French Residency

The body of work that was created abroad during the artist's residency program in France was drawn from the neighborhoods of Vallauris, France, and residences of the Golf Juan. Being a tourist who spoke very little French, going into the journey became a slightly isolating experience. Utilizing one-point perspective and cool tones, the artist wanted to give the viewer that sense of isolation. The application of the paint was meant to be a visual homage to the French impressionist. Inspired by the work of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cézanne, the artist hoped the deep blues and stark yellows would be visually reminiscent of the painting movement. Red Ochre in the underpainting, also creating an allusion to the red-earthen clay of the French Rivera. Tourism comes with the baggage of escapism as well-the vacation being the escape from the mundane of work and real life. Travel for the sake of leisure obscures the realities of the actual inhabitants of tourist destinations. The focus on the neighborhood within this series is intended to be a redirection of attention to these realities.