Tag Archives: Paris

con Alegriti

Times of joy, family and inspiration

I am going to share some images of drawings that encompass this time period where Maron became a proud dad of a lovely little baby girl ;)

This was in Paris and there was a lot of inspiration happening, he drew me a lot which he has done of my kids now (his grandchildren) and I cherish the drawings so much! I share some here

There I was 3 days old and doing what I love…eating!

1 day old…

reminds me of my baby Amara!

 

 

 

 

the next picture is adorable, I am sitting on my father’s lap while he is working…I must say if I was anything like my little ones that must have been a bit of a nightmare because they want to grab everything! but I am sure I was an angel hehe

Below is a portrait of my brother Alejandro when he was about 11, it was done in ’79

The next one was done a year later so he was 12, so amazing how much you change in just one year…

here some beautiful drawings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below a series of flowers that my father to this day either draws or paints for my mother on her birthdays

the left one was for her 31st and the right one was for her 34th. The one below was for her 35th…

 

 

Now I want to share an amazing painting of carpets that he did, he actually did  a whole series of them well into my childhood. I remember very well all the work he put into these amazing pieces

Here is another painting of carpets that is gorgeous! Of course the picture does no justice to the detail but you get the idea…

I want to emphasize the size of these paintings because I thought at first glance you could think they are small but they actually are very big! Here you can see him working on one of them

Pictures taken by my mother, I love the way she photographs, she truly has an eye for it!

And finally a little indulgence…BEWARE of nudity!!!

That’s right! that is how we do! I am European as my husband says… So there it is my dearest friends, just a small journey into this time filled with love and family and new things brewing in the midst. Next there is a move coming but where??? you will have to tune in next time to find out!

Also follow what is happening with my mother Willy by clicking HERE

in the studio

The Ham – the making and process of my million $ piece – me and my daddy

If I could summarize the importance of this painting and the sentiment attached I would be here a long time and frankly it is probably too personal to be able to convey in words what it is to me but I want to show you some of the process and the timeline of “The Ham”, Here you can see him working on it before I make it this world….you can see that delicious ham hanging…mmmm…it is 1977

Now here he is again and I have to say how  much I look like him on this shot…wow! Although I would use a much more stylish clip on my hair ;) but you know how men are, they do what they can…

This next one is incredible to me because the details you can see transpiring are breath taking, look at each hair! I mean it is out of this world to me…well I can only imagine 4 years of work the way he works on a painting, just all the incredible texture and dimension it has to it, let me clarify that the detail is something that leaves me in awe! too much? nah! Ok so here it is…

Ok so this next one is just because I want to and it is so cute! It is my 1st birthday and I am wearing a dress my mother made for me :)

Here he is still working on it…I am answering the phone or at least I believed I was

 

Here he is in another moment in time…painting

It is 1980, 4 years of working on it and finally the moment when he decides it is finished. We unveil the master piece! Drum roll….

OMG! I love love love this painting! I own it and it hangs on my wall proudly. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I have. Until next time, much love to all!

To see what my mother Willy van Rooy is doing during this time CLICK HERE

 

 

painting the Ham beginning

Paris and The Ham – my treasure among others & the prelude to my arrival!

The Ham    ’76-’80

Let me begin by giving you a bit of insight into The Ham and the preciosity to it…The Ham came to be 2 years before I was born, I was born October 3rd, 1978. After the exhibition he went to Madrid for some family matters he had to attend and while there he did what he loved so much which was hanging with his parents. My grandfather had tons of charisma and my dad always enjoyed an outing to get some tapas and have a few beers. In the painting The Ham are all the emotions, like being taken to a sort of a basement full of Jamones hanging by ropes from the ceiling, just curing and becoming magical (did you tell I love this ham?) The whole ceremonial way of even selecting the right ham! oh man…Ok so he goes into this place and the owner chooses the ham for him and so there is my father with his ham, which in reality he planned to eat, ha :) Instead when he gets back home he starts to do a painting of it, I do want to let you know that when he paints he will not move him until it is so dark it is basically night so there is no more light! Actually by the end of this painting the rug underneath him was tearing and completely worn out (from standing on it while painting) This painting took 4 years and by the time it was finished the actual ham was completely dry and in the end you could only make soup out of the bone.

In the meantime he also does other paintings, portraits is what he loves, painting people is what he likes best,  but hard to find the model who wants to pose… Also did still lifes, but mostly he worked on The Ham. 

Here are some of the other wonderful paintings

This is my mother Willy van Rooy wearing on of her own TuniqueUnique. STORY HERE

Here is my brother Alejandro…wow he is so little there…(sigh) :)

Armen – One of my fathers best friends, and to me a sort of godfather

Susan Bottomly – Model and beautiful person all around

S. & S. – Paris French VOGUE –                                                         Ph. Tony Kent

Carry posing in the studio –                                                            Ph. Tony Kent

Carry

My mom and my brother, I believe he has this one, it is so gorgeous and classic!

Awww…ooohhhh….aaahhhh… :) xoxoxo Ok here please note the BEAUTY behind them!!! yes that one is mine ;)

Ok…ok…Working on the Rembrandt book, in braguitas, which look mighty comfy…yep, either that or nothing if you leave it to him so :)

Book of Remrandt – ’76

Visitor in Paris

Love this self portrait (love them all though)

Purple beauties in a vase – ’77

Oh wait what is this?? is that cute baby a little girl??? well look at that, I made it! My loved ones, I leave you here and I tell you that I love you all and I thank you for following and until next time when I reveal the finished Ham, à bientôt!

You can see what is happening during this time also if you click HERE in my mom’s blog

the Nichido ...

Salvador Maron awes the critics & is awarded a Nichido Prize!!!

So the exhibition was a huge success and it was noticed by many, critics were recognizing the talent and word was getting out to the masses.

The Herald Tribune – French edition

Spanish critic Arte Guia

Arte Guia Translation:

First exhibition in Paris of a Spanish painter who has been living here for the last 4 years & whom Juana Mordo introduced in 1965. We find ourselves before one of those painters who believe en the true value of well done painting and who virtually executes the “trompe l’oeil” without owing anything to photography or to “collage”

Critic for “Le point”

Translation:

“Le Point”

Hyper-realism? Well no, painting, slowly matured, precise, something precious, Salvador Maron, young 28 year old artist, originally from the Canary Islands, paints “from life” as Velasquez and Vermeer before, he likes to make sensible, palpable splendour of the cloth, canvas, muslin, velvet, crushed, broken, knotted carelessly a big quick knot, they enclose a picture frame which can be seen. “We are overwhelmed with information,” says Salvador Maron: Time to drop the curtain”. Trompe l’oeil which inclines to dream and discover, a symbol of art full of promises half-open to its secrets.

Le Pariscope

Translation:

Salvador Maron
L’essentiel invisible.

One day, to carry a painting, I wrapped it in a sheet: Then I saw the sheet, its material, its folds, its movements. I found this nice stuff to paint. “Salvador Maron dreamed, it seems, to be a bullfighter. There is no muleta in the fifteen “hidden paintings ” that make up, with ten drawings, his first exhibition in Paris, but a sort of reflection on life and death through a single  and multiple subject: the fabric. The tromp – l’oeil, with its razor-sharp precision in every detail of white sheets that are knotted in the center, drapery of broken folds,  prominent embroidery, linens that wind, run or tear around the painting which appears only in reverse, chassis and string to hang. Or a piece of the painting is revealed, he has seen it on his easel and fabric with pink stripes are intertwined in complicated knots, overflow in a living mass of the fabric that should contain it. But the trompe-l’oeil is not only in appearance, because the eye is deceived if it stops at what it sees. The support of the painting, what is behind the array, is always the canvas on which the painter brushes his inner reflection.

Le Figaro below
Translation:
Le Figaro
ACCROCHAGES (EXHIBITION)
MARON
For all times in the history of art, draperies were an attractive motif for painters, from the primitive to Zurbaran, from Chardin to Matisse, tunics, tablecloths, curtains are entered as a key element in the compositions of their paintings, for  Maron (one of the Nichido Award winners) it becomes an exercise in style. No Christ draped in linen. or tables covered with cloth or window with curtain.
Its materials are still at a raw state. They are tied, torn, crumpled sheets of silk or brocade painted trompe l’oeil as modest as sumptuous. Every detail of texture, grain, scratches, weft, is highlighted. There is an obsession and derision in this Spanish artist who has adopted the realist tradition of his country. He lets off steam by painting canvases slashed as if he could not stand the order and comfort that suggests some of those velvets.
Nichido
The Nichido Award. Nichido price, destined to reward an artist under 40 years of age and it was awarded for the second time by a panel including Andre Pieryre of Mandiarques, Max-Pol Faouchet, Jaques Lassaigne, Pierre Mazars, Maurice Rheims, Andre Parinaud. Over one hundred painters sent their works. From a selection of ten artists, the jury selected the winners: Robert Nicoidsky Gerard Larquier & Maron.

The painter who wins the first prize will receive an exhibition in Tokyo and later will be presented in Paris. The final selection of the jury is exposed at the Nichido Gallery until April 24.

I personally enjoy very much the fact that he is featured in 2 different articles on the same page…hello! :)

The telegram stating that he received the Distinguished Nichido Prize

Behold the Nichido winner
Above is the painting that the Nichido Gallery acquired :)
The Nichido invitation
The Nichido group
Maron on the far right above
Postcard from Leonor Fini below where she gives him endless compliments
Here with another Nichido Laureate
And finally here they are celebrating at the Nichido Gallery in Paris
you can see Maron listening attentively to Andre Parinaud with his love by his side and to see what’s happening with my mother during this time click HERE
poster

“Les Toiles Caches” – The Exhibition

I know my dear friends, I left you with such an amazing collection and you have been waiting to see what was going to be of those magnificent pieces so here we are…The amazing collection certainly did not go unnoticed and so the exhibition takes place after the daunting task of finding the right gallery to display his work now. This was done by my mother Willy who one day went to the best gallery in Paris called Claude Bernard who loved the work and recommended her directly to another important gallery in Paris called Iolas, who thought this was the perfect compilation for a new gallery that was going to open its doors, directed by Jaqueline Passever, “niece of Giorgio De Chirico“, who instantly fell in love with Maron’s work and was very excited to do the exhibition. 

You can see the news paper ad for it above

the poster

Here is the front of the invitation above

And the back side

The text here was written by Alain Bosquet, beautifully describing what his paintings stirred within…below you can read the translated text, enjoy!

Young artists today go first to paroxysms. Some want to do without any work, any meditation, any interior sacrifice : they paint as if they were spreading jam on a slice of toast.  
From the moment their instinct falters, the viewer, the dupe, the other, has to be content with it.
Some, a little more audacious, intend to make a clean sweep: the canvas disturbs them,  color is their enemy, the notion of space exasperates them, replacing painting to the reign of matter, as if that at its raw state was a new value in itself. And at the other end of the horizon, some crash themselves before
the past, delayed imitators who are still making nudes, sunsets, fruit, landscapes more or less assassinated.
 It is under these conditions heartening to discover a young painter under thirty years, who does not fall into any of these exaggerations: Salvador Maron. 
The first impression is an incontestable know-how: This Spaniard from Canary Islands embodies – and it should not displease him to be told clearly – a respect to both himself, because he asks a lot of his talent, and others because he offers nothing that is not polished, worked, thoughtful, serious , definite.
This consciousness at the level of craft provides various forms, which don’t exclude virtuosity or a kind of philosophy of” trompe-l’oeil” renewed of the mannerist that followed the Renaissance.The prestige, he is not afraid to stress, as if he wants to challenge the general relaxation of painting, it can serve as an example.
Why would we be obfuscated by this panache, which permits him to be assertive? We feel soon enough seduced by his way, as if we went in a strange impulse of gaiety  but astonishment, check, by a finger, or prying eyes, the texture of his paintings. We resolve to the evidence: it is neither photography or collage, but pretty much brush work, meticulous removed at times caracoled, always superbe. Tromper l’oeil, precisely, is not the goal of Maron : mostly he flatters it, so as the pleasure be more acute. And who says pleasure, says need to dive back, to reflect, to question ourselves at length.
Then appears the unity of the inspiration. Behold a simple texture, knotted at its middle. Here is a material that seems to proclaim its right to existence as an independent object and no more utilitarian. Here an easel covered with  a sheet so as we guess  “wit a la Velazquez” – the painting on it. Here a curtain that lets – by a very calculated prudery – a glimpse  through a frame or a window.
Moreover here, a material negligently- but with lots of precaution- thrown over the night maybe as to conjure it. Here a display of velvet, with its folds, those wrinkled masses, ostensible gilded, don’t go without reminding such contemporary of Zurbaran, maybe Moro, or such contemporary of Tintoretto, perhaps Basan.
Here are, clinging to a panel, shreds: there was a storm, an earthquake, a big rape, a terrible drama in the whereabouts, sometimes prancing, always beautiful. 
To the challenge, is superimposed gradually the obsession. So many linens,cottons, silks, brocades, in form a baroque affirmation of the object, non the less suggest an invisible presence of man. There is a power that is hidden, sights that linger, loves ready to rip the sails. 
That is to say that the depth is not absent from these works. And a humor, we would like to say: smiling, light and ferocious at the same time- underlines many intentions that the painter hardly would want to show. After the materials, Maron will paint other subjects, other objects, other beings:
armed like he is, nothing should stop him to descend into the arena.

The artist standing by his work, looking sharp!

my brother walking the gallery and enjoying the work on the walls…LUCKY! ;)

This poster was displayed on the famous column in Paris where all the great artistic events are announced since the 19th Century.

Amongst the personalities that went to see his work we have The Rotschild’s, Karl Lagerfeld, Antonio Saura, Karel Appel, Leonor Fini, Franco Zeffirelli, Labisse, Christian Marquand to name a few but you get the idea, this was the “creme de la creme” of Paris. This was a big success indeed!

On the next episode we get to the reaction of the press and critics alike, stay tuned! Also to see more of this time and from my mother’s side CLICK HERE

 

first toile

Paris 4 – The jaw dropping “Les Toiles Caches” the ‘Hidden Canvas” series by Salvador Maron

My dearest friends, I open this post with a statement:

This is the most amazing collection of it’s kind in existance, hands down!

There are many I adore and am in awe about but I am going to share a series of paintings that are my very favorite and I have many favorite series so you are in for a treat!

Wow! the first Toile (cloth in French)

The Blue Knot. No no, take your time…take it in…

The Knot Knotted. Seriously!

The Knotted Knot. Oh my…

Mmmm Mmmm

Shut the door!

Magnificent!

Another… do you see what’s happening here?

What can I say… Adore it!

The Ripped Knot. I am becoming speechless…

Here is the Red Painting With Knot that you saw him working on the previous post :)

The Blue Stripes…BOOM!

Honestly what words could I possibly come up with that will describe them justly…This series was the true inspiration flourishing and taking shape. Translating through his eyes and fingers onto canvas he created not only a magnificent collection of detail and dimension but also brought a concept of genius to the game. Think about it, to refuse conforming to standard trends and going the unique route is what transcends here. He did not start off painting things that were common, he shows the beauty of what art really is. Now the paintings are ready and the challenge is to find the right gallery for the exhibition. I only wish I could have all of these pieces but nevertheless they are in good hands and the exclusive canvas prints will be available soon.

At the same time my mother is also creating incredible designs and together they embark on their life, always together and always creating…for her story CLICK HERE!

 

Salvador film

Paris 3- Inspiration & Action!

Maron’s words:

When I try to explain what was going through my mind in those days where I was trying to make my way in the world of art as a painter in Paris, the first thing I tell myself is that it is almost impossible and not worth the effort unless it is a duty and yet, the truth is that then as now and always, I was faced with tremendous doubt of whether my work could be of interest beyond the circle of friends, more specifically the closed circuit of art galleries, given that my painting style  was as nothing I saw in them, meaning that all the exhibits seem to be a repetition of the same subject and I didn’t do two equal paintings, and something told me I would never get exposed, and the thought that no one would see my paintings gave me the idea that it was best not to show any, giving birth to the hidden paintings.

Let me start by stating that this is one of my favorite posts as I will display him working on my personal favorite series…”The Knots” or the original French “Les Toilles Caches”.

It is important to understand what he was feeling and the truth which was the realization of greatness and singularity of style, classic yet modern and fresh, so well rounded in the form of art. My father felt that Galleries showed art that was in a way monotonous and it displays art that is all the same in a sense…so this brilliant idea was that a series of paintings that were hidden within a painting itself was the project to be executed and it was…beautifully!

Let me take you there

Here he is painting

closer…

working away…

taking a break to eat…believe me once he starts painting it is like pulling teeth to get him to even drink water!

Beautiful shot!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this one! I mean seriously!

Now drawing it! wow…

oh my goodness…look at his eyes fixed…in the zone.

We can all thank my mother for always taking such nice pictures! You can see her story by clicking HERE

I anxiously leave you here and next we will see the Knots!

picture Dick Polak

Maron in Paris-2. It continues and grows…

We are continuing in Paris and it gets closer and closer to what is actually familiar growing up, so for me it is a very special transition in the story…

Here in process of painting the studio in Paris…wow!                      Ph. Dick Polack

It is now blossoming and becoming. I wanted to share with you some words from my father and give you a good insight on what is transpiring…

Although the saying  ¨a picture is worth a thousand words” is well known, sometimes it is also necessary to use words as in this case when it comes to review my evolution as a painter one thing is becoming all too obvious as can be seen, my painting is figurative. I always paint what I see, simply because that is what I prefer to do, and apparently posses some skill to it, especially spontaneously without complicated techniques that I had never studied and in many cases that can be dangerous for any artist’s creative process. Yet I knew I had much to learn, and to paint what you see can not always be done using the simplest form, nor was it a novelty in recent art history, and as we know it leads to the total abstraction of Modern Art and I frankly prefer Classic Art. At the moment I was in Paris, the capital of art, in a studio worthy of any great master and a life ahead full of possibilities,it was a matter of working and I set to the task.

So well written, I can see that I write like him… But now here we are in Paris and he is painting, living, creating…

This table, I know this painting and it is beautiful, it is very personal becasue I see the table and everything on it being reminiscent of them! it is that style and feel of it. This is a marvelous piece that will be available soon so keep posted, such a nice size too!

Mi tio Pedro (my uncle) xoxoxo This painting is so well posed by him…

Painting of my mother. I want a picture of myself like this, it’s sexy right?

Here is the painting, the painter and the model. Ph.by Tony Kent for French Vogue

*Almost Sisters*

My mother and Susan Bottomly, such a sweetheart and so beautiful she is, I would love to see her soon.

Here is the painting of their good friend Jose Kleber who with they stayed in Brazil, he went to visit them in Paris. Well! this is simply a beauty, I remember this piece and I always admired it, it is so classy and detail that keeps you looking…really great.

Here you go…take it all in…

Here is a portrait of Miroslava. I met her not more that 3 years ago, it was also then that they had seen each other after all this time, very nice woman. I love to see her back in time through this painting.

Here they are hanging and having some tea? That is Miroslava on the left and my dad in the middle and Yannis Thomas to the right, in their studio in Paris.

Here is Oksana, Miro’s sister…under the brush. Love to see this picture because I also know this painting.

WOW! here it is…don’t rush…take your time

This is Juan Carlos Herrera, this portrait is very interesting because it shows the style of painting that he does in a fast pace, this is a large size portrait that he does in just a few hours!

What a place!

*San Sebastian*

This one I have to add, I know and remember this one, he gets himself so well on every self portrait. I think it is the hardest part to identify yourself so well to get it to perfection the way he does. Love it!

STUNNING

Here is the painting of the studio, finished!

Well this certainly took me to a good place…I love the little black cat walking through :) but we have lots more to do so stay with me and I will take you to the next chapter soon!

*Don’t forget to visit my mother’s blog to see her story of this time line!* Click HERE to get there

With much love xoxoxo

 

 

self portrait Paris 1973

Paris – an artist is realized and a calling pursued…

Now my friends things get serious…they are in Paris in a beyond amazing studio they were able to get into after the lady who’s father designed the place realized he was an artist, for that complete story go here…so there they were in the best artist studio in Paris, and Maron knew now that his calling was an inevitable reality. He is a painter and great artist! Now I take you through this episode picture by picture…let’s go

Salvador’s self portrait 1973.

This is a gorgeous painting of my brother Alejandro in Paris…he must have been 5. The size of this piece is very nice, I would say about 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide, give or take.

Here is my grandfather Salvador in Paris, you can see his portrait to the right of the picture…yes indeed that’s him! he was a very funny man, I remember his laugh and loudness! as a young kid I recall the phone conversation between he and my father and how loud you could hear him from a distance! :) So Andaluz he was…Un beso ABUELO!

This is a wonderful piece, a portrait of their friend Pablo and although I have never seen it live, from the picture it is as if I have, I can only imagine in person…lovely!

This is a portrait of Jesus, a friend from Spain which carries a story. He found my father through family and friends and wanted to become a photographer. My father connected him with Tony Kent and so he worked as his assistant for a while…he suddenly was affected by tuberculosis and went to the hospital, he passed away quickly thereafter, sadly and so young. This portrait was given to his parents by Maron.

Well well…here is the MUSE…my mother. LOVELY. (Very nice size as well)

Here he is doing a promo piece but I don’t have much info on this particular one…I could not deprive you of it nevertheless.

Now here is the First of the knot series…my favorite series even though they all amaze me but I particularly love the knots. To the right of the knot it is a portrait of Tony Kent, the theme of the playing card is because he could do amazing magic tricks with cards…look closely at the portrait, it almost looks like a magic trick of his face appearing on the canvas, see it? And below I share with you the knot painting it self up close

The first Toile – 1973…MAGNIFICENT! The wall that has this right now is a lucky wall…

Paris continues and there is more to come