When we first started our business it was great because he finally had a real studio of his own, the space was amazing. He spent every day there painting very large abstract pieces and getting back his artistic groove. Then after 4 years we moved our studio to a different location, better for the classes and business but not for Bruce. It was much smaller, didn't have the high ceilings nor the space for his large canvas'. So, he moved his studio home and into the garage with my pottery studio. We created our art together in the garage for a few years, but it wasn't the ideal space for him, with all my dusty pottery it wasn't good for his painting , so he moved the studio into one of our bedrooms, but it was too small for creating large pieces... then he became uninspired and stopped. That was last year and he didn't feel creative, he didn't work on his own art, just taught the kids. He was burned out, both by the business and teaching for 10 years. We knew it was time for a change.
He was so excited to move here for the year and focus on his art. He always feels so inspired in France so 2 weeks ago when we were in Toulouse he picked up a bunch of paper, charcoal, conte, pastels, fix, erasers, etc....he wanted to start drawing again and so each day he spends 3 or so hours in his studio creating some amazing pieces. In the past 10 or so years he had been creating mostly large abstract oil paintings, he wanted to get back to drawing realistic stuff.
We are going to head down to Albi in a week or so to pick up painting supplies and some canvas so he can start painting. He feels that some things are great as drawings but others need to be painted, they just need the texture and color of paint. We were talking to some friends we had over for dinner and they have a commercial space in one of the villages and they saw his work and want him to do a show in the spring. I think that would be great. Anyway, here is some of his work. My artist is back! Enjoy.
barn down the road
Najac
le chat
our neighbors
our other neighbors
hay circles
our maison
our maison
more hay
18 comments:
J'adore la chat bleu!!! Love it. I am so happy to hear that both creativity and doors are opening for you both.
Not sure if you have any photos of them. But, I would love to see the abstract oil paintings.
And, hey, how about opening an Etsy store and selling some of this lovely creativity to subsidize your France fun?
Hot damn, your dude has talent! Najac is especially groovy. Great to hear that he's found the inspiration to get back to creating things once more.
I love them all but my favourite is that lone "botte de foin".
I'm with Lesley! I love la botte de foin all alone and the barn down the road.
All of the drawings are fantastic! Bruce must be very excited to already have his first invitation to mount a show!
Bonne continuation!
lbr - i'll send you some of his abstract work, it's so beautiful! Told him about an etsy store...humm...something to think about, thanks for the idea.
lbr - i'll send you some of his abstract work, it's so beautiful! Told him about an etsy store...humm...something to think about, thanks for the idea.
randal - he is pretty talented I must say. Yes, Najac is pretty cool, especially in person.
Lesley - that's my favortie as well and thanks for the name, he had no idea what they were called.
LF - he doesn't get excited about these things...i do! He just feels pressure to produce, typical artist. I'm going to get more information on it and I'll be the one to make it happen.
lbr - here's a link to some of his paintings.
http://artworksstudio.org/bruce.htm
You made it! Bienvenue. I have never been to Villefrance or Najac but plan to visit that area when I have finished two books I am working on. Perhaps we can link up. And of course you would be most welcome to join my Monday night life drawing group. You could stay over if you wanted to afterwards. We have shifted the session to 6-9pm, winter hours. Catherine Stock )from The Tramizal Diary)
Afterthought - have you seen the site "Postcard from Provence"? The artist Julian Merrow-Smith produces a painting every day and auctions it on his site. They're really beautiful and very evocative of life in the south of France : http://shiftinglight.com
I love them -- I agree, the hay bale (roll?) is especially impressive.
BTW, it's "le chat."
Hope all is well!
Love them all!!!! Great job, Bruce!!! Looks like he's been busy... Love "le chat," too!!!!
Take care,
Leesa
Peaches - great to hear from you...yes, we made it. I'll have bruce contact you through your blog, he'd love to join the figure drawing group.
Lesley - his paintings are amazing, thanks for the link.
Betty - hay roll seems to be everyone's favorite. Thank you for the la/le correction.
Leesa - he's busy and happy and back! It's great. Now I need to find a place to do some pottery, found a place in villefrance, but she wanted to charge me 60euros for 2 hours....no way, i don't need instruction or anything, too expensive.
Wow! His work is just wonderful! Really breathtaking. How great that he already has a show to do!
Becky
PS Now you've got me craving Speculoos!
What a great way to capture your life here in France.
I love the drawings of your house.
Le chat is my favorite, but also like the barn & your house. Can't wait to see more
Lynn
so i guess the grass is always greener...rain? sun? i am still trying to figure out how to respond to comments on the blog site. keep up with the posts and pics...true inspiration!
I just found your blog and was reading backwards from the beginning until I found this post. He is really good. I believe (and maybe when I get to the end I'll find out you are doing it) you could sell your work over the net just like Julian in Provence.
I would want la chat bleu!
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