Dear Friends and Collectors,
I am back in California after a rewarding and productive six-month period in France and Italy.
My solo exhibitions at the English library of Menton and the vineyard L’Aumérade were great experiences and resulted in some sales, including a painting from my time at Bagatelle garden in Paris and another from my Menton residency painted at the very beautiful Serre de la Madone garden. My dealer who works the St. Tropez and Grimaud markets continues to sell my work, including the diptych of Water Lilies, painted at the garden La Mortella on the island of Ischia.
The south of France is one of my favorite places to paint and I completed a beautiful residency at the Villa les Camélias in Cap d’Ail, with four paintings that will be featured in my solo show at the Villa next spring, where I will be showing about 30 paintings from my Mediterranean garden residencies. This is a wonderful opportunity to show a retrospective of work from the past 12 years. I will provide much more publicity. If you are considering a trip to the south of France, this could be a reason to go!
I work with an interesting group of artists called the Orange County Center for Contemporary Artists in Santa Ana that has three simultaneous shows hanging in their fabulous gallery space. I’m in the “Why We Make Art” show that’s up until September 27.
Last weekend, Casa Romantica held its Taste of the Casa gala fundraiser where one of my paintings from my one of my first garden residencies and solo shows in 2012 at the Casa. My piece was in the live auction, a first for me. I’m very glad to support this beautiful and important cultural center here in Southern California.
In late September I will return to Cuernavaca, Mexico to do an important commission of my friend Onagh’s garden. I will send images next time, but if you follow me on IG, you can see the work as it progresses. This is a lush area of Mexico that feels like a paradise and I can’t wait to visit again.
In October, I’ve been invited to speak to the Women Painters West in October about my remarkable journey to paint in some of the most beautiful and storied gardens of the world.
Save the date for December 2-5 where I will once again be teaching a workshop on pastel at the Susi Q Laguna Beach Senior Center. These workshops are well received, well attended and typically sell out. Watch for my notice to sign up if you are interested.
In 2025, I am again invited to teach at Annenberg Sunnylands in early February (sign ups to come at a later date). Then I’ll be back in Europe for three spring garden residencies in Europe: the city of Eze (near Monaco), La Mortella on the island Ischia, and at a private garden in Menton. Together with the show at Villa les Camélias, I would welcome your visit! Watch for dates in my next letter.
Finally, I have planned two epic 2025 trips; one to Cambodia and Vietnam and the other to Tibet, always searching for beauty in nature and in spirit.
Sending my best to you for inspiration,
In Art
Gianne