Have you ever been to an outdoor Farmers Market in Europe? It is simply a must - a requirement for the soul. It is always a cherished memory for me to recollect the ones I have strolled through - many of them in France, my native country. I seek them out constantly. It is not difficult to be tempted by the bounty of Mother Nature's richness. It is not difficult at all.
On the other side of the world, here at home in Marin County, Northern California, weekly Farmers' Markets abound in each small local town - and year round! Here too, the earth is rich. The climate is temperate. The sun is shining on the land. The farmers are devoted. The community is hungry.
I do not always go there to shop. I go to soak in the patterns, the vibrant colors, the textures, the tastes, the smells, the hustle and bustle, the feel. A lot of inspiration for my art comes from these outings. Look closely at these images; you will not just be hungry - you just might be tempted to pick up a paintbrush!
I might arrive just past sunrise as the tables fill up with displays yet untouched; or I laze out of bed on a Sunday morning, and walk through the thick of the morning rush - rubbing elbows with tempted gourmands sipping their hot lattes, indulging in fresh made crepes, all eagerly awaiting the roast chicken vendor. Welcoming sellers with their multitude of seasonal samples, one more delicious then the next, keep tempting me. Sometimes as I sit at a table and listen to the live music, I am so clearly reminded just how good this all is for the soul.
What bounty!
