Oil on canvas – 15 x 18 inch – Unique work

On the lake in the Bois de Vincennes, on December 18, 2020, he is there, he is waiting for me.


That morning, when I opened my eyes, I didn’t know anything about this meeting. He didn’t either. Yet there were many on the lake having fun with each other, spreading their wings, swimming majestically on this almost pure water. Who would have thought ?

I take a reluctant step forward, aware that an important moment was coming soon. Supported by my friends, I walk almost peacefully. Then, after the noisy but endearing geese, I can see them. The mischievous swans. Some are on the shore, others on the lake. A few, however, can’t make up their mind and wanders a paw to either side, if that was even possible.

With the camera slung, my eye sharp, I scan the horizon for … Suddenly I see him. He’s there. It’s a 100 % sure, it’s him. He swims out to sea then with outstretched wings, he turns around and his eye catches mine. I have no more doubts, certainties run through my head endlessly. He invites me to join him for one last dance. Or to take an important step, certainly the most important of my life.

I slowly approach. He does the same. I crouch down and look through the lens at this magical animal with special energy. Something emerges, invisible but here. He turns around, turns his back to me, like a ballet dancer, he spreads his winged arms and perhaps bravely gives me an encouraging, aggressive, plaintive, understanding look, who knows. I grab that moment, quickly, before it runs away forever. When I lift my attention from the camera, he has suddenly disappeared.

Back home, when I wanted to paint this unusual good or bad times fellow, a doubt seized me. What if I fail? It took me many weeks to finish the drawing on the canvas, then long months before daring to put a single pigment on the canvas. It took Monaco and this unspeakable, almost animal urge to be part of the trip. I allowed myself to immortalize him in painting, he who, six months before, had invited me to sail with him. It’s my turn to pay tribute to him and take him to the far end of my little imaginary world. A world full of color, music, and words too.

All it takes is a swan …