One thing is certain, the group of about ten women – only two of whom are still actively working – are not short on activities, especially those offered by the Saint-Laurent University for All.
But watercolor painting is conducted privately by a regular attendee who graduated from the Fine Arts – Madeleine Le Dervouët, at her home in Saint-Laurent du Var. After a first group exhibition in Saint-Jeannet in 2004, here again are the ten enthusiasts of this painting approach, this time in their own land of Saint-Laurent.
Just a short week for an exhibition of more than a hundred watercolors of all sizes, which takes place at the Club House of the port, right below the gas station.
The prevailing conviviality
During the opening, the room was almost too small to accommodate the crowd of acquaintances who came to greet their friends but also to appreciate the completed work.
However, as with all artists who exhibit, there is also an attempt to sell some works, if only to buy more raw materials and offset the expense of occupying the space (several hundred euros for the week) and to provide for the opening cocktail. On this aspect too, conviviality predominates, most of the “savory and sweet” coming from the artists themselves, working tirelessly as it were.
It was also noted that some had portfolios to complement their exhibits, others had catalogues created online, but the “palm” goes to Chantal Le Vot’s space during this opening. Not only were frames hung at the end of the wall dividers, the smallest watercolors placed on mini easels arranged on a table, and other boards aligned in a large magazine rack, but the surprise was to discover some copies of her collection of poems “L’amour câlin” (Cuddly Love) from a mother to her daughter, released in 1989, just twenty years ago!
No new talents to discover in this fleeting exhibition, no large amounts – unless a highly unlikely miracle occurs – to be expected from the sale of a watercolor. We are light years away from the €32,000 spent on the sale of two paintings created in 1914 by Adolf Hitler, sold a few days ago in Nuremberg. Yet the subjects are not far apart. But here, there is no tension. Buyers and artists are clearly visible and known; it’s just for the pleasure of meeting and perhaps discovering an aspect of someone’s personality in a relaxed and free atmosphere.
The present artists:
Michèle André, Giselle Cane, Michèle Daumas, Denise Froment, Brigitte Laurent, Madeleine Le Dervouët, Chantal Le Vot, Martine Moreau, Andrée Nourdin, and Marie-Josée Vautrin.
[Exhibition until April 30, 2009]
Club House of the Saint-Laurent du Var port (under the gas station)
Open from 11 am to 7 pm / Free entry.
