Sunflowers

Sunflowers • 20" x 20" acrylic on canvas • $500

Each day I work on my Antibes paintings. If you happen to be in Bethlehem in the next two months, why not stop by 'TC' and view some of the continuing series. The new paintings are a bit more 'free' than my earlier works ... and, if you happen to study the works of the artists who traveled to Antibes, you'll see the same change in their work as well.

To read up on my three month residency in beautiful Antibes, just scroll down to the June 10th entry and enjoy.

OLYMPUS AMERICA

If you would like to purchase a 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas that you see on this site, or commission a painting that is special to you, please email me.

These paintings are priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

info@annelizabethschlegel.com

www.annelizabethschlegel.com

Thank You!

If you have found this entry through a search engine and would like to see the complete Painting Each Day blog, just click on PAINTING EACH DAY at the top of this page

Marché Provençal

Marché Provençal • 30" x 30" acrylic on stretched canvas • $1600

It's been a bit difficult adjusting to my 'normal' life since my wonderful three months in Antibes, France. There is SO much to do in the French Riviera. One of my favorite pastimes is just walking the cobblestone alleyways. There are quaint shops and window boxes, old shutters and hanging lampposts - an artists' dream for sure.

If you are ever fortunate to visit the Cote d'Azur, you must spend time in beautiful Antibes. I've enjoyed visiting many of the cities in the French Riviera, and I must tell you that Antibes is by far my favorite. Especially when you're living in the outstanding Villa Fontaine.

Now to work on my 'get rich quick' plan ...

OLYMPUS AMERICA

If you would like to purchase a 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas that you see on this site, or commission a painting that is special to you, please email me.

These paintings are priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

info@annelizabethschlegel.com

www.annelizabethschlegel.com

Thank You!

If you have found this entry through a search engine and would like to see the complete Painting Each Day blog, just click on PAINTING EACH DAY at the top of this page

Poisson • Fish

Poisson • Fish • 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas • $600

And so begins the Antibes series ... again. I love to paint more loose and colourful. Thankfully I receive my share of commissions for tightly rendered paintings - and they help with the bills for sure - but my passion is for paintings that let the viewer work some things out for themselves.

Therefore, without further adieu, here is the first of the new series.

If you happen to be in the Lehigh Valley area in Pennsylvania, I will have a show at Technicolor - or 'TC' beginning this Monday. My Antibes paintings will be there for two months. Beginning in January, I am the 'featured' artist at the Banana Factory - and also the 'vip' artist in the members lounge - and it will be there that I will feature the Antibes paintings AND present a digital slide presentation of my travels in the French Riviera.

I'll keep you posted. À bientôt

OLYMPUS AMERICA

If you would like to purchase a 6" x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas that you see on this site, or commission a painting that is special to you, please email me.

These paintings are priced at $100.00 plus s/h.

info@annelizabethschlegel.com

www.annelizabethschlegel.com

Thank You!

If you have found this entry through a search engine and would like to see the complete Painting Each Day blog, just click on PAINTING EACH DAY at the top of this page

Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers • oil on canvas 12" x 12" nfs

This is the third painting in my series of three Philadelphia sports paintings.

info@annelizabethschlegel.com

www.annelizabethschlegel.com

Thank You!

If you have found this entry through a search engine and would like to see the complete Painting Each Day blog, just click on PAINTING EACH DAY at the top of this page

Eagles

Eagles • oil on canvas 12" x 12" • not for sale

It will be a big day in sports for Philadelphia on Sunday, November 1st. The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the NY Giants and the Phillies vs. the NY Yankees in game four of the World Series !!

info@annelizabethschlegel.com

www.annelizabethschlegel.com

Thank You!

If you have found this entry through a search engine and would like to see the complete Painting Each Day blog, just click on PAINTING EACH DAY at the top of this page

Philadelphia Phillies

Congrats to the Phillies !

Phillies - oil on canvas 12" x 12" - NFS

Looks like we're headed to the World Series ... again ! Last year I was in a wonderful restaurant in New Orleans when we won ... and, having attended the PA Academy of the Fine Arts and the University of the Arts - both in Philadelphia - I am extra proud and happy for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Happy Birthday Dad

My Mom and Dad going to the 'Ball' celebrating Musikfest's 20th Anniversary - 2003

The beautiful home of my Mother and Father

Their home at night

The barn my Father built - including cupola and weather vane

Our gazebo

My childhood bedroom

This is the beautiful home where I grew up. It was built for my Parents in 1953. My Father passed away on July 26th last year ... and my Mother on July 7th the year before.

Certainly it has been two years of hospitals and ambulances and sadness and funerals. But there have been wonderful times as well. Three weeks in Antibes, France last year ... and then three months in Antibes this year. It's been two years of great sadness and great happiness ... and hoping for the future that only great happiness will fill my days.

Today my Father would have been 89 years old. His five children, granddaughter and great granddaughter celebrated our love for him by having a picnic in the backyard serving his favorite food: hot dogs

Happy Birthday Dad - We all miss you very much ...

My gift to the City of Antibes

Antibes

This painting was one of the three gifts that I donated to the City of Antibes this year. It represents the beautiful view of Antibes as you round the bend from Cap d'Antibes. This acrylic painting measures 36" x 36" (91.4 centimeters by 91.4 centimeters).

Certainly art is very subjective. A painting that one person may find unimpressive, another person may adore. Also, framing, placement and lighting plays an important part in presentation.

I do hope that the city of Antibes finds beauty with this painting. With all of the paintings I created in the Villa Fontaine, it certainly is one of my favorites. I painted this picture with passion and love for this very beautiful place.

Your critiques are welcome ...

Paintings left behind

These are just some of the many, many paintings that I have created in Antibes, France. I completed over 20 large works. The paintings measure 36" x 36", 30" x 30", 18" x 18" and one that measures 31.5" x 51.2". The large painting will hang in the new Hall of Justice in which the Minister of Justice will be present for the ribbon cutting ceremony. That event, I believe, takes place in early October.

The painting on the lower left is a gift to the city of Antibes. My walks in the early morning to Juan-les-Pins, Cap d'Antibes then around the bend to see this beautiful view.

Here is a collection of some of the paintings. They are displayed in my beautiful bedroom complete with beamed ceilings, large window and view of clay rooftops, gardens, sailboats and blue sea.

I wish I could do Antibes over again. I wish I had another three months to enjoy Paradise. So many beautiful memories ... concerts, fireworks, dinners, long walks, sunbathing ... and painting. Some of the most incredible days that I have ever had.

I hope one day soon that I can see lovely Antibes again.


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Final Reception, departure and a new day

This is the last evening of my journey in Antibes, France. There is a 'cocktail' for me ... strange that they say that because no cocktails are served ... but it's held in the 'Salle de Mariage' - the 'Wedding Room' in Hotel d'Ville - City Hall. I have donated three 'official' paintings to the town of Antibes this year. The 'Trumpet' painting which hangs in the Conservatoire de Musique, 'Antibes' which is a gift to the city ... and 'Justice' which will hang in the new Hall of Justice in Antibes.

Madame Simone Torres Foret Dodelin, mayor of culture and Monsieur Audouin Rambaud, mayor of tourisme deliver their speeches ... and me too - in my very limited French ... yikes !Madame Simone Torres Foret Dodelin, the mayor of culture, presents to me a beautiful book on Antibes and a lovely silver clock.

Mayor of Safranier - Zézé Marconi - et moi

Afterwards, Paulette, Wolf, Audouin, Patricia and I have one last moment together

The artists of Marche Provencal invite me for dinner

Jean-Paul opens a bottle of Vin Rosé d'Provence

Above the clouds

Flying over charming Germany

Notice the change in the weather ... hot, muggy, foggy and depressing Newark, New Jersey

Jim, Diana and I stop at the Brass Rail for typical PA cuisine ... cheesesteaks, fries and a beer - why YES ... I DO enjoy hot peppers !!

However ... the next morning I wake up early ... and this is the view from my bedroom ... the weather is cool, the skies are clear ... and now I must begin to work very diligently again.

I had a wonderful time in Antibes for sure. It certainly fleeted by ... and, except for the creeps who stole from me, it was incredible. (if anyone in Antibes finds a silver 80g iPod, an HP dv7 computer, an Olympus e620 camera with lenses and two Razr cell phones PLEASE grab them and contact me). I'd be happy to reward you with a painting or two.

I recall with great fondness my walk and mass for 'Notre Dame de bon port', the artists of the artists' market, the Marche Provencal, the Voiles d'Antibes, the Bataille de Fleurs, the cous-cous party, my Jeep ride in l'Esterel mountains, the Pied Noir Paella, Jazz a Juan, Musiques au Coeur, my travels through many of the towns of the Cote d'Azur ... and of course the Villa Fontaine. It was a dream for me to be there ... the view of clay rooftops, sailboats and the sea from my bedroom, cooking in the petite turret of a kitchen, dinners on my Provencal tablecloth and on the terrace ... my petite friends - the cats and the doves who came every day to visit me ...

... and to the people who took the time to share moments with me, to lend a hand, to share a meal, to enjoy ... to become ... friends.

I will always think of you with a great outpouring of love.

OLYMPUS AMERICA

Jazz à Juan

Jazz à Juan

acrylic on stretched canvas
36" x 36"
91.4 cm x 91.4 cm

This painting is my gift to the tourist office of Antibes Juan-les-Pins. I have been invited by the mayor of tourisme to enjoy every evening of Musiques Au Coeur (Music of the heart - Opera at Eilenroc) and several concerts at Jazz à Juan (Jazz at Gould Pinede in Juan-les-Pins). What gift can I give in return other than a painting that represents my experiences in beautiful Antibes?

One of the most memorable moments for me in my three months was listening to the competition of musicians on Nationale Festival - to we Americans it's Bastille Day. I cannot even describe the moment when the beautiful saxophonist played 'What are you doing the rest of your life' ... the audience was awestruck with emotion. It was overwhelming. And ... she won the competition - hands down.

These are some of the moments that I take with me ... to share with my friends and family in Bethlehem and Allentown, PA. To encourage grabbing opportunities with gusto. To live the life you want. I know ... for sure ... it 'ain't' easy ... but even a day at the Farmers' Market ... to leave the tv off and prepare a dinner for your family. To take a class in cooking or learn another language ... to walk instead of drive. To write a letter instead of email. To plant a garden ... to listen to great music ... to take risks and ... when you look back on your life ... it's the great enjoyment that you will remember ...

So ... these last three months ... incredible for me. Just this morning I donned my Keds and walked to Juan-les-Pins ... strolling the promenade ... and then back again to take my familiar and cherished walk past Belle Rives, Port Galice, Port Crouton ... and the little harbour of Port de l'Olivette ... past the gardens of Eden Roc ... and rounding the bend to see the spectacular sight of the old stone village of Antibes.

And I say to you ... grab every moment if you can ... life marches by all too quickly ...


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Justice - the painting

Justice - the painting
80 cm x 130 cm

On June 23rd, early in the morning, robbers climbed the locked gate at Villa Fontaine and slipped inside the villa to steal everything that I have worked for in the last year. My computer with over 2000 photos, my incredible Olympus e620 camera and lenses, my 80g iPod, my two Razr cell phones (one American, one French) and my purse and all of its contents including my passport and drivers' license. They were ruthless and their crime crippled me financially for sure. They used my credit cards as well and in one store bought over $460 worth of alcoholic beverages. Nice people, huh? ... and they never even invited me to the party.

It was at this time that I was approached to create a painting for the very new Hall of Justice in Antibes. I know very little about justice in the court system and attorney offices ... but I do know of justice in my every day life. And I decided to draw upon my tragic experience and the rallying of friends and family.

Well, in the darkest moments you are able to see the brightest light. In three cities in three separate countries, friends and relatives rallied and came to my aid. In America, my brother brought me another computer, I received another incredible Olympus e620, my sister prevented the cancellation of my health insurance and my cousins commissioned two paintings. My friends in Schwaebisch Gmuend gave me a gift of a plane ticket so I could see them after four long years and also attend and photograph the wedding of my friends Michael and Julia. We shared dinners and champagne ... and even celebrated with the new Oberburgermister Richard Arnold. My friends in Antibes also took me under their wing - thank you for the much enjoyed and appreciated dinners and concerts, boat rides and jeep rides - and to my friends - the artists of the Marche Provencal - you welcomed me in with open arms. I will always think upon my happy evenings spent with you.

So, in addition to this ... each day I awake in a beautiful room with old wooden beams across the ceiling in a historic villa in the French Riviera. There's a large picture window overlooking clay rooftops, lush gardens, sailboats and the blue Mediteranean sea. Each day I stroll past the villas and mansions of Cap d'Antibes and return to the coziness of the ancient old village of Antibes. Every morning I discover and rediscover the sights, sounds and tastes of the Marche Provencal. Every day I stroll past the yachts and sailing vessels of Port Vauban. This is my justice - to live a rich life. To enjoy all that has been offered to me. And it's a lot.

So, I thank all of you who have been there to help me ... I appreciate it so very much. You are the reason I am able to become restored and happy ... and what better justice is there than that ?

My early morning walks

Jazz a Juan sculpture

Early in the morning I enjoy my long walks passing through Juan les Pins, Cap d'Antibes and back to the old village of Antibes to the Safranier section where I live - at least for three months that is. It's a long walk - maybe 10 kilometers ... and takes almost three hours because I stop for the many photo opportunities.

This is the Jazz Sculpture in Juan-les-Pins. It was created by Gilbert Giulian who passed away earlier this year. It's the beautiful backdrop for the greatest names in Jazz. Next year, by the way, is the 50th Anniversary of the Jazz a Juan festival. It's the oldest and largest Jazz festival in Europe - and, I'm happy to say, that I've been invited many times to sit close while sipping chilled Champagne. Incroyable, n'cest-ce pas ?? !!

My walk continues past the gorgeous Belles Rives. You can relax with a cocktail or have dinner under the blue and white striped canopy next to the sea. It's stunned with mouth open beautiful. I walk along the sandy beaches past the Port Galice and admire the sailboats and yachts ... and antique Citroens !

little fishing boat complete with parasol

One of my favorite sights in Antibes is the quaint and picturesque Port de l'Olivette. Beautiful old wooden fishing boats are harboured here and it's a delight to stroll past them with each long walk.

Strolling past Beach Plage with their beautiful striped blue and white lounges and umbrellas

Hotel du Cap

For those of you who have never heard of Hotel du Cap - 'Eden Roc' as it is more widely known, it is reputedly the most beautiful hotel in the world. I agree. The most beautiful. Not only the gracious and grand hotel, but the gardens are magnificent !!! My friend Patricia and I strolled through the gardens and stone paths and bungalows (yes you are correct, only patrons are allowed beyond the iron gates ... but ... WHY save all this beautiful just for the rich and famous I ask you ?) My ONE unfulfilled desire in beautiful Antibes was to swim in the breathtakingly beautiful infinity pool ... but since we were trespassers we felt it best not to press our luck. Besides, we didn't have our bathing suits with us - or at least the required bikini bottom.

The rear entrance to Hotel du Cap complete with beautiful dining terrace and view to la Mer - fantastique !

Eden Roc restaurant and terrace and beautiful eternity pool

I always admire this villa when I go on my walks. It was told to me that the Ambassador of Ireland lived here. It's not occupied at the moment and there are workers there every day. If anyone could lend me a couple of million dollars I could move right on in.

It comes with it's own incredible pool AND incredible view !

And lush strolling grounds with beautiful marble wall

Completing the circle, I come into view of beautiful Antibes ... complete with sailboats, blue sea and ...

My incredible home - Villa Fontaine !

So, what has it been like to live in Antibes for three months. First of all, the time flew by as I feared it would. I've enjoyed evenings at Jazz a Juan, Music of the Heart, Concerts at Fort Carre, fireworks, painting with the artists of Marche Provencal, boat rides, tours of the other Riviera towns like Monaco, Villefranche sur Mer, Nice, Biot, Cannes, St. Raphael and St. Tropez ... I've been invited to lovely dinner parties, sunbathed and swam (sans top) in the Mediterranean, shopped at the markets, painted, photographed ... and made friends.

It's been great and I wish that I could do it all over again. Words escape me when trying to describe the beautiful of Antibes. It's special.

Antibes could very well be the most beautiful place on earth.



OLYMPUS AMERICA

St. Tropez and Karl Lagerfeld

Yesterday, August 22nd, my friend Patricia and I decided to embark on a journey to St Tropez. At 8:47 a.m. we boarded the train at the gare in Antibes, made one stop in Cannes and reached our first destination of St. Raphael within 30 minutes. St. Raphael is a seaside town boasting a beautiful Cathedral and a waterside fish market.

We strolled the streets watching our time because at precisely 11:30 the boat to St. Tropez would be departing. We chose the front outside seats and the crowded boat surged ahead bobbing and lunging past the small seaside villages.

Patricia

It was really fantastic. The sights, the breeze ... speaking of, I didn't know my white skirt was flying up behind me exposing my Italian-made white panties ... until, many minutes later, I caught a reflection of myself in the window behind me. Pushing my skirt down in a panic, a man leaned forward and said 'no worry ... tres bien!' ... those French !!

Parachuters

We arrived in beautiful St. Tropez and our first destination is naturally the market. In all towns of France there is the market. Some markets, like the Marche Provencal in Antibes are open every day in the summer. The Marche Provencal features vendors selling produce and meat, fish and flowers. To stroll through the market if only to smell the tapenade is worth it. Incroyable !! There is also the 'Thursday' market in Antibes where vendors sell beautiful table cloths, clothing, shoes, lingerie, jewelry, hand bags - you name it, they sell it. I love the smells and the colors and there is certainly always a photo moment or two ...

Paella

Sun hats

After the splendor of the market, we decided to explore the old town. There are quaint narrow cobblestone streets and expensive designer shops. We passed this beautiful restaurant 'Chez Fuchs' ... and I wondered if possibly I could have been distantly related to the owner. My Mother's maiden name is Fuchs ... but my grand father 'Americanized' it to it's translated counterpart 'Fox'.


Evetually we became very hungry. Two girls on a budget in the French Riviera ... we passed on the 'trop cher' cafes in favor of two paninis, one beer and two waters and found a lovely table with two chairs situated under a large tree in a tiny square. Parfait !!

Moi avec a large painting of Brigitte Bardot. Brigitte Bardot lives in St. Tropez ... but, although we spent the day there, we were not able to spot her .... BUT ...

How 'bout this for excitement !! Who IS that girl that Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel, Fendi) is with in St. Tropez you ask? Why, that's me ... just a girl from Allentown, PA. Voila !!

Monsieur Lagerfeld ... if you ever would like your portrait painted in your finest finery, please send me an email - it would be an honor and a great thrill indeed !!

www.annelizabethschlegel.com

Another great boat ride back to beautiful Antibes

Now, although I've toured Monaco, Villefranche sur Mer, Nice, Cannes, St. Raphael, Biot, and St. Paul de Vence, I must tell you that absolutely without a doubt, Antibes is by far my favorite. It's perfect. The old beautiful village, the Marche Provencal, the artists' market, the culture, the nightlife in Juan les Pins and the walks through Cap d'Antibes ... it's lovely.

I believe it could be the most beautiful place on earth.


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Water Skiing - the discovery and enjoyment of the French Riviera

Patrick's boat

This is my friend Patrick. When I lost all technology in the Villa Fontaine, Antibes ... he came to my rescue. I had no internet for days and days ... no connection to the world and my family ... I didn't know until three days later that Michael Jackson died. Imagine that ??!! Probably the last person on the planet earth. So ... within one visit from Patrick - the tekkiest guy I know in the south of France - I had a computer with internet connection AND a cell phone ! Incroyable !!!

Patrick is a go-getter, a dare-devil if you will. He drives a relic from WWII - an old American Jeep assembled in France - AND, he has a boat to boot ! So ... I am happily invited to tag along on a 'white-boarding' adventure with Patrick and his friends Patrick and Didier. Cool. I bring along my Olympus e620 and HOPE that I do not fall into the Mediterranean. I do have the tough 8000 which is good to 35 ft. underwater, but I wanted to shoot for longer distances ABOVE water ... so, keeping my fingers that all will be ok, we head off in his incredible Jeep to just west of Cannes, France.

Patrick driving his boat

So .. great .. we're off. The first in the water is Didier. He's a really powerful guy and a good skier. By the way, the French take pride in claiming ownership of discovering water-skiing ... BUT ... let this be said - according to researched information:

The water ski was invented at least four times, by four people independently of one another, over the span of about 15 years. Each inventor was probably inspired by the aquaplane.

An aquaplane is basically a surfboard, 6-10 feet long and about 3 feet wide, which is pulled behind a powerboat. The rider stands on the board, holding onto a rope. Aquaplaning was invented on the French Riviera and in many areas of the United States in the early 20th century.

Ralph Samuelson figured that two skis might work as well as one board. On June 28, the 18-year-old Samuelson tested his theory on Lake Pepin at Lake City, Minnesota. Riding an aquaplane behind a boat driven by his older brother, Samuelson put his hand-made skis on and stepped onto the water. He fell after a very brief ride.

But he kept experimenting. On July 2, Samuelson found that the best way to ride was with the ski tips slanted upward while he leaned back on the skis.

So ... there you have it ... maybe. I'll be a believer that the French invented at least 'some' kind of water skiing first ... because, if nothing more, all the natural beauty and their love of sports.

Ok ... yeah, yeah, yeah they're on skis for several minutes battling the waves, jumping and turning and balancing ... but did I mention how exhauuuusting taking photos is ???!!! Ouch ... my index finger !!

This is Patrick - another Patrick. And ... he's licensed to drive boats - so, Patrick takes the wheel for Patrick the skier.

American women pay attention: This is what French men do on their day off. Incroyable, n'est-ce pas ?

Does James Bond come to mind ?

Patrick on ONE ski !!! Ok, I'll have my martini shaken, not stirred ... s'il vous plait

And once again being chauffeured home in his incroyable WWII Jeep !

Sports and the French and German. Now, I can only speak of the French and German people doing sports because in the other countries that I have been in Europe, I was usually in a museum or sipping wine in some quaint cafe. Therefore, I'm not at liberty to discuss sports in other countries with an expert opinion.

With that said, let me tell you my observations on the subject of sport- or rather the sporting lifestyle - in France and Germany. They will hike miles and miles to sit at a picnic table in an old barn on a farm or to climb the craggy and dangerous rocks to have the perfect seaside picnic. They not only climb the jagged rocks, but lug along Provencal umbrellas, picnic baskets and fishing rods.

They jump off cliffs with jagged rocks below - over and over again. Believe you me, I've seen it first hand.

These people are not 'couch potatoes'. In the last three months I have not seen ONE tv show AND I have not seen anyone watch a tv show. Now I'm SURE when it's time for the world cup, the bars and cafes will be full of eager Europeans glued to the set, but otherwise it's a moot point. I love that about Europe -

Of course, that doesn't mean that I will be jumping off jagged cliffs anytime soon ...


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Justice ... the painting

Justice ... painting in progress
97 cm x 130 cm

38.18 inches x 51.18 inches

One of the requirements of having the great honor of being selected as the artist in residence in the Villa Fontaine, Antibes, France ... is to create a painting for the city. Well, last year I left seven paintings with the city including the 'Red Violin' painting. I'm very happy about leaving a bit of myself - my art - in beautiful Antibes ... as well as my sister-city of Schwaesbisch Gmuend.

So ... this year I donated the 'Trumpet' painting to the Music 'Conservatory' ... but I also painted a lovely view of Antibes for City Hall. In addition, I have been asked to paint a large canvas that will hang in the entrance of the new Hall of Justice. It's a very clean, stark, modern space so it's been said that they are hoping for something modern and colorful.

I had many feelings about Justice since being approached about this painting. I've been robbed of every investment that I made for my trip to Antibes. My computer, two Razr cell phones, 80g iPod, usb cables .... three lenses ... and my fabulous Olympus e620 - effiin rat bastards - excuse my french. So ... Justice ... well ... I think ok, ok ... I've been robbed. BUT ... I look out the large double windows in my upstairs bedroom ... and what do I see? The clay rooftops of a beautiful stone villa, cobblestones, pine trees and bouganvilla, sailboats and yachts, blue sky ... and the rich cool blue of the beautiful Mediterranean.

With the tragedy of my robbery, friends came forth to lend a hand. Some with much need money, my wonderful camera, another with dining and companionship, another with a jeep ride in the red rocks of Var, a boatride off the shores of beautiful Cannes, friends offering the means to travel to Schwaebisch Gmuend ... and the artists of the Marche Provencal welcoming me with open arms. So ... justice ... I don't know about what happens in the courtroom or the lawyer's office ... but justice to me ... is being here .. in paradise. The ancient history, the beauty, the smells and the tastes and the way people live ... but most of all the kindness of friends and family from Antibes to Schwaebisch Gmuend to 4000 miles away in Allentown, Pa. Thank you so much for being the light in the darkness.

xoxo
Ann

The one thing that I bought myself - thank you Gundi ! - was a woven market basket. I went through the piles at the Marche Provencal ... and voila ! after inspecting them all, I purchased the VERY first one I had seen. I would like to use this wonderful basket at the Farmer's Market in Allentown when I return. I don't like the thought of so many plastic bags and there is a simple pleasure to carrying a wonderful basket from the South of France. It has nice sturdy leather handles and still carries the earthy aroma of farmland.

So, off to the market to purchase some wonderful eats. Even in Allentown I enjoy eating 'Mediterranean' style. I buy lots of tomatoes and salad and peppers and garlic. I grill fish several times a week ... but I only wish I could afford better wine to accompany my delicious meals. I'm a bit spoiled by the incredible wines that I shared with Michaele, Conrad, Gundi and Ali. Rich oaky reds that awaken my senses and distinguish it as something special. Usually my wallet settles for the Zinfandel from Chile - which don't get me wrong - I still enjoy wholeheartedly !!


sautéing salmon with tomatoes, onions, chili pepper, garlic, parsely ... and ravioli with spinach and parmesan cheese.

becoming a master of the petite stove in the petite Villa Fontaine - so I have everything I need - oh, except for a rich, hot, available french boyfriend !!

buying shrimp at the market - yes, always with heads attached.

Another wonderful and healthy dinner enjoyed on my terrace of the Villa Fontaine

My incredible view at dusk

So, I will keep you informed of the Justice painting. Since this painting will hang on the wall of the Hall of Justice as you enter the building, it is most important to me to do the best that I can do. I try to transcend that philosophy in all aspects of my life. Cuisine, art, design, studio, home ... and friends.

Once again, to those of you who helped me in my great time of need and showed me kindness - to me, yours is the greatest value of justice and in painting this painting I think of you.


OLYMPUS AMERICA

The beautiful town of Schwaebisch Gmuend

Beautiful d'Orado - the most exquisite jewelry in the world

This is the lovely apartment where I wake up each morning in Schwaebissch Gmuend. AND ... it's spic and span spotlessly clean !!!

My German breakfast downstairs in the workshop and office - incredible coffee au lait with 'Brezel' - a soft pretzel with butter - Delisch !!!

This gentleman has been watering the flowers early each morning for many years - I remember him and his beautiful steed from six years ago. What a great visual each day in Schwaebisch Gmuend.

Naturally a market place ...

with beautiful flowers to buy

Schwaebisch Gmuend sister cities ... that is the Antibes flag in the front ... with the Bethlehem flag on the right (in brown).

Time for lunch. I ate at the wonderful Italian Pizza shop located across from one of my favorite shops - the cheese shop. It was four years ago that I bought Limburger cheese there. They wrapped it in waxed paper, placed it in a small brown gift bag, tied raffia string around it and slipped a sprig of rosemary in the tied knot. Now ... I ask you ... WHY can we not do things with that flair in OUR country ?

Mmmm ... pizza with tuna and provencal olives

Our Lady statue in the center of the market place - complete with flowers and fountain

One of the many loved buildings in Schwaebisch Gmuend - the Kornhaus

This is the Rathaus - not to be confused with the Ratskeller - notice the time - 20 minutes before 9:00 p.m. and our new wonderful Oberburgermeister Richard Arnold is STILL hard at work !! That is his office with the lights on ...

SO ... this is a little trip through our lovely sister city of Schwaebisch Gmuend. Bethlehem, PA and Schwaebisch Gmuend have been sister cities since 1991. I love this town so much - the historic buildings, the churchbells, the culture, the beauty ... but especially the wonderful people and my very, very cherished friends. I am sooo lucky to know them - and each one of them has a very special place in my heart.

I hope to be in Schwaebisch Gmuend next year for their first Jazz Festival ... but I must focus on creating a body of work that will symbolize the celebration of Jazz, Schwaebisch Gmuend ... and I hope also ... the 50th Anniversary of the Jazz a Juan Festival in Antibes. What a tremendous year it will be !!!!

My two sister cities !

www.schwaebisch-gmuend.de

www.antibes-juanlespins.com


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Roses - Gundi and Ali

Roses for Gundi

Sunday, August 10th ... Gundi and Ali stop by d'Orado to pick me up in their fabulous BMW. We have reservations to dine at 'Echo' a country restaurant owned by a fabulous Austrian Chef and his artist Wife.

Being born on Valentine's Day ... I am a hopeless romantic. I love love. And ... it makes me so very happy to see Gundi and Ali in love ... even after many years together. Maybe even more so. Gundi is one of my best friends in Schwaebisch Gmuend. She's a power house. A romantic. A lover of life. A friend. She's a go-getter, an organizer ... and she will make things happen. She's the wife, friend, lover of Ali. He's smart and funny and friendly ... and loves technology ... just like me. They're a great match. A classic. And ... I couldn't be happier for them.

Dinner at Echo Restaurant ... Beef Carpaccio with greens and cheese with a side of sliced potatoes AND one of the greatest red wines that I have had ... along side of the wine that Conrad served with the Oberburgermeister Richard Arnold ... fantastic !! I just love a oaky, rich, full-bodied red wine.

The Chef and Artist owners of 'Echo' Restaurant. They were very kind to me ... and presented me with a bottle of sweet white wine ' Josef Leutsch' Beerenauslese. I'm instructed to sip this wine when I begin my painting of 'JUSTICE' for Antibes. To think of my friends also in Schwaebsich Gmuend and the bond that we have ... also the sister-city of Antibes. Thank you so much for such a wonderful and memorable evening.

Crepes with sweet wine ... and a gift of this same sweet wine to take with me to Antibes.

Gundi loves Ali

What is it like to have cherished friends four thousand miles away ? Or ... just a sister-city away ? I can tell you. I remember the exact moment (six years ago) my driver pulled up in front of d'Orado. There was Monika Buchheit - organizer of town twinning and Michaele and Conrad Stuetz owner of d'Orado (incredible Jewelry) and future life long friends. I had six weeks of exploration in Schwaebisch Gmuend and I wasn't about to miss out on anything. Michaele and Conrad gave me the key to their beautiful apartment in their home and there I was in German Paradise. There were cobblestones and market places, churches built 800 years ago and churchbells. There were cafes and shops and clay rooftops ... and festivals !!! And, if you know me ... in the words of the prior Oberburgermeister Wolfgang Leidig ... 'this is Ann Schlegel ... she likes beer festivals'. Ok ... so maybe it wasn't the most glamorous introduction that I have ever had ... but ... true it was !!

It was one of the most wonderful, most exciting and most memorable times in my life. And ... to come back and have slide show presentations of our beautiful sister city ... well, it's priceless. I was invited back the next year ... yes, for yet another six weeks ... and it was then that the Director of the Musik School - the wonderful Herr Gramm - invited me to have an exhibition the following year. Hence, the following year. The 'Music Series'. Without a doubt !!! the MOST incredible opening I have ever had. The opening was in the Musik School dating back to 1380 and the most accomplished musicians played at this occasion. A pianist on the Imperial Grand Steinway, a violinist, four trombonists and flamenco guitarists .. Imagine that !!! And, the mayor of tourisme of Antibes, France avec delegation bringing 100 bottles of Rose vin d'Provence. That mayor would become my very much loved friend, Auduoin Rambaud.

After my opening, an incredible dinner at Stadt Garden. 'The American sits here' I heard from the French mayor. Ok. Great. On my left side, Monsieur Rambaud from France ... on my right side the ever lovely Dr. Blaese - the cultural mayor of Schwaebisch Gmuend. Not bad, eh ?? It was this night that Monsieur Rambaud invited me to present my Music exhibition in the beautiful French Riviera. Ok ... sure, why not ??? So ... last year I receive my invitation to have an exhibition of my paintings at Galerie Bains Douche - an incredible galerie in Antibes, France. And ... then, after ... two days before Christmas, I receive an invitation to live in the incredible Villa Fontaine for three months. WHICH three months they ask me ? Well .... June, July and August would be nice ... VOILA !!! June, July and August it is !!

So, that is my life in a nutshell. And ... maybe a possibility to have an exhibition of new Music paintings for the very FIRST Jazz festival in Schwaebisch Gmuend next April ... and after to ship the paintings to Antibes for the 50th Anniversary of the Jazz a Juan festival - the oldest and most incredible Jazz Festival in Europe ... J'espere ... I hope, I hope, I HOPE !!!!!


OLYMPUS AMERICA

La Poissonnerie - Michaele, Conrad and Benedikt

La Poissonnerie - a gift for Schwaebisch Gmuend Oberbürgermeister
Richard Arnold

Michaele, Conrad and Benedikt (drinking champagne)

Six years ago I met an incredible man from Schwaebisch Gmuend: Dr. Helmut Gruber-Ballehr. He was the Banana Factory's 'Artist in Residence'. He is brilliant. He is a true linguist, a story teller ... and he's fascinating. Not only smart ... but very clever and humorous ... and he ignited a passion in me to travel to the 'Fatherland' of my family - Germany. So ... I was selected to be the next 'Artist in Residence' in Bethlehem's beautiful Sister-City of Schwaebisch Gmuend. I was invited to stay for 6 weeks. I shipped my exhibition entitled 'the pleasures of life' and the paintings were installed in a beautiful restaurant 'The Stadt Villa'.

Schwaebisch Gmuend is picturesque - to say the least. There are 'half-timbered buildings featuring the upper floors projecting over the lower floors. There are courtyards and market places and fountains and flowers. There are cobblestones and cafes and walkers and bicycle riders. It hustles and bustles ... and there's culture - and lots of it. Schwaebisch Gmuend is a town of festivals featuring: Stadt Fest, European Kirchenmusik, Gmuend Herbst, Mardi Gras with 'Guggamusic' and many more. And there are concerts and plays and music and ballet ... there are wonderful restaurants and outdoor cafes ... there are galleries and museums ... and everybody attends. Everybody. There's not a lot of tv watching in Europe ... and it is the ONE thing that I did not miss at all and I haven't seen a tv show in three months ... and that's fine by me.

So ... this is the beautiful home where Michaele, Conrad and Benedikt live. It's a one minute stroll from the central marketplace. Adjacent to their home is a pretty courtyard and a lovely fountain featuring a sculpture by the German artist Max Seiz.

Sculpture by Max Seiz and fountain. A beautiful gift to the city from
Michaele and Conrad

This is their garden - intimate and lush - with trickling water and pond ...

Michaele and Conrad are artists. Jewelry artists. I do believe that theirs is the most beautiful jewelry that I have ever seen. Their pieces are inventive and perfect. They create pieces inspired by nature ... and they are displayed in beautifully creative windows that Michaele designs and changes each month. You absolutely can NOT pass by without gazing at the treasures lying within.

So ... Michaele ALSO is a great chef. She has taken advantage of participating in cooking 'workshops' in many places in Europe. I'd love to do that someday - to be under the instruction of a great chef, to create mouthwatering dishes, to sip great wine and enjoy people of like-minds. Ok ... for tonight Michaele prepares a plethora of tastes. We start off with a cold cucumber, melon, garlic and chili pepper puree served in a martini glass and topped with a toasted petite baguette spread with tapenade !!!

And then yet another guest of honor. I say this because everyone in the home of Michaele, Conrad and Benedikt is a guest of honor. They prepare with great care for a simple girl from Bethlehem as they would for the new Oberbürgermeister Richard Arnold ... and speaking of the very great new Oberbürgermeister, here is he sitting RIGHT next to me at dinner. How Wunderbar is that !!!! He's very nice, smart, handsome, funny, interesting ... and speaks several languages ... and the very sweet thing about him is that he translated everything that he said in German to me in English. He relates to the 'common' man as well as the 'elite' man. And, if I do say so myself, he is the most incredible Mayor for Schwaebisch Gmuend. I wish we had someone just like him for my hometown.

Oberbürgermeister Richard Arnold et moi !

Ali - Gundi's husband - enjoying a beer in a 'Schlegel' bier glass

Michael's next presentation ... incroyable !!! Oops, I mean 'Wunderbar' !!!

I do so much enjoy this way of eating ... not a huge heavy meal, but several bursts of flavors - a plethora of tastes and textures and smells. And, not to mention healthy !!

Me, OB Richard Arnold and our friend Gundi

So toward the end of this marvelous dinner party, I present a small gift to Oberbürgermeister Richard Arnold. It's a painting of the Poissonnerie in Antibes. He was very gracious and mentioned that he would like to place it in the Rathaus ... of course I, by accident, called it the Ratskeller - In Germany, a Ratskeller is a restaurant or tavern in the basement of a city hall specializing in beer tastings. Oops. Of course, being a great and kind man, our new Oberbürgermeister Richard Arnold just laughed and said, yes, you can call the Rathaus the Ratskeller ... that's fine by me.

Like I said ... he's perfect. Prost !!


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Michael and Julia's Wedding

The wonderful couple Michael and Julia Schaumann - and baby Valentin

Breathtaking Julia

Married

Getting the party started !

No, no ... that is not me with a new fantastic boyfriend .... it's the recently elected Oberbürgermeister Richard Arnold. He's great. Kind, smart, beautiful, speaks several languages ... and breathes new excitement into the town of Schwaebisch Gmuend. Nix Besser !!!

So .. let's CELEBRATE !!!

This is 'Joe' on the left (sorry Joe, I forget your last name). He's an incredible man. Completely self-sufficient. He raises hens and other farm animals for eggs and meat ... makes his own cheese and sells it in the market ... grows his own crops ... and lives solely from the land - and his 'smarts'. The lovely man sharing in the creation of Paella is one of the top 10 chefs from Spain: Alberto Fortes. Pretty incredible, right? So ... the wedding reception of Michael and Julia could only be VERY special as they are VERY special indeed. Welcome to Joe's Farm !!

The skies were grey which not only added coolness to the temperature, but also added to the beautiful warmth inside the barn.

How fantastic is this !! Theirs is the MOST incredible wedding celebration that I have ever been to. Hands down. Music, great food, beautiful atmosphere, laughter, true friends ... and love.

The three greatest musicians. Imagine all night listening to wonderful Italian music -- and everybody singing and clapping and laughing -- really, if I EVER get married (of course that means meeting someone - european preferred - and dating, then relationship, then engagement) ... I want my wedding to have the exact same spirit as Michael and Julia's. By the way Julia, you are fired !!! Six years and no fhasap ... ok, ok ... I'll give you another six years ... you're rehired.

Michael and Julia visited me in the beautiful Villa Fontaine back in early June (see below). It was really wonderful to visit with my friends from Schwaebisch Gmuend. It was then that they surprised me with their upcoming wedding ... and upcoming baby Valentin ... AND, they invited me to be the 'Wedding Photographer' with my wonderful OLYMPUS Camera !!!! I actually brought the incredible Olympus E-620 and the Tough 8000 ... AND ... had the foresight to bring my battery chargers with me. Thankfully because I recharged both cameras several times during the night (I absolutely MUST download ALL of my photos to my computer). The Olympus E-620 is incredible ... and I not only photographed the festivities in color, but ALSO in black and white. It's a special filter on the Olympus. I don't have photoshop on my laptop so these photos are the real thing. Then ... I also made five little films during the night with the Olympus Tough 8000. They're really great !!! and they capture the joy, the music, the dancing, the lights ... and the love.


Thank you Michael and Julia for included me in celebrating your beautiful day. Congratulations my friends. I am very happy for YOU!!!

With love, Ann

Julia and Michael's Wedding Day

Ok ... so I have arrived. Everything in Germany runs without a hitch. I land on time. Gundi is at the airport waiting for me. We drive in her awesome BMW SUV. Michaele and Conrad are waiting for me with Champagne. `My´ apartment where they let me stay is spic and span spotlessly clean. Like I said without a hitch. I love that about Germany - they are efficient and generous and loving. I try to live my life this way - but, I am no expert like they are.

Gundi´s Dinner Party

You may have to wait for me to return to Antibes for me to upload photos. For some reason I cannot get my WIFI to work. Always some challenge, nes pas?

So anyway, last night Gundi had a lovely dinner party. What can I say about my dear friend Gundi. She is unique, creative, fun, generous, loving ... and I´m sure great at everything. Of course that is `typical´German. People here strive for excellence. Steriotypically speaking, they speak several languages, play musical instruments, eat great food, appreciate great art ... and don´t clutter their lives collecting piles of stuff like we see in America. Their homes are spotless and uncluttered. That´s pretty much everybody.

Ok, ok, getting back to Gundi ... she had the good fortune to live in Paris for several years ... and it shows in her home. She has a flair for the dramatic and whimsical. She decorates with animal patterns and large mirrors. Her gardens are lush and perfectly maintained. And, of course, she´s a great cook. Last night she brought out the grill and cooked sausages - several different kinds ... and served a wonderful `Polish´ potato salad ... but my favorite item on the menu was her mouth-watering grilled German bread. Picture this taste: hearty bread sliced thin ... with a sauce of the best olive oil mixed with butter ... heavy on the garlic ... and topped with an herb combination of rosemary, tumeric and sage. It was whipped into a cream ... and it soaked into the crevices of the crusty bread. Delisch !!!!!!! I am definitely going to recreate that in the States ... IF I must go back.

Left to right ... Michaele, Conrad, Gundi and Ali - opening the Prosecco !!

Chef Gundi at the grill - sausages and incredible bread with oil, butter, garlic, sage, tumeric and rosemary ... FANTASTIC !!!

Gundi and Ali's fabulous outside garden table

did I mention an 'wunderbar' bar ... well, actually a 'weinkeller'

Today it is beautiful outside ... so, I´m going to load up my incredible Olympus camera, pack my different lenses and step out to revisit the town. It´s been four years since I´ve had the great pleasure of being here ... and it feels absolutely right. I´ve had the great fortune to make extremely wonderful friends here ... lifelong friends. And for me to come back to Schwaebisch Gmuend feels like coming home again. Schwaebisch Gmuend is quaint and lovely ... exactly what you picture a village in Germany to be. The Muenster Church is from the 13th century ... and the Musik School dates back to the year 1380 - just to give you an idea of the history ... so, off I am ...

And at 4:30 today ... the wedding of Michael and Julia !!!!!

... guess who the photographer is ...


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Voyaging to Germany - four gifts

Peppers

For Michaele, Conrad and Benedikt

Poisson

For Richard Arnold - the new Lord Mayor of Schwaebisch Gmuend

Tournesol

For Gundi and Ali

Today I fly to Germany for five days. Schwaebisch Gmuend, that is. Schwaebisch Gmuend is an ancient 'Stauffer' town - centuries and centuries old -- and very beautiful. The main focus in Schwaebisch Gmuend is the large amount of culture there. There are concerts and exhibitions, theatre and music. If it's culture you're after, then this might be the town for you.

Oops ... my ride is here - the beautiful silver Jaguar - so off I am. I don't know if I will be connected in Schwaebisch Gmuend so ... stay tuned ... if not, I will be back in beautiful Antibes on Tuesday.

Fish Heads

For Julia and Michael and Valentin

Cooking on the petite stove in the petite cuisine

Let me tell you just a little bit about France. In one word: I love it. Ok, ok ... that's three words, no? I'm going to feel like a poisson out of l'eau when I get back to S. Hall St. I can't even imagine the angst I will feel in leaving this beautiful heaven on earth. So ... that being said ... the ONE thing that I did not do up until yesterday evening was use the petite stove in the petite kitchen in the petite Villa Fontaine. Reason being - you have to turn on the gas from the knob on the wall ... turn the dial on the stove for the preferred unit ... light a match and bring the match to the gas being released at the burner. So ... fearing the worst catastrophe in the historic Villa Fontaine, I relinquished creating fabulous meals cooked on the stove ... However, I ate fabulous baguettes with frommage, tomatoes, basil and mustard ... every evening.

Well, things are about to change - and change they will ! Last evening I was presented with a gift of Ravioli. Not just ANY ravioli mind you ... but a specialty hand-made ravioli particular to this region of France. 'uh-oh' I said to myself ... yikes ... I guess this means tackling the complications of the petite stove. So ... returning home with my care-package, I turned the knob for the gas on the wall ... lit a match ... turned the knob for the left front unit ... and bingo ... we have Cooking !!! WHAT was I waiting for all this time !!

In this wonderful giftbag was a combination of three ravioli. 'Pesto' Ravioli (for that one person in the world that doesn't know pesto it's a mix of basil, a little olive oil and sometimes pine nuts and parmesian cheese - although in Provence it's 'pestou' and made with basil, olive oil and garlic only - while cheese may be added, usually there are no nuts - except the ones you invite for dinner), 'Champignon' (mushroom) Ravioli ... and the third 'Pate' Ravioli (excuse that I still cannot figure out how to add the accent mark over the 'e'). The care package also came with a hearty red sauce - Mmmm ... incroyable !! Oh ... did I mention ... also complete with chilled bottle of Rose (also no accent above the 'e'). What a friend indeed !!!

Preparing dinner

My petite cuisine (kitchen) in the petite Villa Fontaine - complete with stained glass kitchen window.

My beautiful living room / dining room / art studio

The view to the terrace

The upstairs bathroom - complete with petite sink and incredible bidet

My gorgeous second floor bedroom

With views of clay rooftops and views of the sea ... and complimentary cat 'Sarko'
... named after the President of France (Nicolas Sarkozy)

So ... that was my incredible dinner. It would have been wonderful to share this with someone ... unfortunately, no beautiful French person sitting across from me enjoying the view, the wine, le diner .... et moi. But even alone ... it's still incroyable.

Then ... as a wonderful bonus to a lovely evening ... a full moon - well, almost ... as my brother Jim would say ... it's really only 31/32nds. This photo was taken from my beautiful terrace.

Nix Besser as my Dad would say.


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Tuesday, August 4th - relishing the remaining weeks

Les Fleurs de la Marche Provencal

acrylic 30" x 30"

I am happy with this painting. It started off as pretty much a mess ... but it was just the underpainting ... I heard some whispers from bystanders at the Artists' Market - 'oh my ... I don't like that one at all' (translated for me) ... but they didn't understand that it was just the beginning process. So ... yesterday I pulled out the canvas and began to complete the 'Flowers of Marche Provencal'.

Well ... after getting to sleep after 2:00 a.m. - I was trying to download the movie 'UP' ... watched halfway through then lost the picture ... - I woke up at 7:45 and decided to walk over to Marche Provencal and take photos ... still trying to replace the over 2000 photos that I lost with the robbery - Impossible - but trying to rebuild.

These beautiful structures align the way to the Market ... incroyable !!

A three minute walk to the Marche Provencal from Villa Fontaine

Morning coffee and cigarettes (no cigarettes for me though)

Keeping beautiful Antibes clean

The Marche Provencal

You certainly can find everything here ... Fish, meat, fowl, flowers, cheese, herbs, spices, honey, desserts ... even little bowls to grate your garlic ... and then to add olive oil. It's a real feast for the senses ... and it's a great place to lift the spirits ... people smiling, laughing, whistling ... a true hustle and bustle. And ... a wealth of opportunities for your incredible Olympus camera for sure.

shopping in the market

herbs and beans

peppers and potatoes

I don't know what the heck these are ... but I'm game to try them

Eggplant

Spices from Africa

Frommage

Olives Provencal

Peppers

beautiful cafes along Boulevard d'Aguillon

Key West

Along Port Vauban - the largest yachting harbour in the world

After the Marche Provencal, I strolled past Port Vauban ... so many photographs to take ... large sailing vessels, yachts, small boats .. and this little wooden one .. with the flags - one of my favorites - simple and fun.

A la Plage - at the beach

After photographing the boats, I stopped by Plage Gravette. I love this little beach - it's intimate and cozy ... with great views of Vieil Antibes. The beautiful three story white building in the near foreground is where the Nicolas de Staël lived. He was an expert painter and colorist. At the tender young age of 41, he took his life in Juan les Pins ... falling from a terrace eleven stories high. You wonder about the tragedies ... what makes an artist take their life. Passion? Rejection? Failure? Despair? ... the loss of all hope ... and, what future life and masterpieces did they deny themselves ... and the world.

Nicolas de Staël

Le Concert - the last painting of Nicolas de Staël. This painting now hangs in the Picasso Museum located in the heart of old Antibes. They say that this painting is left unfinished ... who are 'they' and how can they be so sure ... ?

People discuss my art and pretend to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love.

Claude Monet

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Dinner at Wolf's home

this is Chef Wolf Berg preparing to carve the roast
12 guests seated at the table

arranging the vegetables ... incroyable !!

the masterpiece

carving the roast

dinner is served

Le 'flambée'

ice cream and cake with meringue a la flambée aka: 'Glace au Four' or 'Baked Alaska'

Jim entertaining us on his fabulous Spanish guitar - yes, he also speaks highly of 'Martin' guitar

So ... another dinner at Wolf Berg's home. You always know that you are in store for a culinary masterpiece for sure. Last time dinner was Beef Wellington, assortments of veggies and breads and sauces ... and a kiwi strawberry pie that could rival Hess' department store. (don't worry ... only people from the Northeast of US of A will understand this comparison).

Tonight's dinner party started out with champagne ... or any cocktail that you might prefer ... and then the master chef arranges the vegetable platter of baked zucchini stuffed with tomatoes surrounding a bed of sauteed onions and topped with a pesto sauce ... and then comes the roast - brilliantly roasted to perfection ... it's an art just watching the careful carving of each delectable slice. Several bottles of rouge and rose wine ... in large crystal glasses ... when we toast our glasses, it's like the ringing of churchbells ...

Not to be outdone ... bring on the baked Alaska. Or in France, it's entitled Glace au four. There is ice cream - strawberry - surrounded by an Angel cake ... and then topped with Meringue applied with a pastry bag to create beautiful patterns ... and then topped with flaming brandy and flambéed ... a real treat for the visual, olfactory and the tasting senses !!!

Afterward, Jim, an accomplished classical guitarist entertains us with beautiful and soulful selections ... and one of my favorites: ' La Mer'.

Can life get any better than this ?

OLYMPUS AMERICA

l'Auberge Provencal

l'Auberge Provencal located in Place Nationale

dining in the garden of l'Auberge Provencal

imbibing

tasting the oysters

shrimp with risotto

the beautiful garden of l'Auberge Provencal

Dining at l'Auberge Provencal

Since I have been in Antibes last year ... I have always wanted to dine at l'Auberge Provencal. It's a quaint and very old restaurant ... with a lovely garden restaurant situated in the rear of the ancient building. There is a central fountain ... and tables dressed in white linen and country chairs ... and polished silver and glass ware. It beckons you in.

I had the wonderful opportunity to dine there on July 27th. Oysters ... wine ... shrimp risotto ... and petite cafe ... very lovely.

And ... hopefully next year I will be exhibiting a new JAZZ series at the l'Auberge Provencal ! They have a lovely area exhibiting paintings and sculpture ... and for the 50th Anniversary of the Jazz a Juan Festival ... I can't think of a lovelier place to be than l'Auberge Provencal.

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Le Rustic Cafe - July 22nd

I thought I'd share a little of what the old city of Antibes looks like. This beautiful building is where I live. It's the Villa Fontaine. So each day I enjoy living here and the view from the bedroom on the second floor is outstanding. You see over the clay rooftops and lush gardens to the Mediterranean Sea. It's not a bad way to wake up, nes pas ?? !!

This is the little house behind my villa. I thought that these were children's bicycles ... but then I saw an older man riding one of them ...

This is the little street behind my villa - Rue de Haut Castelet. It's centuries old ... with inlaid cobblestones, tiny houses, potted plants, shutters ... and quaintness beyond belief.

This is the street in front of my Villa - incroyable !!!

On the way to the Marche Provencal ...

turning the corner ...

the tiny cobblestone street by the Esprit Restaurant

Jim and Diana ... stealing a kiss ...

dining in Place Nationale ...

Dining at Le Rustic

Moules Frites and Vin Rose ...

Salade Nicoise

Pizza Marguerite

Oh Happy day !!!

I cannot really describe how beautiful Antibes is ... photos cannot begin to capture it's charm and quaintness. Imagine you are in an ancient village .. settled by the Greeks, then the Romans ... ancient architecture ... stone and cobblestones ... and the aromas ... with every step the flavors in the air change ... scents of lavender then frommage .. then the salt from the sea ... and then expensive cologne ... it's really apparant .. especially when you're used to just smelling car fumes and cigarettes. And the beauty of Antibes ... the palm trees and flowers .. and gardens ... it's pretty much the most beautiful place on earth. You can hear church bells, not the sound of new bells ... but the clank of the old bells ... and singing ... and people whistle in Antibes ... and, people seem so much happier here, they smile more and laugh often ... I think the secret is ... that they live in Paradise ...

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The Poissonnerie

La Poissonnerie - acrylic 30" x 30"

Time is fleeting by and I have only one third left of my residency in the Villa Fontaine. I need to focus on painting and painting well ... and maybe painting over the paintings that I feel are lacking - which might be all of them (except for maybe one or two). A favorite subject of mine is the fish market - the Poissonnerie. I've painted dozens of paintings of fish. You can see them on my comprehensive website: www.annelizabethschlegel.com I'm attracted to the textures and the colors and the mix of the beautiful and the grotesque.

So it's 9:00 a.m. here and I'm getting ready for my long walk around Cap d'Antibes. I need to photograph the small harbour with the little wooden boats. I've already taken dozens of photos there, but with the theft of my camera, sadly, they are all lost. So now, I begin again. Plus, I need to shed some pounds after eating and drinking my way through the Riviera with Jim and Diana ...

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The beauty of Lingerie - the secrets of french women

Ok .. I'm just going to be frank about this subject. French women love lingerie. And they pay big bucks for the most beautifully constructed pair of top and bottom. You don't necessarily need to pay top dollar for beautiful intimates ... I bought this pair at the Thursday market for 5 euros ... maybe 8 dollars.

French women care about how they look. They are beautiful and sexy ... and they not only do this for men, but for themselves. You can imagine if they are wearing something so sensuous on the outside, what they could be wearing underneath. No big bloomers for sure.

American women take notice: yes, Victoria Secret is an investment ... so maybe once a year buy yourself something exquisite .. not just for your man .. but for You !!!

Thalazur - the spa of Antibes

Now, I did mention the crime in the French Riviera. Yes, yes I know crime happens all over the world ... but what better place to be a criminal than in one of the richest resorts in the world? Unsuspecting tourists arrive with their new expensive camera, their iPods, their laptops ... are away at the beach for most of the day ... eat out at the cafes in the evening ... and sleep with their windows open.

Sadly, yesterday evening, my very nice neighbors visiting from Belgium were robbed. They had the exact camera that I have - the incredible OLYMPUS e620 - just purchased for this trip. The robber climbed up on their car and hoisted himself into the upstairs bedroom window where their daughter slept. She awoke to see him reaching for her iPhone ... and then he ran ... carrying with him their belongings. It's a real problem here. WHO are these people that steal ??? I live my life and support my life as an artist ... certainly in the lowest earning bracket in the United States ... and saved everything I could to purchase the things I brought with me. And these people are unconcerned about the financial and emotional damage that they bring to trusting people. It's sad. Now I live with the cage closed and locked ... and although I hate to do it, and haven't done it yet, I may now sleep with the upstairs window closed. The last thing I could handle is another computer and camera stolen -- so, must safeguard with my life.


The morning of July 21st, these two men from the city come to weld a lock on the gate to the terrace. I like to have the gate open and enjoy the view to the sea - over the gardens and clay rooftops ... but, certainly at night when I paint, or catch up on my writing, the gate is closed and locked. Criminals have very little fear and will enter your home - even when you are there.

Walking to the market

Jim, Diana and I take the bus to Thalazur. Well, not exactly to Thalazur ... we still have a 15 minute walk from the bus stop. Thalazur is the wonderful spa in the north of Antibes where I spent three glorious weeks last year. Thalazur has five swimming pools, sauna , seaweed wraps, all sorts of massages ... you name it, they have it. And all of the spa goers walk around in their spa bathrobes and special flip-flops. I just use the gorgeous swimming pool with the saltwater piped in from the Mediterranean.

The other great thing about Thalazur is that they have three of my Jazz series oil paintings hanging in their beautiful solarium. They are in excellent company with a high glass ceiling, wrought-iron furniture and glass tables. It's a real thrill for me to see them there. And if I must say so myself, they look great.

the proud artist

So ... after the painting photo shoot, we are ushered to our table on the terrace. Thalazur serves wonderful food - fresh from the sea. The only disappointment is that last year, the chef cooked your food on a large outdoor grill ... and for some reason this isn't so this year. I loved seeing the chef busy over the smoking grill with the fish sizzling and the aroma filling the air ... but there is still much beauty to look at under the bright yellow umbrellas. You can see as far to the Mediterranean ... over the treetops ... and the large Ferris Wheel of 'Antibesland'.

Mmmm .... oysters ... with lemon and diced onions in a vinegar and oil combo

Le Poisson of the day - served whole ... but then the waiter came by and said that the chef will fillet it for me. Well, really there is no need as I am able to fillet a fish on my own. I learned it last year in Antibes when six of us dined at the Le Transat Restaurant. I watched as Monsieur Rambaud delicately sliced the top of the fish from the bottom and removed the spine and bones in one fell swoop. Of course you probably will always have a stray bone here and there, but it's the art of the fillet that I enjoy. But, respecting the chef, I hand over my plate and let the expert prepare it for me. It arrives back at the table sans head and tail and bones (mostly).

Jim and Diana choose the Poulet (chicken) with an incroyable sauce !!!

The palm tress of Thalazur looking past the Ferris Wheel of Antibesland

The spa at Thalazur

Setting the table at the Villa Fontaine

One of the nicest things to do - and the least expensive - is to purchase your baguettes, frommage, salade and vin from the local market. I go to the store 'Champion' for what I consider the best bread that I have ever had. I have been told which are the best boulangeries in Antibes ... but, trust me on this, the baguette avec multi-cereal (baguette with multi-grain) is THE best. More crust than fill ... and great crunch - just the way I like it. Americans take note: put the white Wonderbread down and go to Wegmans just to try a crunchy baguette - and remember more crust, less fill. It will change your life. And maybe your waistline. Of course, it's so delicious that I could eat the whole baguette - so maybe it equals out in the end anyway.

Ok ... so we purchased three cheeses: Swiss for Jim, Brie for Diana ... and Roquefort for me. I love the strong cheeses with a rich deep red wine. We also buy the most delicious cherry tomatoes bursting with flavor, mache (look for it at Wegmans ... ??) and the black Provencal olives in brine ... totally awesome. You will have a 'What about Bob' moment for sure !!!!!

And a word about the wine. You can buy an great bottle of wine for less than three euros. Ok, maybe Baron Philippe de Rothschild would not agree or a a lover of Chateau Margaux ... but, why spend hundreds of dollars on one bottle when you can buy a plethora of inexpensive bottles for the same price I say ??!!

So, we had dinner by candlelight ... listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong ... a really great day ... a really great dinner ... a really great life ... in beautiful Antibes, France.

OLYMPUS AMERICA

The Piano

The Piano - 36" x 36" acrylic

The Piano

Four summers ago I had a wonderful exhibition in beautiful Schwaebisch Gmuend. It was held in the Music School which was built in 1380 A.D. How's that for history ?!! It was my second exhibition in Germany and my third summer spent there with wonderful friends. This year was extra special because delegates from Antibes, France were also in attendance. So began my friendship with Antibes. The Mayor of Tourisme, Monsieur Rambaud invited me to exhibit my 'music' series in Galerie Bains Douches in Antibes during the Jazz Festival. So ... paintings already shipped, I arrived in Antibes, France last year ... and my exhibition was incroyable !!! Galerie Bains Douches is a cavernous stone gallery with bright halogen lights ... and there they were - my music series paintings. I cannot begin to tell you what that meant to me.

Happy for me, two days before last Christmas I received a contract to be the artist in residence in the historic Villa Fontaine in Antibes, France for three months -- THREE MONTHS !!!! So, here I am ... in Paradise .. and time is racing by ... almost two thirds over .. trying to soak in every moment.

This painting - the Piano - I painted for my friend Monsieur Rambaud. He owns the original oil painting - the Red Violin - which you folks from the Lehigh Valley might remember. It was featured during the Elizabeth Pitcairn concert at Symphony Hall. She is the proud owner of the Red Mendelsohn - on which the movie 'The Red Violin' was created.

This painting measures 36" x 36" and so far, is my favorite piece. I plan to leave all paintings in Antibes ... except for a few small pieces ...

So, Monsieur Rambaud, I hope that you are happy with your gift. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. It has enriched my life.


OLYMPUS AMERICA

July 19th - the ancient village of Biot

We walked over to the bus station and boarded the bus to Biot. Biot is a very beautiful ancient village near Antibes dating back to 154 BC and overlooking hills covered with mimosas and olive trees.

Visiting Biot is to take a real tour through Provençal history. Its streets and alleys are names accordingly : la Calade, Le Portugon, Le Cul de Sac, La calade des Migraniers, Lei Croûtons, place de l'Airette, rue Rondon, rue des orfevres, place de la Catastrophe (where two houses collapsed on June 12, 1898), and place des Arcades which is outlined on two sides by Romanesque and Gothic arcades. One can't help but admire the beautiful doors, vaults, stairways, stonework, sundials, cobblestones, and the perspectives from one street to another.

Tasting Pastis
tables tucked in

Salade Nicoise and Vin Rose

Salmon and Salade

(photo courtesy of Diana with my Olympus Tough 8000 camera)

The Art of Biot

The little village of Biot received the nomination of "City of Art"
This label honores the quality and diversity of the craftsmen and artists creating there.

The little town of Biot is known to be the highlight of glass making. There are several glass blowers' workshops in Biot. The sides of each piece contain millions of tiny air bubbles which capture each sun ray or candlelight, and their sparkling beauty enhances the pleasure of using them. Each piece is blown by a master of the art of glass making, and each one is unique. They still use the centuries old technique of blowing the hot melted glass out of their ovens and turning it into masterpieces.

Ceramics - also famous in Biot

Quaint little shops selling Provencal dresses, Biot glassware and ceramics, jewelry, tablecloths and napkins ...

The little shop where I bought Eva's Provencal dress last year ... and this year ...

Navigating the narrow alleyways and cobblestoned walkways

Afterwards, visiting the beach - you can see the old village of Antibes in the far distance

Ok .. ok ... well, here's me at the beach in my Victoria Secret bathing suit - after eating and drinking my way through Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur for the last 10 days ... and also doesn't the camera add 10 pounds in addition ?? The water is great by the way, cool and refreshing. As long as you bring your bikini bottoms and a towel, you're good to go !

At 9:00 p.m. I walked to Juan-les-Pins and attended the finale of Jazz a Juan. They featured Gospel music ... a favorite of the evening for me was 'Oh Happy Day' ...

OLYMPUS AMERICA

Villefranche Sur Mer - July 18th

This is the beautiful village of Villefranche Sur Mer. I photographed this from the train heading to Monaco. We decided on the way back from Monaco, to stop in the beautiful village and have dinner.

the train station of Villefranche Sur Mer

Cafes lining the main roadway

the harbour at Villefranche Sur Mer

In the past, Villefranche-sur-Mer was home to personalities Katherine Mansfield, Jean Cocteau, Aldous Huxley and pop star Tina Turner. The Rolling Stones recorded their 1972 album Exile on Main St. at Villa Nellcôte, then the home of Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg. The old town and the bay have offered for years a natural set for movie makers. Among many productions to name just a few: - Raoul Walsh’s Captain Horatio Hornblower - with Errol Flynn - Hitchcock’s Adventures of Captain FabianTo Catch a Thief - The Count of Monte Cristo with Louis Jourdan - Leo McCarey's An Affair to Remember - The Madwoman of Chaillot with Katharine Hepburn - Never Say Never Again with Sean Connery - The Jewel of the Nile with Michael Douglas - The Bourne Identity with Richard Chamberlain - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Steve Martin (awesome movie), as well as numerous video clips and commercials. Villefranche-sur-Mer is also a harbor for visiting naval forces and particularly US Navy ships.

strolling down the narrow streets

Jim reading the menu

Ahhh ... Leffe bier

drinks are served

salmon and salade

enjoying the American flag next to the French flag

It was very pleasurable to be in Villefranche after being in Monaco. Monaco is spectacular, really gorgeous ... but, I like the simple villages the best. NOT that Villefranche is simple ... but it's quaint and quiet and picturesque with beautiful cafes situated right next to the harbour. A bit of paradise for sure. But for me ... if I HAD to choose one place to live in the beautiful Cote d'Azur without any doubt it would be Antibes. Antibes has everything. The quiet ancient streets, the market, the largest yachting harbour in Europe (if not the world), the Jazz festival, Music au Coeur, the fireworks festival ... just to name a few. If you want more excitement than quiet Antibes, you can walk 15 minutes to Antibes Juan-les-Pins. It's the nightlife of Antibes - crowded cafes, music, casino - hustling and bustling ... but, like I said, I like the quaint and the quiet. It's 5:32 in the morning ... and I'm back in 'my' bed looking out the beautiful window to the sea ... Jim and Diana are back in America after 10 great days exploring the French Riviera ... now, for me, it's back to my morning walks and painting and exploring ... I'll miss them - and I'm pretty much just on my own here ... still searching for my future French husband complete with villa and bidet ... ok, maybe also a swimming pool ... oh, and he should be interesting and funny ... and beautiful ... and feels that I am the only girl in the world for him ... C'est possible ??

OLYMPUS AMERICA

July 18th - Monaco

Boarding the train to Monaco

We boarded the train to Monaco on Saturday, July 18th. The train speeds along quietly ... past the little seaside villages, past the city of Nice, past the breathtaking Villefranche sur Mer with its blue harbour and white sailing vessels. In just under an hour we pull into the famous train station with its signature white bulbs lighting the semi-circular ceiling. We arrived ... the richest city in the world - or at least the most expensive street in the world: Avenue Princess Grace Kelly. So, fittingly, a girl from South Hall St. in Allentown should be strolling down the beautiful street heading for the Cafe de Paris ... one of the most famous eateries in the world. Well, truth be told ... I have ALREADY eaten there last year ... but am now happy to share this incredible experience with Jim and Diana.

Monaco Train Station

The world famous 'Cafe de Paris' Monaco

getting ready for dejeuner ....

We chose a nice table under the white glass awning, ordered wine ... and set about to review the menu. I never like to order the same thing as everyone else .. or even if it's just the other person - I like to sample and share, but we are all in agreement; pesto ravioli it is. For each of us.

inside the Cafe de Paris ... Monaco
Diana and Ann toasting at the Cafe de Paris

pesto ravioli, le pain, vin rose

Crepes and cafe for dessert

Mmmmm .... delich!! and after, to share the crepe with pineapple and coffee ... yes, it may be the tiniest coffee in the world ... but it just might be the most potent in the world as well. Voila !!!

The world famous Casino - Monte Carlo, Monaco

on the steps of the Casino in Monaco

After dejeuner, we head to the Casino. The Monte Carlo Casino is the most famous attraction of Monaco, and probably also, one of the most famous destinations in the world. The casino complex is a gambling facility which also includes the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, an opera and ballet house, and the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. It is situated in the Monte Carlo quarter, although the citizens of Monaco are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms. It hosts the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final, the most prestigious poker tournament in Europe. The casino is owned by the Société des Bains de Mer, a public company, in which the government holds a majority interest. This corporation also owns the principal hotels and clubs of the community that serve the tourist trade. The route of the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) runs past the casino. By the way, NO cameras allowed in the casino. Forbidden.

Casino Monte Carlo - Monaco

the reflecting fountain

World famous Hotel de Paris - Monaco

World famous Hotel de Paris - Monaco

hangin' with the staff of the Hotel de Paris

the interior of the Hotel de Paris, Monaco

the side entrance to the Hotel de Paris

Fiat - parked along the street of Monaco

The Grace Kelly Theatre - Monaco

the yachts and harbour in Monaco

Ann in front of the harbour in Monaco

After strolling about the richest streets in the world and hobnobbing - totally just kidding - with the billionaires ... we board the train and exit at the beautiful Villefranche Sur Mer for an incredible dinner by the sea ... more to come ...

OLYMPUS AMERICA

July 17th and the WWII Jeep ride to the Red Rocks of Var

Strolling through the Marche Provencal on the morning of July 17th.

Enjoy the wonderful selection of produce, wine, meat, flowers ...

Early morning coffee and sitting by the fountain

The fountain at Boulevard d'Aguillon

Patrick stops by to drive me in his WWII American Jeep

Heading to the Red Rocks of Var

Nowhere to turn around ... why not just back down the mountain ?

Lookie, lookie ... see who's driving !!!

An orchestra playing in the square in Antibes

Le Vieil Antibes cafe

My very adorable waiter

Pizza ...

... and beer

Taverne Safranier ... right down my lane ...

July 17th

This is the day that Patrick will be driving me in his American WWII Jeep to the Red Rocks of Var. It's maybe a 1 1/2 hour drive ... and the views are breathtaking. We drive along the coast ... the beautiful towns of the French Riviera. People cannot believe their eyes when an American Jeep from WWII passes by. It's a lot of fun, but not for the faint of heart. There are no seatbelts or roll bar ... and the doors are very, very low ...

We stop for dejeuner in the seaside village of Mandelieu situated close to the red rocks - l'Esterel. Seafood salad and wine ... and it's extremely interesting to hear of Patrick's travels and his accomplishments with Hewlett Packard. He now works for the city of Antibes and it might be possible that he is even more excited about technology than I am !!! Maybe the only 'tekkie' in the south of France - certainly the only one that I know. How people can exist and do their jobs WITHOUT a computer is beyond me. My computer is my connection to the world ... but here ... the pace is unhurried and relaxed ... and many people here don't use a computer for work or much less even own one. Encroyable I say !! That's why it might not be SOOO difficult to find my computer ... because it could be one of just a few .. AND .. it's an American set-up. The French keyboard is different ... and if people have challenges using the French keyboard, imagine if they had to use an American one !! So ... maybe one day my computer will surface ... I hope with ALL incredible photos still in tack.

After dejeuner, we journey in Patrick's Jeep to the top of the Red Rocks. The vista is expansive ... the jagged red rocks cascading down to the Mediteranean ... just heaven. What wasn't as heavenly was driving through the extremely narrow path - more of a hiking path NOT a driving path ... and NOT a 50 mile an hour over loose rocks driving path for sure !!! The other problem was after driving on this path - did I mention that his side mirrors broke with the crashing into tree branches - was that after driving on this lose stoned hiking path, there was NO place to turn around. ok ... solution ... backing up 50 miles per hour over loose rocks on a hiking path ... face and knuckles white. THEN, Patrick pulls over to the side of the road, gets out of the WWII Jeep and says 'ok, YOUR turn to drive'.

Well, after not driving my 5 speed auto for over six weeks, I completely forgot how to use clutch, shifter, brake ... ok ... get it together 'You can DO this !!' ... and I'm not one to pass over an opportunity that I probably will NEVER have again my life. So ... clear my head, reach for the steering wheel, place the shifter in first, give the Jeep a little gas, slowly release the clutch ... and off we go. NOT 50 miles an hour ... but going all the same. Notice the wind in my hair !!! Patrick told me on the way home that I am the ONLY girl to ever drive his Jeep ... AND that he was as nervous as I was !!!!

Thanks for the great day Patrick !!! Oh, and by the way Patrick, when we go on your boat, I will NOT be waterskiing ... just want to get that out the way now.

After he brought me home, Jim, Diana and I went to the sweet little 'Le Vieil Antibes' cafe for a pizza on bread and Leffe bier. An orchestra was playing beautiful music in the center of the cafes ... and then we strolled home, past the Taverne Safranier, to the lovely and tranquil Villa Fontaine.

OLYMPUS AMERICA

OLYMPUS e620 and photo software

Self-portrait with the incredible OLYMPUS e620

Photo taken from the Cafe de Jardin, Rue James Close, Antibes, France
morning coffee

The Boule player

The Fireworks on the National Festival eve ...

I just want to take a few moments to talk about the OLYMPUS e620 digital camera. I'll get right to the point. It's fantastic. This camera is a thinker. It will provide you with the most excellent photos. ALSO, it has six incredible art filters. When I was introduced to this camera ... I said: No, no, no ... I know Photoshop very well and I wouldn't be interested in shooting in art filters ... BUT ... I must confide in you ... I just LOVE the black and white filter - the Noir et Blanc - it's really great. Every time I photograph a person playing Boules ... or drinking a beer ... I show him the black and white ... and they are amazed. They don't expect how incredible the photo will be and they certainly don't expect to see black and white. And ... it's not JUST black and white ... but when you zoom in, it's actually speckled ... like an old issue of a LIFE magazine cover. And .. I don't know of anywhere else that you will EVER get that quality. So ... if you're thinking .. Hmmm ... I'm ready to purchase a digital SLR ... heed my advice ... at least go to your local camera store and ask to see the OLYMPUS e620. You won't regret it for sure ... and your camera will be the envy of all other cameras ... trust me on this !!

The OLYMPUS e620 also comes with incredible software. Now, I attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for four years ... and know Photoshop pretty well - as well as all of the Adobe software ... so when I received the DVD for my OLYMPUS photo downloads and adjustments, I thought ... no, I'll just utilize Photoshop. Well, no imaging software is as poweful as Photoshop ... BUT ... with that being said, the OLYMPUS photo software is fabulous !!!

You can resize, crop, insert text, adjust brightness and contrast, color balance, tone curve, gamma, auto tone correction, hue and saturation, monochrome and sepia, sharpness and blue, distortion correction ... and red eye reduction ... just for starters. You can email or upload to YouTube ... and if you're confused by all of this, there is a great HELP reference. I'm probably not doing this camera and software justice with this blog ... BUT, if you attend December's First Friday at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, PA, USA, I will be presenting a showing of my photos taken with this wonderful machine. More info on that to come ...


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Taking the train to Nice

Jim and Diana at the Thursday morning market

everything beautiful to buy

Boarding the train to Nice

The gorgeous fountain in Place Messena, Nice

Selecting the cafe for dinner

Sitting down for dinner

Moules Frites .... Mmmm

... and Salade Nicoise

Promenade des Anglais

de l'hôtel Le Palais de la Méditerranée

L'Hôtel Negresco

Nice at night

Taking the train

Thursday, July 16th

There is a wonderful market taking place each Thursday morning in Antibes, France. The vendors sell everything from shoes to clothing to ceramics to my favorite: tablecloths and napkins - Provencal style. Last year I purchased so many tablecloths I had to reorganize my packing at the Nice airport because my luggage was overweight. It's funny with packing each time I travel to Europe ... the things that you pack in multiples and the things you leave behind. When I attended the Nationale Superieure Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1995, I packed five pair of Converse All-Stars (different colors) and all of my Dr. Martens. Go figure. This year I packed lots of art supplies and, of course, ALL of my electronics (now stolen) and lots of 'delicates' but not a lot of regular clothing. So ... I wear a lot of the same thing ... and it's fine. It's a great thing to be organized ... but if you forget something, you can always buy it at the market.

After the market, we walked to the Gare d'Antibes - train station - and boarded the train heading for Nice. The trains in France are clean and quiet and run so smoothly that you hardly realize you are moving. Also, the train tracks in the French Riviera were laid prior to alot of the building construction and therefore the tracks run all along the coast. Needless to say, the view is 'encroyable' !!!!

Nice is the largest city in the Alpes-Maritimes and it is hustling and bustling. There are skateboarders and runners and cyclists and people who stroll and people who shop. There is café after café ... and the buildings that line the Promenade des Anglais are gorgeous. We are very particular where we dine and select with great care ... reading the menus, comparing the 'look' and 'feel' of the cafés ... and, also considering the cost.

We sat at a pretty café with wicker placemats and yellow napkins. Diana and I ordered Moules Frites and the Salade Nicoise and Jim had the Salmon. Salade Nicoise is my 'staple' in France ... for I crave the anchovies, eggs, salade, tuna, capers, onions and red pepper combination. It's extra delicious when accompanied with a chilled French Bier or a glass of vin rosé de Provence.

Nice at night is crammed with people .... it's absolutely alive !! I wish that we had that same enthusiam in Allentown where I live ... but it's a whole different set-up. I don't even have a tv here ... although they offered to provide one. I don't want to be distracted with tv when there is a WHOLE beautiful world surrounding me.

After a full day, we boarded the train back to my lovely town of Antibes ... it feels a little like home now ... very settled in and happy here ... beautiful Antibes.


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Cannes, France ... July 15th

the harbour at Cannes, France

Hotel de Ville - City Hall
Dior window

The very beautiful Carlton Hotel

the famous scene from FRENCH KISS when Kate crawls across the floor after falling over the dessert cart !!

Grand Piano and Grand Staircase

Self Portrait photographed in the main salon of the Carlton Hotel

dining on the terrace

the art of the umbrellas

getting under cover

dejeuner

pizza with fruits of the sea and salade nicoise

strolling down Rue James Close in Antibes after a lovely day in Cannes

I know what you are thinking .... WHY is she writing about her day in Cannes, France three days after it has happened .... well, yes, I do apologize and want to keep up ... but, between painting, traveling, touring, keeping up with my criminal investigations ... and driving a WWII Jeep in the red rocks of Var ... my blogging time has been slightly compromised. BUT ... I am LIVING an incredible life in Antibes ... and I need these experiences to put the joy in my work ... so, please bear with.

My brother Jim and girlfriend Diana decided that this would be our day to tour Cannes. As you may well know, Cannes is the destination every month of May for the big silver screen stars. Brad, Angelina, Tom, Katie, Meryl, Will ... you name 'em, they're there on the red carpet. But, even more important to me than that is ... one of my favorite movies of ALL time ... French Kiss ... was filmed there ... and those places in the film were the places that I - and Diana who is also a French Kiss kindred spirit - wanted to visit. It was a real thrill to see the Carlton Hotel !!! ... and then to walk inside and see the famous floor where 'Kate' (Meg Ryan) crawled and scurried on after falling over the dessert cart. It was a great thrill to step outside on the terrace and see the beautiful umbrellas and tables and wicker chairs ... and it was a thrill to see Cartier ... right adjacent to the Carlton Hotel where Kate exchanged the necklace for her 'nest egg'. Now, of course if it's not possible to fly to beautiful Cannes, France, why not just rent - or better yet buy - the film French Kiss so you can relate to our story. Also, by the way, Kevin Kline is fantastic as Luc Tessier !!

Anyway, yes we had our French Kiss high at the Carlton ... and then strolled the beach and stopped at a very sweet cafe for dejeuner. I had the pizza with fruits de la Mer - seafood pizza and beer ... delicious !! We stopped by the very impressive Movie house where the films for the Cannes Film Festival are featured ... and wondered at the marvels of the red carpet. After a full day in Cannes, we hopped on the train - only TWO euros 50 !!! - and headed back to stroll the streets of beautiful and quaint Antibes - enjoying Cannes, but so happy to be in the town that I love the most.


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Bastille Day

Villa Fontaine

Jim and Diana at the Beach

Taking the road to the Marche Provencal

Marche Provencal

Tomatoes

Fresh Herbs

Sunflowers

Bastille Day at Jazz a Juan

Jim and Diana at Jazz a Juan

Fireworks over the Jazz Festival

Bastille Day

I love to celebrate Bastille Day - even in America !! ... but even MORE incredible is to celebrate Bastille Day in France - and especially in beautiful Antibes. So ... we - Jim, Diana and I, wake up early and stroll to the old village for a coffee and croissant. It's a beautiful day and after petite dejeuner we head to the beach. I haven't really 'worked' as it were, on my tan and soaked up the sun ... so today will be a welcomed day of rest and relaxation ... and, of course, celebration.

Tonight we walk over to Juan les Pins to enjoy Jazz a Juan. Audouin is kind to invite us and he welcomes us into the VIP tent for complimentary champagne. Tonight there are three jazz musicians featured in a sort of competition. The winner of the competition will be the featured musician at next year's Bastille Day concert. Last year's featured winner was exceptional - Nicole Henry - so much so that I bought all of her cds.

The winner of this year's Bastille Day competition was an exceptional saxophone player - I will research her name - absolute phenomenon for sure ... complicated scales ... leading up to the MOST beautiful rendition of 'What are you doing the rest of your life'. I sat there paralyzed with awe - fantastic and soulful. Perfection.

It was really wonderful for me to share this Bastille Day with Jim and Diana - to show them the hospitality and generosity of Mr. Rambaud, the beauty of Jazz a Juan, the charm of Antibes.

Happy National Festival Antibes .... Je t'aime

So .... getting late ... off to bed ....
bon nuit mon ami and sweet dreams ...

OLYMPUS AMERICA

The arrival of Jim and Diana

My Chauffeur and friend, Audouin, at the airport to pick up
Jim and Diana

driving in style with his beautiful Jaguar

Jim and Diana settling in at the Villa Fontaine

strolling down the lane

Dinner at Key West

Salade Nicoise and Leffe Bier

Orchestra playing the eve before Bastille Day

Caryl's 86th birthday celebration - Happy Birthday !!!

Complete with fireworks !!

July 13th

Mr. Rambaud picked me up in his very beautiful Jaguar and off we went, heading to the Nice Airport to pick up my brother Jim and girlfriend Diana. They are visiting with me and also to help me by bringing me another laptop to help me store my photos - thank you Olympus !! - and keep up with my online work. I spend a lot of time enjoying my own company, so it will be really great to share time with loved ones and showing off my beautiful Antibes.

I was panicking because they were the LAST ones to come through the arrivals gate ... but was so relieved to see them arrive safely. Audouin packed their very heavy suitcases and off we drove for a lovely driving tour of Juan-les-Pins, Cap d'Antibes and old village Antibes. We said Merci and A Bientot to Audouin, opened up some champagne and breathed a very large sigh of relief and happiness.

After a walking tour of old village Antibes, we headed to Key West Cafe for dinner. Salade Nicoise and a large Leffe Bier ... Nix Besser ... right Dad ??!!

They were exhausted from the flight and they needed sleep ... so, I headed out for an evening to celebrate the birthday of my friend Caryl. She is incredible and even more so because she just turned 86 years old ... and you would never know it. She's smart as a whip ... an art collector, a lover of great food ... and she lives in a manor house in Brussels and has a fabulous rooftop flat in Antibes. She invited very interesting and fun international friends and had her rooftop terrace party catered by a wonderful restaurant. Fish, beef, sauce, cheese, veggies, wine and shots of Amaretto. Fabulous evening !!!

By the way, on my walk to Caryl's, I passed by a wonderful orchestra playing by the fountain across from the sea. Can the quality of life be any better than this ??

OLYMPUS AMERICA

The man with the balloon - Sculpture from Jean-Paul

First thing ... I had several requests to see the Jean Paul sculpture that he gave to me ... so ... without further adieu I present 'The man with the balloon'. Probably another arrest for me in the US of A ... but I'm in France ... home of the free. I like this sculpture very much - it's happy and filled with wonderment ... and I will have a special place for it in my home ... IF I go home !!!

Too tired to write ... but will continue tomorrow ... after I return from CANNES ... everybody, get out your FRENCH KISS dvd ... and follow along to the Carlton Hotel ...

July 11, 2009 - the Walk

HAPPY BASTILLE DAY !!!!


My Walk


I started my day making my way to the Cap d'Antibes. I have heard of a path that boarders the sea - but, according to Rick Steeves, one misstep and you could slip off the path and that's the end of you. It's a steep fall and there are jagged rocks below ... and crashing waves. But, I'm an adventurer and I wasn't going to let this 'DANGER' sign deter me.

So ..... step by step, stone by stone ... holding onto the skinny wire .... thinking ... was this a WISE move on my part ??? Alone, by the crashing sea ... with my incredible OLYMPUS e620 ... what IF I fell ... of course I'd have to photograph the spectacle on the way down ... so ... very careful ... holding on ... thinking WHY do I have to be so adventurous and curious ... and didn't I see the DANGER, DANGER signs ...

the narrow steps leading the way to the path around Cap d'Antibes

the bend around the Cap

afterward, watching Boules

the walk home

Cocktails with Ivo and Jean-Paul

After my strenuous walk around the Cap d'Antibes, I strolled to the Marchè Provençal to visit with my artists friends. I had brought with me prints of Mr. Martini and Ms. Manhattan to give to Jean-Paul and Ivo. I received a wonderful sculpture from Jean-Paul and a beautiful heart necklace from Ivo. I was so happy to give them something personal from me.

I have enjoyed my time painting in the Marchè Provençal Artists' Market, and in my time of need, after the robbery, the artists were very kind to me and welcomed me in ... and that means the world ... nes pas ?

Cell phone, Artists and Verdi Requiem

Steve Carell from 'THE OFFICE' hooking up my cell phone
just kidding ... it's Patrick who works for the Mayor of Antibes

Today I received a new cell phone - compliments of the city. It's difficult when you prepare for months ... making lists, lists of lists ... pages of notes and reminders ... organizing everything to a 'T' ... and in one fell swoop, have it all taken away from you in the night.

But ... things are coming together again and, if you going to lose everything, what better place to lose everything than the French Riviera. It's paradise here ... the MOST beautiful place that I have ever seen. My days consist of painting and swimming and walking and operas and jazz ... and the artists of the Artists Market ... and crusty baguettes and salad and fromage and wine ... and Champagne ... oh ... maybe I didn't lose everything ... but found .. everything !

Today was the monthly council meeting. I'm telling you, trust me on this, the French can talk ... and talk they do. This council meeting was five hours long !!! WHO can speak for five hours straight !!!
I say have the council meeting 30 minutes and then wine and dine for 4 and a half hours ...

So, I slipped out of the council meeting and walked over to the Artists' Market and the Marchè Provençal. I joined my friends Audouin and Jean-Paul for a beer and then talked with the wonderful artists there. There is pottery and jewelry and paintings and sculpture ... a wonderland of shopping possibilities. My friend Jean-Paul presented me with my favorite sculpture - a 'wire sculpture' man with a balloon tied to his ... ahem ... penis. It's whimsical and sweet and I will cherish it always as a reminder of my happy and care-free days in Antibes.

Jean-Paul Mouisset at work

Jean-Paul's van

This is Ivo Marando - sculptor of necklaces and bracelets

This beautiful heart necklace reminds me of one of my favorite movies
' LOVE ACTUALLY '

Voila! - another beautiful present which I shall wear to the Verdi Opera tonight !

Back home to get ready to walk to Eilenroc

This dove has visited me three times: the day before my robbery, the day I found my purse ... and today. I don't know the significance of this ... but it seems to me, that this little bird is there to keep an eye on me - to let me know that that even in times of potential dispair, there is happiness and hope. As I type this, I hear my dove again flying past the window ...

There are unlimited beautiful things about Antibes ... and, one of the great things is that they have replicas of paintings along the walk where the artists painted them. It's a fantastic feeling to see the two Claude Monet paintings here, facing the old village of Antibes, along the breath-taking views of the sea and the boats ...

I walked all the way to Eilenroc for the Verdi Oprea this evening. It took about 1 hour and 10 minutes - but that was with sandals on - not my KEDS - and included a short visit with Jean and Claudine Cèpi who I saw picnicing with their family on the beach. I love my long walks around Antibes, Cap d'Antibes and Juan-les-Pins.

American women - pay attention - behold these beautiful young men - the future of Antibes ...

The Opera Verdi's Requiem - unbelievably fantastic !!

Dinner under the tall palms

the tables are set

not bad, eh, for a girl from S. Hall St. !!

from left: Sylvie BRUNET, Eve RUGGIERI, son of Cècile PERRIN, Cècile PERRIN

A few word about Eve Ruggieri: Following a family of professional musicians, Eve Ruggieri won first prize in piano from the Conservatoire de Nice. In 1982 she created 'Musiques au Coeur' (Music of the Heart), which quickly became a benchmark issue. She was appointed program director of France Inter and made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, a decoration to be added to that of Knight of Arts and Letters. Today, Eve Ruggieri is a producer and artistic director of the 'Musiques au Coeur' being in it's 21st year under the stars in beautiful Villa Eilenroc, Cap d'Antibes. That's just a little nut shell of her illustrious career.

Ok all you people out there sitting on the couch and watching tv ... there is a whole world out there - opera, jazz, music lessons, painting, socializing, walking and exploring ... and it's the way of life in Antibes and all over Europe - cities of culture like beautiful Schaebisch-Gmuend - Bethlehem's sister city - where people live for culture and strive for excellence - just their natural way of life - and I love it, I do ... to live this way ... to live LIFE !!!

So, the Verdi Requiem:

The Messa da Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi is a musical setting of the Roman Catholic funeral Mass (called the Requiem from the first word of the text, which begins Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, meaning, "Grant them eternal rest, O Lord". It was first performed on 22 May 1874 to mark the first anniversary of the death of Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian poet and novelist much admired by Verdi. The piece is also sometimes referred to as the Manzoni Requiem.

Tonight's performance includes the Soprano, Mezzo, Tenor and Baratone -AND - the CHOIR de l'Opera and Choir Philharmonic de Nice - AND - the Orchestra Philharmonic de Nice.

Need I say more !!!

Oh ... well maybe a few things more ... after the Opera, I was invited to join the VIP people for dinner - ok - I guess you can still call it dinner even if it's served approximately midnight !!! So, at our table, the two incredible Opera singers (and her son), the Mayor of Tourisme and the Mayor of Culture, the founder of the Conservatory Music School in Antibes ... oh ... and Moi !!! How's that for a dream ... unbelievable ... my life here in Antibes ...

n'est-ce pas ?

OLYMPUS and the restoration of my life in Antibes, France

Ok ... here I am with two loaner computers ... one 'incoming', one 'outgoing'. So ... more downloading of softward on new loaner ... and de-installing software on outgoing loaner - which I MUST bring back to the Touriste Office because they need it for the organization of 'Jazz a Juan' - the MOST beautiful Jazz Festival in the world - and it begins tommorrow in lovely Juan les Pins. SO .... organize the computer and walk over to the Touriste Office .... where ... my incredible new OLYMPUS e620 camera arrives in a very large box !!!! What complete joy for me !!!!

girls at the Touriste office ...

gorgeous Olympus e620

life becoming restored ...

I just want to take some time to speak of Olympus. Olympus manufactures the most incredible lenses in the world ... not only for your computer ... but for science ... and to save lives ... your mammograms may be viewed with the Olympus lens ... so, there are many people who insist on quality - to save lives ... and ... to photograph excellent photos. Olympus is a company that is very altruistic and caring - and I tell you that first hand. C'est vrai.

Thank you Mark and Susan ... you cannot imagine how your generosity and thoughtfulness has fulfilled my life. I look forward to presenting you with the very best art that I can create ... a small gift of my appreciation to you.

OLYMPUS AMERICA

Today I met Patrick

Patrick - with his authentic Jeep from WWII - encroyable !!

Today I met Patrick. Patrick is very smart and efficient and knowledgeable with the computer -- just like me. He was employed by Hewlett Packard - my stolen computer brand- and traveled the world working for their company. Finally - a techie comes to see me. Oh my gosh .... thank you SO much Mr. Rambaud !!!

Well, the first incredible thing about him is that he pulled up to the Villa Fontaine in an old WWII jeep. Seriously. This vehicle is a celebrity in Antibes ! Then, with the skills of James Bond, he whips out a new computer for me, configures it, makes calls on his iPhone ... is dressed seriously nice ... and voila! my THIRD computer since I've been here. Soon to have a fourth when my brother arrives ...

It was refreshing for me to see someone with acute technology skills ... i NEED technology in my life -- and these horrible stealers - they steal all of my technology - incredible HP PC, OLYMPUS e620 Camera with three zoom lenses ... two cell phones ... wiped me out - bastards - oh, once again, please excuse my french ....

So, Patrick hooked me up with a new laptop - temporarily - and then said 'do you have a cell phone ' ... well I did ... until the robbers took it ... and with that said ... Patrick whips out his iPhone, makes a call ... and Voila!! I will have a cell phone tomorrow. James Bond - encroyable !!!

Now, this is what I love in life - technologically speaking - efficiency, quickness, excellence - I need that in my technical life. I am very fast on the keyboard - even with the reconfigured European keyboard - and I design - focused with accuracy and speed - in Illustrator and Photoshop. Four years at the University of the Arts and all of the determination in the world will get you that. I designed my own website, built an email list of almost 2000, create animated emails each month inviting guests to my studio for First Friday, design posters for festivals ... so I need efficiency. I love when people DO THEIR jobs ... so thank YOU Patrick !!!! It was awesome for me to have this techie guy here - efficient and excellent.

Also, thank you for the ride around Cap d'Antibes in your incredible WWII Jeep - one can only speculate what the notches on your steering wheel represent, nes pas?

The old dashboard and shifter

Ok - my turn to drive - just kidding ... for now

Dinner on the terrace ... salad, patè, tomatoes, croutons ... and vin rouge

Sarko with his patè ...

Afterwards, a sip of vin rouge for Sarko ... a connaisaire 'fur' sure ....

So now after dinner, I'm catching up on my NEW computer - new for three days until I get my even NEWER Hewlett Packard on Monday - when my brother Jim and our girfriend Diana arrive. They will LOVE Antibes .... the MOST beautiful place in the world.

Oh ... by the way, I took a nice walk around Antibes tonight ... and then went to visit the artists at the Marchè Provençcal. Well, a husband of a fellow artist turned 80 today ... so ... he had bottles and bottles of Champagne to celebrate - it was SO wonderful for me to speak with these lovely and happy people and celebrate in the health and happiness of ... friends ...



OLYMPUS AMERICA

Today - and then Chopin and Bizet concert at Eilenroc

My friend 'Caryl'

ok -- today -- could have been a complete 'bust' as it were ... but it, as usual for me in the Cote d'Azur, was a fantastic day. I started out early walking through the Marchè Provençal - photographing all of the veggies and flowers - then, off to the Vauban Harbour where over 2000 tall ships, super-yachts, regular yachts, fishing boats and even wee little sailing vessels are docked. It's spectacular !!

So ... after that, I decided to call my bank, and yes, another '472.92' dollars was fraudulently spent from my credit card - this time in Mougins. I am determined, police or no police, to catch this thief - yes, by the way, I not only saw wonderful Cary Grant and beautiful Grace Kelly in 'To Catch a Thief' ... but I own the film as well. I could write the sequel for sure !!!

I decided to walk over to the beautiful sea area, and, I hear my name being called and there I see my new friend 'Carol'. I met her a few days back - she was sitting at a cafè table by the sea and there were no other seats available ... So I asked her if I could sit at one of the chairs under the umbrella. Well, we got to talking and after a short while she invited me to her beautiful flat overlooking the sea - encroyable !!!! In fact, her view is the basis for the painting I created for Jean Leonetti, Mayor of Antibes, deputy in Parliament under President Sarkozy (so the painting HAS to be good !!!).

Although I had my bathing suit top on, I had just my black bikini underwear ... but WHO cares ... this is France and nobody passes judgement - or if they do, they quickly move on to more exciting things .... like kissing their lover .... So, Carol and I swam in the sea - she in her bathing suit, I in my underpants ... and it was very lovely indeed. By the way, Carol is 85 years old, healthy and smart- and she invited me to her wonderful party - along with Jim and Diana (my brother and girlfriend are arriving on Monday) - rooftop dining ... fireworks !! We shall see what happens - and what we all want to do ...

Carol's rooftop - fabulous !!!

Now, JUST to make my point clear on things ... about wardrobe malfunction and the there lack of it, I, and doing so SOLELY as a journalist and documenteur of my journeys, feel obliged to share with you exactly how the french live ... and that includes navigating the beach - topless beach that is. Except here it's not 'topless' .. it's just their way of life - 'not a problem' as they say.

So ... there are thongs and one pieces, bikinis and then only bikini bottoms .... and MANY men wear the Speedo -- and, for the most part, they are ALL gorgeous !!!!! As a rule, ALL women in France are gorgeous .... and size negative zero to boot. Hmmm .... maybe I'll have another fromage and baguette sandwich ... and a glass of wine while I write this .. (NOT size negative zero). Of course I am probably going to be arrested in the US of A for posting these photos ... scandal and outrage ... funny thing is - GUNS are allowed but ... oh my god ... arrest that topless woman on the beach !!!

Men playing boules -- and the art of conversation

my walk home to the villa

there are replicas of paintings along the sea wall that have been created by the masters where they painted them - fantastic !!

turning the bend ...

setting the table and waiting for my guest who asked to stop over at 4:00 - guest never showed up - more baguette and fromage for moi !!

the lovely parasol pine trees

the terrace at Eilenroc - sipping champagne before the concert

under the tents at Eilenroc

the imperial grand piano

the concert: Chopin and Bizet - fantastic !!

dinner afterwards under the palms

beautiful Eilenroc at night ...

So ... another concert at Eilenroc. Pretty fantastic, eh ??? And on Friday is the Verdi Requiem and then dinner under the palms ... what a life - aside from the criminals, it is only paradise, nothing less ... and I love Antibes avec tout mon coeur ....

My friend Audouin brought me home in his beautiful silver Jaguar -- ok, that's it, I absolutely can NOT come back to South Hall St. Apt. C .... no ... no ... et NO !!!

It's 2:27 in the morning .... so .... signing off ...

A bientot et bon nuit mon ami !!

xoxo
Ann

Early morning walk

This morning I wake up very early and stroll down to the Marchè Provençcal. There are less vendors today and it's not so crowded with shoppers. Since my robbery, I now take photos with the OLYMPUS Tough 8000. It's an amazing little camera and you can even take under-water photos ... but I must admit ... I miss my OLYMPUS E620. That is the best camera in the world ... in my humble opinion ... still searching the streets for it ...

So ... I love to photograph the Marchè - the sights, the smells ... the french language ... the choosing and selecting and the exchange ... it's a very happy place to be for sure ... and, in spite of my newly acquired financial ruin (those effin rat bastards - oh ... pardon my french), I am still so very happy ... happy to be here in beautiful perfect Antibes.

Attention all available beautiful Frenchmen: I am available for immediate marriage proposal. So ... if you have a villa in Antibes, equipped with a bidet, and are in need of an American artist to marry, feel free to contact me !!

I come with no money, but I can fill your home with paintings ... and, of course ... love.

les carottes

fromage

les fleurs

les sandwichs

Vin

the cars in France

The cars in France. The cars in France are very small and efficient - you almost never see a large car like we have in America - no rediculous Hummers or vans or suvs. I did see only ONE suv and I thought the woman driving it looked very ecologically selfish. Scooters are EVERYWHERE !!! Everyone drives a scooter ... and I love it ... I really do ... to be on the back of a scooter and driving through beautiful Antibes ... to Cap d'Antibes ... along the ancient stone wall ... it's when I am absolutely free ... and the happiest I am .. to drive along viewing the incredibly beautiful sea and the ancient buildings of Antibes ... and the aromas ... it fills me with pure joy ...

the ancient Fort Carrè

Stacey, this photo is for you ... notice the name ...

the super-yachts
I prefer the little sailboat 'Annie'

la plage - the beach

I love this little beach ... and it's early in the morning and there are already several people soaking up the sun. ... and, of course, topless. There would be no 'wardrobe malfunction' here in France because several women only wear their bikini bottoms and nobody would notice anyway. - not like in America where it would be complete scandal and outrage ... and here ... it's only natural. I must confess that 'when in France' ... so I have also taken part in the wonderful practice ... again ... to be free ... under the sun ... by the sea ... and glistening yachts ... paradise ...

The other day though ... there I was lying on the beach, bearing all to the world - or at least 'half' of all ... when a gentleman walked RIGHT by my towel. He was wearing a starched shirt, tie, pants, socks and shoes on the beach ... so sitting up to see WHO is this man with all these clothes on ... and there I am with only my bikini bottoms ... when my eyes adjust to the sun ... oh, great .. it's the Mayor himself - and Deputy in Paris - Mr. Jean Leonetti -- so now he has seen his artist in residence in a whole new light - showing my 'girls' ... like I said ... when in France ~

I love this country ... and try to live my life as a girl in France. To savour delicious and healthy Mediterranean foods, to cherish art, to fill my surroundings with excellent music ... to live well with all my heart ... and to love ...


OLYMPUS AMERICA

My Mother

Today it is two years since I lost my Mother. And, in 19 days, it will be just one year since I lost my Father. My Parents were married for 60 years and loved each other very much - so much that my Father couldn't live without her. So ... I pray that they are in heaven ... enjoying each other, smiling and laughing and flirting ... and being just 'them' ...

The one thing that was crushing with my robbery - besides these terrible people stealing everything and using my credit cards - was that in my purse was the Mass card from my Mother's funeral. I prayed to my Mom for its safe return ... and I knew, I just knew that I would find it ... and I did ...

So ... I miss you Mom and think of you every day ... and if there is a heaven ... I know you are there.

All my love
Ann

Eilenroc - Mozart

Dejeuner in my cuisine - kitchen - beautiful window

The bouganvilla peeking in

Mozart Opera at the beautiful estate of Eilenroc

Taking their bows

Dinner under the palms

The tents at Eilenroc - Champagne is served ...

First thing's first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANA !!!!

I awoke at 2:00 in the morning after maybe three hours sleep ... it seems that I don't need much sleep here - maybe because of the beautiful weather or the mineral water ... or the excitement of painting and writing ... but yes, up VERY early ...

I spent the day walking through the Marchè Provençal and shopping at 'Champion' - a market close to the town center. Although there are incredible 'boulangerie' shops in Antibes, I just LOVE the 'multi-cereal' crusty baguettes from this store. It's a great convenience store ... and I pick up everything there ... including cat food for the four cats that stop by the villa. They know I am a 'cat person' and they are welcome to partake in the food bowl on the terrance and drink fresh water each day. Sarko is my favorite though. When all was stolen, he sensed my sadness and didn't leave my side ... now that I am healing, he is giving me more space ... but every now and then he enters the villa and gives me his loving rub against my legs. He's my buddy - my companion in the villa and I just love this little guy.

Tonight, once again, I am an invited guest at Eilenroc to take in the wonderful opera and symphony presentation of MOZART's 'Cosi Fan Tutte'. It's truly heaven in this beautiful estate ... paradise for sure ... and then the music with the backdrop of the villa - stately - with columns and stairs and tall trees and cigale chirping away ... and the breeze and moon ... and sound of the Mediterranean ... pure heaven. I only wish my life in America were like this ... I don't know how I can go back -- to quote 'Something's Gotta Give' - 'the life I had before I could do that forever ... but ... what am I going to do with all of this ... it's heartbroken ... how's that for impervious?' ... Diana will get that for sure ...

So ... intermission ... I see my friend Audouin and he invites me for Champagne ... such a great life here ... I hope it passes by slowly ...

Tomorrow I begin the painting from my bedroom. The view through the large windows is spectacular ... orange clay rooftops, gardens, trees, Mediterranean and sailing vessels ... it still overwhelms me when I see it ... and I see it each and every morning ...

To live like this ... a dream ... in the most beautiful place on earth.

Oh ... at intermission this evening, several people told me that they saw an article about me in the Nice-Matin newspaper -- I didn't even know ... tomorrow's assignment: pick up copies of today's newspaper - and pray that I don't look like a goof in the photo ...

Antibes - painting - July 4th and more ...

My painting 'Antibes' for Monsieur le Maire - the Mayor of Antibes
36 x 36 acrylic on canvas

A wedding in Hotel de Ville

apres - dejeuner

July 4th - Mozart 'Cosi Fan Tutte'

July 5th - Notre Dame de Bon Port

Cathedral

Pilgrimage

Church of the Garoupe

VIP party afterward ... Pastis ... appetizers ...

hors d'oeuvres

beautiful Matthew

along the walk home ...

Beautiful Antibes

Life has been so wonderful, so exciting ... that I haven't had much time to write ... so, Ive been awake since 2:00 a.m. trying to catch up on all that has happened. July 4th ... my friend Audouin has invited me to yet another concert at Eilenroc. Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte. A large ship has been built SOLELY for this perforance - truly incredible !!! Incredible opera singers, costumes, scenery, champagne .... my life here is a dream for me ... to be invited ... treated with respect and kindness ... like a princess ... only better.

July 5th: 5:45 wake up. Today is the day that the statue of the Virgin Mary and Child will be carried from the Cathedral to the Church at the Garoupe - up on the hill. Since the year 981 - yes, that's right - 981 - people congregate at the Cathedral in old Antibes. Sailors - maybe a dozen of them - carry a platform which holds the ancient statue of the Virgin and Child - and, to suffer for their faith they wear no shoes .... and walk, carrying this statue ... up the steep stony steps - high up to the Church on the Garoupe hill. It takes almost two hours carrying this heavy statue ... and on pointed stones ... and the people follow - hundreds - many not wearing shoes ... to suffer for their faith. Of course, there I am in my KEDS !!!! I did walk in the procession, though ... and then Mass - outdoors under the tall pines - and the 'cigale' loud in their 'voices' ... and communion ... and everyone is happy and loving ...

Afterward, VIP party up on the hill in an old garden ... pastis and horsd'oeuvres ... and sailors ... my life here ... ahhh

So, after the party I decide to go to the beautiful beach. The water is like bathwater .... And as you can see ... the view is beautiful ... I didn't ask this god of a man if I could take his picture ... so, thank you - it is my pleasure ...


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Poissonnerie - and the best day in my life

La Poissonnerie painting
18 x 18 inches on stretched canvas

The Art Market at Marchè Provençal

My 'booth'

Jean Paul - the director of the Art Market
Drinking Champagne in the white tents at Eilenroc
Eve Ruggieri introducing tonight's program

Incredible concert !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Afterwards sharing a glass with Jean Paul and Audouin at the Art Market

I am just going to cut to the chase. Yesterday could be the most wonderful day I have ever had in my life. The first thing in the early morning, a dove flew into my bedroom and walked around the floor. I know this dove and have left breadcrumbs for it several times. I whistled gently to it and asked if she was a sign of hope.

Well ... my day started off, naturally, with computer problems. I am SO grateful to the city for this computer loaner, but it's not a computer geared to handle heavy graphic work -- so ... I'm online, then offline, online, then downloading software to get back online ... SO frustrating and what a waste of time. That being said, I rely on the help of my neighbor Alexander. Ladies you would like him - he's tall with dark curly hair and speaks only French - not bad, eh? So afterwards, I stopped by his house to say thank you again -- and three municipal police officers (not to be confused with the national police officers where I reported my theft) were standing by the gate at the end of the alley. They asked if all was ok ... and, of course I said 'absolutement No!!' I told them I was robbed and all was gone. They asked for my name - and knowing they could never comprehend the word 'Schlegel' (doesn't sound french), I asked them to follow me to the villa so I could give them my card.

Well, never missing a marketing opportunty, I gave them my 'Mr. Martini' card. Well ... one of the policemen said 'I know this card ... did you have a lavander purse?'. Here, the police found my purse last week and brought it to the Objects trouve - lost and found. I couldn't believe my ears !!! I had searched for my camera and purse for eight days ... walking and searching ... and here, because of my 'Mr. Martini' business card, there was hope of finding it. I walked to Juan-les-Pins and entered the Objects trouve. Voila !! There was my purse !!!! My wallet was ripped and everything BUT my drivers license was gone ... but, my Picasso Antibes book was there, my passport was there ... and my cherished Mass Card for my Mother was there. I can't begin to tell you the joy I felt .. finally some assemblance of myself. (I won't get into the ineptness of people because my day was too wonderful to dwell on it - but ... hadn't they seen the mailing invoice in my purse with my complete information and the complete info of the mayor of culture of Antibes ... didn't they receive my phone message with detailed info on me and everything I lost - spoken in english AND french ??? ). Ok .. getting back to feeling wonderful ...

Jean Paul runs the artists' market at Marchè Provençal. So, after the food market closes down and the market is scrubbed clean, the artists set up their booths. I have been invited to paint there, so I loaded up my easel, my paints, brushes, canvases and completed canvases ... and hauled myself to the market. What a great feeling to paint again - to feel great joy again - and everyone is sooo kind and so much fun !! I decided on the wonderful 'Poissonnerie' as my subject matter. Jean Paul bought a Kronenburg beer for me ... and then another ... and then my friend Audouin called to invite me to the concert at Eilenroc. He would pick me up on his scooter at 8:00 pm.

Eilenroc. What can you say about the MOST beautiful estate in the world. Villa Eilenroc was built on a rock in the middle of a virtual desert. The area was transformed into a glorious garden through the patience and talent of Jacques Greber, landscape architect and consultant to the Great Exhibition in New York in 1939. He was commissioned by Mr Beaumont to create this luxuriant park of 11 hectares. The heirs of this incredible estate donated the villa and gardens to the city of Antibes, and Antibes has lovingly cared for this glorious property. Operas and concerts in front of the great stairs and pillars of this great estate ... white tents, dark blue sky, stars, parasol pines ... the breeze, the cigale, la mer ... and always champagne ...

So, Audouin picks me up on his scooter (me wearing a long skirt ??), and we head toward Eilenroc. It's magical ... it's sooo intensely beautiful that you are overwhelmed and overflowing with emotion. Eve Ruggieri (very important, very famous) introduces tonight's selections. We are sitting seven rows up, center seats of course. Only the best for us VIPs (hahaha) ... and the music begins - imagine l'orchestre philharmonique de Nice in front of Eilenroc .. and it's perfect outside ... and you have your purse again ... nothin' better than that. With the second selection, the very beautiful and gifted opera singer Nathalie Manfrino enters center stage. Never a more beautiful voice have I heard - and wearing a flowing white gown draping beneath her - truly resembling a greek goddess ... Rondinet ... La Traviata ... Faust ... Pêcheurs de perles (the pearl fishermen) ... intermission ... champange in the white tents ... Contes d'Hoffman of Offenbach, the Air of Thaïs of Massenet ... and La Bohème ... under the stars at Eilenroc.

Afterward, we stopped for a beer and a visit with Jean Paul. The artists' market is open until midnight and it was very good to stop back and see the artists once again. They are so nice to be with - and very caring and it was a lovely ending to a perfect day ...

As I said, maybe the most wonderful day I have ever had in my life ... was it the dove perhaps ?


OLYMPUS AMERICA

Cafè terrace at night

Cafè terrace at night

30 X 30 acrylic on stretched canvas

At the Marche Provencal

Fleurs

Roses

Basilic

Patricia's home - dejeuner !!

Dejeuner - notice how healthy everything is !!!

ok ... still recovering ... or at least trying. My friend Patricia, who works for the city, stopped by Villa Fontaine before dejeuner ... and brought croissants !!! Les croissants in France are fabulous !!! buttery and flaky ... parfait.

So ... we both had free time and were looking forward to sharing dejeuner together. It's a long process in France ... shopping in the market, selecting vegetables and berries and melons, strolling home, slicing and preparing ... lemons and salt and pepper and olive oil ... setting the table ... a process ... which I love and I try to live this way in the US of A. Eating healthy and tasting 'freshness' ... and listening to great music ... the way I love to live ...

After a lovely dejeuner ... since my sleeping patterns are off, I am tired ... home to the Villa Fontaine for a small rest ... then painting. It's obvious to me, to look at the painting prior to the robbery ... and then see the painting afterward ... light to dark ... BUT have faith that light is returning ... each moment in this beautiful town of Antibes, France ... Cote d'Azur ...

OLYMPUS AMERICA

Life drawing - life lessons

Vasile Dohotaru

Vasile Dohotaru - pastel of Villa Fontaine

After life drawing

Cafè terrace at night - apres Van Gogh
Cafè terrace at night - Van Gogh

Life drawing

After the complete tragedy of losing everything in the villa, I naturally was / am in a bit of a state of shock ... I still don't know the complete damage that these thieves have done to me ... but then ... an amazing thing happened ... I saw an artist doing a pastel painting of the Villa Fontaine.

Meet: Vasile Dohotaru

Vasile is this fascinating bohemian artist who hails from a section of old Russia. He's a brilliant artist and just happened to be at the side of the lane with his chalk and his paper and his stool. So ... I walked over to him and in his Russian turned French and my English - French combo, we managed to communicate quite well ... and become friends.

The artists in Antibes have heard of my misfortune and organized a bit of a rally for me. Last night I was invited to a life drawing session in an ancient part of the ramparts. I arrived at 9:00 pm and Vasile was kind to give me some of his paper. The model, of course, is lovely and accomlished very difficult and beautiful poses. It was freeing and exciting for me too draw with these artists - by the way, aside from the model, I was the only girl.

Imagine this: you're in a building erected by the Greeks or Romans - medieval - and there is a lovely model before you ... the room is quiet but you can hear the scratches of pencils and chalk ... the model takes another pose and you hear comments of admiration ... in french, of course ... and russian ... it brought joy back into my heart ... and afterwards, Vasile, Viktor and I shared a beer in the nearby cafe. It was great for me ... to be in this glorious place ... like Vincent Van Gogh's 'cafè terrace at night'.

OLYMPUS AMERICA

Wolf's dinner - Beginning again

Dinner with Wolf

Painting afterward

The wonderful chef Wolf Berg

Fantastic dinner

Le dessert

Dinner by candlelight

ok. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Last Wednesday, early in the morning, I was working preparing a photo file for the Cultural Mayor of Antibes. The photos were for an interview of me that would be appearing in the Nice-Matin newspaper. So .... getting all of these ready ... and then being very tired, I finally hit the sack around 1:00 am. Well, cruel people are very clever ... and one, possibly more, thieves climbed over the locked gate, slipped into the villa, and, while I was sleeping, proceeded to rob me of everything that I brought with me to Antibes (except for one pocket camera and my docking station).

So ... that would be my beautiful purse, contents of purse including wallet and credit cards and passport, ipod, incredible computer ... and my fabulous OLYMPUS E620 digital camera with over 2000 photos of Antibes on it. Also, my computer had these photos all organized and labeled.

I guess if you're going to be a theif, the greatest place to be a thief is in the French Riviera - right Mr. Cary Grant? Sad for me, these horrible sub-human beings stole my life. Now, there's no beautiful French music playing on my computer and ipod. There's no photographing with the incredible Olympus E620. But there is searching in the streets for my lavender colored purse and my camera. I hate these people who steal. Who ruin other people's lives ... but ... when it is times like these, the caring and good people come through to help.

Thank you Mr. Rambaud for helping me - you are a kind and caring and generous man. Thank you Olympus - the E620 is an incredible camera - the photos were beautiful and will be again ...

However, this computer loan is not letting me upload photos .... SO frustrating ... so you will have to stay tuned and see if I can manage to rise above and restore my life ... I still am in the beautiful French Riviera ... so, like Cindy Lou Who and George Baily, there must be hope. Nes Pas?

p.s. does the film 'French Kiss' come to mind?

OLYMPUS AMERICA

update: after not being able to upload photos, I decided to risk downloading the Firefox browser .. it's not my computer but the city's, I don't comprehend french instructions very well, the european keyboard is configured differently, I had to redownload the wifi software - still not comprehending french ... but, now all seems ok. I totally need a massage ... or a double whiskey ! God I hate criminals!

The Orchid Shop

After a wonderful (!!!) day, I painted this painting

' The Orchid Shop '
30" x 30" acrylic on stretched canvas

A farewell get-together for our Schwaebisch Gmuend friends

lovely 'Vesna' (german) and 'Julianna' (french)

Nadine receiving bouquet from friends of Schwaebisch Gmuend

Freidemann Gramm - director of the Musikschule
Monika Buccheit - head of town-twinning
both hail from Schwaebisch Gmuend

farewell my friends - see you in August when I visit you in Schwaebisch Gmuend

taking my walk ... and marveling at the beauty ...

dinner on my terrace - the reddest tomatoes I've ever seen - and delicious !

even Sarko cannot believe his eyes !!

a dove came by and perched and cooed 'hello'

incoming storm - wonderful and dramatic painting weather !

inspiration has set in ...

The one sad thing about seeing your friends, is the moment when you must say good-bye. Or ... at least 'fare-well'. So this morning I walked to the beautiful 'Le Brasserie' restaurant in the center of Antibes. There is a going away party beginning at 9:45 - I arrived at 10:00. I really love my Schwaebisch Gmuend friends and the time spent together was SO fleeting !! The concert at Eilenroc, the dejeuner on the beach, swimming in the Mediterranean, dinner at 'Le Village' .... it was all spectacular to say the least. The nice thing however, is that I'm flying up to Schwaebisch Gmund for five days in August -- so, something else to look forward to.

The food at the party was wonderful - as always. Finger foods with pate (I still haven't figured out how to apply the accent on the 'e' on my laptop), sandwiches with pita bread, juice, water ... oh ... and a keg of Heineken !! Well, a small keg, but still a keg. Too bad they didn't serve 'Schlegel' bier ...

What a nice time, though ... and then my walk. I bought a beautiful lavender plant and another rosemary. I love to have a little garden and potted plants add 'life' to my life. After getting back to the villa, I prepared my baguette with brie, mustard, mache ... AND ... the reddest cherry tomatoes I have ever seen in my life. I don't even know if I can get that brilliant of a red in my paints !! ... and sparkling wine. Of course in France champagne comes ONLY from Champagne, France ... so, this is sparkling wine. Still fabulous. I shared the bottle with a friend ...

A storm was brewing ... and the mistral was getting so strong that I brought my plants into the villa to protect them. It was great painting weather - a storm, wind, rain, music ... champagne ... and inspiration. I rifled through my over 2000 photos and found the photograph of 'Amaryllis' -the quaint and lovely flower shop around the corner from Antibea Theatre. I knew when I photographed the orchids that they would be great subject matter for a painting.

It's late ... off to bed ...
Bon nuit mon ami

OLYMPUS AMERICA

Father's Day

The incredible and intimate Antibea Theatre

The fantastic young musicians of Schwaebisch Gmuend and Antibes

The elegant conductor (also a pilot)

The chorus and small band at Safranier

The man at the bar ... didn't I photograph him before ?

Yes .. playing 'boules' ...

I love this photograph of him ... and I never thought to ask his name ...

Cathedral ... concert tonight ...

Incredible Choir

Can life be more beautiful than listening to these voices in this ancient church. ...

I woke up this morning and readied myself for the concert featuring the young musicians from Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany and Antibes, France. Although I just met these girls last week, it seems like I have known them for much longer. I've become friends with 'Vesna' a beautiful girl who is also brilliant on the viola. So, arriving at the ancient and tiny Antibea Theatre, I see Audouin. He escorts me up to the balcony and I am lucky to sit front row center. The concert features one musician from Schwaebisch Gmuend and one musician from Antibes for each selection. They are all very skilled -- remarkable -- it makes me wish that I have applied myself more in life ... these young girls ... swimming in the Mediterranean and splashing about and laughing and playing ... who would have thought the next day you would see them in beautiful formal attire playing difficult beautiful pieces in Antibea Theatre.

So ... afterward Audouin told me he had to hurry off because it was the festival for Fathers. So, France also celebrates Father's Day. Of course that hit the trigger because I could feel the 'here come the tears' missing my own Father. It's not quite a year since we lost him ... and then only a year since we lost Mom. It's been a crazy two years ... very high highs ... and very tragic lows. The happiest and the saddest. The French Riviera ... and the passing of my Parents ... and very little inbetweens. I decided not to join the Schwaebisch Gmuend gang at the incredible restaurant on the beach today ... instead, I would go back to the villa and be by myself ...

So ... it's a culture day in Antibes ... and there is music in many, many places. Rock bands, heavy metal (?), Reggae ... but I only wanted to stop by the Safranier and see the local music for a while and then head to the ancient Cathedral to sit and listen to the fabulous choir.

After the Safranier, I walked a bit through the market and decided to stop in the pub for a Leffe beer. There was an old man sitting on the stool next to me and although I tried not to stare, I knew I had seen him before. I ALWAYS