It’s been a busy time lately with travel and painting side-by-side with must-do’s, but I found myself recently on the banks of a roaring stream, conveniently located next to the best place to be in the small town of Val David, Quebec: a microbrewery-cum-quaint-inn–a true jewel of a find. (It is called “Le Baril Roulant MicroBrasserie” should you wish to look it up.)
Illustration: “Val David, Quebec,” Watercolor and gouache in a home-made sketchbook with hot press Arches watercolor paper by Black Elephant Blog author (2017)
Being in places different from one’s usual world is always great for curious people, and this was no exception. About an hour outside of Montreal, Val David is perfectly situated for a weekend get-away. There are several choices of places to stay, like this place (below) seen from the bike path.
Illustration: “C’est La Vie Cafe”, Val David, Quebec, watercolor and gouache on Arches cold press paper (2017)
There’s always so much to absorb–great museums (with a tremendous exhibition on Chagall), wonderful sights, and sounds–in Montreal. Layers upon layers of new impressions mix in with older assumptions, and it is quite clear suddenly that new approaches must be tried as soon as one gets home: this is always one of the benefits of travel.
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