- Andree Thobaty, Village Scene, 16 x 16
Meg
and I are of course never competitive with each other, except maybe in
the healthiest way, such as, “Oh I thought of the same thing!” or “I was
going to suggest that too.” So it’s no surprise that when one of us
returned from a trip to France, elated and excited to have discovered
the most fabulous new artist, the other one casually countered, “Oh I
know her!” (and admitted sheepishly that she is fabulous – and darn, why
didn’t I mention her first?).
The artist we were talking about
was the now well-known and highly coveted Andree Thobaty, whom we have
been representing happily for about five years.
It’s always such a
pleasure to visit Andree in her little studio in France. First off, she
is just the loveliest person imaginable, in her sweet, polite and
enthusiastic way. Secondly, her studio is marvelously well organized, so
it’s easy to sift through and make our pickings. And third, we just
love the fact that this elegant, well-dressed person “of a certain age”
as they put in France, is actually a terror with paint : the looser,
the more abstract the better! If she could throw it on the canvas, she
would.
- One of Andreee Thobaty's most recent abstracts
Andree
has spent years perfecting her work by reducing the brush strokes to a
bare minimum and applying the paint in blocky layers that translate to
perfectly balanced abstract renditions of her subject matter. She
reminds me of those most fearsome tennis players: the senior ladies
who. with just the slightest controlled movement, can place the ball
exactly where they want it -- and always out of reach from their huffing
and puffing opponent.
Andree's painting technique has been
admired by so many of our clients and fellow artists that is was only
natural, on our last visit to France with Nancy Franke’s lovely group of
artists, that one of their top to-do's was to paint with or at least
meet the legendary Andree Thobaty.
- Provence Village, 8 x 8
I
called Andree a few days before arriving and asked if she could meet up
with us to paint with our group of American artists. She apologized
profusely, but because of a knee injury, she was indisposed to paint in
plein air. Then I suggested that maybe I could swing by her studio and
pick up some paintings because I was pretty sure that among this group
of artists there would be several buyers, or at least admirers of her
work. She apologized again and said that her gallery in France had sold
out of her work completely over the summer, and that she had nothing
left to show me. Then I just begged her to meet Nancy Franke and the
artists for the afternoon, to which she responded with a resounding,
“Oui bien sur!”
I had to leave the scene that day, but according
to all present, Andree’s encounter with our little group of American
artists was probably one of the most moving and enthusiastic bi-cultural
love fests to occur on French soil -- since the liberation of France in
1945! Although few words were exchanged (since there was a significant
language barrier), through gestures and smiles and paint brushes and
palette knives, communication flowed seamlessly. The artists came back
energized and excited to have met the iconic Andree. And Andree said it
was one of the happiest moments of her life. Truly.
- Andree Thobaty with Cathy and Nancy
- Nancy, Debbie and Andree in Isle sur la Sorgue
I
begged Andree to paint more for our gallery and sure enough, when I
headed back to France a few weeks ago, I bought pretty much all of her
new work – even the wet pieces!
- Floral 8 x 8
- Red roses, 6 x 6
- Floral, 8 x 8
So
our coffers are now filled with wonderful new work from Andree, which
we are debuting this week at the gallery (and have just added to our
website here).
We’re pretty sure it will sell fast – her talent and price point are an
unbeatable combination – and then Meg and I will politely fight over
who gets to visit Andree the next time. I can guarantee that whoever
wins the draw will hear from Andree, over and over, how much it meant to
her to meet Nancy Franke and her group of artists last September.
This is why we do what we do - and love every minute of it.
Ta ta,
HH
- Andree and Ann outside of her studio
PS:
We are having a one-day sale for Friends and Family at the gallery on
Saturday, December 8th, and will feature all of Andree's new work. If
you are planning on giving the gift of art this season, what a fantastic
opportunity to buy a highly coveted and popular artist at a very
advantageous price! We're excited to show off her new work.
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