Short Film

Above is the short film of Anne Bachelier demonstrating at the opening of her new exhibition

Here at the gallery.

I have tried many times to show this but with no success

So if this doesn't work it is back to single pictures.

Last weekend we had the pleasure of a visit by the artist

Anne Bachelier

Anne was here to attend the opening of her second exhibition at Imagine Gallery.

She came with the company of her husband, organiser and chauffeur Claude

Who drove them both from the French Alps to our small village in England.

Excluding the time on the cross channel ferry it was a journey of 14 hours.

A sign of true love.

It must have been, as the weekend was the occasion of their 47th wedding anniversary.

Still, what better way to spend it than here in my gallery?

Well, I can think of other more romantic locations

But surely we must be a close second.

Not only did they arrive but we also had a visit from a couple of her good friends.

Her friend Philippe had come with the intention of making a short film of the exhibition.

This he did in his own very unobtrusive, very polite way [a lovely man]

It was to be made even more interesting as Anne had agreed to demonstrate her method of painting.

This she did, and to say that it was fascinating would be something of an understatement. 

I was determined to capture the procedure on camera.

Unfortunately I had many distractions and people to occupy my time so I was unable to record

it from start to finish.

What amazed me was how many times the painting was altered as Anne's idea's progressed.

The painting was not completed while Anne was here, but it was a pleasure to see the progression.

Luckily the process was recorded by Philippe, and today he has sent me a copy.

Unfortunately at the moment it is too large for me to include with this post

But I hope to show it in the next.

Meanwhile.

Here are a few of the snaps of "work in progress".

The painting is still to be finished.

I am sure that it is totally different to anything that she might create in her own studio,

Their she creates without distraction and her idea's are very private

She has spoken in a previous filmed interview that having people watching takes something away

From her art.

This I understand and I am very grateful that she took the time and had the patience

To share a little of her world with the people [and me] who visited.
Thank you Anne.

I have been in the "doldrums" for far too long but now I'm back.

Of course I appreciate that the world has not been waiting with baited breath, but still it bothered me.

The reason I have not been motivated to write is because of the bloody 'Brexit'.

The ramifications of what has happened has had me fixated with changing events and the news 

each day, I have been waiting to learn it was a great mistake.

It wasn't, we did it or half the country did and they have taken the rest of us down with them.

Just days before the referendum the 'Washington Post' predicted that it could not happen

A whole nation cannot be mad! They told us.

Of course the are not subjected to the shit that we are fed by our so called newspapers.

So it happened, and like so many people I have been in a state of shock.

Perhaps for too long.

We have a wonderful exhibition approaching that I have been busy preparing for,

I should be really happy.

I needed to forget what has happened and enjoy life.

So I did.

A few months ago Irene had purchased me a ticket to go and see my favourite band

Tears For Fears

At last the day of the concert arrived, and there I was just ten feet from the stage

With a few beers inside, having the time of my life singing along to every song.

Life was back on track. 

Now, I really am getting excited about our new exhibition.

Excited and nervous.

The artist is Anne Bachelier, one of my biggest art heroines, this is the reason for being nervous.

Although I know I should not worry because Anne would tell me

"I am just an artist".

But, of course it is always harder when you really admire someone.

I am not bothered for myself I just want Anne Bachelier to enjoy the exhibition,

Which of course makes me put unseen pressure upon myself.

To be honest, what can go wrong?

We have some fantastic paintings, drawings and mixed media that has arrived

From her studio in the French Alps.

All I have to do is put it on display.

Of course I can't make it that simple for myself I have to worry about something.

So I have.

First I worried about the frames I was making. Were the y good enough?

Then my design for the invitation! Could it be better?

The printer of the invitation! Is he an idiot?

The advertising! Should it have been more simple?

In what area's should I display the different work, should I keep oil paintings separate from the

mixed media?

Should I create a banner?

The list goes on and on, there is a lot to worry about and all of it in my mind.

At least I don't have to worry about the art, as usual Anne has sent some beautiful work.

This is amazing as she has just opened a major retrospective exhibition of her art at

'Chateau de Lavardens' in the south of France.

There she has managed to fill an entire castle with her paintings.

Yet, she still makes the time to create a new exhibition for us.

I have told her "This is impossible, you are only one women".

But, she lives to paint.

Also she is one of those rare people who delivers what she promises.

So despite the worries that I am still creating for myself I am becoming increasingly excited.

Her paintings all have such a strong narrative, and there is nothing I like more

than reading a story in a painting.

Perhaps this is why in the past she has been asked to illustrate several famous books.

Although I think it would be easy to create a book from just one of her paintings.

Evidence of this is the painting below which is the one I chose for advertising.

So if you would like to see some amazing art and have the opportunity to speak with the artist

This is the place to be in a weeks time.

Of course you can also ask me about Tears For Fears.

Just don't mention 'BREXIT'.