After my last trip to 6 Place Vieille as an artist a painter, I returned to the United States with a few of my paintings. I was heartbroken. All the hard work, investment, inspiration, and hope for the future success of 6 Place Vieille as an artist's gallery had vanished. Two and half years of love and dedication slipped away in a moment with no chance to regain it.
In the months after, several of my friends began suggesting to me that I go back to Nice, France to 6 Place Vieille, and remove the remainder of my artwork from the gallery. The condition of the gallery was deteriorating, and the condition of the artwork left behind may also find itself deteriorated if I did not find it a new home.
One of my friends in Italy empathized with my situation and suggested I look at Italy for a new adventure and maybe even find in Italy a new gallery. A new hope arose in me, and during this time, this painting became the symbol of my strength to recover my artwork and give it a safe place to reside. Whether Italy, or the United States, it did not matter, all my work needed a new home.
I joked with my friends as my day of departure came closer. My artwork- oil paintings and charcoal sketches- are like children left behind locked away in the back of the dark gallery. I could hear them crying (speaking only in French) for their future to once again see the light of day, and most of all, for their safety. There is truly a piece of me with each of them.
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| Sketch 2008 |
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| Unfinished Painting 2008, 30"x40" |
These are images of the painting in 2008 before it was completed. This is another painting that I had stopped work on it uninspired, and returned to work on it with a renewed passion early 2012. I found this unfinished painting in my studio and was inspired by the circle. I wanted a small canvas that I could go back to my roots as a painter and use the palette knife. The final painting was a study that brought to me a new spirit and a new beginning for a new series of my work. Hope had returned to me.
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| remainder of oil paintings and charcoal sketches from Nice |
This is a photograph of the paintings and charcoal sketches that I brought back with me to my home / studio/ gallery in Indianapolis. The story of the mission for their return had many tears and drama. While I was in Italy and in France a passion and urgency filled me, and it became very important to make sure that all my work returned home with me. One painting remained behind, "28 Vallombrose". I could not find a portfolio large enough for me to pack and carry it safely. My dream of working as an artist in Italy is still a beautiful dream, and maybe one day it will be a dream to find fruition. But for now, I am at peace.
In June I had a small private Vernissage open house exhibit in Indianapolis to celebrate the return of the paintings and to tell their story. Slowly I have been able find inspiration and passion from many sources, and I am now realizing that all my energy doesn't come from the Sea. I am continuing to work on series of oil paintings without the Sea, but the Sea is still a big part of me.
