Had to show.

Although we have a new exhibition almost on top of us.

In fact days away 

But I just couldn't resist showing you these new sculptures that arrived a few days ago.

They will not be a feature of the exhibition but they will be on display somewhere in the gallery.

They are by a wonderful French woman named Sandra Courlivant.

I discovered her work by accident,

I was following the progress of an artist that we had shown a long while ago,

he is an English potter who lives and works in France.

I was just wondering if he was going onto the bigger and greater things I felt he was destined for.

He is, I must call him before he becomes too big.

However what really surprised me was that amongst the many French galleries that are exhibiting

his work there was one called Imagine Gallery.

Not us, the French version.

What was even more strange was the fact that their artists were people I would love to show.

None more so than Sandra.

At a glance I fell in love with her sculpture and I understood that I would have no peace

until some of it was on show here in

Imagine Gallery 'Angletaire'. 

   I confess, my "parlez vous" days were left behind long ago in the school classroom,

but there is nothing like desperation to sharpen the memory.

Unfortunately Sandra must have attended the equivalent of my school,

so her English was as good as my French, pretty bad.

But we managed.

It might have been easier if we used 'Skype', then we could have at least used sign language,

although after putting up with a little of my 'Francais'

I'm sure she would have used the international sign language.

One finger.

But we both persevered and I think that we understood from the very first conversation we would

work together at some time.

Since that first day we have spoken many times,

with each correspondence things have progressed a little further, and become more of a reality.

Neither of us has improved our foreign language speaking but it became clear to

us both that the transport was going to be a problem.

In the end Sandra asked would I be prepared to accept just small pieces as she feared that

her larger pieces would not make the journey.

Of course I would, I was desperate to have anything she created.

We agreed that if things worked out with the first pieces that next occasion one of us would make the journey across the channel to ensure the safety of the sculpture,

plus we would be talking about a full exhibition.

Although there could still be problems, because if there is one thing worse than my spoken "French"

it is my ability to drive in a foreign country.

So after our last conversation I was staggered when she wrote to me saying

"the sculptures are on route and here are some pictures of what you will receive,

And if their are breakages please don't stress".

She was sending all of the large fragile pieces that I had yearned for,

the sculpture she was frightened to send

What would happen, would they survive?

Two days later a large truck parked outside the gallery, then the driver proceeded to unload

a VERY large container, so large he couldn't get it inside so it was left outside.

One hour later the gallery was filled with boxes, wrapping, French newspapers, and foam chips.

Plus, of course five beautiful sculptures.

Here they are above.

Her work is so unusual and so innocent.

The sculptures we have are of children, Mongolian children from the Steppes.

I love both them and this wonderful woman who took such a risk for us.

"Merci beaucoup, Sandra".

That's it, I can't speak any more.