Le Pigeonnier, en plein air!
13 06 2008In this area of southern France, we noticed small tower-like structures that sat alone, apart from the other buildings on the farmland. These were the “pigeonniers”, or pigeon houses. Apparently the tower formation is a feudal symbol of nobility, and at one time, only the nobles could have pigeonniers on their land.
It seemed a little odd to have such a beautifully made and permanent stone structure just to house some pigeons, but the birds were quite important in this society. Their eggs and young are prized for the meat, their droppings used for excellent fertilizer on the farm, and of course, they were used as messenger birds since antiquity, and even up until World War II. There are also tons of stones and rocks in the earth, so it makes sense to use them towards these structures and clear the land for farming.
This pigeonnier was just down the street from Le Vieux Couvent, and I found it to be most beautiful in the early light of morning or in the golden light of dusk. I painted this one late in the afternoon just as the sky was starting to take on that warm glow:
“Le Pigeonnier”
Oil on Multimedia Artboard, 6×12″
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Jennifer
Young; Vibrant LandscapesOil Paintings and Art Prints Online
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Jennifer,
I looked back at “Winter on the James” and I think it is still my favorite painting of yours,…… so far,…… pidegon paintings not withstanding, of course. You caught cold with that one. I looked at it and felt cooler! Thanks.
Thank you Rick,
For the record, “Winter on the James” is up there on my list too, even though it isn’t as decorative and colorful as some of my others…Maybe it is because of that fact. Or because, with that one I truly did “suffer for my art”
I like your paitning very much because the painting can free my mind after working so stressful. One of the reason I like your painting because the green colour. At this era, hardly to see green field or tree in the city unless go to outskirt. Sometime I feel want to quit from the job, but resposible is there. Anyway, I like the landscape and the old tower on this drawing. The oil painting for sure is drawn in very good sunny and windy day. I wish i could be there.
Thanks to have such great drawing!
Nice to meet you.Jeniffer
Tau,
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. I am glad you like the greens. Where I live in Virginia, there is overdevelopment to be sure, but thankfully we still have a lot of green. My city, Richmond, is still known as the city of trees, so I guess I have a lot of opportunity to practice
Any way, I am glad that my painting has given you a way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, if even for a moment.
What nice thoughts from Tau. I’m guilty of taking the green of Atlanta for granted, we are very much like Virginia in that we are known for our trees too.
Jennifer, this painting’s colors are so fresh and communicate the late afternoon sky and atmosphere so delightfully. I’m still working on keeping my colors as “clean” as you do and your palette always seems so “right” for the setting and time of day. Great little painting and I can appreciate the challenges of working outdoors!
Thanks for your words, Marilyn. Yes, we do have an advantage in our neck of the woods in that we have to deal with one of the toughest challenges (mixing interesting greens) head on. Kind of no avoiding it in these parts! The best way I’ve found to mix clean colors is to clean my brushes very often in the painting process. But you’ve given me an idea… I’ll put some more thought to that and maybe there will be a color mixing post here in the near future.