Bohemians of the Riviera: Tutti al Posto

Gertrud Stein once evoked that painter’s do not conceive of as existing in themselves. They conceive themselves as a reflection of the objects they paint into their pictures, in other words they live in the reflection of their art. Artists need ideas, time, and aptitude to create their art. When American artist Tim Johnson moved to the French Riviera in 1990 to marry a French woman, one of the first people he met was French artist Polo. By coincidence they had a common interest – a French woman that Tim would eventually marry. Polo, by chance was an ex-boyfriend. They both abandoned their fascination in the woman and became fast friends over another common interest – art. Tim was a former university art professor. Polo, a free-spirited artist, sculptor, and entrepreneur.

These artists prefer to work in amorphous and deliberate situations, under unusual circumstances, to use their creativity and imagination to create fine art. Their friendship has endured because of their passion for creativity. They live by the maxim Tutti al Posto, which translates as everyone back to their posts, so they can carry on with their art unencumbered by the rigor and expectations of society.

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