GALLERY GOODCHILD - hidden beauties in a rural backwater.

GALLERY GOODCHILD

35b, rue l'Aubiniére, RENAZE,

FRANCE

Tel 02 43 07 83 49 www.gallerygoodchild.com

Renazé is a quiet country town in the west of France, La Mayenne region. It is not particularly noted for its architecture or history, in fact the Shell Guide to France does not even bother to mention it. Although in Pays de la Loire, it is not in itself a tourist area, which makes it the more appealing to those who go to France to meet the French living their real lives.

However, this might begin to change for since March 2002 there has been a good reason for people, particularly those traveling on the N171 (Craon to Pouancé) to break their journey to visit a new art gallery. Gallery Goodchild, is the creation of Sue Goodchild and her husband Paul Goodman. Sue, born in England, is a professional painter. She has opened this superb gallery to display, not only her own work, but that of other artists in different disciplines. Tanya Short, like Sue also British, specializes in flower painting and silkscreen prints. Her work has been widely exhibited in the U.K., and she has recently returned from Japan where she was promoting her current touring exhibition. Tanya is a regular exhibitor.

Hugh Stephens exhibits large scale acrylic abstract paintings and his small scale etchings. Hugh also lives in France Bob Milikin, specializes in egg tempera, exhibiting a series of stone paintings. He is well known in London galleries and lectures in Dutch art galleries about various aspects of the Old Masters as seen through the eyes of an artist. Michael Ferré, sculptor, is widely exhibited, not only in France but also Israel and Costa Rica. His subject is the female form and will remain a permanent exhibitor.

Patrice Pailley, sculptor, well respected in the area, whos animal forms are worked in metal and wood. In May, Jane Simants and Mark Ponsford, both painters, join the exhibitors for the 'Nude' exhibition, and in June, Libby January and Margaret Eggleton will exhibit their paintings. This is just an indication of the range of work exhibited; there is much more. It is also displayed in a manner to delight the eye, and the appearance and atmosphere of the gallery is guaranteed to rejoice the heart of any one with an appreciation of art and beauty.

Sue herself is frequently in the gallery to meet visitors, and discuss her work and that of the other artist. Sue and Paul have made their home just outside Renazé, in an old farmhouse, which they have renovated with complete empathy for the style of the house and the surrounding area. The garden, once a field, they have turned, with an intuitive mixture of nature and art into a place where people can sit and admire the beauty all round them, and enjoy the peace of the countryside. This is particularly important, because Sue has turned 'Le Petit Bois Gleu' into an art school, and from April until October, there are always students on a variety of courses. Some she takes further afield, and in April and October, courses are held in other parts of France, particularly those that with her artists eye, Sue knows will capture the interest and imagination of the students, who range in ability from virtual beginners to some artists who are already professional.

It might seem that with the gallery and her teaching, Sue has little time for her own work, nothing could be further from the truth. She is never without a pencil and sketch pad, and while others are drinking coffee (or wine), she will be sketching a doorway or even the play of shadows on a wall, that might go unremarked by anyone else. These she will work on in her studio, during the winter months when she has time to concentrate on her own work.

So, be persuaded, if you are in this region, Angers to the south east with its famous chateau and Cathedral only 40 kms away, and the ferry port of St.Malo, and Mont St. Michel just 120 kms journey, take the opportunity to visit Gallery Goodchild, and find hidden beauties in a rural backwater.