First off the easel, I painted a more representational rendering of the famed champagne, thus the thank you gifts. This was the tip of the iceberg of a singular object and concept that I would continue to expand on for years to come and likely will never stop exploring inspirations for the art of the bottle. 

They've taken on a life of their own with more modern abstract versions, while still returning to the traditional image. Branching out to the more abstract contemporary pieces was a stretch but I couldn't resist and the result was wildly colorful, fresh & funky paintings with an interpretation of Veuve still recognizable. 

Collage with vintage billboard paper led me in yet another direction and one that I will build on going forward. Ideas are rumbling around in my brain. My newest “moody” version included variegated gold leaf echoing antiquity with a twist of modern.

Visiting Reims on the way to my art residency in France did not disappoint. Not a bad glass of bubbles in sight! Touring Veuve Clicquot enhanced all that I have read about the champagne house, as well as the book and movie titled The Widow Clicquot.

Here goes the history geek in me and curiosity in trivia:

Phillipe Clicquot owned the vineyard that was largely known for its white wine. His daughter, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin married an affluent textile industrialist, Francois in 1798. Sadly, 7 years later, Francois died and Barbe-Nicole took over the business at 27. Her fortitude and tenacious attitude prevailed through wars, financial hardship, ridicule from other winemakers, tending the vines, logistics of transporting the Champagne and developing so much of the processes that are still used today by champagne houses worldwide. Her title of being called “the widow” will never be forgotten… An entrepreneurial woman who was way ahead of her time!

At one of the smaller producers we visited in Reims, I was Intrigued by the symmetry and reflections of bottles laying down on racks as one of the last steps in the process of making champagne. Inspiration for this painting.

Since beginning to paint champagne bottles, it became evident to me that if the shape is not proportioned right, it simply doesn’t work. Trivia about the shape & slope: Universal to the industry, the manner in which the bottle is shaped ensures smooth and equal distribution of the yeast, sugar, wine and CO2 pressure. The narrowing neck provides precision of the cork gripping the neck (awaiting the explosion of bubbles) The neck also limits exposure to oxygen after opening it to keep the bubbles flowing. The thickness of the bottle, unlike a normal wine bottle, is also necessary to insure that it holds up under the pressure of CO2 trapped inside. The indentation shape under base of the bottle, called the “punt” also plays a part in preventing the bottle from shattering under stress.

Moet & Chandon is the leading producer of champagne yearly @ 30 million bottles. Veuve is second @18-19 million. When the widow died, she was producing around 750,000 bottles.

Stay with me for one more non technical bit of trivia. We toured Hautvillers, France, including St Sindulphe church where Dom Perignon is buried. This was a Benedictine monastery where he served as a cellarer. Buried in a tombstone directly in front of the altar and next to Dom Jean Royer. Legend has it that Dom Perignon drank champagne EVERY day and Dom Royer did NOT. Dom Perignon lived 76 years, while his pal lived only 20. This truly makes me giggle.

“The French Console” was painted from pictures taken in this charming chapel with a toast and a nod to Dom Perignon! Fine art giclee prints are available of the console painting and quite a few champagne bottles as well as a selection of small pieces I’ve recently printed.