Art Life

July 6 - 9 update

2005-07-10T02:20:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 6:
Last night I didn’t arrive back in Aubeterre until near midnight. During this time of year the sky remains light until near eleven. Peter had given me feed back on five paintings during the morning but it was too late to work on them as I was overdue for a normal night of sleep. I have a full day to work on Thursday.
Wednesday was Peter’s tennis day so I didn’t need to arrive until the 1: PM lunch. I spent the morning catching up on my reading (Peter had given me a number of art related items) and writing out a list of questions to ask on our last meeting together. I also allowed some time to stop for photos on the way to Pete’s house. I knew I would later regret it if I did not take them while I had the chance. When I arrived at the Evan’s house lunch was just being served; chic pea fritters, a cucumber salad, a tomato salad, bread and sparkling water.
After lunch we went through, almost page by page, a large book of a collection of painters and sculptors, giving our various opinions and reflections on each. Using the notebook computer, I then took the opportunity to share with Pete and Kate photos of both my family and my previous work. Following that, I asked Pete a series of prepared questions designed to better define him and his work. The complete interview will be part of my report to the Whiting Foundation:
Because it was our last day working together, and because the light was much improved from the first time we attempted it, we decided to take another photo gathering ride in the country. As I had expressed an interest in Gif’s (Andrew Gifford) painting, Pete called ahead and arranged for us to stop by for a studio visit. When we arrived, Gif was hard at work in his converted stone barn studio, pallete/putty knife in his hand. He had just finished mixing and adding a patch of lemony yellow oil paint to a spot that would represent a bright light in a London night scene. This was part of a large nine panel painting he was working on. Introductions were made as we walked around and had a look at the work he was preparing for a dealer that was expected in two weeks time. He briefly described some of his techniques, and mentioned one which he was borrowing from Peter. We talked about stages of paintings being finished. We also discussed the term "subjective realism" which an acquaintance of his who had earlier been by the studio used to define Gif’s work. He had even scribbled the term on a scrap piece of board Gif had been using as a view finder. Peter had noticed it, and told Gif about our own discussions on various types of realism. He asked me about my work, to which I answered "I have explored a lot of different directions and I am in the process of deciding where to go next." I told him I studied at U.C. Berkeley and was influenced by the Bay Area figurative painters, naming many of those who had taught there. Not surprisingly he knew and admired the work of Richard Diebenkorn, which in my mind provided an interesting and very relevant common denominator between Peter, Gif & myself. Knowing he was in the middle of his work, we left him to it, saying hello to his wife, son and a few other folks on the way out.
Back at Pete’s, I was offered a beer and a game of petonque, or boule as it is more commonly known. It is the French version of Bocce, played with what looks like ball bearings the size of tennis balls. I had noticed that his driveway was the perfect surface for the game and I had seen the balls and rustic score board during my daily visits. As I very rarely played the game, Pete must have been surprised when I jumped out to a 9-4 advantage in the first game. That was a far as I would go as he came back and beat me 13-9. In the second game I almost got skunked before making a late come-back of my own, eventually falling 13-10. In the end I received a lesson in petonque as well as in hyper realist painting tecniques.

Thursday, July 7:
Here was a day for me to finally work on my own and attempt to pull it all together in terms of finishing what I started. That is what I did, pacing myself throughout the day, and producing a new painting as well - " Le Joueur Pentonque." In the end, I produced eight paintings, eight drawings, several small sketches, took many photos, and shot some video of the experience (with Ali’s help). I worked from a variety of image sources including: photos, slides, computer screens, pencil sketches and from life. I did not feel guilty about using any of them, and felt that while some of the sources had certain advantages over the others in producing different end results, none of them was any "better" then the rest. Further, I would add that none should be considered a form of cheating in the pursuit of producing fine art images.
My final dinner was at Passé Simple, where I had a plate of Fettuccini covered with shrimp, garlic, olive oil, and sautéed carrots, tiramisu and a fine rose wine from province. I returned to the studio, starting a painting of Aubeterre square, but was unable to finish it. I started organizing and cleaning around midnight and retired at around 1:30 AM.

Friday, July 8:
I spent the morning packing and cleaning, pausing briefly to take tea with Caroline who dropped by around 10:30. I was also reflecting on what a wonderful and productive experience the research fellowship had been. The words "research fellowship" now have real, true and lasting meaning for me in my life. I am extremely grateful to Marion and Jasper Whiting for having had the vision to make opportunities like this available and to the Bridgewater State College Grant Office for being such a help when applying for grants like these. I felt good about the things I learned, the paintings I produced, the connections I made or maintained, and the use of my time in gathering valuable information and experiences that I would be able to share with my students in the near future.
After finishing my cleaning and packing I finally loaded the "Partner" and pulled out of Aubeterre around 1: PM. I was sorry not to be able to connect with Dr. Petite, owner of the Papillion museum in Aubeterre before leaving. He had asked me to come by and collect a mounted specimen he wanted to give to my older son for his collection. I guess it’ll have to wait until next year.
On the way home I stopped in Pons to pick up a lost pair of sunglasses. These are a set of Ray Ban shades that have a story and a life of their own. They are also the best pair of eye wear I have ever owned. Their story continues and I expect to reunite with them back in the states. While in Pons I noticed they were conducting an archeological dig in this medieval town. The Don Jon here I am told was used as the model for the one seen in Shrek 2.
I arrived in LaRochelle just in time to see my dentist for an annual check up and cleaning. A more talented and pleasant dentist I have never met. On short notice he made room to see the whole family at a fraction of the cost one would pay in the states.
Our annual summer get together in LaRochelle is Sunday night. We head back on Monday with stop overs in Paris and Ireland.
This blog site was an experiment in helping me document the research fellowship I was working on as well as a chance to learn about the technology of blogging and to become more familiar with the use of a notebook computer. I want to thank everyone who took the time to view it. I would appreciate any feed back you would like to offer as this was my first experience combining all these elements as a tool for communication and exchange. I wish you all a fantastic summer!

Pete & Gif

2005-07-10T02:18:00.000-07:00

gif&pete
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Two great painters whatever the ism may be.

fivetrees

2005-07-10T02:17:00.000-07:00

fivetrees
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

RussianRelations

2005-07-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

RussianRelations
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

KC and NF really get along speaking their own language.

PeteDanBoule

2005-07-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

PeteDanBoule
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

phillipecrafts

2005-07-09T07:41:00.001-07:00

phillipecrafts
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

He makes wonderful wooden crafts in Aubeterre.

pete&kate

2005-07-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

pete&kate
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Looking at Pete's recent sketches.

AubeterreAbstract

2005-07-09T07:38:00.001-07:00

AubeterreAbstract
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

LeJoueurPentonque

2005-07-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

LeJoueurPentonque
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

turnasolchamp

2005-07-09T07:37:00.001-07:00

turnasolchamp
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

workingAubeterre

2005-07-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

workingAubeterre
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

My one room apartment in Aubeterre.

sunriseAubeterre

2005-07-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

sunriseAubeterre
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

brushpainting

2005-07-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

brushpainting
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

This was painted from life in Peter's Studio in two sittings.

sunflowerroad

2005-07-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

sunflowerroad
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Monday -Tuesday July 4-5

2005-07-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 4:
I returned here to Aubeterre last night around 9:30, made a light dinner, and began work in the studio. After reviewing subject matter and materials, I began work on two separate canvases, and stretched two more. I retired to my room at 3:30AM. It is 11: AM now and I have the rest of the day to work on my own.

Tuesday, July 5:
Here we are in Caroline’s Kitchen. She and her husband Dan Evans have invited me for dinner. We are sitting in their new temporary kitchen that just got electricity for the first time today. I finished my second painting done in Pete’s studio and then we went for a drive in the surrounding countryside, taking photos and almost visiting Andrew Gifford’s studio. Andrew Gifford is a very good painter from England who has his studio here. Dan makes all his frames and supports as he does for his father. Tomorrow is my last day with Peter. I then have one free day in which I expect to be painting on my own, enjoying the studio space, and the peace and quiet that goes with it before I return to the “real world.” Overall the whole experience has been hugely successful in a number ways. I have learned a great deal about realist painting, English art, Acrylic painting, running an art business, and quite a lot about Blogging as well. We are eating now so I’ll sign off and upload from Caroline’s dial up line after dinner… if it works.

The next few days

2005-07-03T06:48:00.000-07:00

I returned to LaRochelle for the weekend to recharge my batterries, wash cloths, see the family, etc. I return to Aubeterre in a few hours to finish the work. Luic, from the internet cafe however will be closed for the week to go to a training of his own. He informed me of another provider in the city of Chalais, ten minutes away, so I may go over to do a posting some time during the week. My priority is to paint and document the experience, so we will see how much time I have. It was great to be with the boys and CC for the weekend. KC seems to really miss me when I am away and I him. The LaRochelle farmers market may have provided enough photos this morning for a series of paintings. That is it for now.

bread

2005-07-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

bread
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

tomat

2005-07-03T06:45:00.001-07:00

tomat
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

fishmarket3

2005-07-03T06:45:00.000-07:00

fishmarket3
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Interesting story how the St. Pierre fish got its name. Each fish bares the thunb print of St. Peter.

fishmarket2

2005-07-03T06:43:00.001-07:00

fishmarket2
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

fishmarket

2005-07-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

fishmarket
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Christine was collecting the ingrediants for a Bouillabaisse.

austinsplash

2005-07-03T06:41:00.001-07:00

austinsplash
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

barbie

2005-07-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

barbie
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

sophieeating

2005-07-03T06:40:00.002-07:00

sophieeating
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

tourDLaRochelle

2005-07-03T06:40:00.001-07:00

tourDLaRochelle
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

plageLaRochelle

2005-07-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

plageLaRochelle
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

salut to the sun

2005-07-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

salut to the sun
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

eightTrees

2005-07-03T06:38:00.001-07:00

eightTrees
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

caroline'sruin2

2005-07-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

caroline'sruin2
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

The Past Two Days

2005-07-02T03:32:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 30:
After dining at Hotel d’France for the second night in a row, (confit d’canard, pomme frits, house red, apple crumble and a café) I returned to my garage studio and worked until 1:30. One false start got scrapped after an hour and a half, but I was able to get a good start on a nice little horizontal canvas. The subject is that stand of eight trees that I sketched and photographed earlier. This was the first time I had used the notebook computer as a photographic source to paint directly from. I had the pencil sketch set up as a reference source as well. Overall it was a very satisfying and useful way to paint what I was after.
Alison arrived on schedule this morning and we had a chance to go over the project as well as the “how tos” of the camcorder before heading over to the Evans studio. It was great having her along. Knowing the video gathering responsibilities were in capable hands, I could focus on interacting with Peter, and finishing my painting. She did a great job, shooting some good footage in the studio and on a little sketching expedition we went on in the afternoon. The drive took us into Vertiac where we visited a little gallery/café run by an American expat and her partner. We also visited Dan Evans, Peter’s son who with his lovely wife Caroline is restoring a “relic” farm house where they soon will live.

Friday July 1:
Yesterday was extremely productive, and gave me the feeling of getting over the hump of this learning / doing/ documenting experience. Not only was Alison a great help in the documenting department, but Peter and I got out and did some sketching together, I even finished my first super real painting using the “Evans Method.” By the time we left Peter’s it was raining. When we returned to my apartment we took a little time to exchange photos using the notebook computer. Alison left at 7:30, which is the same time the internet café in this little village opens. The trouble is it closes again at 8:30, so I had a short window to write, edit photos and upload to Flickr, and my blog. This is not much time considering the kind of days I have been working, not to mention that I have been painting in my own studio until 2:AM most nights. SO, PLEASE PARDON ANY TYPOS or other writing errors and regard this daily journal of notes as only that. I promise to do some real editing before putting together any kind of real presentation. Anyway, after I left the internet guy,( Luic is his name, and he is a very nice chap who even offered me coffee the other day before lunch) I went down to the square to try and get some supper. Here I ran into another painter friend, Peter Archer, his wife Karen and a dozen or so other folks who were just spilling out of a vernisage (opening reception) for the new offices of Mariet and Robbies’ real estate business. Everyone was looking for a place to eat, and for some it seemed, a place to continue drinking as well. I jumped in the car with Peter and Karen as we all headed down to the beach restaurant. When we got there we discovered they were no longer serving dinner, so everyone raced back up the hill to convince someone at Hotel de France to feed this hungry mob. They agreed and we took up the whole dining room on the second floor. I sat next to Peter and amidst the hustle and bustle of the three hours to follow, which included food, wine, music, loud voices in several languages, cigarette smoke, batches of kids, dogs, cats winks, nods and sputters, we had a wonderful conversation about the painting of pictures. I wish it could have been recorded, because in the words most often used by Peter Evans, “It was all there.” I left sometime after midnight, when downstairs at the bar things were just getting going. Before I could get through the crowd, I felt someone tugging from behind at the Robert Bechtal Photo Realism catalog I had been carrying under my arm. I turned to see an attractive, slightly inebriated twentysomething women beckoning to look through the book. After twenty minutes of looking she had not said a word in response to anything I said and I realized she was French. I also realized I was not going to get any more painting done this day.
On Friday, I woke up and did my Salute to the sun morning exercises on the view place, when I realized it might be the perfect spot to do one of my shadow paintings. I am still working out the details on doing this before I leave. The rest of the day was business as usual and I headed to Peter’s on schedule. The only problem was that the day was even more beautiful that normal, due in part to the recent rains I imagine. The light was crisp and the colors vivid. I had to stop a few times on the way. More later… I did end up starting a new painting, a still life from life, Paint brushes in a vase. I will keep you posted on the progress.

dailyBread2

2005-07-02T03:30:00.002-07:00

dailyBread2
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

newpainting2

2005-07-02T03:30:00.001-07:00

newpainting2
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

lunch2

2005-07-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

lunch2
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

newpainting1

2005-07-02T03:29:00.000-07:00

newpainting1
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

bread2go

2005-06-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

bread2go
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Guess which country I am in?

danstage3

2005-06-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

danstage3
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

stage4

2005-06-30T11:16:00.001-07:00

stage4
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

That's a realist wrap for this expressive painter.

stage2smll

2005-06-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

stage2smll
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Aubeterreview

2005-06-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Aubeterreview
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

view from my window

Wednesday, June 29:

2005-06-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

Peter and I each took the morning off today, him to play tennis, me to catch up on book keeping, and other errands. We met at his house for lunch and I worked on my still life with stones for most of the rest of the day. We did pause after lunch to go through a large painting text book, page by page sharing what we knew about the painters and paintings presented. At one point he pulled out another book, California Painters. I own the same book and was able to share personal stories about several of the painters in the book as many of them were my teachers while I was at UCBerkeley in the late 80s.
Tomorrow, my friend Alison, who lives nearby in Pons has offered to come for the day and help me document my learning experience with Peter. She is a talented amateur photographer, a super blogger, and she has experience in video. I am looking forward to collaborating with her and just hanging out.

2005-06-29T03:07:00.000-07:00

Working with Peter Evans, Photorealist Painter, June 27, 2006 – July 8, 2006

Objectives:
1. Gain a better understanding of the historic perspective of (photo) realist painting in both Great Britain and other parts of the world.
2. Gain a better understanding of Peter Evans’s perspective of photorealist painting.
3. Gain a better understanding of the working methods of photorealist painting, specifically those of Peter Evans.
4. Practice methods of photorealism, (or Peter Evans method of realism). Produce some examples of photorealism and integrate methods into my own personal painting language.
5. Integrate acquired knowledge and information into the classroom

Sunday, June 26:
11:56 PM -- I just arrived in Abutters, France, after driving down from my belle mare’s (mother-in-law’s) house in LaRochelle. I am at the studio apartment where I will be staying for the duration of this 10 day fellowship project. All is going as planned to this point. The “Partner,” (my rented vehicle) was fully loaded with supplies for both the painting and the painter. Because I arrived so late I was able to pull right up to the door and quickly unload, a feat that is difficult during the day due to the steep incline the and the narrowness of the street. I meet tomorrow with Mr. Peter Evans to layout the specifics for the rest of our time together. I am looking forward to getting on with both the business of documenting the work of Mr. Evans and to getting to work with him for the benefit of my own knowledge and work.

Monday, June 27:
Orientation meeting, 10:AM
I arrived at Peter’s house and studio at just after 10:00 AM, having taken only one wrong turn on the way. Peter lives about a half hour from Aubeterre, the village where I am staying. On a bright sunny morning in June the scenery on the way to his house can only be described as breathtakingly beautiful. Picture a rolling tapestry of colorful fields with the occasional red tiled roof farm building off in the distance. I could have easily stopped a half dozen times along the way and been very content to paint there for the rest of the morning. But knowing Peter was waiting I continued on. Our first day went splendidly. Peter had created a space in his studio gallery, for me to work in and he helped me carry in my supplies from the car. We then proceeded to lay out the objectives and parameters for my ten day painting lesson. It was decided that in addition to daily discussions, sketching and photo taking field trips, I would learn the Peter Evans method of strong studio realism by choosing one of his photographs and attempting to paint it as he would. If you have ever seen the work of Mr. Evans you know that this is an intimidating assignment, especially when you are surrounded by a gallery full of this master of realism’s best work. On this first meeting we also spent time discussing a variety of realist painters and what the definition of photorealism is. Both of us brought books on the subject to share with each other and ended up concluding that despite the fact that most of his images are taken from photographs his style is better described as “strong realism, ” as described by his British art dealer, John Davies in a recent catalog. The key difference is that in true photorealism the photo and its photographic qualities play an essential aesthetic role in the final work. Peter is not interested in having his work look like a photo but rather he wants his images to look like what they are, in an almost tromp l’oie way. We will be meeting from 10:00AM to 6:00PM all this week and three days next week. In addition, I will be working independently in my Aubeterre studio while attempting to keep up with this log and get it uploaded at a local internet café.

Tuesday, June 28:
After returning from Peter’s last night I went down to the river for a swim. It was 8:30 and still in the 90s. The water was refreshing. Tomorrow I begin bringing my swim suit to Peter’s and join him for his pre-lunch pool swim. At my apartment, I began work in the garage studio and stayed up until midnight, working through an incredible thunder storm that knocked the power off twice. I completed two medium size drawings using slides as a drawing aid. This morning I got up and out early and stopped on the way to complete a small sketch of eight trees on the way to Peter’s. Once there I got straight to work on the painting I started Monday, a small square realist depiction of several small stones, a paint brush, some rusty objects, and distressed wood. As a jigsaw puzzle it would be difficult, trying to paint it as Peter would is probably going to be maddening. My only hope is that it inspires me in the rest of my work by making everything else seem easy.

2005-06-29T02:56:00.000-07:00

This life as an Art hermit is so far agreeing with me, except for the fact I have to deal with all the details, technology, etc. of documenting. Left brain, right brain, left brain, right brain, it is enough to wear a person out. From now on I am going to concentrate more on the visual work and after posting these initial notes I will be postin mostly images. That's all for now.

Ellen

2005-06-29T02:39:00.000-07:00

Ellen
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

seveneighths

2005-06-29T02:38:00.001-07:00

seveneighths
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

sketch2htelFrance6-28

2005-06-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

sketch2htelFrance6-28
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

8Treesphoto

2005-06-29T02:37:00.001-07:00

8Treesphoto
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

sketch 8Trees 6-28

2005-06-29T02:37:00.000-07:00

sketch 8Trees 6-28
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Peter Evans

2005-06-29T02:36:00.000-07:00

Peter Evans
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Ali

2005-06-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Ali
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

CCPool

2005-06-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

CCPool
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

pootime

2005-06-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

pootime
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

Peter's studiohouse

2005-06-28T11:37:00.001-07:00

Peter's studiohouse
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

first day project

2005-06-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

first day project
Originally uploaded by DCooneyArt2.

VinX Art

2005-06-25T05:36:00.000-07:00

An art assembedge seen at one of the booths in VinExpo.

Market time

2005-06-25T05:34:00.001-07:00

Picking Cherries

2005-06-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

AC and KC pickin' cherries on their first day at Kicole's house.

K and Me

2005-06-23T14:50:00.001-07:00

drawing K

2005-06-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Blogging at VinExpo

2005-06-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Brenda

2005-06-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

Visiting John and Brenda was a wonderful bonus to our Irish adventure. Brenda made her famous sandwiches, and we hoisted a few pints with their friends at the Abbey, where we also stayed for two nights.

Reflecting on VinExpo

2005-06-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

IrishWaterWheel

2005-06-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

Across the road is the site of Cooney Cemetery. The last time I saw it was in 1989. Someone has started to restore the property and it looks good. Ireland is undergoing a major transformation at the moment. I hope it all turns out for the better.

VinX Map

2005-06-23T03:08:00.001-07:00

VinExpo

2005-06-22T02:32:00.000-07:00

Here I am at VinExpo in Bordeaux, France. Held every two years, this is the largest wine and spirit exhibition in the world. Chritine and I have not missed one in the past fifteen or so years. I am actually set up with my notebook computer using a free wireless service at the Pess Center in the middle of hall 3. Hall 3 measures a quarter of a mile long. This is where deals get made and trends in the drinks industry get started. I will upload a few photos later, but we have to go now...

cliffhouseobscura

2005-06-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

My favorite house size camera.

First Time Nothing to Lose

2005-06-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Here I am creating my first Blog with the help of mon ami Philippe. I hope to be making postings from the road in Ireland and France over the next few weeks. I can't wait to share this with Ali just to see what she thinks.