Getting Ready for Les Amies Selection....

DAY 27 – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

Today was an on-and-off rainy day. Lots of “sun showers”. Good day to finish my large “Yellow Cherries” painting. So I worked all day and mid-day we made the decision to return to the fabulous restaurant that we raved about – it is named “Lumachelle” – pizzeria, brasserie with wood burning grill/oven. Just in case you get to Dinan it is located at 80 rue du Petit Fort in Port of Dinan…worth the trouble. We were excited all day and it didn’t disappoint. Next door is “The Cottage” restaurant. Again, tiny, but exceptional food. I had tuna steak and they gave me two huge pieces cooked to perfection. Their béarnaise sauce was a béarnaise butter that melted into the fish – wish I could give you a bite! Delightful!

DAY 28 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

Today is the day the committee is coming to select a piece to put into their permanent collection. (This is our payment for a month of free rent! Sounds fair to me!) Spent the morning cleaning up the studio – you can imagine three weeks of mess. We wrote our artists’ statements about our work and backgrounds and translated into French (via google translate) for the committee.

Several people have asked about the work space and cottage, so here are some photos. It’s small, only two people would be comfortable here. The studio is appx. 12’x12’ with a clean-up sink. There are seven track lights, one big wooden easel, a couple of straight back chairs, two small tables and two comfortable chairs. (We did tell them at the reception it would be really wonderful to provide a folding work table and a desk-type chair on wheels with a comfortable seat and back.) There are two big windows so I imagine in the summer you would keep these open while working (there is no a/c so I am not sure about weather in the summer months). Wall unit heaters in each room that heat quickly. I did enjoy the fresh air with the windows open.


The kitchen is well equipped with pots, pans, plates, glasses, etc. Small undercounter refrigerator (has ice). Double stainless steel sink, electric stove and oven and a microwave (which we never mastered other than 30 second express). Also, a bread toaster. Small table with two chairs. It works and easy to use.


The bathroom is the oddest part. It has a full bath, but parts on two floors. The first floor had a toilet and odd tub/shower combination. The tub is two levels for sitting with a deeper level for standing for a hand-held shower. The sink and bidet are on the second floor inside one of the bedrooms. So it takes some planning.


One bedroom is larger with a double bed and the second is smaller with a three-quarter bed - comfortable enough and have useable linens.


Les Amies du Grande Vigne arrive…


Promptly at 6pm, the selections committee came – four people. We had met the ladies previously and they are charming. One speaks English and helps with the translation, but glad we printed up the statements as it helped with the explanations. After spending time looking and discussing between themselves, they asked questions about the pieces and took my picture with the artichoke and yellow cherries paintings. This made me happy as I was hoping they would chose a large one so I didn’t have to worry about getting them home. They selected the “Breton Grand Artichaut”. (It’s funny because Art, my hubby, said he bet they didn’t have a giant artichoke in their collection.)



Val de Rance Pitchen & Teacup - appx. 8x10 - acrylic



Mon Amie - 12x12 - Acrylic
Heart Tomatoes - 20x20 - Acrylic

Breton Ice Tea Glass - 6x12 - Acrylic
French Peach - 6x6 - Acrylic

French Maribella Yellow Cherries
30x30 - acrylic

Paris Olives - 12x12 - Oil/
Creme Brulee  - 8x8 - Acrylic

Breton Grand Artichaut - 28x28 - Acrylic


 

They had a harder time selecting one of Chris’ drawings…they all are so great I knew they would. They selected one that had the keys to the cottage and other items relating to the cottage and Dinan. It is a wonderful drawing. We are going to find a place to scan it so Chris will have a copy.

Chris' Reflections of Dinan

The reception went well with lots of hugs and requests that we spread the word to other artists. The only publicity they do is through the artists, so I am spreading the word and if you are interested or need information, please let me know. The deadline for your information must be to them by November 1st for the next year. You can request the month you would like to come, but there is no guarantee and they will give you a time when you are accepted. I was happy with September, so I didn’t try to change, but I am sure they would be flexible if there was a way to make a change. If you have the time and desire, it is a life memorable experience.






DAY 29, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2010


We had a small open house to show our work since it was up. We had made postcards for the museum and gave some out to people we had met. A few people showed up. Nice to be part of the community. Everyone knows where La Vignette is located and most know that artists live here.


Took a walk back to the village and stopped in the shops. Many of the owners are getting to know us. It is a small town and if you are here for any length of time, they become more familiar with you.