Great Falls, Week Two

Great Falls

What I did this Monday: I painted the little turbulent waves filled with foam, tossing on the rocks. I worked on the rocks, refining their shapes. I added color to the very monochromatic color scheme. But is it done?

I don't know. Are paintings ever finished?

Your Imaginary Artist Friend,

Patsie

What I Started Last Monday

Great Falls, 12 x 12", Oil, 2011

Dear Imaginary Friends,

This is what I started painting last Monday. Would you like to paint it for me?

I plan to finish it tomorrow. It has very neutral colors, and I wish that I could throw in some brights to liven it up. But roiling water is usually shades of gray. There are no blue sky reflections, because the water is moving and muddy.

Great Falls would be terribly hard to paint without using a photo, because it is in perpetual motion. Plus I would have to wear one of those Gordon's Fisherman type yellow raincoats with flaps over my ears and look like a dork. That is just not my style, people.

Wish me luck tomorrow finishing it. I will let you know! 

PS Can you tell that I am strictly painting water scenes this summer?

Your Imaginary Friend,

Waterlogged Patsie

Chez Francois, L'Auberge, Great Falls, VA

Il Ficchi, 5 x 7", Oil, c. 2010 by Patricia Uchello

Dear Cute Imaginary Friends,

Hi, I had a wonderful meal this week at Chez Francois this past week. Located in the very verdant Great Falls, VA, it sits inside a charming Alsatian mini chateau featuring Provincial French and continental cuisines. The food was ooh la la, and the woodsy setting as charming as ever. There is a delightful outdoor patio, when the weather cooperates.  

Great Falls is one of the prettiest suburbs and also the most chock-a-block with estates in metro DC. The drive alone is gorgeous as it wends it way up and down hills, with views of woods and streams flanking the road.

The only not-so-charming element is the fixed price cost. Lunch is $36 and dinner is $65. That said, this is a four course meal and I guarantee that you will not leave hungry!

For the sake of my ever-expanding waistline, I ordered a la carte and did very well with a delicious gazpacho that tasted more tomato-like than an actual tomato, and a plate of smoked salmon with creme fraiche.

Perhaps the highlight of the meal is the yummy cottage cheese (I KNOW!!) spread for which C.F. is justly storied. It contains chives, a touch of garlic, and salt and pepper. One spreads it on fresh warm garlicky French bread.

Also of note are the mini croissants with C.F.'s delish sweet butter. OK, I am now making myself hungry, and need to go make a homemade pizza, so that I will not drool all over my keyboard and short out my computer.

Au revoir for now,
Patsie