Pont Alexander III in the Rain. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.
I was in Paris for the week painting landscapes. Here are a few of the plein air paintings from around town. Landscape (or cityscape) painting in a big city like Paris is a lot of work. Traveling around takes forever, there are so many people, and there is so much subject matter to chose from. I restricted myself to the Tuileries Gardens as it was near the metro line which I needed to take to get home. I figured if I started walking and looking for views I would never stop.
Edward Seago’s plein air work is a continual inspiration to me, and many of his Parisian paintings were of the Tuileries Gardens.
The Gates to the Tuileries Gardens. 18 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Empty Chairs. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Autumn in the Tuileries. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.
The Afternoon Chat. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
The d’Orsay at Dusk. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
I lived in Paris for eight months in the late 90’s and really loved my time there. I rented a tiny room on a houseboat outside the city and got a free studio space in an artist’s squat in Belleville (you can see my semi-communal space in a film someone made here, I’m briefly on screen at the 43 min, 20 second mark). I would draw from the sculptures in the Louvre everyday on my way to the studio by using a museum pass and the back escalator to get around the lines. It is always a pleasure going back.
Below is a quick sketch of a friend’s baby.
Ahlem Sketch. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Bravo, Marc! Excellent, surtout du Pont Alexandre III.
Marc, I see you’ve had a productive week. Your use of color was as varied as the weather and, highly evocative. As much as I love the Tuilleries Gates for the detail and Pont Alexander III for the brushwork, I love Empty Chairs because it so reminds me of highschool….
Wonderful paintings. You’ve captured a variety of light and space. Good idea to restrict yourself to one area of the city. Thanks for sharing these.
You make that look so easy but I know it is NOT. Really great.
I came cross you the rainy day you painted Alexandre 3 bridge at the very moment you were busy tidying your equipment ; so it is rather amazing ( and pleasant) to get your painting in this website…
Marc-I’m so glad to be able to follow your work. (Changing the trinket seller’s head scarf was brilliant.)
You probably don’t remember me, but we painted together with Rick Piloco in the Hamptons in the late 90’s or, maybe ’00. You were staying at Laura Grenning’s and you all came for dinner one night. (My daughter and her friend, who were in college at the time, thought you were pretty cute.)
I like the way your plein aire work has become looser and more painterly. Reminds me of Sargent.
As to your comment about painting “postcards,” I struggle with that since we’ve retired to a small town on the coast north of Boston. Too many “pretty” possibilities and it’s a struggle to avoid cliches.
Interesting that you’ve settled in an “old world” location, but the subject matter is wonderful.
Haven’t been back to the Hamptons for several years, but hope to see some of your work in person when I do. Good luck. Caroline
Great work! I also sent you an e-mail (didn’t notice this spot to message)
Have a great new year.! You are inspiring me to Get Working!
I sent you a couple songs I wrote too, hope you enjoy
fsm
Enjoyed seeing your bright and crisp Plein airs of Paris. An inspiration for our trip coming in April. Thanks.