I went to see a dance called Legong. It was held in a courtyard of the ancient Ancak Sali built in the 16th century and located in Ubud. First of all the ambiance in this palace: there is a large central door hand sculpted. The dancers are not very tall. What is the most amazing t is to look at all of these flamboyant colors inlaid with gold thread, to witness the magic of the hand and eyes movements done with such harmony.

This morning it is a wedding and there are heavy rain showers. Madé lent me an outfit. The car ride goes quite well, we arrive on site, it is a big wedding. I am with Madé and all of a sudden I lose my footing and I slip.

This afternoon Paul Husner and Tine came to see me. They have friends who are going to visit Ubud. Paul would like us to go make nude sketches together.

Today, Saturday the 29th, is the most exciting day of my trip. The temperature is extremely hot and humid. Jean, with whom I took a long walk yesterday, tells me he has a fever; he decides to postpone our meeting.

This afternoon I decided to go do nude sketches in a small gallery. In the centre of it, the models sit. Two models guide my sketches, one white and one Balinese.

Tuesday, I visited the Nika Gallery; it is very large! There were several good artists, including Arie! This morning I went to work with Madé Sumadiyasa. It had been raining for two days; it is good today to have sunshine despite the rainy season.

This afternoon I decided to go do nude sketches in a small gallery. In the centre of it, the models sit. Two models guide my sketches, one white and one Balinese. There were several artists of different styles. I was able to speak with a young German who liked the way I draw. The teacher is Japanese and he is really friendly.

January was a very productive month. I managed to paint 17 paintings, including 2 that I sold to the Gajah Gallery. The owner invited Ann and me for dinner.

After a hearty lunch I decide to go see Jean-François and Yuli. It was Jean-François who first told me about Bali, it is thanks to him that I am here. They are resting on the veranda, on cushions; they look well. We talk about a thousand and one things while drinking tea.

It is 7:00 pm, the rain just started to fall. I have an appointment at the Jazz café about 3 km from my place on my motorbike with my raincoat and my sketchbook. En route to the café. There are not too many patrons when I arrive. 

It was still raining all night in Bali. I woke up feeling in great shape. I had not slept for 3 days, due to the intoxication of the tempo!

At 8:30 I am supposed to meet Arie Smit at the entrance of his “Home Stay” house. I notice a painting with fairly bold colours—a landscape in the style of Arie. He welcomes me; he is very happy. He must be around 70 years old and is single. We find similarities between my paintings and his.

After a week at the hotel, Ann and I move in with my friend Madé. The studio and the room on site will allow me to work.

Today is my 65th birthday. It is special to be in Bali for a second time. My studio is not quite finished; the rattan mat is still missing. Sleeping is not easy—I still have pain in my left ribs since I fell off my motorbike. I hope it will get better.

We have arrived at my friend Madé’s place. The room and the studio will allow me to work on site. Today I am cutting the canvases into different sizes. I will make sketches and start painting.

Already one week at Madé’s. I paint every day, especially in the morning when it is still cool. I am already on my fifth painting.

This morning I will start painting. My head is full of ideas. It has started to rain. Ann is busy reading. The small daily routine is settling in.

Tonight we went to see an exhibition at the Pranoto Gallery; it was too figurative for my taste. Afterwards, we went to the restaurant.

During the holiday period, Madé, his friends and I went to visit the Arma Museum. A huge building with a themed exhibition. It was really surprising—so many large paintings on the walls with bright, bold colours; it reflects the lush environment of Indonesia.

Yesterday I rented a motorbike and went to the Tribal Museum in Chiang Mai. There are several tribes in northern Thailand. 

Madé Sumadiyasa likes what I am doing so much; I think I am influencing the Balinese artists I am working with. This morning he started making sketches the way I do them. He also began painting with a spatula.

Time passes very quickly. I start painting in the morning at 9 a.m. and finish around 4 p.m. I have to paint every day with this humidity that does not let up.

Finally arrived in Vietnam, in Hanoi, capital of the North. The environment is very different from Bangkok; the city is quite colourful and many motorbikes and bicycles circulate through the crowded streets. All this movement is impressive. We found a hotel by Hoàn Kiếm Lake; the room is small but comfortable.

So many things are happening here that it would take 10 pages to tell everything. I am currently staying with Conrad; he is leaving for Thailand on January 25, after which I will be alone.

This week I am going to start a large format painting; it will be a musical scene. If the painting pleases Agung Rai, he intends to buy it. I have just finished painting; tonight I will go to Casa Luna.

Today the sun is splendid, and the view of Mount Agung stimulates me to create. In one week it will already be a month since I have been here.

Il est 8h du matin, la lumière est très jolie. Il fait toujours beau dans le nord de la Thaïlande. J’ai hâte de voir les longs necks. Il faut 30 minutes pour se rendre dans la tribu. La route est splendide et côtoie les petits villages perdus dans les montages, c’est magnifique. 

Il est 15:00 heure, je suis attiré par une galerie Viet fine Art de Hanoi, située dans le vieux quartier français de la ville. J’ai avec moi mes tableaux enroulés dans un tube. Me déplacer avec celui-ci me facilite la tâche. À l’intérieur la salle est grande, j’ai devant moi un immense tableau de Ding Quan un artiste contemporain qui utilise la laque comme médium.

Return from the Magdalens to Montréal via Matane on the Voyageur. I had a nice encounter with François Tassé, who is an actor, and Rémi Arsenault, former captain of the Voyageur and now retired, 70 years old.