Mardie Rees standing in the Hall of Classical Sculpture, Museé Des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, France - “Hebe and the Eagle of Jupiter” by François Rude
Hello Friends,
I returned home safe from three whole weeks in France this last October!
What began as a trip to attend an artist residency in Chateau D'Orquevaux, turned into a pilgrimage of sorts. It became a pilgrimage to see Saints and Angels all over eastern France. I sought beauty and sculpture in every possible location: churches, art museums, town centers and graveyards. I carried my sketch book and camera everywhere in order to document and memorize everything I saw. I looked for work that moved me to tears and pieces that I would have never thought possible. I felt God's hand guiding me town to town as I sought out the beauty created by sculptors and artisans of the past. Traveling alone allowed me to feel the stillness in a cathedral and the emotion in a piece of carved marble. I could even choose to study an angel in a graveyard all day if I felt inspired.
I then returned home grateful for the opportunity to experience historic art as a veteran sculptor, but I will always feel as a student when witnessing the work of the greats of the past. I am continually inspired and steadfast in my efforts to offer my gifts to the world. I am thankful also for Jeremy's support in holding the fort down with three kids at home and for my Mom's backup support. It is good to be home and surrounded by such love, and back in my studio again.
I hope you enjoy some of the photos from my trip and may they inspire you as well. Remember that art does not happen alone! Art happens with patrons and supporters of the artist as well.
Thank you for being a light in my life and all your encouragement through the years.
P.S. In case you were wondering - I am back at work sculpting Saint Anne in monument size and putting the finishing touches on the maquette of Saint Michael's glass wings.
My studio in Chateau D'Orquevaux Artist Residency
Painting the canal in front of the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam with my longtime friend, Liesbeth Stol
A sketch showing the mastery of Albert Bartholome's work (in Lyon). To say he captures a peoples' mourning viscerally would be an understatement
Captivated by “Monument aux Morts” by Albert Bartholome (1895-1899) at Musee des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, I spent an afternoon sketching this work.
Camlle Caludel Museum in Norgent-sur-Seine. Claudel is one of my favorite sculptors
Dinner in Lyon while making a quick watercolor sketch of La Bisique Norte Dame du Fourviere, on the hill before it got dark.
Nestled inside transept of the 11th-century church of Saint-Etienne in Rue Vaillant of Dijon, I discovered the Musée Rude (François Rude). Seeing a piece included in the Arc de Triomphe in plaster was astounding.
Came across the angel placed upon Lucienne Calmettes tomb (victime de la liberation de Paris) at 22 years old. The cost of Freedom...
The shadow, the sweetness and autumn leaves compelled me to sit down and sketch this piece in watercolor before the light shifted. I spent the whole day discovering the many beautiful sculptures found in Pere Lachaise cemetery, Paris, France.
Creating art with luggage! A suitcase also makes a good seat when you need a lot of time to draw and paint. This angel (Monuments aux mort 2870) in Chaumont, France lifted my heart and gave me wings.
Watercolor painting done while sitting on my suitcase.
A visit with Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux’s “Four Parts of the World Supporting the Heavenly Sphere” - never ceases to inspire me. They spiral around each other while some carry an expression full of emotion- Africa, Asia, America, and Europe. My favorite being Africa represented behind where I am standing. I am standing in the Musee D’Orsay, Paris.
Anatomy sketch in the Louvre. I could have spent weeks doing this!
Sketching in Besancon, France. This piece at Eglise Sainte-Madeleine is something I have never seen in person before. It is so dark I can barely make out what is going on but that is also the allure of it. The yellow and orange lighting draws you in to the sculpture set way high behind the altar.
Quick watercolor sketch of the full moon while standing at the edge of this Langres’ town wall in the dark. I was surprised it turned out because I could not see what I was doing. Langres dates back to 2,000 years ago and existed before Roman Times. Langres, France (the very town my friend Claire Vachez grew up in! - a French exchange student in our family many years ago) The walls date back to the Middle Ages.