Friday 20 July 2007

Back to Crete!



Aegean Hideaway (Oil on canvas, 20 x 20 ins.)

I've done all I can to this picture, I think. Any more becomes pointless tinkering. I'm pleased with its overall look: it's a step towards an old goal, that of marrying my painting with something of the quality of my cartoons. Not quite real, more decorative, but still rooted in the world.
It's perhaps significant that I should have finished this one today. Yesterday, Patsy123 put together the last pieces of the jigsaw of our Summer holiday. Summer? You remember Summer, surely?

Originally, our plan was to go back to Venice, but the money wasn't really there to do it justice, so we began to look at the possibility of Majorca. I've been once before, and liked Palma and some of the quieter places in the North of the island. But I think we'd left it a bit late to try to fix things up on the Interweb, our preferred method of holiday booking.

So, in fear of not having a sunshiny break at all this year, we settled on possibly my favourite place of all - Crete. At the beginning of September we fly to Iraklion and transfer to Rethymnon for three days. Then eight days in Chania, before heading back to Iraklion for three days there.
And I find I'm so excited about it! It might appear that this was a last option, a consolation prize, but it just ain't so ... I'm delighted to be going back to one of the loveliest places on earth.

8 comments:

jafabrit said...

WOW! visually this is just gorgeous, but I looked at the larger version and I really like the texture of the paint too.

How lucky to get to see all these places :) My big trip this year is moving our daughter down to Florida. I am hoping to get to the Salvidor Dali museum when we are down there.

harry bell said...

Texture of the paint in this case is due to the picture having been painted over an old one, and several changes to both the composition and the choice of colours in the process of its making. I like a picture that shows the history of its construction.

I'm sure Florida has many worthwhile qualities, not least, perhaps, the S Dali Museum.

Anna said...

It has the feel of a set - someone is going to poke a head out of a window in a minute and we'll go into close-up. Happy, sunny colours. This is obviously your pink period.

Just great that you are going back to Crete, my favourite place on earth, I've stayed in both those places and loved the contrast. Good choice at the last minute.

harry bell said...

Yes, a set. I like that.

Anonymous said...

I like the excitement in this painting,perhaps your excitement of the upcoming trip spilling over...it's a joy.

harry bell said...

Thanks Sally, I'm pleased you like it. Part of the joy was in the invention - most of the composition was made up, and the colours are not from life.

Anonymous said...

This really is a delightful painting. I could happily stare at it for ages to see if someone comes and takes away one of the towels which has dried in the sun. I'm sure you'll like Rethymnon. We stayed there *last* September. Well, not in Rethymmnon itself, unfortunately, but on the rather yucky tourist strip nearby. Chris was ill so we couldn't get about much so all in all we had a frustrating time, but Rethymnon itself is a delightful place to wander around. Wish I could give you some insider tips but all I can think of is something you probably know already: if you take a taxi, make sure you fix the price in advance *each time*. I look forward to seeing the pictures...

harry bell said...

Thanks Simon. In fact, I know Rethymnon rather well. I've stayed there a couple of times and visited four or five, but I'm still looking forward to gping again. As for pictures - the painting EROTOKRITOS is a view of part of Rethymnon's harbour.