This painting was commissioned 2 years ago… and delivered in Paris just 2 days before lock down. This is how I could escape to the island of Noirmoutier just in time, instead of going back to my Amsterdam studio. I had just one day left to walk on this beach before all access were banned for long weeks.
I have painted this subject 3 times in 10 years. I love this view that reminds me sailing sessions in those days of perfect quiet weather when we can sail by high tide so close to the rocks. The painting was a gift to a very nice person, who happens to own the nicest cabin of this beach.
There are 2 great joys in my life as an artist: the creative process by itself, and the connections triggered by the result of it. Once upon a time, there was a Catalan art lover who used to follow my work and chat through Instagram. Her Canadian New-Brunswicker lover, who happens to work in Amsterdam, started asking if there would be a way, by any chance, to celebrate their anniversary with a portrait of his soul mate. A first secret meeting with him takes place in my studio. We browse through available pictures while tasting some goof wine… hoping one of them would be triggering the inspiration. It actually happens with that image. I liked the attitude a lot. The eyes looking down, as if lost in her thoughts. The long hair that doesn’t stop spinning right under the warm Canarian wind. This interesting hand that hesitates between a gesture of control or thinking. Many stories can start from there. 
This one came by surprise. In my mail box. A greetings card sent by my very first collectors. I like the image a lot. Months later, it has become a painting. Not easy to make but I really liked those siblings in single file walking on the pool edge. The reflections and above all the posture of the youngest one in foreground. He creates a story. One can imagine a conversation. I have to thank the parents for letting me paint this first painting of him from the back. Promised: he will have his portrait one day!
“Only love and art make life bearable”. That’s what novelist William Sommerset Maugham thought. We can state in a simpler way that art is good for health: 
Good news for you guys, you can reach that by participating into the auction sales that takes place in Noirmoutier until August 17th, organized by the association La Chaloupe. My painting “l’échouage” (the beaching) won the 
I was so happy when asked to create the poster for the 
