In the last month or so, I have not really focused on painting as much as living – I decided to give up my studio space, for the time being, at Brooklyn Artists Gym, but am keeping my work there – and I plan to revisit that arangement later this fall.

But I’ve still been sketching, as usual, and going to openings, when they attract my attention.

Here’s some recent sketches – I’ll put up a few now and the rest in a few days:

This is a sketch of a new friend of mine, Nancy H.   One of the things that’s interesting about Nancy – she’s lived in many places in the Middle East and Central America – I find her story interesting – though her circumstances now, are difficult.  In fact, another friend of mine, Liz C. is having a pretty difficult time and almost died this week – but is recovering.   My life has touched many people, lately, in all kinds of circumstances – and I’ve tried to help, where I can, and yet, not be swallowed up by it.  Sometimes, I feel depleated – exhausted from it all, and my work on the Board of Directors of the WAA, plus my Monster WorldWide work.

I guess, that’s why I decided to take a break from painting – it felt like another “job”.

I drew this picture of the interior of a restaurant that is mostly French – I indulged in Steak Tatar and some wine, the wine glass broke (a waitress knocked it over) and I thought it time to leave.  Meanwhile, I read in a magazine about France nearby where I sit about “Mr. Big” character of Sex in the City – turns out he often visited and lived in Aix, and visited Cezanne’s studio, just like I did last year.  Who would have known?  Life is full of interesting tidbits.

But I have to admit – I don’t feel as committed to these sketches or to the dimensions of this sketchbook – which it more for landscape painting – I don’t care for the aspect ratio – but am committed to finish the sketchbook before going on to another.

In fact, this drawing was an experiment in summerizing my feelings about the sketchbook – and I felt, in some ways, it was more real than some of the other drawings I’ve done lately.

Also, this drawing, above, was done one weekend, while sitting in a cafe down in the financial district of lower Manhattan – it was pouring hard outside and I tried to capture the feelings of the day – a day I had gone to Governer’s Island.

By the way, I’m looking forward to Amy Crehore’s opening here in New York City – and also meeting her – probably in the next day or two – Amy Crehore’s Opening at Ad-Hoc-Art on July 25th.

Ok, I’ll put up the rest of the drawings I just scanned later on this weekend – need to get some sleep and dream.

Here’s the last of the three videos I made which comprise most of the footage from that day – I’ve provided the first two video URLs as well. Enjoy

Video Part 3 (the longest segment) – also note the Tree Breast at 1 minute into this clip – it’s special and way off the path (you have to climb down to it and it’s not seen from the road). Also, there’s some footage of the best and most expensive restaurant in Aix-en-Provence, Le Clos De La Violette, at the end of the file (but the URL link does not seem to work).

part 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZleHXMqK-8

part 2 -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXuBVOaqayE

part 3 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=j3LJW43WEGk

My guide, Christine Boulet (who lives in Aix-en-Provence and who I met the day before)  on this 4 or 5 hour walk to my favorite Painter, Paul Cezanne, happened on Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 and took most of the afternoon and early evening.  At the end of the long, long walk/hike, it rained. 

Note: The quality of the video that gets uploaded and shown on YouTube is considerably less than the original files – I noticed that, no matter what I do, preparing and uploading online video footage for streaming video makes the videos loose a lot of the details.

Also, my recollection of the color of the sky – it was much bluer than richer than what is coming over from the videos.  My take on that – whenever we translate an experience from one form to another (IE: a part of my life is transformed into a video) something is lost (in this case, a lot is lost).

On the other hand, what is gained is the memory I have as I look at these videos that warms my heart and brings back the fresh air, whooshing sounds, thundering and pungent smell of the the moist earth – the rich warm reddish browns of the earth and the brilliant blue of the sky.   A gray-lavender band of wood, part of the foliage / trees is pushed more towards lavender by the rich greens of the tree leaves and grass on the grounds. 

After the first hour, or so, of our walk, we had the sandwiches and Pepsi Light (we brought no water – or sunglasses) – the heat got to be almost unbearable and when we reached a midway point there was a water fountain – near a dam – and I got my shirt all wet, just to deal with the the intense heat/sun.   But then, as the afternoon progressed, it cooled down and rained and that was magical.

My guide, Christine Boulet, was wonderful company – but little of that is really translated in this movie and yet, I hope all of that comes though, past the limitations of the medium of Online Streaming Video – via YouTube.

Again, Enjoy and for any of my readers on ArtNewYorkCity.com  – I’d love to hear your feedback.  Bear in mind, I’m not the best photographer – fortunately, Christine Boulet took over for much of the footage, she has a much steadier hand than I – but I’m learning.