Roujan Hillside-Languedoc Roussillon, France

Shown here is another view of Roujan, which I introduced to you earlier with the paintings of the Roujan Medieval Quarter, and in another street scene (with the Volkswagen). This view is from the bottom of the hill while standing between the soccer field and the wine cooperative; the school is in the forefront, and at the top of the hill is the town bell tower made of wrought iron.

One evening, as we explored the perimeter of St. Laurent Churich in the twilight, the priest offered us a personal tour of the building, along with stories of the history and architecture. On the feast day of the patron saint, St. Lawrence, the sunlight shines in a small window, illuminating the rose window at the back of the church.

[Art now on exhibit of my French experience at Aurum Studios in downtown Athens, GA for the month of February (last week!). ‘Widening the Horizon’ with Suzanne Gernandt, textile artist extraordinaire, of Waynesville and Asheville, NC.]

Illustration: Roujan Hillside, Roujan, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. 2014. Hand-painted silk twill. By René D. Shoemaker

Sleeping Under the Stars - Auvergne, France

This was a fabulous place where we camped for quite a long time. We went, we stayed, we left. We returned. We stayed. We loved it. Rolling hills, beautiful cows, shooting stars. It is in the middle of the country, almost equidistant to Paris, Spain, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The colors in this painting are very bold because I feel really, really good about this place.

[Art on exhibit now of my French experience at Aurum Studios in downtown Athens, GA for the month of February. ‘Widening the Horizon’ with Suzanne Gernandt, textile artist extraordinaire, of Waynesville and Asheville, NC.]

Illustration: Sleeping Under the Stars. Chenerailles, Limousin, France. 2014. Hand-painted silk charmeuse. By René D. Shoemaker

Paris Rooftops

Who doesn’t love the rooftops of Paris? Even if you have never visited Paris, most likely you have seen photos of the Parisian roofline. If you can get up high, and look out a window, or standing on the top of the Pompidou Center, the Eiffel Tower, or Notre Dame, your eye travels as if you were looking over a field or a valley. Most of the Paris building heights are relatively standard, creating a space that feels good for people in the street. Somehow this rooftop view is quite romantic, and adds to the attraction Paris has for those who love it there.

This is the view out the back window of our apartment where we stayed - not very romantic maybe, but pretty beautiful anyway. I watched the moon travel the sky from this window, and saw the stars sparkling in the night.

[Art exhibit now at Aurum Studios in downtown Athens, GA for the month of February. ‘Widening the Horizon’ exhibit with Suzanne Gernandt, textile artist extraordinaire, of Waynesville and Asheville, NC. Reception: Thursday, Feb 6th, 6-8 pm, 2014 - this week!]

Illustration: Rooftop . Paris . 14th.  Hand-painted silk charmeuse. 2014. by René D. Shoemaker

Rue Campagne-Première - Paris - 14th

Some of the best parts of the trip were when we did something that was absolutely normal, yet somehow different, because of the fact that we were in a different country with a different language and different customs.

And now, here I am, back in the States, sharing these images of my experience with you. There are only two days until the art reception at Aurum Studios, where you’ll be able to see all this paintings for yourself. But only two more days allows only two more images that I can share with you until that time. How can I choose just two?

This painting was inspired by the laundromat on the street where we stayed. I enjoyed doing the laundry there and soaking up the atmosphere. The neighborhood was great. I would go back in a heartbeat.

[New art exhibit up now at Aurum Studios in downtown Athens, GA for the month of February. I am sharing the space with the fabulous textile artist Suzanne Gernandt, weaver extraordinaire, of Waynesville and Asheville, NC. Reception: Thursday, Feb 6th, 6-8 pm, 2014 - this week!]

Illustration: Rue Campagne-Première . Paris . 14th . France. Hand-painted silk crepe de chine. 2014. by René D. Shoemaker