I'm back! Provence spring is on the table. The exhibition begins...
Welcome to my petite exhibition, amandadaniel.com.
I’m back in Provence
I'm in my happy place, where I am most me, and that happens to be Provence. I didn't know it would happen this way, but I'm sure glad it did. It’s a bit of a surprise actually as I have never felt comfortable anywhere, probably as I never felt comfortable being me. I have been back for two markets where people are happy to see me, giving me hugs and kisses, and "where have you been's". Anywhere people are happy to see me is a great place!
Provence seems even sweeter for leaving it. I appreciate it even more if that is at all possible.
Spring Markets
The market abounds with artichokes, strawberries and asparagus, all colours and denominations. Basically, you don’t need anything else on the table. The air was liquid sunshine when I arrived. The warm had not mixed with the memories of winter; cool pockets waited around the corner. The cool breeze now slices through the sunshine, and the sky is its most evocative blue. A colour I am most passionate about.
Spring Flavor
My table has been full of frisée salads as the tendrils are as soft as babies' curls. In the summer they toughen up, so spring is frisée season.
I have it with loads of garlic, lemon, and Dijon, on my flat omelettes, loaded with hairy courgette and at least half a bunch of fresh parsley. Did you know that if your courgettes have little hairs and feel slightly waxy, they are fresh?
I toss it through my veg at the last minute; you can hardly ever have too many greens in my book.
As above, I did a caramelized pear, chicken, green chilli pepper dish, with loads of garlic. We had it with a frisée, orange, cucumber, pear salad. And buttered rice last night.
Adding butter to your rice as it rests makes it delicious and gives it nearly pudding satisfaction. Plus it has that more French flavour.
The Exhibition
My work is launching, finally, it’s happening, the culmination of change, or really it’s more of a continual evolution.
I believe women are always reinventing themselves as they age. Is it reinvention, or more of a self-discovery and letting go? Letting go of roles, and expectations, funnily enough, these are things I have learned from younger people questioning the status quo as they look for new ways to identify themselves. Either way, it’s a healthy way to adapt, to find your way in a world that feels like it is trying to leave you behind. Ageism is a thing, and I notice in France, or at least in my circles here, it seems less so.
I feel I have arrived at full me. It’s such a silly thing to be so prophetic about oneself. But understanding how I have become who I am, and why I was always so unwell has enabled this process. Somehow I have arrived, and I am launching my new work into the world. My being always creative now has a home, a path, and even a future.
Artistic Interpretation
There are always many colours in any colour. You know the world is not black and white; it would be too easy, too easy to be wrong, too easy to be right. In all my paintings, I keep many shades of light, even in the simplest of work. Like my food, my simple food, it's never that simple. Restraint, I say, is a marvellous ingredient.
Pomegranate Expression
This piece has been both torturous and therapeutic, mindful concentration (where I can ADHD my mind into many dissolving corners). I did a few playful pomegranates and leaf blends, much contemplating, and even dreaming to come up with this finished version. I aim to have all the texture, the feel, the blushing and the imperfections showing. Pomegranates in Provence, I have noticed, are creamy with a blush of pink and a smattering of many tan freckles. In Australia, Pomegranates usually are bright red with a few scars and points of light
.
From Paris to Provence
I am addicted to the petite pan of handmade gold and Lapislazuli I purchased at Sennelier in Paris. The oldest art store in Paris was a destination for me. The fellow in fine round spectacles was very patient with my tragic French and clumsy questions as I sought these two particular pieces of colour.
.
LA PETITE EXPOSITION
My first pieces are here on my website.
I have stopped applying pressure on myself to launch as I'm really a lady on her own with an idea and not an organized enterprise. Piece by piece it will be available on my site. If you are in any way keen to ask questions or interested in my art please feel free to contact me. amanda@mytribetype.com
May your days be as happy as mine have been.
Go, be more you!
We’re so happy you’re back in Provence Amanda! I’m going to make a frisée salad to celebrate spring…thank you for always inspiring me.