Sitting on the terrace of a small hotel in the south of France, I contemplated the shadows cast by some lower branches of a magnificent weeping willow that swayed languidly in the breeze. The late afternoon light against these branches cast this beautiful soft shadow on the facade of this typical ochre stucco house,  accentuating its rough texture.  The shutters, battered and worn from years of protecting the home from the hot sun added a charming appeal to this moment.
This seductive vision immediately inspired me to make a painting of it.