Friday, November 19, 2010

The French Connection!

 Good Morning!
    I am so happy to have had sunshine for awhile this morning so I could take some photos indoors to share with you. A couple of weeks ago I received a wonderful gift in our mailbox from a lovely friend Helene Glehen  from France whom I have never met but enjoy our little visits via blogland. 
  Several weeks ago I posted a photo of an Autumn Bouquet from our garden. Helene wrote and told me it inspired her to paint a picture of it. A short time later she asked for my address and mailed the beautiful painting to me form France.

My photos do not do the painting justice but you can still see how lovely it is.


 The inspiration bouquet beside the painting has dried but I am still hanging on to it.
 I am enjoying a lot of things French these days- books,decorating, etc. 

Isn't it beautiful!





Helene has two beautiful blogs that I know you will enjoy visiting. You can visit Helene here-http://encrecouleurs.blogspot.com/ and then go to her art blog where she has wonderful paintings for sale.

I will share what Helene has to say about herself;
I am a French painter loving roses, gardens which are my source of inspiration.
The Old fashioned and English roses are my favorites and the studio is often filled with their perfume while I am painting.

In summer, each morning I am at work in the studio-garden, painting from life, watching and sketching while the birds sing.
By now, I have hundreds of sketches in my portfolios. I am often so absorbed with my creations that I lose all track of time.

I am romantic at heart and I am fond of Victorian and Regency literature, poetry and style (Jane Austen, Elisabeth Gaskell, the Brontës, Georg Eliott) I love large bouquets in pretty vases, the garden houses nestled in the vegetation, small secret spots in the garden, butterflies gathering nectar and pollen of lavenders... and my dear roses filling the air with their delicate fragrance.

It is a source a happiness and pleasure that I am happy to share with you with my paintings.
I am currently living in the Paris region. Thank you for visiting.


And I would like to add that not only is she a very talented artist with a love for Roses, but also a very kind and thoughtful person. Thank you so much, Helene for this beautiful gift.-I will treasure it always. Maybe some day you will come and sit in my Garden and paint, how lovely that would be!


Today I am joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday where once again there is lots of beauty.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!


Take care,
Carolyn


p.s. Sorry for the small font- I am not sure how to fix it.
also if you would like to visit my Christmas blog click here.

39 comments:

Pétales de fée said...

Quelle chance tu as d'avoir inspiré Hélène ! J'avais admiré ce bouquet aussi et le voilà chez toi ! C'est magnifique ! Vos deux univers sont très proches et je vous apprécie toutes les deux ! Gros bisous

Lizabeth said...

How absolutely fantastic is that! I love it! A treasure for life! Maybe you should print the story and put it on the back of the picture so it's never forgotten! Happy Friday! Liz

Anonymous said...

Dear Carolyn,

Thank you SO much ! You found a beautiful frame. I do not know if my painting deserve such a beautiful frame and post ! I am deeply touched and honored.

I am happy to think that this small painting will be now hanging on your walls. And yes, you are rihgt I would love to visit your garden, to sit and paint and admire. That would be the paradise for me !

Thank you again.
Have a nice weekend.

Hélène Glehen ♥

Anonymous said...

Hi Carolyn! Oh, what a beautiful painting of your vase and flowers!! I love it. How sweet of Helene to do this for you! She's very talented and you've set up a lovely vignette with it all!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

What a wonderful gift, Carolyn! I am not at all surprised that Helene should be inspired by one of your posts. So lovely to see your bouquet next to the painting-- Jacqueline

Joanne said...

Oh, that is so wonderful! Beautiful painting! I just posted about armchair travel to France and now I see this touch of France in your home...just lovely!
Joanne in Ontario

Madelief said...

Dear Carolyn,

The bouquet that Hélene painted for you is absolutely beautiful! Love the colours and the details of the vase and the little petals on the flowers!

Happy weekend!

Lieve groet, Madelief

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Carolyn,
How wonderful to receive the painting from Helene! I have been following her blog for quite some time and I love her work! She did a lovely job of your bouquet and how thoughtful of her to send it on to you. Blogging certainly has its rewards, does it not? Enjoy your weekend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Susan said...

Exquisite. Absolutely, unequivocably exquisite painting, Carolyn. It is a treasure and so is the painter who sent it to you. Wow! What a kind and loving person she must be.

Awesome photos, too, by the way. You did a great job. Sincerely, Susan

Carol said...

Oh, Carolyn, that is such a lovely painting and story! One of the dearest things about blogging! I am so touched by this beautiful post and the generous spirits in both you and Helene. What a special home the painting now has too. Stunning! ;>)

Dianne said...

Beautiful painting !! and it looks so.. lovely in that pretty ornate frame. A joy to behold.

Pamela Gordon said...

WOW! That's incredible! What a sweet lady to paint your bouquet and mail it to you. It's a beautiful painting. Have you found a spot to hang it yet?
Pamela

Raffaella said...

Lovely painting and story...

Agni said...

Hi, I am your new follower. I love your blog, fotos, things and today of course the new painting. Your-Ag

La Table De Nana said...

Carolyn..another treasure~ A beautiful work of art.
I am certain you were overjoyed..It's beautiful..the thought was endearing..Just perfect.

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

What a lovely painting and knowing that a vase of your own flowers was the inspiration for it is so special.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Helene did a wonderful job of replicating your bouquet Carolyn.
How kind of her to send the painting to you, a special gift to treasure.
Judith

Sarah said...

Carolyn, I've long admired Helene's work. Your painting is gorgeous and looks lovely sitting on the easel. You have a home full of beautiful things and this painting fits right in!
I'm off to visit your Christmas blog.

......Michele @ Portlandia Vintage said...

The painting is precious! Helene you are gifted. What a thoughtful gesture. Carolyn, you really have a treasure! And, a lot of envious viewers! Viva La France!

Randiga Tråden said...

Lovely.

ღ M@ddy ღ said...

Hélène è davvero straordinaria!

Maddy

Rose Garden Malevik said...

There is ALWAYS so BEAUTIFUL things at your Blog :)
Love :)

SATURDAY SHOW OFF
at my Blog
Plase JOIN IT :)
Hugs from Håkan

Heaven's Walk said...

What a sweet and thoughtful surprise for you, Carolyn! Helene is a wonderful artist and that painting is just beautiful! It'll be something that I'm sure you will treasure for years! :)

xoxo laurie

Alex aus dem Gwundergarten said...

Wow... what a lovely picture! Helene, your a great artist. The painting fits so well into your home, Carolyn.
Have a nice weekend
Alex

My Shabby Streamside Studio said...

Magical as always!


P.S. – I’m having a Jeanne d’Arc Living Christmas Giveaway!

Bisous,
Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio
http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/


My Shabby Streamside Studio said...

PS for the small font, try going into the dashboard and under edit HTML hit 'restore default settings'.


Bisous,
Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio
http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/


sweetbay said...

The painting is lovely!!

Angela Scavazza said...

Olá, linda sua postagem!!!!!
Tenha uma linda semana!
Abraços.

Angela Scavazza said...

Olá, linda sua postagem!!!!!
Tenha uma linda semana!
Abraços.

Elzie said...

A beautiful picture. Must be nice to have such blog friends.
Hope you've had a nice weekend.
Love Elzie

Anonymous said...

What a thoughtful gift from your friend!! She really is a wonderful artist... the painting is beautiful!!
I wish you and your family a wonderful upcoming Thanksgiving holiday!
xo,
Jo :)

Average Girl said...

Oh how lovely for your Carolyn... I have seen her blog many times before... she is very talented. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your lovely comment about my winter pictures. Ironically, I live on the west coast of Canada, i.e. Vancouver Island. So we always watch you East coasters get the snow before us. I hope some day to make it out to PEI, it's on my life list. Thanks for stopping by! Beautiful blog you have! Cheers Tracy

Elizabeth said...

What a wonderful gift!

Gorgeous painting!

Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Georgianna said...

Oh, Carolyn, I love Helene's work, too. How special to have the painting and the inspiration for it together! So lovely! Have a wonderful new week. – g

Lisa said...

Oh Carolyn!
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post...and Helele's link

Lisa

Lady Jane said...

Beautiful painting!!! Beautiful Friend!!! Blessings, Lady Jane

Islandsparrow said...

Such a lovely picture Carolyn! And so sweet of your friend.

Farah said...

Beautiful painting... very beautiful I try to find a more close up of the painting...
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
Love
Farah

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

What a gorgeous painting and so sweet of Helene to send this to you. Aren't blogging friends the best?