The "A New Additon to the Walls of the Beach House" Story

Jean-Pierre Straub showing me some of the 
veneers he uses in his marquetry.

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished framing my latest purchase of art that I bought on the island of St. Martin.  The walls in our house are covered with watercolors, acrylics, batiks, glass, oils, and photographs from islands throughout the Caribbean as well as half a dozen of watercolors from Italy.  We have very little wall space left that isn't covered in artwork.  But, Carol and I love viewing it daily, since it reminds us of past trips and the many happy memories we had while traveling.  My plan this year was to purchase a piece by French artist Jean-Pierre Straub who specializes in marquetry.  We stopped at his galley and viewed some of his work as well as spent some time talking with him.  His work is spectacular, but the few I was interested in buying were slightly beyond my budget.  Will have to save a bit more before our visit next year and I may have enough to make a purchase.  

Acrylic painting by Mair Pattersun titled Parasols - Club O,
St. Martin.  Edition #13/500. Click to enlarge.

This year I saw an acrylic of Orient Beach that I really liked.  The purchase was comparable with the cost of most acrylic painters so I brought it home with me.  Just finished matting and framing it and hanging it on an open space in the house.  The artist's name was Mair Pattersun and she has been exhibiting and selling her work since 1968.  She is from Totnes, Devon, but travels to St. Martin most years to paint the stunning views from the poolside and terrace of an apartment in Oyster Pond.  She says the apartment is like a paint box ... rich in color and sumptuous in decor.  She exhibits at Harmony Nights in Grand Case as well as selling her paintings at the Club Orient store.  Mair is also a composer and musician of romantic light classical music.  The painting will make a nice addition in our home.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.