Cheryl Fortier in Residence at VCCA, Mt. San Angelo

VCCA Fellow and Resident Director of the Moulin à Nef in Auvillar, Cheryl Fortier just completed five weeks at Mt. San Angelo. Cheryl is known for her love of nature and her evocative and poetic paintings of water. In these works, Cheryl deftly conveys the way water looks in its myriad states, while masterfully capturing its elemental wateriness.

While at VCCA, Cheryl found herself moving away from water for the most part, painting a striking series of interior views of other Fellows' studios after they'd been vacated. Not surprisingly, the paintings all have a watery quality. This is particularly noticeable in the view of a desk before a window, where sprightly brushstrokes and the play of light and shadow on the floor seem to suggest a limpid pool.

Part of the works’ appeal is their large scale and the scaled down compositions which allow us to focus on color and technique and to admire wonderful little passages: a pair of rubber gloves, eyeglasses on a shelf, paint splatters on a sink rim, a flowering sprig in a glass. These lovely quotidian vignettes enliven the paintings without detracting from the overall contemplative mood.  

Cheryl also worked on several boat paintings, which may or may not be included in her 21 Boats project; she was unsure how these recent pieces would work with what she had already completed. Cheryl returned to Vancouver where she lives when not at her post at the Moulin à Nef. She and her husband, John Alexander, will be heading to France in May.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Guest Blogger: C.M. Mayo

Image
From Fellow C.M. Mayo : In the years of writing, researching, and revising my novel, T he Last Prince of the Mexican Empire (Unbridled Books, May 5, 2009), I enjoyed several  intensely productive stays at VCCA. A few sparkles:   In the corn crib studio: Drafting General Achille Bazaine's flashback scenes of 1850s Algeria, Arab music on the CD player, snow falling on the skylight. At dinner: Chatting with novelist Josephine Humphreys about archives and the influence of the dead. By the fireplace in the living room : Reading these same pages with Peter Behrens ,  reading from his novel then in-progress, The Law of Dream s. Eating potato chips with poets Sandra Beasley and Alfred Corn . Trying not to be embarrassed when Alfred (bless him) corrected my French pronunciation.   In Sweet Briar's Library : After checking e-mail, reading Virgil. Rectangles of autumn light falling on the old tables.   One sunny afternoon outside my studio by the barn:  Finding Peter Behrens,
Read more

VCCA and Sweet Briar College Enter Long-Range Planning Process

Image
After decades of informal discussions, VCCA and Sweet Briar College have decided to study the various possibilities of a permanent home for VCCA. VCCA has been leasing Mt. San Angelo from Sweet Briar since 1977. Both institutions have agreed to actively pursue a long-term solution to the current annual lease renewals. The timing is mutually beneficial in that VCCA is embarking on a new Strategic Plan, while Sweet Briar is implementing its Plan for Sustainable Excellence. The opportunities to explore include, but are not limited to, the following options: VCCA purchases the Mt. San Angelo property and remains there VCCA and SBC enter into a lease-to-purchase agreement for the Mt. San Angelo property and VCCA remains there VCCA moves to the Sweet Briar College campus VCCA moves to another non-SBC location This is a long-range planning process, one that will take place over the course of several years. VCCA Fellows, friends and supporters will be invited to share
Read more

The Auvillar Community Connection

Image
VCCA’s programming in Auvillar is greatly enriched by the Auvillar community and it's surrounding areas. This has become clear during the Etchings Festival when a number of community members welcomed guest composers, performers, and participants into their homes. Jacques and Annick Sarraut hosted a beautiful dinner for the entire Etchings Festival as well as others from the community. After a successful first concert, Joelle Cywie welcomed the Etchings guest composers, performers, and staff into her home for celebratory champagne and dessert. VCCA-France has members in the United States, Auvillar, and the surrounding communities. Many of these members support the programming by welcoming VCCA Fellows in residence or program participants into their homes for cooking demonstrations and meals, and by taking them to visit local sites during their time in Auvillar as well as attending events hosted by VCCA. The VCCA-France is currently helping to raise funds to purchase a keyboard
Read more