My great-grandfather was an observer who enjoyed watching all forms of life unravel and move around him.
One of his greatest pleasure was to "record" what he had seen either by drawing or painting it.

I've never quite known his true motive in doing so - or the motive of any painter for that matter - as this artistic side of him has unfortunately not been passed on to me.

Is it done on a personal level? Just for the joy that it provides?
Is it calming to paint/draw?
Does one paint with a goal in mind? A need for improving a skill? Recording purposes - for future generations to see...?

If there are any artists out there, I'd love to know why/what makes you "create".

My great-grandfather, Robert, was a fine cook and often went to the market himself to shop. The village center was to him, a great source of inspiration. He would visually record the haberdasher's display at the fabric shop, with its scattered boxes filled with ribbons and buttons; the forestry guard and the man waiting for the bus or the young woman talking to her neighbor, baguette in hand.
He would keep these scenes in mind, scribbling it on his notebook as soon as he got home and amusing himself with his sketches.

The drawings and paintings that follow reflect in three different categories the style of his works.

Drawings

These drawings were quickly scribbled on a sketchbook. My great-grandfather was trying to capture the movement in the instant it happened, not necessarily in details but in general accuracy.

Here we see a market stall. Children's clothing on hangers and open cardboard boxes invade the stand. Two women seem to be looking for something while another stands aside.

A young woman has just bought a baguette and is carrying it home. She stops to chat with an elderly man sitting in a low chair or on a staircase. The raised left foot of the old man provides movement to the scene, as if he were about to stand up.
He could also very well be a fisherman. Maybe both of these people were drawn on two different occasions. Who knows...

We see from the back a person who allows us to think that he is a "gendarme" (french policeman) because he wears the cap of this profession. His head turned to the left and hands crossed in his back give him the attitude of an observer.
The other man, smoking a cigarette, looks absorbed. He stands, leaning on his cane, holding what looks to be his pocket watch.

Watercolours

Bridges

"Pont de la Genise" bridge in Chalon-sur-Saone.
On the river bank, 3 people take a rest on a bench to enjoy the lovely Spring weather

Stone bridge over the river "Grosne" - 1963
In the background is a village and behind it, the mountains/hills of the Maconnais region

Little stone bridge over the river "Grison", in the village of Nanceau - 1978

Oil on canvas

Burial ceremony and old stone bridge on the river "Grosne" - 1962
Hearse pulled by a horse preceded by the priest and altar boy carrying the cross.
The family follows close behind and the people of the village walk ahead. The religious tradition is for the procession to walk slowly from the deceased's house to the church, then from the church to the cemetery. Flowers wreaths are hung on the hearse. The undertaker dressed in black leads slowly and, apart from the horse's steps, silence is king.

All the paintings, drawings and watercolors of this series were made by my great-grandfather, Robert - seen here with my aunt and mom.

A big thank you to my mom who often tells me the stories of her grandfather and the people of his village (which is now also hers) who, by sharing their memories of yesteryear, help me to describe his life through his paintings.

Don't hesitate to leave comments, ask questions, and share your ideas - I love to hear from all of you.

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