Tournesol: A Turn Towards the Sun

Madison Markets Antiques and Interiors, Madison, GA

Summer 2020

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Tournesol is the French word for sunflower which means, quite literally, to turn towards the sun. For many of us, traveling is a form of tournesol — a journey to rediscover what nourishes and sustains us. We turn towards inspiration imbued in new landscapes and towards sensuality and beauty - two things the French happen to do so well.

In a world that sometimes feels dark, the sunflower remains a beacon of optimism and hope. During the pandemic of 2020, we were unable to travel, yet it forced us to confront what we love most about travel: the chance to slow down, abandon daily routines, and live more fully in the present moment. Here, we are invited to rediscover simple pleasures forgotten in the rush of everyday life — the sound and taste of a freshly cracked nut, dappled sunlight through the trees.


TournesolI stand in front of a sea of open-faced sunflowers positioning themselves towards the sun. Thousands upon thousands of flowers set with the same intention:to receive light.Call it God, the Divine, the Universe, her intelligence is present i…

Tournesol, 2019

AmnesiaSunbathing under the bouquet of a fig tree,the heat on my skin,the smell of the animal in the cheese,tapenade on today’s bread.-  -  -  -Lavender, verbena, apricot… landscapes on my tongue.Forgetting one’s entire life up until this very momen…

Dusk in Bonnieux, 2019

AMNESIA

Sunbathing under the bouquet of a fig tree,

the heat on my skin,

the smell of the animal in the cheese,

tapenade on today’s bread.

Lavender, verbena, apricot… landscapes on my tongue.

Forgetting one’s entire life up until this very moment.

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Sometimes we travel great distances to forget. Some people call it getting away. I call it coming back.


FullI leave each place with the sensation of being full. Like after the perfect meal, when one bite satisfies all matter of sense. This satisfaction comes from the layers of history embedded in the stones, the provenance in each dish, the terroir of…

Full

I leave each place with the sensation of being full. Like after the perfect meal. This satisfaction comes from the layers of history embedded in the stones, the provenance in each dish, the terroir of place — notes played in unison on the palate. Waiters seem to ignore us, but they are simply giving time and space to savor the experience and soak in the atmosphere. There is no hurry.

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Morning in Pechboutier

Morning in Pechboutier, 2019


Perfection in NatureI walk through gardens shaped by the hands of man -- nature’s wildness tamed into perfect orbs and other geometries. I wonder, is man taming the wild or is he trying to replicate the perfection found in her?For ten days I do not …

Perfection in Nature

I walk through gardens shaped by the hands of man -- nature’s wildness tamed into perfect orbs and geometries. I wonder, is man taming the wild or is he trying to replicate the perfection found in her?

For ten days I do not see billboards or fast food signs. Instead, I see golden ratios and Fibonacci numbers.

As I grow older, I seek these landscapes more and more. I crave views that are free of the visual clutter of modern life and the residue of capitalism. Perhaps this is why we come here -- to escape our frenetic world. Technology and noise take a toll on the nervous system. But nature? Nature is all about pattern, rhythm and order. Perhaps this is why we feel so calm and restored in her presence.

I think of man’s desire to develop the land – to build and build in the name of progress. Could progress now be a return to the stillness found inside a shady boxwood or the fury of a cicada’s song?

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Walnuts (A Philosophy for Living)

Walnuts (A Philosophy for Living)Take your timesavor the momentinhabit your bodytaste the earthsmell the sunresolve your differencessay I’m sorrysay I need youlive with animalswink at the starsclimb more treesbathe outsidetouch the deepreceive the g…

Take your time

savor the moment

inhabit your body

taste the earth

smell the sun

resolve your differences

say I’m sorry

say I love you

live with animals

wink at the stars

climb more trees

bathe outside

touch the deep

receive the ground

have a ritual

claim a purpose

speak with flowers

exhale in color.