Sunday 24 April 2011

Small Road to Coin Perdu




18.5cm x 17.5cm Gouache, Pen, Pencil

Every small road leads to big discoveries - Ronelle van Wyk

For my postcard, Ronelle has painted the little road that leads to her mountain home in Correze, France.

In her note on the back of the card Ronelle said:

I've always believed that tiny roads also lead to big surprises. This was how we found Coin Perdu, a secret little jewel at the end of a small road. The hills are very green with stunning spots of white and yellow and orange wildflowers everywhere. The cattle are back in the fields, keeping their young ones close by, the lambs doing their usual mischief, the birds and the bees are busy, busy, busy ... the deer jumping from field to field ... all in all, nature is exploding with life and optimism.

She went on to say, she hopes to explore more of these quiet, small roads this summer and discover with her brush and paint the surprises that await at their ends.

Ronelle is always full of wonderful surprises, some of them not so small. In the huge envelope with the postcard were other delightful gifts and the pen and gouache sketch on the front of the envelope must have surprised and delighted French and Italian postal workers as they passed it along to me.


Thank you Ronelle. I'm looking forward to exploring other small roads with you in Provence this June.

14 comments:

Making A Mark said...

Me too! Just got to remember to bring all my olive shades with me for when Spring is past its verdant best. This sketch speaks of Spring.

I love sketches of roads and paths that are going some place. It always make me think what comes just around the corner.

The ditch and hedgerow are very faithful to what I'm used to seeing.

vivien said...

yes, you've caught the undulations of the ditch and undergrowth beautifully and that sense of going somewhere, not knowing where, but knowing it's going to be good, the anticipation.

gorgeous! I love narrow lanes and deep countryside, miles from towns and cities.

Bridget Hunter said...

I don't know which I admire the most as both say "Spring"- the postcard or the sketch on the envelope. I think exploring these little hidden pathways will make a wonderful series of paintings by a painter of Ronelle's ability and sensitivity.

Albrecht Rissler said...

Just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Totally awesome, both the postcard and the sketch on the envelope!

annie said...

I do love to follow roads, Ronelle, and this one really calls us by name.
annie

Charlene Brown said...

What an enticing little road! Beautifully painted, Ronelle.

Pat said...

I enjoyed the evelope as well as the card. Beautiful. I can see that your location has inspired this delightful story telling path. I would be walking this path if I were visiting, too. Does this path lead to the lunch table?

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Thank you all for the lovely supporting comments! And Pat..I suppose every road to me leads to a lunch table, hope someday you can be on that road!!
Ronelle

Desiree's Designs said...

Oh what a lovely card, Robyn you are so lucky to receive this wonderful surprise in your mailbox! I wish I was going with you to see Ronell, I think I missed my chance when I was in Paris. Lovely!

Felicity Grace said...

Oh, so enticing, I love these roads and paths too and wondering where they lead! Lucky Robyn, getting 'two for the price of one'!

Cathy Gatland said...

Lovely, inviting painting - would love to follow that road, I think its to a little piece of heaven!

Joan Tavolott said...

Oh, that road is so wonderful...I'm just itching to walk down and explore Ronelle's word. Wonderul job on the envelope. I'd be afraid someone would snatch it because of the artwork outside!

Alison Staite said...

Really lovely colours Ronelle! Can i saunter along the track and come for lunch too :o)