Blog

     Thinking back on my various travels throughout Europe and the United States, some of my most treasured memories are of the artist's studios I've visited. It was a dream come true when I was able tour Monet's gardens in Giverny. In 1991, an award from the John F and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship helped fund my trip to Sorolla's home in Madrid. Here in Taos,  every time I visit Nicolai Fechin's home and studio, with it's beautiful hand carved woodwork and furnishings, I'm in awe all over again. There's such a special feeling, such a privilege, to get a feel for the space where an artist did their work and to gain some insight into what inspired their creativity. I expected to be bowled over visiting these places and indeed I was.

     Oddly enough, perhaps my favorite studio visit came about as a complete surprise. I ended up at Atelier de Cezanne more as happenstance, since my aunt and uncle who I was traveling with were insistent on going. Although I've always enjoyed Cezanne's paintings, it's fair to say his work hasn't been one of my primary influences so maybe because of that I didn't have a lot of expectations. The setting for the home in Aix-en-Provence is lovely, unpretentious and quiet. As I recall (this was several decades ago) there were a few people around but not the crowds and lines to get in like one encounters in or near the big cities. Yet, this relatively modest studio made such an indelible impression on me! In retrospect it could have been the authentic messiness of it --- paintings (which were reproductions) leaning against the wall or easel, a shelf of beloved objects that had found their way into his compositions. Even the decaying fruit and vegetables around added to the charm. The apples drying out and shriveling and onions with tall green sprouts and were certainly authentic from my point of view. It very much felt as though Cezanne himself had just stepped out for lunch and would return momentarily. Highly recommended as a memorable place to spend some time if you are ever in the south of France. Or.... thanks to the miracle of the internet, you can take a virtual tour right now! There's plenty more to see of Cezanne's atelier at Youtube, various websites and Google images.