Inspired by Eugène Boudin (1824 – 1898) – Beach and boats (around 1854 – 1860) – Lead pencil on grey paper – 9,45 x 12,60 inch

As I reach the beach, it’s low tide. Here and there sailing boats try fishing. During this season, sea bream, pollock and pout try to escape the bait, a worm pulled from the mud. But greedy fish falls necessarily into the net. A peaceful sight plays before my astonished eyes.

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Inspired by Johan Barthold Jongkind (1819 – 1891) – Honfleur’s harbour entrance (1864) – Black stone / Watercolour – 6,49 x 10,43

As Michel closes the front door of his house that morning, he doesn’t have a clue whether he will ever come back or not. Madeleine is quietly waiting in the car, passenger seat. Her look is empty and her mind wanders. She’s elsewhere.

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Inspired by Eugène Boudin (1824 – 1898) – Near the beach cabins (1866) – Lead pencil / Watercolour – 4,80 x 9,45 inch

This July in Le Havre is definitely exquisite! An awesome weather, with blue sky, few clouds and mild summer temperatures. I feared spending 4 weeks holidays in the suffocating summer heat and afternoons at the beach with children screaming, sending sand in the eyes, pushing. And of course, the endless parties with friends and the never ending aperitifs or rather aperitifs breaking up with argues, extended statements, depending on the amount of alcohol drunk. No, that was last year’s scenario in Antibes. I hate the south of France!

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Inspired by Eugène Boudin (1824 – 1898) – Boat on a stream in Holland (around 1875 – 1880) – Lead pencil / Watercolour on white paper – 8,97 x 10,39 inch

Promises made must be promises kept. Louis promised his grandson Yoann to go out fishing if he passed to college with good marks. The results exceeded the target, which thrilled the whole family. But fishing on the high seas is dangerous. Perhaps, Louis shouldn’t have … But it’s too late now. Yoann arrived yesterday by train, frantic. He has hardly touched the yummy dinner cooked by his grandmother. Though hamburger with french fries is his favorite meal.

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Inspired by Eugène Boudin (1824 – 1898) – Sinking (around 1846 – 1848) – Charcoal / White chalk on buff coloured paper – 9,45 x 12,60 inch

Jack is still a teenager when he embarks on the Black Pearl for the first time. The sea means so much to him. The sea took his father away forever when he was a baby boy who coudn’t walk by himself. also she who took him as he walked. His mother didn’t wish to go with him to the harbour nor wave him goodbye before sailing away through the waves. She respects his decision but that’s where it ends.Jack is the youngest of the crew. He receives a special treat made of all the most degrading chores possible. But the young man holds on. He knows how to go through this, he has learned everything all by himself, against his will.

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Inspired by Eugène Boudin (1824 – 1898) – Honfleur’s lighthouse (around 1854 – 1860) – Charcoal / Pastel on grey paper – 9,45 x 12,60 inch

Every morning since 10 years, Georges takes a walk around the lighthouse. He particularly enjoys its wild and frightening side, mostly on stormy days. The raging sea takes its last waves to death near the shore. The bells ring off the charts and the lantern swings endlessly to warn sailors from dangerous reefs. As a matter of fact, the spot can be fatal. Old people tell all kind of scary stories about this legendary place. Georges,author, has tried many times to write a book on this topic however he never made it. Tongues loosen over a drink but quickly freeze once home. He has tested useless different approaches in the last years. He finally gave up and performs his daily pilgrimage instead.

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