The local artist
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 8:46AM Ever felt that you’ve got hidden artistic talents? Or that you’d like to learn how to paint?
Well there really is no time like the present. Carpe Diem - give it a go. Jilly is a local artist who runs Painting Riviera and I spoke to her about how she can help you make this happen ...
Where are you from?
Scotland, I went to school in Fife and to Grays School of Art in chilly Aberdeen. You can take the girl out of Scotland but you can’t take the Scotland out of the girl.
What’s the best thing about this part of the world?
The blue skies in the autumn, winter and spring.
The worst?
The ubiquitous French bureaucracy
What is your favourite gadget, object or thing?
My MacBook and hotelware silver teapot for afternoon teas!
Who’s your favourite artist?
I have so many... at the moment for Popular Artists I’d have to say Raoul Dufy and Henri Matisse for their views of the Cote d’Azur through French windows.
One of my favourite classical works is Jacques Louis David’s, The Death of Marat which I was moved to see ‘in the flesh’ in Brussels’ art gallery recently.
The Delphic and Libian Sibyls from the Sistine Chapel are two of my favourite parts of the ceiling, the folds of fabric and the weightiness of the characters is unsurpassed.
What’s your guilty food pleasure?
Spicy harrisa mixed with olive oil, cumin, coriander and lemon juice. Oh yes, ahem, and the odd square of Cadbury’s chocolate. My daughters now hide it from me!
Would you choose the mountains or beach for a day out?
The mountains, far, far from the madding crowd. Or maybe out at sea on a beautiful old sailing boat.
What’s coming up for you this summer?
At the moment I’m helping a couple of young artists put their portfolios together for Art School applications, and then I’m hosting a Matisse workshop on the Isle of Arran.
I will be back for August 22 for my last Painting Holiday date of the summer, in Matisse’s Villa in Vence, (Pictured above: a previous course. Pictured below: the house itself).
It’s open to non-residential artists and beginners too and is priced at €220 for a 6-day workshop. There are a couple of residential places left, so exceptionally I have reduced the price by 20% and I'm hoping some of your readers will come along and join us. It's great fun.
From September 3-6, I’m taking part in the Valbonne ‘Grande Marché d’Art Contemporain’ and I’m off to Paris to wander around the cool halls of the Louvre too.
How can people book a place or contact you year round?
They can call me on 06 17 11 24 36, for more information. Or email jillyballantyne@mac.com or visit my website www.paintingriviera.com
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