My artist residency in Dinan ended on a high note with articles featuring my work appearing in Dinan’s local papers Le Télégramme and Ouest-France.
Journalists were invited to the final review of my work by Les Amis de la Grande Vigne (some of whom are pictured with me, below) who came to select one of my paintings for the Jean-Haffen Museum’s permanent collection.
I hosted a lively crowd of committee members, journalists and local residents at my studio and made a formal presentation of the works I completed during my residency.
The selection committee were particularly pleased with the different artistic approach I took to their charming village, in particular my focus on the local box making factory, Norman Emballages, that has been in operation for close to a century. I created several portraits of workers using their own wooden boxes as my painting surface, creating gold embellished contemporary icons influenced by my visits to the Louvre earlier in the month.
I was also smitten by the ancient stone that make up the walls and buildings and streets of Dinan. These stones symbolize the very beauty and history of the place.
I got to know the local stone mason and on a whim I painted his portrait on one of the wooden boxes. Ironically, that was the painting ultimately chosen by the committee for their collection.
A huge ‘merci’ to Les Amis de La Grande Vigne and to the late artist Yvonne Jean-Haffen whose generosity and foresight allowed for the establishment of the artist-in-residency program in Dinan. I will be forever grateful. Thank you for a memorable stay in Dinan and to new friendships. Au revoir.
Art and Beyond 