Preparation of the canvas, a traditional  surface on which I will paint : it is light, flexible, easy to stretch flat, unstretcht and ship to you in a tube. It requires however some minute prep (to be seen at canvas prep)

Applying first coat gradation of blue shades for the sky, on top of 3 coats of white primer, and wearing an outrageous shirt.

The work studio is the one in my Art School, In the village of Saint Clair sur Epte,  where I am the teacher. (see poppies paintings, at www.lepommier.net/coquelicots/index.htm, in French.)

July 10, 2006, I am going in vacation in South of France near Avignon. I will bring the painting with me, rolled in a tube, restretch it when arriving to my summer's house, and will continue the job. I forecast a Fedex shipment to Miami Beach Gallery by July 20- 21

Sand effect first 

Volume of the sand dune, setting of the horizon line 

installing the heart shape, some plants 

Continuing landscaping, and strong cast shadows in background.

Today, July 15 was busy applying 3 coats of blue shades. I am looking for the perfect setting for the heart dune; see steps and final bellow. (well, it might be not very visible for you on these small photos, but it is each coat a challenge, I do not like to let seen brush strokes, and a little too much green or too much blue, and I have to redo all over again, 'till satisfaction.  

After having setting up the final blue sky (10 coats of paint since raw canvas !)  I "installed" the sea horizon and shore line, with waves effect.

Next will be to develop a bit the vegetation, with sea grapes (Florida) and ice plant and some flowers. Some grass will also grow on each side of the painting. I  will have some grass or weeds tracing  the word "Melissa" in the heart portion, but it will be subtle. A fence or not a fence? we have time to decide...

All the vegetation in the heart shape is done with writing "Melissa" over and over, (more than a thousand time) in various shades of green.

At distance, we cannot see that the grass in the heart  is done of "Melissa" written all over. vegetation in the central heart shape is done (see photo). I am now doing "Judd's Heart" in the sand. I agree that the rope and post are not absolutely necessary. The only fact that you ask implies that indeed there is the possibility of misunderstanding. In one hand, the fence is protecting this part of the dune, a precious part, from stepping by visitors going to the beach. In other hand, Melissa can identify herself to that little heart shaped garden, but feel she is "fenced" .

as long as everybody understand it is a dune  planted and flourishing, and that we are in a civilized setting, there is no need for fences, the beach goers walking on each side of the preserved part.

OK?

Pierre, July 18

 
The yard near the summer house. It is in Provence, at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Note olive trees, truffle oaks, cypress, apricot, ... .. looks like California ? more pictures as we go...

Judd's Heart, written into the sand at the beginning of the heart.
Once again, at some distance, it is not too obvious.

Final, July 19, 2006

The painting is unstappled, then rolled around a cardboard tube, inserted in a larger tube, and ready to be shipped by FEDEX

Documentation having been used to compose this painting : personal pictures from Miami Beach; See also the paintings done around that theme at www.lepommier.net/pierremarcel/gallery/hearts/hearts.htm

 ficoïdeDelosperma cooperi, Ficoïde Delosperma cooperi, Ficoïde. Famille : Aizoacées

FICOIDE GLACIALE
mesembryanthemum crystallinum

http://www.florarium.net/4DACTION/w_partner/--.5178

 My favourite beach, at 14th street, Miami Beach, a few yards from my art studio in Espanola Way.

 An Heart shape !