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Château d’Amboise on the River Loire

Château d’Amboise on the River Loire

Today’s photo series is from Amboise, France in the heart if the Loire Valley. We picked Amboise as our home base for exploring the chateaus of the Loire for a couple of reasons. For one, it was close to Trip Advisor’s top rated accommodation – the Chateau des Ormeaux Amboise. And two, it was a [...]

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| October 23, 2011 | 3 Comments
October 2011 Painting Challenge Gallery

October 2011 Painting Challenge Gallery

You have arrived upon the gallery submissions for the October 2011 ADNW painting challenge. Past challenges and associated galleries can be found by clicking the “Painting Challenge” tab at the top of the home page. Thanks to all that submit their work! Click here to submit a painting. Please take the time to click on the artist’s name [...]

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| October 22, 2011
October 2011 ADNW Painting Challenge

October 2011 ADNW Painting Challenge

Since everyone liked the challenge from France last month, I have decided to offer another of my favorites from our time on the Île Saint-Louis in Paris.  You will have until November 15th to submit your pieces. This month’s challenge is of an accordion street performer that I saw while doing some street photography near [...]

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| October 22, 2011 | 1 Comment
Visiting Château de Cheverny in The Loire Valley

Visiting Château de Cheverny in The Loire Valley

As I mentioned in my prior post about the Château de Chambord, each château in the Loire Valley has its own style and sense of purpose. While Chambord amazed with its size and architectural prowess, Château de Cheverny pleases with its lavishly appointed and meticulously maintained interiors. Not that the château itself is anything to [...]

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| October 16, 2011 | 4 Comments
Big Thanks for Amazing September Challenge Submissions

Big Thanks for Amazing September Challenge Submissions

Wow! I am completely blown away by your work this month. It the most successful challenge so far by the number of submissions and, in my opinion, it also showcases the best work so far. When showing this month’s submissions to Donna and my friends, I have never heard more, “Wow, these are amazing,” comments. [...]

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| October 15, 2011 | 2 Comments
Visiting the Loire Valley and Château de Chambord

Visiting the Loire Valley and Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord, one of the most recognizable châteaus in the world, was one of eight that Donna and I visited during our three-day stay in France’s Loire Valley. All the châteaus were worth visiting and each had its own charm and sense of purpose. If you have a rental car, you can easily do [...]

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| October 12, 2011 | 4 Comments
Creating Panoramas: 180 Degrees of Monaco

Creating Panoramas: 180 Degrees of Monaco

The last leg of our trip to France took us to the French Riviera. Although we stayed in Nice, we took took a local bus to Monaco for a day. Getting to Monaco, and all the other towns on the French Riviera for that mater, is really easy. From Nice, we walked early to the [...]

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| October 8, 2011 | 4 Comments
Two Fabulous Days in Avignon, France

Two Fabulous Days in Avignon, France

Today’s feature photo is of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d’Avignon, or Avignon Cathedral. The interior of the cathedral that you see above is the tallest structure you see in the photo below. The one with the gold statue on top. I was taken by the ornate decoration on the balcony and the light reflecting [...]

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| October 2, 2011 | 4 Comments
A New Day in Provence

A New Day in Provence

When viewing my photographs, some people say, “Were the colors really that bright?” That is a legitimate question, right? I believe that the eye needs to be trained to see color in the natural landscape. How many times have you been mesmerized by the presence of a landscape and did not stop to ask yourself [...]

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| September 30, 2011 | 3 Comments
Waitress on Île Saint-Louis Graphite Sketch

Waitress on Île Saint-Louis Graphite Sketch

I just had to give this one a go. It has been a while since I have had the pencils out and it was fun to finally sit down and draw again. I think I will try another when I have time and just focus on her face. This drawing is about 10 inches high [...]

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| September 28, 2011 | 5 Comments

The ADNW Painting Challenge