IMBOLC (in Marseille), Spring Landscape Painting

Painted en plein air in Parc Valmer, this landscape honors the time of Imbolc, when the first signs of spring start to peak out from the winter landscapes.

IMBOLC, Parc Valmer, Marseille
Chalk Pastel on Paper
22 × 28 inches // 56 × 71 cm
Landscape
Created en plein air in Marseille, France

L’HISTOIRE

There is something about Marseille (and Provence, in general) that makes the changing of seasons feel close to the skin.

When I made this painting, I was experimenting with painting outdoors on public wall space—taping my paper to walls, creating the art, and then taking the paper away as a finished product.

This grew partly out of a challenge to myself to find new ways of working, and also because I had no studio and couldn’t work inside the apartment I was subletting in the 7th.

During Imbolc time, around February, I love the feeling of winter departing. The colors of this landscape especially remind me of that persistent tug of spring that starts to creep into every little street and high-up place on the hills and mountains of Marseille.

PROCESS & MATERIALS

I create each original chalk pastel painting on 100% cotton, deckled-edged, cold-pressed, heavyweight art paper.

For this work, I painted en plein air in Parc Valmer. My preferred chalks come from the artisanal pastelliers of Roussillon, Provence, used in tandem with Sennelier chalk pastels — a very high-quality, hand-crafted range which blends and layers beautifully.

As part of my process, I build the painting in layers, using art fixative spray throughout the process rather than only as a final finish. This allows me to build a greater physical thickness and depth within the pastel itself, creating a surface that is textured and luminous rather than simply sitting on top of the paper.

HANDLING

Chalk pastel remains a fluid, movable medium and will never fully “set” in the way a varnished oil painting does. This is one of the qualities I love most about pastel, but it also means that original works require dedicated care and attention when handled.

FRAMING

Framing is included for this artwork, and I will be in touch about framing after purchase.

I absolutely love the details of framing and will be delighted to discuss options and recommendations with you so that the finished piece feels at home in its space.

SHIPPING

This original artwork ships from France.

Packaging original art is an art form unto itself, and one which I have been honing for years. I package each original with the same care and attention I gave to creating it.

If you have any questions about the artwork, materials, framing, or shipping, please don't hesitate to reach out.