Cherries from Chauvet's Orchard, A Memoir of Provence - Softcover

'Set in rural Provence, this is a beautiful, vividly-written memoir about the life of paintings--how they come about and why we choose them--but also a celebration of the beauty of the ordinary, the smallest passing moments that are over even before they are painted. Ruth Phillips' descriptive prose is like eating very good food. You want to share it with your friends.'
- RACHEL JOYCE, Bestselling author of
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Perfect

'It may be the combination of her musicality and visual sense further developed by living with a painter and acting as his de facto studio assistant, that has distilled this lovely prose. Either way, the effect is quite magical.'
- DEBORAH LAWRENSON, author of
The Lantern
 
'In Cherries from Chauvet's Orchard, cellist Ruth Phillips makes music with words, capturing on the page what her painter husband, Julian Merrow-Smith, does on canvas--a way of life that is achingly romantic yet not romanticized,that is earthbound yet exquisite, and one where sweat is rewarded with transcendence. As the couple struggles to build their home out of a farm ruin beneath the shadow of Mt. Ventoux and to make a living and life together, Julian must harness his muse. In a modern-day twist in this ancient place of luscious colors and cuisine, it is the worldwide web that changes their life. This is a true story of talent, ingenuity, and success against the odds, of pathos, passion, and humor. You won't put it down.'
- DEAN KING, author of
The Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys: The True Story and Skeletons on the Zahara

'...the language is precise, the voice vivid'
- MORGAN ENTREKIN

Ruth Phillips grew up in South London with her artist father, Tom, and her musician mother, Jill. Needless to say she became a cellist and married a painter. Always passionate about text, Ruth spends much of her time playing opera, namely in Paris with Opera Fuoco and in the UK with Garsington Opera, and as a continuo cellist. She lives in Provence with her husband, Julian Merrow-Smith, three cats and their adopted son, Louis.