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Inspiration Behind The 2017 Spring In Provence Print Collection

The Inspiration Behind the 2017 Lily & Val Spring in Provence CollectionYou could probably guess the theme of this year’s Spring Print Collection from all the Instagram peeks I’ve been sharing lately! I just couldn’t help myself because this Provencial collection is something I’ve been wanting to draw for a long time. Keep reading for the Inspiration Behind The 2017 Spring In Provence Print Collection…

Storefronts in Paris and Provence inspired Lily & Val's 2017 Spring in Provence Print CollectionIn October of 2014, Mak and I had the incredible opportunity to visit France. I just knew I was going to love it, but I didn’t realize how MUCH I would fall in love with the area and particularly, the southeastern portion known as Provence. Below you will see photos from my trip mixed in with the prints inspired by them!

The Storefronts

The thing that struck me first was the incredible buildings and storefronts. To see the architecture in person was breathtaking. I was smitten with the colors, lettering, signage, chalkboards – everything and inspired by these storefronts, I drew the building illustrations above. The drawings feature a boulangerie (bakery), fleuriste (florist), and a cafe.

The architecture in Paris and Provence inspired Lily & Val's 2017 Spring in Provence Print Collection

The flower shops and buildings lining the streets of Paris and Provence inspired the Spring Print Collection by Lily & Val The lettering and signage on storefronts in Paris and Provence inspired Lily & Val's 2017 Spring in Provence Print Collection

The Sweets

If the pretty storefronts weren’t enough, the sweet delights contained inside were heavenly. I particularly couldn’t get enough French macarons, which were already my favorite cookie. To commemorate my love of the macaron and it’s light, chewy goodness, I painted a pretty watercolor design with “macarons are my love language” (They really are!) hand lettering as well as a “patisserie” chalkboard design.

The macarons and sweets found at Boulangeries and Patisseries in Paris and Provence inspired Lily & Val's 2017 Spring in Provence Print CollectionHand illustrated French Boulangerie storefront as part of The Lily & Val Spring in Provence CollectionCafes and bakeries in Provence, France inspired Valerie McKeehan to create the 2017 Lily & Val Spring in Provence CollectionMacarons are my love language - a watercolored and hand lettered ode to Valerie McKeehan's favorite cookie.The Patisseries in France inspired this hand-illustrated chalkboard design as part of the Lily & Val Spring Print Collection

The Flowers

The flowers! Oh my goodness, the flowers! You guys know me and you know how much flowers make me swoon! I had the opportunity to visit Monet’s Garden in Giverny. It was a marvel to see the lily pads and blooms that he used to paint from. Monet is my favorite artist and it was truly a surreal experience. I also tend to agree with Monet when he said, “I must have flowers always and always.” This quote had to become a print in the collection.

Monet's Garden in Giverny France, see more of the inspiration for the 2017 Lily & Val Spring Print Collection I must have flowers always & always. We agree with Monet! His famous quote hand-lettered for the 2017 Lily & Val Spring Print Collection

The Markets… & More Flowers

Visiting the Farmers Market is a favorite past time at home, but in Provence it was a dream. Each little town holds a market filled with the most amazing produce, herbs, tapenades, pastries, bread, and flowers. Inspired by the markets, I drew the below chalkboard “Fleurs” design. It features lavender details, which is quintessentially Provencial.

Valerie McKeehan was inspired by her trip to Provence to create the 2017 Lily & Val Spring print collectionHerbs de Provence at a Farmers Market in FranceThe farmers markets and flowers of Provence in France inspired the 2017 Lily & Val Spring Print CollectionFleurs- a chalk art print by Lily & Val depicting the flowers in ProvenceFarmers markets in Provence became part of the Inspiration Behind The 2017 Spring In Provence Print Collection

The Art

One cannot visit France without appreciating the history and culture of art. Specifically, the impressionist paintings from the hands of Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Vincent Van Gogh.  As with Monet, to see the scenes and settings that inspired some of the greatest paintings ever created, I was awestruck. Below is a photo of “Le Jardin De La Maison De Sante a Arles.” Van Gogh moved from Paris to a Provencial town called Arles and admitted himself into this psychiatric hospital, which he painted in 1889.

While visiting Arles, I had the opportunity to see many scenes that became some of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings and learn more about his life and the tragedy that befell him. In the spirit of Van Gogh’s work, I drew one of his beloved quotes on none other than his favorite color, yellow.

Le Jardin De La Maison De Sante a Arles. An ode to Vincent Van Gogh as part of the 2017 Lily & Val Spring Print Collection I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic that to love people. An ode to Vincent Van Gogh as part of the 2017 Lily & Val Spring Print CollectionLe Jardin De La Maison De Sante a Arles. An ode to Vincent Van Gogh. Inspiration Behind The 2017 Spring In Provence Print CollectionI hope you enjoyed reading about the Inspiration Behind The 2017 Spring In Provence Print Collection! To shop any of the specific prints, click the images above and see the full collection here. I can’t wait to hear what you think and Happy Spring!

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