Paris 2: Friendship and Resilience in the Artist's Journey

Light and dark of bohemian life ~
Paris Memoir Part One | Part Two

Saint Germain is a mythical boulevard, writers such as Hemingway, Sartre or Henry Miller used to seat at the Cafe De Flore or the Deux Magots. At different times in history masters the like of Sargent, Boldini, Modigliani, Monet and countless others, had hung out in the neighborhood. Pablo Picasso finished Guernica in his studio at Rue Des Saints Augustins, three minutes walk from my center of gravity: Rue Mazarine, where my American girlfriend live in a chambre de bonne, a tiny messy attic!

Love and violence

She too is an artist, a beautiful and sensitive soul. Originally from the Antilles, she was an air-hostess (as they say) and a stylist for Pan Am, before fleeing to Europe after the drama: an intruder broke down the door of her condo in New York and God knows how she survived. 

• We conceived a baby and decision was hard

We conceived a baby. But her health is poor, I am too young and stupid, and we are both penniless. Before I know it she decides not to be a parent. I visited her for a few years, trying to give a little help, until she breaks off even as friends. Now she's left this world. Rest in peace my sweet Jeanne Marie!

Ian Hargreaves with on of his oil painting of Morocco

Talents from Countries at war

Among the many young expatriate artists there are Iraqis and Iranians who coexist amicably on the Beaubourg pave while their countries are at war. We are in the 80s, The Poles arrive from Poland as the Country is inflamed by the Solidarnosc protests, nine years before the Wall falls. Many of them are very talented and have a strong art education from the academies of Eastern Europe. There is Ian  from London, Omar from Argentina, and Davy who is a British-Malaysian. All landed into Paris in different ways. 

Ian Hargreaves by the art studio he's built in his backyard in Dorset, UK

• We were young and looking for adventure

Ian had to leave London for he was on the spot where a gang attacked one of the portrait artists in Piccadilly one evening. Blood is pouring from his head, and he lay on the floor unconscious. Many people stand watching as they beat him and kicked him, but nobody does anything. Except Ian. He decides to help him and grabs the leader from behind before the artist gets killed. "A few minutes later a policeman arrived and the gang run off - Ian recalls -- but the gang leader swears revenge. I felt I had to leave the city for a while. That's how I landed in Paris and met you Francesco"

Ian Hargreaves and Francesco Fontana at Ian's art studio

A lifetime friendship

When I returned home in Sicily, Ian joined me for some time and we painted portraits on the street of Palermo. We imported this custom totally new to the city. His love for the sunny views of the Mediterranean begins here. Many years passed and we kept in touch, even before cell phones and the internet were invented. I went to visit him in the south of England a couple of times a dozen years apart. 

Ups and downs of art business

I love to browse through his canvases in the studio he built in the garden. We chat over art and tennis and eat fish and chips. Definitely the friendship of a lifetime! From the streets of Paris, and thru the ups and downs of art business, Ian finally has anded in many prestigious galleries and built a solid career with his splendid oil views of Italy. You can admire them here: https://ianhargreaves.net/

The story of my Paris times can't stop here! 
Be ready for part 3 next week. Meanwhile please interact in many ways

Paris Memoir Part One | Part Three

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Paris 3: The Struggle of The Street Artists

Is becoming an artist worth a lifetime of sacrifice? ~
Paris Memoir Part One | Part Two

It's dark but my memory is clear. I see myself in the evening in the Latin Quarter, together with Davy Lim. Me and him with our drawing boards and camping seats,  scoping boulevard Saint Michel in search of a spot to work overtime. Just to raise some extra francs with a couple of portraits under a street lamp, perhaps of some tipsy tourists.

Davy Lim today at his spot in Place du Tertre, Montmartre

Oh yes, the street lamps evoke other jobs, indeed we too were hookers after all!

Davy Lim back in the 80's

Davy is a British citizen of Malaysian origin, and I immediately had great admiration for him. He's a terrific draftman! While he draws I try to learn from him, to steal his craft. I look at him like you look at a mentor, even though he is only two or three years older than me and never tried to teach me anything.

My escape from drugs and terrorism

I am very atypical for a southern Italian. We are in the 80s. At such a young age I lead a totally unique life! At twenty years old, my peers go to college, have middle class ambitions or in any case do not leave the comfort of mamma cooking pasta for them. Those who reject this prospect end up involved in the political violence or devastated by heroin and then by AIDS. Hundreds of them. Ultimately, my trip to Paris was an escape from both of these deadly destinies.

Davy Lim's artist studio view in the South of France

Nevertheless it seems to me that I am far too respectable compared to Davy. He smokes and drinks the English way, that is, on an empty stomach. At most he grabs some junk food. I'm too Italian: picky about eating, matching shirts with trousers and drinking like an altar boy!

• I was a chain smoker and drank a fast beer after almost every portrait. At the St Michel pitch, near the old Gilbert Jeune bookshop, there was a bar right opposite the lamp post I claimed for the night shift. Yeah, all I ate was junk food. I've got emphysema now because of the cigarettes, and I've had to give up the booze..

Davy lived outside Paris with his girlfriend, a French sculptor. One day we go to Montreuil, I think he hosted me for a couple of nights, I don't know why. But above all he paints a portrait of me in acrylic on green pastel Canson paper, like the one we draw charcoal portraits on. It's the dearest souvenir I have from that era! I've kept it in a drawer all these years like a relic, but now is time to frame it and hang it on the best wall of the studio!

Buying a house with portraits money

Later, once the story with the sculptress is over, he will tell me that he bought a house. He takes me to a small apartment, well not exactly an apartment!

• My room was 12 sqm. Yep, there was a mezzanine and just enough space for a studio easel and painting equipment. There were no cooking facilities. Turkish toilette on the landing. There my neighbour (absolutely horrible character) used to leave me disgusting presents up and down the walls. It cost me 65,000 francs (some $36,000 of today) No regrets at all!

In that period Davy took on some commissions for sacred paintings. I think it was his plan B for the winter. I admire this about him too. That ability to build brick by brick, with sacrifice but with the clear priority of financial security. Quite the opposite of me!

Four decades later

We met again a few years ago. I discovered that Davy is a YouTube star and to my surprise, that after forty years he is still working in Montmartre! Despite his precarious health, he insists on riding his scooter three times a week to the same spot that was assigned him many years ago.

• I got my official authorization in 1994, and my first "pitch" was no. 101. I am still sitting on the same spot. Though it's now called no. 84.

We had lunch and he congratulates me for having the guts to get off the street and develop my art. “I think you had a natural talent and so much potential” - says Davy. I know that his amazing talent could be expressed in different ways but he preferred to win his bread on the field. The road allowed him to send the son he adopted with his partner Agnes to an International school. Much respect!

• As decrepitude goes up, it’s more and more difficult to work on the street now, especially in winter. But I feel totally blessed to have spent my whole life being free and doing something so enjoyable! I hope to spend more time to serious painting in the small atelier we have in the South of France. But it's still nice to have access to an easy and fun source of income in a legendary location like Montmartre!

If you happen to be in Paris, you know who to ask for a portrait! You can also visit Davy Lim online https://www.davylim.com/ ~ https://www.youtube.com/c/DavyLimvideos/videos

Happy Art Life! -- Francesco

PS. I realize my Paris story could go on forever. I should  consider writing a book. Please let me know if you want to read more about it. 

Acrylic portrait of Francesco Fontana by Davy Lim, Paris 1982

Through Ian, Jeanne Marie and Davy I told the stories of some different ways to experience the journey of painting starting from my youth. I understand that these stories of mine can demystify the legend of bohemian Paris and demolish the belief that the life of the artist is always fun and privilege.

The truth is that choosing from a young age to make a living from your art almost always costs enormous sacrifices and sometimes terrible misadventures. Is it worth it? Yes, definitely! The reward is a strong sense of identity, the realization of who you truly feel you are. Belonging to some kind of brotherhood, even if your real friends in the business are two or three.

This generates a form of happiness that is not visible to others but very profound. People think success is fame and wealth, but before that there is the pride of having carved out a place in the world based on your talent and tenacity. The fulfillment of being able to give people emotions through your art, which can sometimes last a lifetime.

Paris Memoir Part One | Part Two

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A Story of Everyday Love

Why Art makes people so happy? ~

A couple of Sundays ago I was in my hood church to host the charity sale of 60 paintings that a local painter bequeathed. The exhibition is set up in the room right next to the altar where kids are babysitted during the mass. Here I meet Marco and Monica, middle-aged parishioners who help with the exhibition. He tells me about his amateur watercolorist father, she tells me about his talented mosaicist father, who disappeared mysteriously years back. Kind people, can't help but invite them for coffee in my studio a few days later. Love in little everyday things While chatting about the neighborhood, they browse trough my larger figurative paintings. They love at least a dozen of them but often return to the same piece. An image of a senior couple in the kitchen getting coffee. It's the portrait of Bill and Randy, who hosted me as invited artist at plein air Texas festival. Two sweet people, who collected at least two of my paintings. -- Marco says: See how in the painting she looks at him sweetly, while he pours the coffee into the cup for her. -- You can see that he takes care of her, who is probably a safe harbor for him for many regards -- replies Monica. I let them comment for a while. I could feel something is making its way into their hearts. I tell myself that this couple play in unison! Than I say: -- Do you know how this painting is called? Ordinary Love Ordinary Love ~ Watercolor by Francesco Fontana, 50 x 65 cm -- Yes, they reply -- that's exactly how we feel! This painting is the perfect representation of how we want to grow old together! We are overjoyed to purchase it! I smile to myself proud to have captured a moment so full of meaning for me, and apparently important for others too. They can totally identified with the subject. When this happens people's emotion and gratitude are gigantic. For me as an artist that is the greatest reward!  Now it's your turn You too can find the painting that resonates with your feelings in my Small Works Studio Sale 50% Off Black Week. This is valid only until Tuesday, Nov 21 at midnight PT. The discount is automatic and includes free shipping! Get your slice of love now! Don't feel guilty if you like a painting simply because it decorates your living room. This too is daily love! Choose your favorites now! Black Week Sale 50% Off Follow me on Instagram Sign up and get a Gift Share and have a friend subscribe Send Francesco an email

Art Against Cruelty

What artists can do in war times? ~

Writing frequent letters involves opening eyes and hears to find inspiration and ideas in the environment. And of course trying to cherry pick interesting topics for a conversation with art enthusiasts.

Pretending it's business as usual

Hold my Hand - Watercolor by Francesco Fontana

Today I feel a certain discomfort because what is going on in the world shake my soul to the core. It is impossible to ignore the atrocity of war, and pretend this is business as usual. I can't get used to human cruelty, I guess I am too naive to not be surprised to hear someone feels rewarded or have good reasons to inflict pain to others.

Universality of art

Artists are very sensitive to the human condition, but at the same time we are warned not to openly take a political standing. In same cases we don't want to upset segments of the public or customers. In the best cases it's because being partial seems to betray a sense of universality and connection with the condition of all humanity.

To me establishing who is wrong and who is right seems to be  mere speculation. My ethical position is simple: 

Anyone who attacks defenseless people is wrong. It doesn't matter it's an action or a reaction. Killing innocents is never justified.

I don't think I'm politically biased if I say that those who attack young people at a music festival and kill in cold blood more than 1,000 in their household, are dead wrong. And I don't think I'm being politically partial if I say that murdering thousands of civilians, including 3000 children as an unavoidable price to target terrorists, is not less wrong. More than wrong. These actions are mass crimes!

Life to resists death

People here seem trapped in their own daily business, and although they are hunched over their cell phones, they look like no one has told them thousands of people are dying. I don't want to think that it's just selfishness. Perhaps silence is a form of resistance, of emotional defense. Ultimately, not losing sight of the path of a constructive life can be our most powerful weapon, the life that does not recede in the face of death.

Grow the beauty that unites

As artists, between our ego trip and our sense of guilt, there is a third way. Feel responsible and honored to exalt, defend and propagate the expression of vitality in the world through our creativity. Insist with our artworks on the universal value of a deeper truth and beauty, cultivate a form of love that unites all people. We did it during the pandemic. Looks like our job is not over. 

Happy Art Life! -- Francesco

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The Beauty of Geometry

Why do I paint lot of houses? ~

A student of mine tells me I often paint houses, at least in my demos and en plein air sessions. Figurative is another story. How might this interest you? Whether you are a painter or a collector, this post helps you better understand the composition behind a painting. The beauty of geometry My attraction is maybe a reminiscence of when we were kids and used to draw houses with sloping roofs and chimneys. Perhaps what appeals to me are geometric shapes: trapezoid, rectangle or the triangle, also found in the shape of my umbrellas. Rational forms and line of emotions Actually my facades are always connected with trees and vegetation, combining geometric shapes with more random shapes, Euclidean rationale with intuitive lines. Mountains like camels The placement of elements, their variety, their proportions are a crucial framework for the outcome of a painting. Perspective is also critical. It's a good practice to break curves into segments. Beginners e.g. have a tendency to exaggerate the mountains profile, which often ends up resembling the humps of a camel! Geometrical shapes in a watercolor by Francesco. Fontana

I draw a lot of preliminary studies, to make sure that there is a good variety of shapes and an interesting connection between them. Which combined with tonal values establish the weights of the composition.

Paintings of semi abstract realism

Visualizing the geometric boxing in of organic elements is definitely more effective than details. If I have a boat in front of me, thinking of a trapezoid and two ovals helps me in two directions:

-- Control of curves and inclinations
-- Achieve a semi-abstract quality

These compositional principles can be fully appreciated in the beautiful small works available on my website Studio Sale. This selection of demos and plein air watercolors represent my design style to the full. Collect these works at a clearance fixed price thru November 2023. 

Happy Art Life! -- Francesco

Francesco Fontana Fine Artist francescofontana.com

Liberation From Fear

People's judgment hold you back? Five insights to help ~

Silvia wrote to me: 'The fear of people's judgment paralyzes me or at least slows me down in my artistic expression. What to do?'

A recurring dilemma that afflicts even some accomplished artists. And I know the problem firsthand. As a teenager I was writing music but when it came to show on stage and sing I would go zero salivation! Finishing a song was a pain. I stopped making music despite some career opportunities.

You are not able to do it

At the contrary, since I was a child, showing my drawings was not a problem. Good or bad that my art was, people's judgment was none of my problem. And that despite one of my works was rejected in a competition at primary school. It could have been a trauma, but as I made a career in painting, I guess that  disappointment didn't paralyze me. A the contrary I had students telling me they were left stranded for decades after a school teacher's cynical ruling on an art assignment: too good to be your work. 

Feeling authorized

It's not easy to understand why we are so self confident in some field and feel terribly inadequate in others, although we're equally capable. My mother supported my talent and sent me to art school. But my father didn't approve and it took me years to free myself from his disapproval. And that recovery costed me some professional help. My sense of identity and my psychic balance were at stake. Whether I was good or not at painting was not the point, not my concerne. 

Digging into emotions

My struggle was to give myself permission to become an artist in life. The minute I felt authorized, a huge relief happened and I ultimately took the road for the dream to come true! What I'd suggest to Silvia is digging a little into her emotions, especially if the fear of judgment is effecting other aspects of her life.

To begin with, I would do a little self interview, asking myself:

• What exactly am I afraid of?
• What concrete consequences would a negative judgment have?
• Would someone really look at my works and say out loud 'that sucks'?
• Has it actually ever happened that someone mortified me?
• What do I not feel adequate in: the subject? The technique? The style?

I'm sure that by honestly answering these five questions, Silvia can find insights to start removing the obstacles that block her. And take a path not to be too hard on herself and offer her art to the world without fear.

Happy Art Life! -- Francesco

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PPS. And if you're in the mood of surrounding yourself with beauty, take advantage of the Small Works Studio Sale on my website.