in the artists atelier with michel charrier

by Sharon Santoni

Now and again, I am very fortunate to meet an artist whose work I immediately fall in love with.   And sometimes, thanks to my camera and the blog, the initial meeting leads to an invitation to an atelier, and even a friendship.

a spread of paintings and paints- in the artists atelier with michel charrier- MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME

I met Michel Charrier quite by chance via mutual friends.  Quiet and modest, at first glance anything but a poetic and prolific artist.   Someone mentioned his work and I showed my interest, and a few days later I was invited to his atelier.

flower vases in watercolors- in the artists atelier with michel charrier- MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME

Michel is a very talented watercolour artist.   His work has been used by perfume brands, luxury French names and even by a well known make of macaroon.

paintbrushes in the workshop- in the artists atelier with michel charrier- MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME

Inside his home, he showed me some of his watercolours, starting off with the beautiful house portraits, both inside and out.     Michel lives in Normandy, and besides painting scenes inspired by his own home and family, he also is commissioned to paint portraits of other people’s properties.

I am fortunate enough to have a small watercolour of my house in the snow, that he sent me as a greetings card!

His mood is light and carefree, there are big bouquets of romantic flowers around the rooms, and the light is always happy.

His other work that I loved are his equestrian images.  He doesn’t own horses, or even ride, but he has an understanding of the horse anatomy and gait which is just breathtaking.    Added to this his use of light, and the slightly disproportionate size between horse and rider and the result is quite beguiling.

a selection of watercolor paintings- in the artists atelier with michel charrier- MY FRENCH COUNTRY HOME

Don’t be fooled by Michel’s website.  His gift is creation and not so much marketing!    But if you are interested in a portrait of a home or in any other pieces of his work, then you can contact him HERE.

 

Michel Charrier, watercolour artist

30 comments

Saundra January 9, 2019 - 4:04 pm

I can well understanding falling in love with this artist immediately. I too feel that way and would love some of the things he has done even if it is not my own home. I have written to him to see if he can do our Havanese Molli Bea. Thank you for having this posted. Saundra Friedman

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Sharon Santoni January 13, 2019 - 1:24 pm

How exciting Saundra! I hope that works out!

best

Sharon

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Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things January 9, 2019 - 4:21 pm

I love what I see! How wonderful you were able to meet.

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stacey January 9, 2019 - 5:17 pm

His work is Beautiful! Magical! What a wonderful find.

And how do we get that fabulous pop up book!!!!

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Karen January 9, 2019 - 5:27 pm

His work is very soulful. Love the feeling.

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Carolyn January 9, 2019 - 5:28 pm

Beautiful art! Thanks for sharing with us.

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Valorie January 9, 2019 - 5:37 pm

Oh my goodness! I love everything I see. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing artist and his work with us! <3

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Sharon January 9, 2019 - 5:38 pm

How beautiful, I love it. Thanks for sharing.

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Judi January 9, 2019 - 5:50 pm

Fantastique!! He is so very talented. Just lovely-and those horses-the drama and motion and perspective is unique and captivating!!

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Marie GLADCZAK January 9, 2019 - 6:16 pm

Un grand Merci Chère Sharon pour ce beau cadeau de nouvel An!!! Un tel artiste et ses oeuvres si magnifiques font un tel bien aux yeux ,au coeur, à tout l’être entier!! Merci de nous l’avoir partagé!

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Marie GLADCZAK January 9, 2019 - 6:18 pm

Un grand Merci Chère Sharon pour ce beau cadeau de nouvel An!!! Un tel artiste et ses oeuvres si magnifiques font un tel bien aux yeux ,au coeur, à tout l’être entier!! Merci de nous l’avoir partagé!

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Marie GLADCZAK January 9, 2019 - 6:20 pm

Je constate que tous mes mots ne sont pas retranscris! “font un tel bien aux yeux , au coeur , à tout l’être entier!!”

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david terry January 9, 2019 - 6:47 pm

Yes……He’s very good. Shades of Vogue and Country Life, circa 1930-1955. He could have made a fortune illustrating book-covers back in the 1940’s-50’s (the high Mitford era). I’m glad to see that someone is still doing this sort of work. I may be the only person who’s gotten tired of Vanity Fair/Annie Leibowitz’s illustrations/photographs…..all of which seem to require at least twenty five onset assistants.

Best wishes,
David Terry
rougemont, Nc
USA

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Colleen Taylor January 9, 2019 - 7:26 pm

Fabulously talented artist!

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Vicky (from Athens) January 9, 2019 - 7:29 pm

Beautiful art!!

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Judy Lambert January 9, 2019 - 8:28 pm

Whimsical and lovely! Just makes you want to see more. Thank you for sharing.

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Sheila birkenshaw. Charente. France January 9, 2019 - 8:34 pm

So lovely to see an artist stick to their style. Beautiful watercolours with a fresh romantic modern feel. I’m an amateur oil painter and one of the challenges is finding your style. Gorgeous paintings.

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Richard Hacker January 9, 2019 - 8:48 pm

Hi Sharon,
Thanks for this post, a delight, on a grey day in England. Looking forward to a great 2019 full of interesting stuff about France from you. Sadly, it doesn’t look as though we will be able to get out to France this year so your posts will be more than welcome. Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

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Taste of France January 9, 2019 - 9:47 pm

What a delight to have such a person in your region. We have the pleasure of being close to an excellent painter, and it is such a joy to pop by the studio to see how works are progressing, especially because the subjects are familiar scenes.

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darby callahan January 9, 2019 - 10:29 pm

His work is lovely and as a horse owner I especially love his equestrian portraits.

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Gudrun January 9, 2019 - 10:36 pm

Gorgeous work! What a pleasure to the eye! Thank you for sharing his website with us!

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Linda Appelle January 9, 2019 - 11:43 pm

How does one buy that precious and lovely pop-up book? Really want it if he will mail it to USA. I should love to have him paint my little dogs.

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franki January 10, 2019 - 12:16 am

Spoke to me!! franki

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Kim January 10, 2019 - 1:18 am

Merci Sharon.
I have been looking for someone to do a portrait of my home. I have found that person.
Thank you for the contact information!!
Merci

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Dianne Adams January 10, 2019 - 2:46 am

Beautiful, beautiful!! Funny you should send this as I’ve been thinking that this year I would finally indulge in my life-long desire to learn to water color. Seeing such talent here is a strong motivator, indeed!!

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Teresa Person January 10, 2019 - 4:20 am

As an artist myself, I so enjoy seeing other artists works… love his attention to detail and color choices… hope you are doing well… met you a few years ago in Kansas City at your book signing… my husband and I came up from Dallas, Texas.. hope your New Year is great… Teresa Person

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Margarita W. January 10, 2019 - 4:36 am

Absolutely love his lovely work!

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Dottie Monta January 10, 2019 - 5:26 am

But for you, Sharon, we would not know of this artist’s beautiful world. Our Caroline, who rides, will be enchanted by his imaginative interpretations of the horses’ grace and movement. You have the most interesting friends!

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June Rubenstein January 10, 2019 - 11:13 pm

It seems as though are you are becoming more famous! I really like this gentleman’s style of painting. I’m a Watercolor Artist also and it’s just incredible to see the hundreds of styles of painting people have.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing

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Mona April 27, 2021 - 3:07 am

Do you buy?

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