Provence has such a rich culture and history, and naturally this small online art exhibition of drawings could never even begin to scratch the surface of all the ancient sites I've had the privilege to visit and enjoy. I am particularly fascinated with the idea that mythological legends continue in our daily lives. That's why I started this unique exhibit of my drawings with the ancient world of mythological Gods and the legends of the ancient world combined with the classical period and the town's historical sites dating back to its ancient Roman founders.

 

As an artist I'm fascinated by history. For example, after the fall of the Roman Empire, did the people all just return to living in the country as it was before the Romans arrived? This really interests me because recently I, too, moved out of the big city to live a more quiet and simple life in the country.

 

I now live a much more simple life surrounded by horse farms where I've created my own sanctuary for art and inspiration to be closer to nature. Now it is not unusual for me to see farmers in hats living off the land caring for horses and goats.  So each time I visit particular ancient sites with temples dedicated to the Gods of the ancient world, I can't help but wonder why these empires fell, and how the people lived following. In the case of Rome, the empire had over-expanded.

 

Thinking of this, here I selected a "simple" sketch from the pages of my own notebooks as the classical art and architecture portion of the exhibit draws to a close. Created from my imagination this sketch celebrates the life of the peasantry.  As I was scribbling in my notebook, a farmer carrying a goat in his arms suddenly appeared on the blank page as if by magic. It is not by accident that I have chosen to juxtaposition my drawing of these peasants with the broken ruins of an ancient temple of ancient Rome... My drawing could just as easily have been a scene outside of ancient Provence, Rome, or even a modern-day farmer anywhere in the world who lives off the land away from the city, communing in harmony with nature.