Letters from Giverny by Eric Santoli

Letters from Giverny

 by Eric Santoli

 
{Photograph} of Artist Eric Santoli Portray In Monet’s Gardens, Giverny
Picture by M. Jean Gaumy

  We are happy to listen to from artist, Eric Santoli, who’s relishing his three-month residency portray in Monet’s gardens in Giverny and the encircling countryside. Eric reviews to us after his first month on this “Letter from Giverny”. (Artists’ residencies in Monet’s gardens are by invitation solely. There is no such thing as a software process.)

   Pricey Ann and John,

     Hope all is effectively.  I’m writing to you from Giverny and have at present been dwelling and portray as Artist-in-Residence in Claude Monet’s gardens for over a month.

   All the things right here is inspiring and I have been portray almost on a regular basis within the morning and night. The climate has been nice with an occasional storm interlaced. I have been instructed that Normandy has a repute for temperamental climate, however I have been fortunate to date. The sunshine right here may be very clear and I can see why so many painters have been (and are) interested in this space.

Portray within the Clos Normand

Morning Scene     10.5 x 14″     Oil

Morning Scene, The Clos Norman     10 x 14″     Watercolor

   There are two predominant gardens right here at Monet’s property. The primary backyard is The Clos Normand, which has the well-known predominant path with rose arches and all kinds of gorgeous flowers. The opposite backyard is the Water Backyard which comprises Monet’s well-known pond, Japanese bridge and a bamboo grove. The gardens are bigger than I believed they could be and are crammed with so many stunning vegetation and flowers. Once I arrived in Might, I used to be capable of benefit from the irises, which is my favourite flower. The variability and quantity of irises within the backyard was actually beautiful. A pleasant byproduct of being right here is that I am studying lots about horticulture and gardening. The gardeners are very pleasant and I really feel like I am a part of their group.

{Photograph} of the Japanese Bridge in Monet’s Water Backyard

Portray Setup in Monet’s Water Backyard

   Monet’s home itself can also be very inspiring and crammed with attention-grabbing artistic endeavors. A lot of the works on show are prime quality reproductions as a result of unique artistic endeavors could be too helpful and weak—regardless, they nonetheless present a snapshot setting of what it was like when Monet and his household lived within the house. I’ve been significantly influenced by Monet’s giant assortment of Japanese ukiyo-e prints. Monet (and lots of Impressionists) have been very considering Japanese woodblock prints.  I’ve at all times loved Japanese aesthetics and the parallels with Impressionism.

   The countryside round Giverny can also be fairly stunning and hillier than I anticipated it to be. However there may be open pasture and fields surrounding the realm and it makes for a pleasant bicycle journey. Cows, chickens and another animals have been enjoyable to sketch.

My Courtyard in Giverny     10 x 14″     Watercolor

Portray Flower Bins, Giverny

Facet Stairs to Monet’s Home     8.5 x 10.5″     Oil   

   For portray, I work en plein air and have been very busy. Once I first arrived, I used to be portray some smaller works and watercolors, however now I am specializing in some bigger, extra formidable work. Within the night, I stroll by way of the backyard with my sketchbook and consider spots that may be good to color. The gardens are very busy throughout open hours so I am not capable of paint throughout the later morning and afternoon. To work round this, I rise early and catch the morning gentle after which I work once more within the night. The solar units round ten pm so I’ve loads of time within the night. Nevertheless, as most plein air painters know, the sunshine modifications and I solely have a few two-hour window to work inside. For a bigger or extra difficult portray, I return the next day so long as the climate situations are about the identical.

Peonies     10 x 14″     Watercolor

   I am unable to absolutely categorical how grateful I’m to be right here—it is nonetheless very dreamlike and surreal to be standing in Monet’s footsteps, portray these iconic spots. And the portray historical past right here is crammed with so many nice artists, together with considered one of my favorites: John Singer Sargent. Sargent and Monet have been truly good associates.

   I can be right here for 3 months in whole so I’ve much more work to do. I have been maintaining a each day journal and am at present engaged on a memoir which I’ll edit and search to have printed as soon as I am again house in the US. I’m together with photographs of the backyard, countryside round Giverny and a few of my work and drawings. I’ve a Blog page and a Giverny Residency page on my web site the place folks can see extra. I hope they supply inspiration for others and I stay up for sharing extra as I proceed my journey right here in Giverny. 

   Au revoir ,
   Eric

   Learn extra about Giverny’s gardens in two of our different articles:  Inspiration in Monet’s Gardens and The Different Artists of Giverny. Eric guarantees to ship us one other Letter from Giverny later this summer season. Thanks, Eric.

A Letter from Giverny by Artist-in-Residence, Eric Santoli