Size: 40F, 100cm × 81cm, 39” x 32”
Media: Brush, Oil paint on Canvas
Date: April 22, 1977
Where: Painted at Fayence, France
Signature: “christine benson 1977”
Currently: Unknown
The Choice or Le Choix was a second painting of Sybille Bennet who was a fellow artist, neighbour and good friend of my mothers who lived just opposite my mother’s place in Fayence on the other side of the Rue de Château. This was yet another painting created to enter a specific exhibition, the Salon International d’Art, Musée de Toulon & Draguignan.
This large canvas is used to display the common question for many young people, stay with the simple quiet life of the countryside or take the road to the big city with it’s factories and bright lights. In the painting we can see the motorcycle is representative of the mobility and motion. The question is clearly shown on the model, Sybille’s contemplative expression. On the country side one can see a faithful rendering of my mother’s friend, Margarita’s cottage and its forest backdrop. I visited this cottage a few times while I was over there and was shocked to find that even in 1977, Margarita was living there with no electricity and no running water. On the back side of the cottage, built directly into the wall, was the well. This served as her source of water and she placed all her perishables in its bucket and lowered them into the cool air near the water at the bottom of the well, which proved remarkably effective. For lighting she used a few Aladdin style paraffin/kerosene lamps. When I asked her about this, she that she had used them for most of her life when she used to live on a farm in South Africa and didn’t see the need to change in her retirement years. But she did ask me to help find some replacement mantles, which I did as they more readily available in America. One couldn’t find a more perfect example of a simple country life.
Interesting, if you take the time to read the diary entries, we find out that Sybille herself, had made “Le Choix” as she had come down to the South of France from Paris on holiday and decided to stay.
I was fortunate to come across a few of the Polaroid photographs that are mentioned in the diary, including one with the right hand in it’s original position where they decided it “it looked like an amputation“! I think she was correct and the final position really adds to the expression and was well worth the extra effort to change.
Diary Entries
| March 13, 1977 | In pm worked on sketch for next painting. Sybille came over and collected my work for Draguignan exhibition tomorrow. |
| March 16, 1977 | Felt much happier after rehanging A’s picture over dinning room table and putting up Sybille on the wall over the divan – color is perfect in this living room – her hair picks up old cushion colors….. Sybille came in for 10 minutes and I roughly sketched in a position and took Polaroids…… Sybille shouted for help with her painting, she had offered me the idea – herself kneeling on a river bank – hair falling down her face reflected in water, took a Polaroid of her to help and did a sketch and then posed. Back to work on mine but Danielle was feeling chatty & then Mary came. |
| March 17, 1977 | Work. 4hrs ‘Le Choix’ [The Choice] S. 1st sitting 1 hr. Sybille came and sat for me for an hour – she has changed her painting idea – she has a town on the horizon ‘why just like that!!’ she said pointing to my canvas! Idea of pollution & her kneeling figure looking at a small flower – title ‘Hope’! Then she asked me how to get the prospective in colour of ground which I told her. Well! This is going to put me on my metal and I shall have to do better than my best & make composition very strong as the two cavases are similar in format. Promptly put my town in perspective & by the end of the day I was happy at the strong composition all finished in charcoal. |
| March 18, 1977 | Sybille had dental appointment so couldn’t sit. Later Jean came up with Sybille and was most impressed with drawing and composition. We’ll come up with idea for road signs. |
| March 19, 1977 | Work: 1½hrs with S. What a joyous place to live this is – to wander out shopping, dressed anyhow, in the sunshine chatting to people here and there, finding unexpected stalls, colorful & fun people milling around in the middle of the road greeting each other – all against the backdrop of distant blue mountains and old stone walls….. At 3:00 PM did one hour’s drawing in with Sybille. Gave her navy crossover cardigan to clear conscience of buying one today she hugged and kissed me with joy. |
| March 20, 1977 | Work: 4½hrs S. background. Up before 7:00 AM full of new resolutions and convinced it was Monday! Disappointed when I found out that it was Sunday. But carried on as planned anyway and did color underpainting of the whole of the Provançale side in the morning 2½hrs. At 3:00 PM was just starting again when a young French woman called… She stayed 2 hrs! Then worked on the rest of the canvas and finished at 7:00 PM. |
| March 21, 1977 | Work: 5hrs S. background. Joyous spring morning, but the weather and my work deteriorated as the day progressed. Pity. Launched in with paint & medium on sky going well until I tried to combine the day sky on left and the night sky on right – the overall effect becoming too dark. I’ve given myself some difficult problems. |
| March 22, 1977 | Work: 5hrs S. background. Very exciting morning – good repainting of the sky, mountains and sea with Berlioz Symphonie Fantastic going full blast. More work pm. |
| March 26, 1977 | Work: 5hrs S. background. Did a v. good 5 hrs work & finished whole of town side – looks good. Neon signs work well. |
| March 28, 1977 | Work: 3hrs background. Polish furniture etc . Painting grass on left side when Ray came looking for the Sutherland’s….. Painted some more in the afternoon with odd waving and chats through window to Danielle. Didn’t feel much like work. I’ve got spring fever or need a holiday. Haven’t had one in six years except for a few days with Margarita and three miserable days in Nice with mother. |
| March 29, 1977 | Work: 4hrs background. Miserable day – in spite of TM’s. Tried yoga, but found I’m shockingly stiff. Sybille came at 8:15 to pose as she was going out at nine but couldn’t start the portrait in that light. Drop the Venetian blinds and did some good painting behind them on Margarita’s cottage and forest etc. 4 hrs. |
| March 30, 1977 | Work: 1½hrs S. No model again today, but Sybille has a friend staying – an extremely sympathico girl by name of Danielle Sybille yes incredible but true and Sybille’s name was Danielle before she changed it! Made some alterations in ‘Le Choix’ and later Jean made some helpful suggestions. |
| March 31, 1977 | Work: 1hr sitt. S. ½hr. Woke with a thick head, but much happier. Really in good shape to start the portrait of Sybille, but it didn’t look bad – the lighted half side of her face. Changed angles of both roads so she is not sitting high above them and it worked. S. told me she had come to Cannes from Paris on holiday and never went back – so the painting does fit! She made ‘Le Choix’. |
| April 1, 1977 | Work: 1hr w S. 1hr. Was organized today with paint mix ready to go when Sybille arrived straight from bed all bleary eyed! Painted the shadow side of the face, usually difficult, but colour mauves & greenish ochers worked well. Lot of trouble with her crooked turned up nose! Straightened it a bit to both our satisfactions. Worked on after she had gone. |
| April 2, 1977 | Work: 1hr with S. +½hr. So many nice things happened today Sybille was over on time at 9:00 AM and successfully got the eyes and neck in, in my allotted hour before she rushed off. Worked on a bit after…. |
| April 5, 1977 | Work: ½hr with S. 6 portrait sketches!! equals 210F! Sybille came as per at 9:00 AM sneezing like mad. I painted the back of her hand but we decided it looked like an amputation so must alter the position to start again next time . |
| April 6, 1977 | Work: 2 portrait sketches 90F & 1hr drawing in Jackie. 2 watercolours 100F Phew! What a day! How’s lunch at 4:30 PM and supper 10 for a new schedule? The end of the day found me counting little piles of money found around with a head full of compliments in a state of exhaustion. Tony and Jackie arrived 10:30 AM and I sketched him – then among much laughter, Jackie – such a doll like face and widely spaced eyes and the tiniest nose I ever saw. She loved the sketch & though vain, found the drawing more beautiful! Tony said it was just like her. ….Then Pat arrived with Dave and Marla who was pregnant and not ill and who wants a portrait done immediately! 2000F also Jackie, but that will have to be done from photos. 1500 F. They bought me two Polaroid films 56F and I took a lot of Jackie. Went shopping and Sybille said Pierre had collected his paintings from Draguignan & not ours. Tony and Jackie came back and I drew in with charcoal directly on canvas, go figure. They left for Rome at 8:30 PM along with the six children. |
| April 7, 1977 | Work: ½hr with S. Gosh – so tired, but got ready to start another portrait – Sybille came and we changed the position of the hand, but she’s got flu – absolutely streaming cold, hot head & swollen eyes. |
| April 13, 1977 | Work: 1hr with S. +½hr. 1 drawing. Got into an awful temper after Sybille had left. I had waited all prepared, paint mixed for half an hour while she watered her plants, then she couldn’t sit still and just when I got the hand beginning to take shape she left – saying how much she had to do & after just sat outdoors chatting with Madame Lampolski & Jean. I can’t work like this – tried to go on without her and messed it up. I can’t get her to sit on a motor-bike for a photo either. What to do became miserable at the thought of not sending it – but less than a week to go. |
| April 14, 1977 | Work: 1hr with S +1hr. My view painted. Tearfully told Sybille about not sending ‘Le Choix’ to the Salon – she said ‘Nonsense!’ And yanked it out and put it on the easel. She said she shouldn’t have said to hurry up, she knew that she’s very edgy at the moment. Result still only an hour but more relaxed, got the hand and wrist in – worked on it after – OK but looks heavy. Found I couldn’t do any more work in pm without a photo of S. on a bike. Made myself paint watercolor ink drawing of my view. Could be a popular number thought about printing it. |
| April 15, 1977 | Work: 1hr with S. Sketch of Nicky. Sybille came moaning about her pain – said I thought it might be an appendix like I had when 19. Tried to paint other hand Danny (Danielle S.) came up and they chatted away while I continued. Finished it only to find it was too big and out of proportion due to her not wearing the jeans jacket and drawing in properly. Nicky arrived punctually! Ray went off to collect car and after making her coffee I started drawing. We were both pleased with the result, because she said even photos didn’t look like her. Later I corrected one eye but it is one of my best I am very happy about it. Sybille saw Dr Bertrand, It is a chronic appendix, but he says to wait until it’s acute before operating – strange advice. Before cleaning up paints blocked out legs and lower half of body in ‘Le Choix.’ Wish I had never started it! |
| April 16, 1977 | Work: copy sketch of Nicky. Hilarious muddled morning was wearing towel with dripping wet hair when Sybille came also wanting a bath and hair wash. All organized when Jean came to talk to S in the bath – he thinks the painting will have more impact without the bike or signs, just a half figure. In pm tried to do another drawing of Nicky for publicity purposes, the same but not her – curious. To Jane & Rays to a happy welcome. Jane seems to be so much happier these days. The drawing of Nicky absolutely alive. |
| April 17, 1977 | Work: 1hr with S. Sybille was here before I had made the bed or tidied up. Drew in carefully the arms and jacket etc. Then roughly painted in both roads joining & shimmering in a dream-like fashion – took it – the painting outside to get Jean’s opinion. I could see immediately that it didn’t work – must have a motor bike in it. Pierre saw the painting and was just too mean to comment but Danielle, Gareth and every one who passed said it certainly was like Sybille. Loaded Polaroid and insisted on getting a photo of Sybille on a bike and with Jean’s help succeeded – finally! Sybille was shy and embarrassed – that was the trouble! In pm started and finished a watercolor of Seillans village, so I can give it to Jane tomorrow for her birthday. |
| April 18, 1977 | Work 2½hrs ‘Le Choix’. Gosh! Shakespeare, Hitler, Napoleon, the Queen, Clement Freud, Streisand, all born this week, as well as Jane. Sybille came, though we had no date, to see if I’d drawn in the motorbike, just as if habit dictated after so many mornings! She seems more concerned about the painting than me now – belatedly. Drew the bike in v. complicated and diff. but will look good . |
| April 19, 1977 | Work: 3½hrs. Le Ch.. Had a blitz around – changing sheets and turning the mattress etc.. Then got cracking on the painting – redid right side background area and road, then brought grass down around the bike, changed main position of figure and realized the lower hand must be higher and will have to be repainted. Also horrors, the left handle brakes handlebars had to be raised as well risk necessitated redoing grass which I did. Rush to post and Co-op. before rain came….. Had started painting again when Sybille came over with Alexandre. |
| April 20, 1977 | Work: 6½hrs Le Ch. A day of solid painting! Wing mirrors and handlebars in AM after going down to study a motorbike and making notes, petrol tank and lamps et cetera in PM. Then started to paint in the right arm again how many times now? Stopped at 7:00 PM 6½hrs work. Later Sybille by said ‘C’est chouette!’ [That’s cool] (high praise) when she saw my day’s work. |
| April 21, 1977 | Work: 1hr with S. Plus 4½hrs. Another hard day’s work, it didn’t flow as well as yesterday, probably because of tiredness, and a desire to get out sunbathing. Sybille came and was very good, posing for the lower hand which came off well. Tried to change the other hand without her and became desperate with it. In afternoon painting of clothes….. Fancy the Tate Gallery paying £4000 for 120 bricks arranged by an ‘artist’! Makes a nonsense of spending weeks painting a canvas. Sickening to hear the director going on about the texture of the bricks! |
| April 22, 1977 | Work: 1¼hrs with S. & 4¾hrs . FINISHED! FINSHED! Only one dominating thought today – finish that painting. Sybille came and sat quietly and I repainted the hand under her chin until we were both satisfied with it. After she left – I painted in the lights and darks on the metal. – lunch, short nap and only the hair to do. That took dogged determination to stick at it – v. warm weather and I wanted to go see Jane and Ray. I pleaded with Sybille to sit for me for a few minutes, she did – 2 minutes. She had started spring cleaning her salon. Anyway I DID IT! I DID IT! 70 Hrs. Took a Polaroid to check and altered a couple of small things. |
| April 24, 1977 | Managed to take frame off ‘Quo Vadis?’ in strips and put it on ‘Le Choix’. |
| April 25, 1977 | What a day fun but expensive!! Sybille & I finally left Fayence at 10:30 AM and arrived in Toulon and parked at 1:15 PM. We had stopped at Graferron – 1¼hrs going & less than an hour coming back from there to F. To have a ‘penny’ break and a pastis. Disaster I left my expensive and beautiful sunglasses on the bonnet & drove off so lost them. After hectically driving around Toulon and ending up in cul-de-sacs, we managed to park in the main boulevard. Off amidst relief & laughter to the street of pros to find a restaurant S. knew about. Fantastically wide choice of dishes for a 13F menu – had mussels – then sole meunière. Had a sudden dreamlike flash – sort of déjà vu – sitting in such a v. French place, with a French friend with whom I could converse an impossible vision 7 years ago! A young man attached himself to us and we went off shopping replacing my sunglasses with some inferior but comfortable ones 98 francs. The young man got into the car to show us where the museum was – frantic rush! Imagine – they were just closing! Horrors! Grumblingly they accepted our paintings – just! Talk about the last minute of the last day – phew! Another hectic drive downtown – an aperitif and a parking fine of 50 francs! Then off to Graferron again to spend a penny and home at 8:00 PM . |
| April 29, 1977 | Sybille came ‘yoohooing’ up the stairs and flung down the Var Matin – super photos of both of us!! Unfortunate the headline had two mistakes in it “PEINTRE AU FEMININ AVEC Mme BANSON ET Mlle SYBILLE” never mind a good thing for us and even the painting of ‘Le Choix’ showed clearly enough to see S. on the motorbike, and photo of me very flattering. Yippee! |
Reference photographs
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