My Sketchbook Travels -Marrakech Part 1

In this series I'm going to be taking you on a journey through my paintings and photographs. Exploring the places that have inspired my art. I will be revisiting previous work to tell the stories behind the images and revealing some pieces you may not have seen before. Our first stop on this tour is Morocco, and the city of Marrakech.

The Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech has to be one of my favourite gardens in the world. I think it's where I first fell in love with the colour ultramarine blue, to be specific “Majorelle blue”. Its shaded covers and water features offer a beautiful oasis away from the heat, dust and noise of the medina streets. I can get lost in time, listening to the sounds of the birds whilst sketching. I have visited the garden many times, and each time my excitement of visiting this magical place builds as I walk down Rue Yves Saint Laurent towards the entrance.

All photographs by @opheliafu

The artist Jacques Majorelle built the Bou Saf Saf Villa in the 1920's and continued to expand its gardens and buildings, eventually opening the gardens to the public in 1947. The property was later brought by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1980.

The ornate metalwork and surrounds of the windows are stunning, the yellow is magnificent against the blue. I used these windows as inspiration for a painting.

The painting is made with acrylic paint on canvas, the paint is applied thickly using a variety of tools including palette knives.

Details

There will be more photographs and images inspired by the Jardin Majorelle this week, don't miss the next installment!