In 2009 I painted for a month in France, on the west coast and Bay of Biscay using the ancient port city of La Rochelle and island of ile de Re’ as bases for daily painting adventures whilst opening an exhibition of my Australian paintings in the city of La Roche-Sur-Yon. This painting trip opened up a new world of inspiration and light to explore. The amazing and prolonged light of the region allowed me to paint en plein air into the evening. The ancient textures in the old sea ports, and Romanesque Architecture blending gracefully with modern vibrant France. Paris was to say the least, stunning. Numerous examples of the influence of people on the landscape will draw me back to those ancient and historic settings for further study and artistic exploration.