This weightlessness that you feel when you float lying on the surface … Lightness. As installed in a liquid cloud. Relaxation. No muscle in tension. No pressure points.

“Zero Gravity” 2017©antoinerenault. acrylic on canvas 100x70cm

The liquid element compensates for the force of gravity. And this physical balance seems to naturally turn into serenity. The mind clears up. At best it caresses positive thoughts. Thoughts without gravity.

Archimedes theorized the physical explanation: “Any body, wholly or partially immersed in a stationary fluid, is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced”. My father always had a fascination with this phenomenon. And it is undoubtedly by gratitude for his great joys of navigation that he made all his children memorize the formula. Which provided his offspring – moderately equipped for Physics –  a furtive joy at the moment when the subject was finally tackled at school.

Yes.. a bit of an odd title for this picture. I just like the name of the place. Agio Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas) is the small rock at the foot of Oia where a chapel is built.

“Agio Nikolaos” 2017©antoinerenault. Acrylic on canvas 50x70cm

A perfect diving spot: 15′ swim away from the cliff. Next to the chapel is a small shelter in which a fisherman keeps his nets dry. To lay in the sun after swimming with the back resting on the warm lime of this old wall is true luxury. Enjoy the sheer beauty of this incredible site. Think of the evening you’ll spend up there, at the top of the cliff. Rejoice in advance of this breathtaking view which gives a supplement of taste to all the flavors of the upcoming dinner.

To freeze reflections is to catch fugitive forms. They always look alike. And never stop turning into other forms. In an ever-changing unique composition.

I had in mind to paint this image for quite a long time. I asked myself two questions: will I find a way to make the luminosity of this moment? And how will I name this piece? The light finally came. The name is a piece of poem by Louise-Victorinne Ackerman. A French poetess whose name and work I did not know. But I like the music of these words and how they go with this painting.