The Painting is the Subject.

On a hot morning in late August whilst painting the market place of Saint-Pierre-Eglise I met Sophie who works as an 'old peoples home activity organiser' with her crew of residents on a walk-about. Sophie invited me to come and paint in their home - her place of work.  In October and November I spent three afternoons painting in the communal day spaces of 'l'Esperance'.

On the first visit I was shown where that afternoon's activity, which was to make Halloween decorations, would take place.  To settle in I set up my easel tout-suite and got busy painting in the general direction of the afternoon activity.

For my second visit I thought to concentrate on particular portraits.  Later on my first visit there was a card game which would have made a good subject alas not that afternoon.  I saw 3 ladies sitting in arm chairs along the back wall of the room but when I asked if I might paint them they responded uncertainly.  I didn't feel they wanted the attention - but I did get a smile.  The residents were very old and infirm, some with dementia.  I turned my easel around and began to paint in the opposite direction.  This gave the three ladies an easy open view across the picture as I painted it.  The painting immediately became the subject of their attention - more smiles.

I've found the most significant part of painting in public is having people watch you paint.  And in so doing I get to feel their judgement and get a direct sense of their value of the act in relation to the object.

All my paintings in the market place were performed like this.  The painting as the subject.  Value made in the market?

Painting in the everyday like this is seemingly rare... people told me that and watched.  They rarely feel the need to buy the picture yet I sold some but often they ask to take a photograph of me painting. Hence these pictures of me working.  

My 3rd and final visit to the old peoples home was Bingo day.  With the help of local volunteers the game was arranged and prizes announced.  The dining room tables filled with players.  It was nice to see the place filled with a fizzy energy although the layout meant I couldn't paint the game in light and have my canvas on show as I worked.  But at games end upon request I did rotate the picture to the assembly and was pleased to get an impromptu round of applause.  Bingo! (I forgot my detail brushes so the painting was kind of chunky).