This has been the same ritual over the last 25 years: those regattas are the hit of summer on my favorite island, Noirmoutier.
Their poster as well. Everyone is waiting for it. Most islanders can’t wait to add it to the 
collection they already have on the walls of their ocean side villa, or on those of their Paris apartment. Quite a few painters I admire have been asked to contribute in the past. I considered it a privilege to be asked to paint this last one.
“En régate au Bois de la chaise” ©AntoineRenault2015 acrylic on canvas
The day I finished “Felicita”, I thought that I would always be able to find this path from now on. This is an image I felt like painting for a while. I chose to keep this piece in my personal collection. A tiny personal milestone.
When Melissa wrote from Calgary, it was for « Felicita »… A series of mails later, I got to know a nice person. She can be as fast having a crush for art… as she is patient with the commission progress. She wants a painting for her sweet home at the foot of Canadian mountains. Something that can remind her of those South American surf spots during the cold snowy evenings in winter. « Felicita » is the perfect choice… except that it is not allowed to escape. Some more weeks sharing pictures, looking for the perfect subject. One finally does the deal. A powerful one. Melissa wants it large.
When I wrote to Sarah, it was for Melissa. 
