no explanation? Or would one have to see an exhibit of all the feet photos in order to appreciate any one of them?

This shot was accidental. I set the iPad down on the table and accidentally hit the button. What do you think? Is it successful? Interesting? Need cropping? Is it a total stinker???

This shot was accidental. I set the iPad down on the table and accidentally hit the button. What do you think? Is it successful? Interesting? Need cropping? Is it a total stinker???

These are two works that Cathy did earlier in the week, but that she just hung up in our gallery today. They are charcoal drawings.

These are two works that Cathy did earlier in the week, but that she just hung up in our gallery today. They are charcoal drawings.

Cathy did these two today. They're Caran d'Ache and water.

Cathy did these two today. They’re Caran d’Ache and water.

Pages from my book: Photo One. None of these pages will be finished until the whole book is finished. It's experimental and I have no idea what the end result will be.

Pages from my book: Photo One. None of these pages will be finished until the whole book is finished. It’s experimental and I have no idea what the end result will be.

Pages from my book: Photo Two: unfinished.

Pages from my book: Photo Two: unfinished.

Pages from my book: Photo Three: not finished.

Pages from my book: Photo Three: not finished.

Pages from my book: Photo Four: not finished.

Pages from my book: Photo Four: not finished.

Pages from my book: Photo Five: unfinished.

Pages from my book: Photo Five: unfinished.

Pages from my book: Photo Six: unfinished. I worked on more pages than I'm showing here. This is just a few to show you. Stay tuned for further developments.

Pages from my book: Photo Six: unfinished. I worked on more pages than I’m showing here. This is just a few to show you. Stay tuned for further developments.

Martha
September 28th, 2013 at 2:26 am

Wonderful to see you both combining such healthy pursuits: outdoor work/exercise, creative art-making, great food, and all in beautiful surroundings! I’m loving watching the art progress

gretchen
September 14th, 2013 at 1:51 pm

Delicious fun!
I think that sums it up. Thanks.

Laura
September 14th, 2013 at 11:49 am

It’s so great to see your little work space and work in progress. Shows how you don’t necessarily need a big studio to make art!

Jackie Stanley
September 13th, 2013 at 11:54 pm

Loving the work ladies! Jackie

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Debi Pendell Artist by debipendell.com