In July of 2018 I returned to Giverny, France and the home of a beloved artist, Claude Monet. It had been 28 years since my last visit, the time when I stepped over the barrier, sat down on the grass next to the pond, and painted the legendary waterlilies. I didn’t ask permission, I just took out my watercolors and got to work. Last summer, I came a bit more prepared, which was both good and bad. I had my French easel, paint, brushes, and a backpack with my Nikon camera and lenses. Lo and behold I was told I was not allowed to paint during normal business hours, too many people. I was informed that the Foundation had special artist hours from 6pm-8pm, but those must be reserved. The lady at the ticket counter looked into her book and informed me of what I already knew, I did not have a reservation. I had been studying French since 2012 and it had gotten pretty good by this point. The security guard told me, in French, that I should call the Foundation and see what they could do. I did, and to my great fortune, they granted me a reservation for that evening.
I spent that morning photographing for hours the splendor of the waterlilies, then, at 6:00pm I returned to Fondation Claude Monet with just my painting supplies. I can’t even begin to describe the joy I felt. I was the only artist there that evening during artist hours. It was just me and all that beauty (and, well, the grounds person). I spent the next two hours of blissful solitude painting and feeling the resonance of the spirit of Monet.
As I have been working on this new subject/series, I have let the surface of the water, the texture of the waterlilies and the movement of light be my guide. My painting technique has fluctuated a bit as the subject has demanded of me. The natural light, as always, tells the story.
Many thanks to the Fondation for making this dream possible for artists. To open their doors after hours and allow artists the space to work is such an incredible gift. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.