Rick Janson Art Studio

When looking at a painting, do you see what’s beyond the canvas? I’ve always liked using references beyond what’s in the frame, from a shadows of nearby trees to, as was in the last post, a light source that suggests another person is nearby. Of course artists frequently crop buildings, objects or sometimes even people to suggest the frame is busting out beyond what’s contained on the canvas.

This new work is somewhat of a departure for me given it presents mutiple viewpoints — the exterior of the cafe, reflections capturing a feel of the street, hints at the interior of the cafe, and if you look very carefully, you can see me — hint: look for my white runners and ballcap.

Each window of the cafe felt like a painting unto itself, initially abstract until you see the broader picture through and reflected on the glass.

The painting is from a photograph I took while in Tournon, France, in 2022. We were cruising up the Rhone River and making various stops. That morning our ship docked in Tournon, although most of the morning was spent touring a nearby vineyard, and shortly after, a chocolate factory (chocolate and wine — what’s not to like?). It was early afternoon by the time we wandered through Tournon, and most of the shops and restaurants were closed for siesta, including Le Dauphin. About the only life were other passengers from our ship also wandering around, that, and a city employer emptying the trash bins from his pint-size camion.

I knew when I saw the cafe and the reflections in the windows that this would be a painting. When I travel there are pictures I take as a tourist, and others I take to work from in my studio. This was definitely one of the latter. While there are no people in the frame (aside from my reflection) one could easily imagine the patrons smoking a cigarette and having a glass of wine on those chairs, sharing stories of their day. Clearly the proprietors were ready, the ash trays already on the tables, the upholstered chairs in place. The scene felt expectant. At a certain time the streets would fill again. But for now — all was quiet.

I acknowledge that this is a very romanticized view of a French town, but as I have stated before, I like the life implied in all these cafes — in fact I started another painting yesterday based on a Parisian cafe in the Marais, risking the twee with a dog being the only patron that seemed to be aware of their surroundings beyond the patrons on their phones (yeah, one of my travel themes).

Want to see more? Check out my page of recent paintings (2024-25). And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a post!