Versailles - Final Day

We went to Versailles this morning. It was exquisite, but so uncomfortable because of the amount of people in there. In many of the 'smaller' rooms people were squeezed in like sardines. I had this terrible feeling that if someone fainted, other people in the room would just walk over them. It just wasn't safe to have people packed together so tightly.

It really took away from the experience of seeing how truly beautiful the place is. Most of my pictures are of the ceilings, or anything of interest five feet down from the ceiling...

The gardens had no flowers yet, but I enjoyed walking around and seeing the wonderful sculptures.

Here are some pictures of the Hall of Mirrors and a detail from one of the gorgeous paintings.

Les Andelys - Castle of Richard the Lion Heart

Today we sailed into Les Andelys and took a walking your of the town and Richard the Lion Heart's castle, which overlooks the river Seine. There was no mention of the fact that the trip up to the ruins was straight up a very steep hill, and that the distance of the base of that hill up to the ruins was about a half a mile!

I was about half way there when I was starting to wonder if I should turn around and head back to the ship - but I being the stubborn old bird that I am I kept plugging away and made it to the summit. I am so glad I didn't give up - the view from that hill was spectacular.

Here are some pictures

Normandy - the American Cemetery and Omaha Beach

This was a very emotional day. Both my father and my father-in-law were in France during WWII, and both were wounded (my father-in-law very seriously).

We stood in the American Cemetery where almost ten thousand Americans are buried. As Taps was played out on a bugle, there wasn't a dry eye. Our fathers fought and so many lost their lives protecting our country and our allies.

Then we went to Omaha Beach, the site of D-Day.

I am going to try to post more than one picture and. Hope that the Internet won't bite my butt.

Rouen, France

Today we left the port of Vernon and sailed during the morning hours to Rouen.
Even though it was quite chilly, Amanda and I were topside most of the time and loved every minute of it. We also managed to get some great pictures, especially as we went through the locks.

There were areas of white stone showing through the mountains, and we were seeing beautiful swans on both sides of the Seine.

We took a walking your of Rouen. I was disappointed that reconstruction was being done on the front face of the famous cathedral that Monet painted over and over in different light conditions - but was amazed at the size and beauty of this centuries old church. This is also the church where Richard the Lion Hearted's heart is buried.

Our next stop was the Rouen Parliament building, then we went to where Jean d'Arc was burned at the stake. It took hundreds of years before France honored Jean d'Arc by building a cathedral in 1979 next to this site.

We ended our tour, and quite a few of the group decided to stay in town to shop at the quaint gift shops.

Here is a picture from today...traveling on the Seine.

Giverny - The Home and Gardens of Monet

Of all the places we will be seeing during our adventure in France, going to Giverny and seeing the home and gardens of Claude Monet was the one I looked forward to most.

It wasn't a disappointment. We sailed into Vernon during the night, then this morning we took the bus to Giverny. The environment has altered dramatically from Paris and is more rural. The houses are small and quaint - no skyscrapers in sight.

Even though this isn't the prime season for flowers in the gardens, the spring flowers and flowering trees put on quite a show. Here is a view looking up to the famous pink and emerald green Monet house and some if the gardens.

Visiting Notre Dame In Paris

Today we visited the breath-takingly beautiful Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
The vaulted ceilings and radiant stained glass windows were incredible.

In a moment when I was by myself in Notre Dame, I said prayers for the people of Boston and the family and friends that they lost because of the terrorist attack during the Boston Marathon on Monday. I also said prayers for the people in Texas and the horrible tragedy that occurred there this morning. This world we live in today needs everyone's prayers.

Here is a picture of this beautiful cathedral. I thought I heard the guide say that the pieta was sculpted by Michelangelo, but I'll have to verify that later.

Adventure in France (Part One)

My daughter and I flew into France this past Saturday. It is the fulfillment of a dream we have both shared for over twenty years.

I have to say that the reality has exceeded the dream by far! We spent the first few days in Paris on our own just exploring - going to museums and landmarks and soaking it all in. Have to say that by far the French people have been truly lovely.

I have taken Lots and Lots of pictures. Already have some that will have to become paintings when I get home.
I am just so excited to be here, sharing this with my daughter.

Will try to post some pictures and pray this posts! (Seems as though I can only post one picture...will be posting more when I get home. This is a photo I took of one of the tree lined lanes - the foliage of the trees look as though they have been meticulously trimmed into equally sized box shapes. )

In France

This is a test. Really having trouble with the Internet over here. I am going to try to pose to my blog and add a photo.

I DREAM OF OLANA(Shown Here in Black and White) An Original Oil Painting by Claire Beadon Carnell

'I Dream of Olana'
(Shown Here in Black and White)
© Claire Beadon Carnell
Oil
20 x 16

I have heard many people say that they dream

in black and white.  My dreams are most definitely

in color.  When I am working on a painting, at 

times I will use the grayscale feature of Photoshop

to check my values, especially if the painting is

particularly complex, as with all of these flowers.

I was happy to see that my masses were flowing

into one another, but still distinct.

This painting is of the garden designed by
Hudson River Valley artist Frederick Church
behind his home at Olana - which I visited
last Summer.

If you would like to see this painting in all
of its color, it will be on exhibit this May
at History on High in Carlisle, PA.  History on High
offers this opportunity to one person per year, and I was
very humbled and honored that they have asked me to
be their exhibiting artist for 2013.

If you would like to see more of my work,

please visit my website or my blog. If you are

interested in purchasing any of my paintings you see

here on this blog, please contact me.

Claire Beadon Carnell

Member of:

Oil Painters of America

Daily Painters of Pennsylvania

Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters