On Sunday l joined a mass of painters at hippodrome de Saint-Cloud for an art competition.
I’m crazy for the elegant, mystery Equestrian woman who prances out and inaugurates every race track.
I decided to paint her…on a Saint-Cloud racing sheet.
Darling, patient SOLLI came along to take pictures 📸 for a bit, even though I was yelling at her, “Not the chin…not the chin!” 🙄 Haha I was nervous as a cat
Other painters were working much bigger of course.
Other painters had assigned #number tags which I missed out getting, since I arrived at 2:00 when the first race started. Not as requested at 9:00 am 😬 It was HOT 🥵 on Sunday in the 90s.
I am not telling how many ice creams🍦🍦🍦 I ate.
The assigned painting theme was ‘Dejeuner sur l’herbe’/ Lunch on the grass on Etsy. I spotted an adorable dad and daughter eating sandwiches 🥪 sur l’herbe…
I thought, I better do a back-up and got sketching
I didn't know we were only allowed ONE entry or ‘off with your head’. My first big error (of many others). All paintings had to be completed by 4:30.
A poster in the Metro fed my fantasies of hitting it big. The prize money was quite substantial-1200€, 900€, 600€ for paintings. Winning sketches started at 300€ etc.
Meanwhile the Aga khan Studfarm’s 4-year-old, Calandagan hit it Very big
Winning the Gran Prix de Saint-Cloud🥇 race of around 532.000€! The winner gets to wear a special coat. Calandagan will be No.1 place at the l’Arc de Triomphe race in October, evidently the best starting place in the race Shirley tells me.
The next morning, on Monday all contestants received the RULES of the painting competition:
Only paintings on white surfaces were accepted.
Only ONE entry per contestant
It is forbidden in the racecourse to be inspired by an existing painting, a photo or a book 📕 to realise the work.
How you hang your artwork and its size could disqualify you.
If you did not meet these standards, your artwork was a fake, null and void, a scam.
You must apologize to all the other artists or the consequences will be dire.
Quilty as charged.
I Apologize to everyone 🙏😀
Coming home, the Seine never disappoints ❤️
I love your Saint Cloud Dejeuner sur l’herbe picture! I hope you put this one on Etsy. I swore off getting more pictures because we are between places to live … but ..
ReplyDeleteI Will put it up shortly Margie. WOW! 😀
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ReplyDeleteI love both your paintings Carol and especially adore the dad and daughter eating lunch on the grass. So glad Soli took photos of you painting and it was fun to see the winning paintings as well. We have had hot weather here in the US too. When it gets to 90 degrees I am melting. Thanks as always for sharing your days with us. -Suzanne P.
ReplyDeleteYour entries were wonderful…I’m glad you had two! I wouldn’t have wanted to miss either one of them. Tant pis to the exhibit organizers. They should have sent out the rules BEFORE the event! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteExactly. How were we to know the strict rules? 🤔
DeleteSuperbe!
ReplyDeleteenough with the horses!
ReplyDeleteOh go kick sand in someone else’s sandbox.
DeleteI'll stop quickly skimming through when you're done with the horses
DeleteI can’t wait 🙄
DeleteLove seeing the artist in her natural habitat! Bravo Solli for braving the heat to take photos.
ReplyDeleteThe watercolor of papa & petite fille is darling! And a perfect fit for the shows theme. You should have won! 🥇
THANKS Bonnie ❤️
DeleteRules are meant to be broken. This makes you French.
ReplyDeleteNot so sure. The French have so many règles
DeleteSit behind the bus driver and look at all the rules on bus behavior. WOW
I love the graphics of the racing sheet and the fact that you painted on it. THAT was clever...but I like graphics on paper. Did you place a bet?
ReplyDeleteI love thé graphics of thé colorful jockey’s jackets.
DeleteIt’s clever and a big part of racing - like the mini jockeys on the screen moving up and down to the winning place, like a board game.
I do not know how to bet yet. I had a good idea Calandagan was going to win, but he must have been the favorite and the odds couldn’t have been good. Qui sait. You must bet sounds like 👍
Oh Carol you look lovely! Thank you Solli! Painting on the program was the “brush stroke” of genius! Perhaps those judges should have consulted with your fan club!!! Never apologize my darling, you be YOU! 😘 from 🇨🇦
ReplyDeleteHAPPY CANADA 🇨🇦 DAY Nicole ❤️
DeleteThanks so much 🥰
Your painting was really in a class for itself
ReplyDeleteThe tradition of a woman equestrian riding out first at major Parisian racetracks, especially for the ceremonial parade before races, dates back to the 19th century and is centered on a figure called the “Amazone” (French for “Amazon”). She rides sidesaddle or in a classical seat, impeccably dressed, and leads the field in the pre-race presentation. This tradition is especially famous at Longchamp, Chantilly, and Auteuil racecourses.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for this tradition is partly symbolic and ceremonial:
Elegance and prestige: The presence of a well-dressed female rider evokes the aristocratic and refined roots of French horse racing, where elegance was as important as the competition itself.
Historical continuity: This tradition recalls a time when women in equestrian circles, especially in France, were seen as icons of style and grace, representing the refinement of the sport.
Visibility and spectacle: The Amazone sets the stage, creating a visually striking opening that signals the beginning of the event and captivates the audience.
So, the woman equestrian isn’t riding in the race, but leads the horses to the start as part of a ceremonial procession that underscores the pageantry and traditions of French racing. Chatgpt
Very original and unique, I'm surprised they didn't award it.
ReplyDeleteYour whimsical take on all things French is refreshing and uplifting.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this and your art on the program is just sooooo wonderful. All those studies contributed to these paintings today, right? I've been hoping you're OK. We hear about the heat wave in Europe. Sketchbook W.
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