American Women Pastellists in France! May 2022!
What a wonderful time was had by all in the long awaited show, cancelled twice, was finally held in the wonderful town of Montluçon, France! This event, organized by Les Amis Des Arts, Pastels du monde au feminin, featuring us Americans but which also included women artists from all over the world, was characterized by pure joy and inspiration, as the red-carpet was rolled out for the four of 14 of us American women who were able to attend in person.
These signs announcing the event were all over town. And I am here with my wonderful fellow artists Sandra Burshell, Tobi Clement, and Melissa Hefferlin.
We enjoyed a lovely welcome reception in the lobby of the theater the evening of our arrival!
The following day, we were able to view the exhibition of the American women, set in the Orangerie and when I walked in, it took my breath away!
After a lovely lunch, we were treated a tour of this beautiful city.
And then it was time to enjoy the much-anticipated Vernissage, offering an opportunity to meet other artists from around the world.
It was a thrill to see Michelina Amore and Brigitte Charles, two artists I met in Balaruc-les-Bains in 2014 and also once again see Didier of Artisan Pastillier, who I met in Villepinte in 2014 and at his shop in Albi in 2017 when I brought my workshop students to meet him.
The Vernissage began at the community center (as the castle was being renovated) for the international exhibition, and continued at the Orangerie for the featured American women artists.
The evening was capped by a return to the community center to enjoy a dinner prepared by the culinary school as part of their final exam!
I think they passed with flying colors!
Saturday, I was to give a demonstration in the afternoon and luckily, the peonies I had purchased the prior day were opening nicely!
So the morning was spent enjoying the architecture and ambience of Montluçon. We were fortunate that it was market day!
After lunch, it was time to prepare for and do the demonstration. As the day was so lovely, I opted to do my favorite thing: paint the floral still life from life in the sunlight! And how fortunate for the viewers and I to be able to enjoy the shade!
Inside, Sandra Burshell and Michelina Amore were demonstrating their techniques. I was able to enjoy some of this after my demo ended. What a treat!
Sunday was workshop day, and I greatly enjoyed working with one enthusiastic and talented student in the beautiful lobby of that theater!
On the other side of the room, Tobi Clement was teaching her group how to paint those wonderful skies she creates.
It was so fulfilling to enjoy the students, the ambience and the sheer delight of being there!
That afternoon, after the workshop ended, I made my way to the community center park where I enjoyed Melissa Hefferlin and Tobi Clement doing their demonstrations. Wonderful to watch!
After a dinner that was prepared by members of Les Amis Des Arts, it was time to offer our deepest gratitude for the hard work and the long wait for this most marvelous event.
Au revoir and merci beaucoup, all of you, our friends at Amis des Arts!
And here we are with our most WONDERFUL organizers! We love you!
This is a fantastic video that was prepared and shared by a member of the organization. Enjoy!
Read More
