The "An Antoine Chapon Addition" Story

LDub and Antoine Chapon talk about his work at his home/studio.

It was an ordinary day.  Walking the streets of Marigot in St. Martin, French West Indies, looking for just the right memento to take home with us to help us remember our latest trip to our favorite vacation spot in the Caribbean.  Walked into a small art gallery and as Carol searched the jewelry counters I looked through the many displays of artwork.  We have quite a few pieces of art from local artists, but one of my favorites is a fellow by the name of Antoine Chapon.  

The home gallery of Antoine Chapon in St. Martin.

Antoine was born in France in 1952 and sailed to the West Indies in 1981 where he settled in a tiny village known as Colombier on the island of St. Martin.  Then in 1995 he moved to the French Cul de Sac Bay area where he opened a gallery in his home.  

Our first and largest print titled "Reflection"

Carol and I were lucky a few years ago to visit him in his home/studio and get to see him at work.  At that time we purchased our first print from him called "Reflection" which features a dory reflecting in the crystal blue waters.  Very simple, but I love the colors and the watercolor techniques which he uses.  Wasn't long before we returned and purchased our second, but much smaller print, from him titled "Grand Case" which is named after a small town lined with restaurants along the water's edge.  

Our second and smallest print titled "Grand Case"

The town is considered by many to be the culinary capital of the Caribbean.  This watercolor print also displays the soft Caribbean blues and aquas that make his work so calm and peaceful.  Two years ago while walking the streets of Marigot once again we discovered Antoine had opened a new gallery in the city and made yet another stop and purchase from him.  This watercolor is titled "Dream Anguilla" and is perhaps my favorite.  

My favorite Chapon print titled "Dream Anguilla"

I framed it and have it hanging in our entrance way with about a dozen other favorite prints from our travels to the Caribbean.  I never tire of looking at his wispy brush strokes or his beautiful Caribbean colors that he illustrates in all his painting.  We found he has closed his gallery in his home and now sells his prints just in his studio in Marigot.  

Our fourth and most recent print titled "Lazy Day"

This past May we once again purchased another of his prints in the same art gallery near the Marigot market place where we made our first purchase of one of Antoine's prints.  This small print is called "Lazy Day" and reflects the title in it's entirety.  I have just finished framing this print and have it handing in my office below his print "Reflection."  Will we purchase another one?  Maybe not, since there are so many other artists who we enjoy so much on the island of St. Martin, but we have said before that we need to look elsewhere for a print, but are always drawn towards his soft colors and gorgeous seascapes.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.