Rotterdam trio

I spent a couple of weeks recently in Rotterdam where my daughter now lives and works. After she headed out to work and I had enjoyed a second cup of coffee and read all the news that one can bear,  I would pull a chair up to the wall where I had taped a sheet of gessoed paper and break out the small assortment of paints and brushes that I had tucked into my suitcase.

And there I would sit and happily paint bright bits of Southern California flora until I got the call that she was on the streetcar headed back into downtown. I'd throw on a coat and scarf and head down her steep and narrow stairs to walk to whatever restaurant we had chosen for the night.

I found that having spent the day emerged in the bright colors of So Cal I was always surprised to find myself  in the soft light and moist air of the Netherlands!

I found painting on Rives BFK paper that had been gessoed a couple of times great, and certainly lots easier to travel with than wood panels! I think I'll do more painting while away from home in this way. Its a great way to balance all the wandering and wondering that I'm prone to do in new places.

I left these three 9x12 paintings behind to remind my girl of home!