Sue Boal - Painting in the South of France

Arches

This was one of the first paintings I sold and I'm glad that it went to a good home. It's new owners were kind enough to send me a photo of it, beautifully framed and hanging in their home in Holland!
Unfortunately, I can't remember now exactly where I painted it - so if anyone recognises the location please remind me!

Le Chateau Abbaye de Cassan

Size 61x46 cm

Near Roujan, Hérault. Established in the twelfth century, the Abbey of Cassan has been privately owned since 1995 it is slowly being restored and taken back to its original splendour. It can be seen from the road and is well worth a visit.
The focus of this painting is the journey down the staircase into the cloister, from darkness into light. Several of my paintings have a similar focus - a birthing quality, such as the staircase in Chateau de la Coste, the mediaeval arches, bridges and even the driftwood.

Fallen Leaves, Abbaye de Fontfroide

Size 61x50 cm

I loved this place, the stained glass, carefully gathered up in fragments from windows destroyed during the war, is preserved in collage form. These soaring pillars were decorated with such care by the skilled masons of long ago.

Petrified Forest, Hotel de Lacoste, Pézenas

Size 65x50 cm

This is another aspect of the Hotel de Lacoste in Pézenas. The slender pillars rise up around a void so that natural light spills down into the courtyard just as the light in a forest penetrates a leafy glade.

Staircase, Hotel de Lacoste, Pézenas

Size 61x46 cm

I enjoyed painting this. The light on the stones is warm and golden. The magnificent renaissance staircase in Hôtel de Lacostes is worn by the tread of many visitors through the centuries. The beautiful, vaulted ceiling is a masterpiece of engineering.

The closed door

Pézenas has some beautiful buildings. This is the courtyard of the museum. I love the warm glow of the stone and the soaring arches. The lighting hints at a mystery behind the closed doors. This is another of my paintings that focuses on a journey and a way through into the unknown!

Fontfroide

Size 81x60 cm and 61x46 cm

In this room in the Château-Abbaye the winter light streams through the window into the cool, tranquil, pillared space. There was still snow on the ground outside. I painted this room twice because I like the composition so much. The paintings are similar but not the same. One was much larger and the colours less intense. In this, the smaller of the two, the contrast of light and shade is emphasized.