Revisiting the Alps - Mehr Khan Williams

 I am sharing a few photos both of the mountains and of my paintings.

All of us who have worked for the UN have passed through Geneva at one time or another and marveled at the beauty and grandeur of the Alps. Many mountain ranges around the world are magnificent. But the Alps are special for many reasons, not least the layering of the blue ranges and their easy accessibility from Geneva.

When I worked in Geneva for over two years, the big windows in my office overlooked Lake Leman and, in the distance, Mont Blanc. I reminded myself every day how lucky I was to have such a splendid view.

Balloons

I returned to the Alps briefly for an eight day painting workshop this summer. I did not think I would be particularly impressed by the mountains since I had been there, traveling in the alpine region on our trips from Geneva to Annecy and Chamonix. But I was indeed very pleasantly surprised and charmed.

I had never spent time in an alpine village and this was certainly different from Geneva.

Village

We went to the village of Combloux, about 90 minutes from Geneva airport in the Haute Savoie region of France.  It is a picturesque village, set in an endless garden of wildflowers and gurgling streams, dotted with chalets. Cows graze peacefully in the pastures filling the air with the music of their bells.

But it was the views from our very nice Chalet style hotel which were truly unexpected. We were nestled in what seemed to be the heart of the Alps. Mount Blanc and some of the highest Alpine peaks towered over us amidst a constantly changing and dramatic vista. The snow covered peaks absorbed the colors of the sunrises and the sunsets.

Mont Blanc at Sunset

And for the rest of the day they reflected the whimsical weather at the highest altitudes. A kaleidoscope of stark white, lavender, purple or dark grey depending on the swiftly moving clouds. One could recline in a comfortable chair on the hotel lawn and watch the peaceful panorama unfold all day long.

Sunrise

But, of course, our workshop demanded more from us. We painted in the large studio and undertook trips to the local sites: sparkling lake Annecy and the peaks of Chamonix.

The house

The best days were when we woke up to the peaceful scenery and fresh air, painted away the day and took long walks before partaking of the great meals the excellent French chefs had whipped up for us. 

We had a good instructor and a diverse group of artists but it was the Alpine atmosphere that remains most with me.

Mehr Khan Williams may be reached at mehrinmanhattan@gmail.com

You can view her artworks here.