August 2011 – The Christina Gallery

August 2011 Archives

In Memory of Yves Parent 1941-2011

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and long-time gallery artist, Yves Parent on July 8, 2011 after a long and extremely successful artistic career. He died at his home in La Trinité Sur Mer in France and was surrounded by his loved ones.

Parent was a talented artist whom we have worked with for over two decades. He was born in Normandy in 1941 and was first a lawyer and an executive at his grandfather’s mineral water company before dedicating his life to his artwork. We met Yves and his friend and fellow artist, Marc Bertier, back in the 1980’s. Both avid sailors, they would come to the States from France during the summer season to paint along the Eastern seaboard. Yves then did watercolors from his boat giving the observer a unique window into how he saw the harbor fronts, lighthouses and surrounding landscape.

It wasn’t until many years later that Yves switched to oil paints and managed to achieve the very same tranquil mood many came to appreciate in his watercolors. His work continued to be admired by all that loved the sailing genre and he was an artist member of the American Society of Marine Artists.

His cheerful demeanor and very charming smile will be deeply missed by all those who ever interacted with him.

Sailors’ Valentine workshop with Sandi Blanda

Last week award-winning artist Sandi Blanda was on the island to teach a workshop on how to make Sailors’ Valentines. Sandi is very well known for her own work and has been teaching workshops for several years, though this was her first workshop on Martha’s Vineyard. The workshop was filled to capacity and it was a tremendous success! It took place over the course of three mornings and was held at the Boathouse, here in downtown Edgartown.

Thirteen people signed up for the workshop, four participants had taken a workshop in the past, and the other nine people had not. So understandably there was a little hesitation on their part, but once Sandi got everyone involved the group moved right along and most days stayed later to ask questions and continue their creations.

On the first day everyone learned about the different shells supplied by Sandi and the other materials they would be using to create their valentines. They learned the basics and then were assigned homework which entailed coming back in the morning with an idea for a design. Which everyone did and began to layout the different shells and other components to create their valentine.

On the last morning, the group started to permanently assemble their creations, some of whom finished and others whom had a beautiful work in progress. Sandi had a wonderful time getting to know her new friends and is looking forward to next summer’s workshop. To view more photographs and a video of this summer’s workshop please visit the gallery’s Facebook page.