Dans l'Atelier - Petit Palais

As soon as the DANS L'ATELIER exhibit opened at Petit Palais back in April I was there.

You have till 18 July to see it. Its surprisingly big and goes back to the 1800s.

I think this is Jeff Koons studio - very orderly. But then he probably has dozens of assistents to tidy up. Wannabe my assistant?

I'm not sure anyone could get in the door at Francis Bacon's famously hellish, messy studio. Even the door had wet paint on it. It's all preserved, every last scrap too. I am definitely in his camp though not equal to. Maybe a 5 where Bacon is a 10++ on the 1-10 messy scale.

Petit Palais even has miniature model ateliers, in case you're clueless what goes where.

In the old days, the 'Oriental' or near East style was in. Think turkish rugs, drapes, two-story high skylights.

Oodles of space. These were not garrets. As I said before my father predicted I would 'end up in a garret with a bunch of cats’ 🐈‍⬛ if I became an artist. Please send cats somebody. I got the rest right.

Picasso's hound quite at home in his atelier.

Back in New York, Bear ran the show. I think I had 4 work areas, all piled high with stuff. I am not a believer in clear space.

In the Chelsea Arts Club a desk is always provided. Every member is an artist so they have to.

My watercolor teacher, David Dewey always said,
'When you travel, the best light is in the bathroom'.
In Maine I got to set up in the bathroom with water and hairdryer closeby. Very convenient.

My hotel bathroom on rue de Seine...terrific light for still life subjects.

My latest Hotel Sphinx bathroom in Montelimar was huge with great light 24 hours but no work table.

Instead the table was secured to the wall. Not the best of situations but you learn to improvise. Note the pillow on the too low chair. Once you get going it all begins to flow and you don't notice the small stuff..

In Aix the setup was perfect. Long table beside a window. Room to spread out and good light.

I did some furniture moving in my Etretat hotel room at La Residence. But I didn't really get painting until the last morning and checkout was at 11 am as it is universally. Tant pi.

This last trip I dove in fast and painted a stack. Someone said I bet you're going to have a watercolor sale soon? Stop reading my mind :) Still some editing to do. Then we'll see.

Back in Paris I've been immersed in les bonbons d'autre fois (old fashion French candy stores). I'm happy to report the JULY Paris confiserie map is mailed out. Hurrah!
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