Below Le Crestet

yes please

Julian: This one is so new to me in style in that I am literally in the foliage. Great perspective. Those are grapes, right? Thanks for this beautiful view.

Gary, forget about lawyering - I think you should write! You are eloquent and have a great way with words. Talk about a great way with words, you all should read Ruth's blog. Fabulous writing. She brings me to tears at times with her wonderful descriptions of her and Julian's life. Nothing is better than great painting and great writing. You both make quite a pair. Ruth, please write a book. You would do the world a great favor with your beautiful, beautiful words. All my best, Merilee

Hi, I just saw you via Northern's blog, I'll blogroll you directlly, you'll see why- this is wonderful!!

thanks merilee, you flatter me but i am really just a cellist who writes for fun!

missed you today in paris j but i happen to know you spent the whole day doing your vat receipts.

by the way, since i am on tour i feel i can join in the comments parties and this one is really amazing. the light at the bottom of the vines is perfect. With so few brushstrokes you capture that. It never ceases to amaze me.

Ruth, I am certain that you are a superb cellist, and that is your calling, but I have to tell you, your writing is simply amazing (and fun!), and I so enjoy your blog. You are funny, witty, spiritual and philosophical and you are able to give us all a uniquely enjoyable experience of your life in France. I just love it. Wish I could hear you play the cello. Anyway, keep writing, even if it is just for fun! You're great!

whereas i find many of julian's paintings stunningly beautiful, this one frankly has the feel of one done in haste...

'Haste'?...
There was a story about Picasso I once heard. It went something like this - Picasso was about to pay for a restaurant meal when the restaurant owner, when realising who Picasso was, suggested he could pay with an original Picasso artwork. So Picasso did a sketch on a napkin. The restaurant owner was somewhat disappointed and said "but Picasso, this only took you a minute to draw". Picasso said "on the contrary, this has taken a me lifetime"...

Bravo, James!!!

Merilee: Thanks for letting me know about Ruth's blog. It sounds so enticing.

Ruth, I think it's decided then -- you'll write the book and Julian's paintings will serve as artwork. It seems to be the popular sentiment!! And, because the paintings can be reproduced in "postcard" size, the book can be published as a small paperback making it accessible to millions more people, thus spreading art throughout the world faster than the typical "coffee table" sized art book ever would. What about the title?

Gary, I see the book as a fusion of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence, and Frances Mayes' Under the Tuscan Sun. I had the huge pleasure a few years ago to dine with Frances Mayes and her husband, who delightedly told me about their home in Tuscany, and how they harvest the olives from their orchard to make olive oil. I can see Ruth doing something similar, but it would be so interesting coming from a cellist married to an artist remodeling their home in Provence, and all of their adventures. I think it would be wonderful. Ruth and Julian, don't you love how we have your lives all planned out? Think about it...it could be a delightful book and would give us all great pleasure. Just an idea.