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“I was in Paris for three months in 2025 doing life drawing ‘seances’ - model vivant, at L’Academie de la Grande Chaumière in Montparnasse.

The school was established in 1902 and Picasso, Chagall, Modigliani and Louise Bourgeois and many other notables studied there.

It was a delight to be amongst a group of Parisian artists one of whom had been invited into L’Académie Julian at 31 Rue du Dragon in the 60’s. This school was established in 1868 by Rodolphe Julian.

It was interesting to learn about the Parisian art scene in the early days from people who were involved at that time.”

Trois femmes debut. (left)

The models at the school were actors, mime artists and dancers - classically trained in the fine art of ‘model vivant’.

Charcoal, Conté and Schminke pastel on 300gm Arches paper.

Size 500 mm x 650 mm

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I took part in two group shows during the summer in Paris 2025.

One at the school L’Academie de la Grande Chaumière in Montparnasse and one in the village of Vétheuil in the département Val d’Oise. There were 18 artists in this show - each hosted in a charming garden in the village.

These three flower paintings were some of the works sold at Vètheuil.