French Windows

French Windows is a two-part series painted in 2019 for Appétit Bistro 540A Willett Avenue, Port Chester, NY and in 2021 Appétit Bistro at Sono 136 Washington Street, Norwalk, CT.

Owner Edwin Montoya had a vision to elevate the atmosphere in his restaurants to match the award wining menu lauded by New York Times. We discussed the spaces and how to best accomplish his goal to transport diners in a sensory experience of taste, smell and atmosphere to France.

To help accomplish the work I asked my Paris-based friend scholar, writer, and photographer (specializing in moonlit scenes) Jane MacAvock to take photographs of her Parisian windows as fodder for the paintings. Jane also added a few images taken from her studio windows of Dora Maar's home in the French countryside, where Jane was fortunate to be in residence as a Fellow.

French Window Iron Work, 2019, ink and watercolor on paper, 56x40"

French Window Golden Curtain, 2019, ink and watercolor on paper, 56x40"

French Window Dora Maar View, 2019, ink and watercolor on paper, 56x40"

French Window Jane’s View, 2018, ink and watercolor on paper, 56x40"

French Windows installed at Appétit Bistro

French Window Dora Maar View with Balcony, 2021, ink and watercolor on paper, 42½x57”