Monday morning we took the Normandie SNCF train from Gare Montparnasse to Flers. Then just a 30 minute drive and we were home. It seems as if automne has arrived, though next week does have a couple of warm days in the forecast.

Sunday morning I got one last sketch in over un café near Le Bastille.

In late 2021 and early 2022, as we were planning our move to France, I downsized a lot, particularly with my art supplies. The most significant change was giving up acrylic painting.

Acrylic painting requires multiple brushes, an easel, large tubes of paint, and canvases to paint on. My goal in downsizing was to keep things light, so I decided to stick with watercolor and ink. My Arttoolkit pallet is pretty small, and sketchbooks don’t take up a lot of storage space. So I sold my wonderful pochade box, my brushes, and my paints. I gave away multiple canvases, some as large a 3’x4’.

While we were in Honfleur for my birthday we visited a number of art galleries. Tricia commented that she missed the acrylic paintings I did in the past. I admitted that I missed painting them. Acrylics, as I do it, is quite like oil painting, just with a water based paint not oil – it is a different experience and technique than watercolor and ink.

The result of our conversations was that Tricia encouraged me to get back into acrylics. I explained that I would have to acquire a lot of “stuff” if I was to do that, she said go for it. Her encouragement is like a gift, this time a nice birthday present. So I ordered what I would need for a basic acrylic kit, all to be delivered while we were in Paris. Thanks to our wonderful neighbors I knew it would all be well taken care of until we returned.

So I am set, and even have an area for a studio of sorts. Also I am equipped for plein air painting which is something I love. I even have a French Easel, bien sur.

Today I finished my first painting, it felt good. I thought about switching to oils, but I am reminded that I just don’t have the temperament for oils, they take so long to dry. I may give water based oils a try though – I have no idea how they do that – but it might be fun.

Painting this with the limited paints I have makes it clear that I will need to add a few tubes of different colors, yet I am quite pleased with the result, and so enjoyed the process.

Many years ago I wanted to try art but was discouraged from trying it. I am so thankful to have Tricia in my life; she challenges me to keep trying new things. As long as we keep traveling as we can, cooking as we do, and I keep doing something with art, and she keeps writing and taking photos, we will stay young. That makes for a pretty good retirement.

If you do or have done art, keep it up. If you have never tried anything, give it a go. Like so many things it is the process that is worth it all.