Although it now seems like a lifetime ago, I traveled to Nice, France in January, where I had the opportunity to absorb a new environment. Travel brings inspiring new visual experiences. While away from home, I constantly observe and sort through new images that fill my mind’s eye, considering ways in which they may become part of my work. I walked miles every day, took trams and buses to nearby locations, and enjoyed the winter light. I photographed, drew outside, and worked in the apartment, paring down my visual experience to simple responses of place with small watercolor sketches. Since watercolor was new to me, I spent time searching for appropriate expressions for my ideas. I focused on views from above, in Nice and surrounding towns like Eze and St. Paul de Vence.
Toward the end of the month, there was an Atlantic storm that created wild surf. I sat on the beach, drawing and trying to capture the movement of the water, as I had done with Icelandic waterfalls. Now, sequestered at home and painting in a makeshift studio, I continue with these water movement studies, working from drawings and photographs. Like many other artists, making art keeps me grounded during these uncertain times.
