The Making of Word Story

It was a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new art work on our patio. We had the artist and her family there to celebrate. Stephanie and her husband own Bartaveille, one of my all- time favorite restaurants. 

During Covid, when the restaurant had to be closed, Stephanie started painting. We asked her if she ever thought of selling her work? She hadn't, but we bought one of her first painting, The outline of a woman holding a heart. It graces our studio in Geneva.

She continued to develop her style, participated in some multi-artist exhibitions. The second floor (European second floors are called first floors) of the restaurant was converted into an art gallery and every couple of months a different batch of local artists display their works. 

We hired a local artist to paint a mural on our patio wall. His work was a colorful representation of the village; the church, marchés, street dances including the woman who wore such short shorts we called her Hot Cheeks, people we knew and some we didn't. When he signed it, there was a small painting of our dog Sherlock who shared Marco's breakfast croissant before he started painting. 

We loved it. There was a problem. The wall behind the painting had not been properly prepared. Too soon, some of the details developed bubbles. In other places, chunks of the painting fell to the tiled patio.

When Stephanie looked at it, she saw the problem. The first painting could not be repaired because of the wall.

It was my idea to ask her if she could do a new project. I knew how busy she is.

Happiness!

She said she could if we weren't in a rush. We were heading to Geneva for a couple of months.

She sent us a devi (estimate) and some sketches. Rick had a couple of minor adjustments.

Our handyman, Gigi, repaired the wall to Stephanie, specifications. 

The decision was made to make the new painting a triptych on moveable boards that would be hung slightly away from the wall. They could be brought indoors if we were to be away for a long time.

She documented the work here on her Instantgram account. 

While we were in Geneva, she finished it. She told me. I didn't tell Rick. 

"Come here," I said as soon as I saw it on our return.

"Let me finish unloading the car."

"COME HERE!"

He did, thrilled Word Story was complete.

In the bottom right hand corner was Sherlock with a crown, an accurate representation on his position in the family.

I have always been hesitant to have Stephanie and her chef husband to dinner. He is truly an artist in food, but I was brave enough to invite them for an apèro. 

We tied the patio door with a ribbon for Stephanie to cut. Of course it was too cold to have the apèro on the patio and since then it has rained almost constantly.

Each time I walk by the patio days, I smile as something different catches my eye. 

Someday the rain will stop, it will warm up and we can eat on the patio while looking at our new art work.

Oh, and we are also looking forward to a great meal at Bartavelle. 

The title of the painting is word story. Considering Rick and I are both writers, what better title could there be?