It is never too late. Madame Nottale harbouring a deep well of creativity.

My first encounter with Madame Nottale was when I was invited to dinner at the family home in Marley le Roi – (south west of Paris) in 1983, whenshe made a huge impression on me.

I first painted her in 1994 (above portrait watercolour/gouache)…..At which point Madame Nottale was still raising her family of eight children and working full time as a nurse.

Five years ago, I visited Madame Nottale in a nursing home situated in the historic district of LePecq,south west of Paris. Interestingly, it’s an area I am familiar with as I have other friends who live almost next door to the home. It’s what I call a personal ‘hot spot’.

After entering the nursing home, Madame Nottale, for the first time in her life, had the space and time to paint and write every day. When I arrived, I was amazed to see…