Terres et coleurs. Earths and colors.
What an amazing riot of colors crossed our paths in France and Italy.
What fun to shop from the street market's ceramicist...
and wander the ochre mines of Rousillon.
"Don't wander there," Dominique told me, "unless you don't mind stains that will not go away."
She shook a warning finger.
"The earth is strong here."
And she was right.
And it's not just the earth itself that seems to glow from within. The buildings echo the colors you see in the landscape.
I brought home pigments from the ochre mines with the dream of ragging my kitchen walls and formulating paint and ink to use in my work.
The sky and earth colors come to roost on the buildings here, almost seeming to glow.
And it's not just the buildings that reflect the terres et coleurs. The spices you see in the open air markets, the cheeses and vegetables are a brilliant visual feast.
But there are also places for the eye to rest, gentler shades and hues and tones.
Plane trees along the roadway.
And quiet versions of the landscape's vivid shades.
There is something essential about these colors, something built to last.
I'm completely smitten.
