The Confidant of Nature - Perspectives from The Artist's Road

The Confidant of Nature
Perspectives from The Artist's Road


“The artist is the confidant of nature,

flowers carry on dialogues with him

through the graceful bending of their stems

and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms.

Every flower has a cordial word

which nature directs towards him.”


-  Auguste Rodin


   During difficult moments, our minds turn to flowers and our gardens for mental respite. They seem to be the antidote to many of our worries. This week and next, we return (in spirit) to two of our favorites, in France, starting with the unique sculptural gardens of Marqueyssac in Dordogne.

Photograph of Les Jardins de Marqueyssac courtesy of Marqueyssac Website
Aerial Image Courtesy the Gardens of Marqueyssac

   Les Jardins Suspendus de Marqueyssac have been awarded three stars in the Michelin Guide Vert and have become the most visited gardens in the southwest of France. The gardens are
almost exclusively created of boxwood—150,000 boxwood clipped into elaborate swirling designs sitting on sheer cliffs high above the Dordogne Valley and River. The palette is predominantly green and the artistry is created from the organic, undulating forms. The boxwood gardens were designed by Julien de Cervel in the 1860s and restored and reopened to the public in 1997 by current owner Kleber Rossillon.

   Rookeries, waterfalls and belvederes are happened upon while walking the paths through the gardens. The panoramic views from this cliffside park are breathtaking. The dry soil of the southern slope of the gardens supports trees from the Meditteranean climate, including the evergreen Holm Oak. De Cervel planted many ornamental species trees and included cypress and umbrella pines from Italy along with a carpet of the tiny Naples cyclamen, giving the gardens an Italian flavor. For the artist, the shapes and contours of the gardens are an exquisite exercise in tones and values, light and shadow. The expansive views from the perched gardens are a landscape artist's dream!

Photograph of Les Jardins de Marqueyssac
Les Jardins Suspendus de Marqueyssac


Photograph of the Peacock at Les Jardins de Marqueyssac by John Hulsey     Photograph of Gardeners in Les Jardins de Marqueyssac by John Hulsey
                  Peacock Surveys the Cliffside Garden              The Annual Clipping of the Boxwoods

 


Save

Save



Copyright Hulsey Trusty Designs, L.L.C. (except where noted). All rights reserved.
Become an Artist's Road Member Today!

The Artist's Road LogoClick here to become a Member and enjoy access to all the in-depth painting and travel articles, videos and tutorials. Guaranteed!

Search the Site
Perspectives

Not ready to become a Member yet? Subscribe to our free email postcards, "Perspectives". Enter your email address here.

The Artist's Road Store
A Primer on Night Painting - Nocturnes

Nocturnes - A Primer on Night Painting

Filled with inspirational examples by the masters of nightime painting, this little book is sure to fire up your creative energies. Never tried painting at night? We show you how it's done with a step-by-step-oil demo and a tale of night painting in the wilds of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Primer on Night Painting - Nocturnes is a 7 x 7" PDF download with 40 pages of text and images. It includes a gallery of paintings by masters of the nocturne, information to inspire and encourage you in your plein air nocturne painting, an illustrated step-by-step demo and tips for working in pastel and oil. Also available in a softcover edition. Check out the tools and other products that we use in our own art and travels in The Artist's Road Store. We only offer things for sale that we enthusiastically believe in.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

About Us

Photograph of John Hulsey and Ann Trusty in Glacier National Park
We are artists, authors and teachers with over 40 years of experience in painting the world's beautiful places. We created The Artist's Road in order to share our knowledge and experiences with you, and create a community of like-minded individuals.  You can learn more about us and see our original paintings by clicking on the links below.
About Ann
     About John
 Hulsey Trusty Studios