First Friday • Bethlehem, PA

Marche Provençal • Pour Patricia

First Friday • Bethlehem, PA

What do you do when all you want to do is to live in France ? I don't mean just because of the incredible artist residency in Antibes last year and the year before ... but because you have been dreaming of it your whole life.

In 1994 my dream came true to visit Provence, the South of France, and travel and paint in the company of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. I stayed in the incredible Chateau de Roussan in St-Rémy-de-Provence - trés fantastique ! I painted, sipped incredible wine, explored the provençal region - painted Mont Sainte-Victoire and secured a pebble from the garden at the painting studio of Paul Cezanne. I also lived in the country club in Aix en Provence, swam in the Mediterranean sea and dined on grilled fish while listening to great music by the water in Cassis. I visited Arles where Vincent lived and sat before a great Picasso exhibition in Avignon.

In 1995 I was accepted to attend a summer program in the most prestigious art school in the world - The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts in Paris. I had the great opportunity to be invited to paint in Giverny - home of Claude Monet - to paint in the gardens on the day which was closed to tourists. I boarded the Gare du Nord train to Giverny, transferred to a bus, walked about a kilometer ... with paints and easel in tow ...

I've been witness to the spectacular Jazz a Juan in Antibes. I've seen the Voiles and the Yachts and the fishing boats. I've seen the fireworks over the sea and I've been spellbound by Rigoletto at Eilenroc. I've dined with Eve Ruggieri.

I sat in the Champs de Mars with baguette, fromage and wine before the 'Tour Eiffel' on Bastille Day to witness the Jean Michele Jarre concert. I visited Abelard and Heloise, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Georges Bizet, Antonio Modigliani, Frédéric Chopin, Camille Pissarro and the honorary resting place of Maria Callas in Cimetiere du Père Lachaise - among thousands of other greats. I climbed the ancient steps of Notre Dame and was privileged to be asked to ring the giant bell in the great tower.

... and I've kissed the soft lips of a beautiful French man ...

I'm an artist living in the south of Allentown, Pa ... but, and with all my heart, long to be in the south of France. Un poisson hors de l'eau ... but hope, one day, to swim in the beautiful blue Mediterranean avec les autres .... A bientôt j'espère

Tonight is First Friday in South Bethlehem. I will be with friends, sip wine, listen to French music, show images of Antibes ... and hopefully be with You !



www.annelizabethschlegel.com