A Portrait in Vence by Robin Blocker
Nall drawing Robin Blocker's portrait at his studio in Vence (Image Courtesy of Robin Blocker)
In the summer of 1993 my husband, Ted, and I went to visit Nall in Vence. As with all our experiences with Nall, each day was an adventure. He always had something interesting and unique ‘up his sleeve’. I always would say, ‘Who needs a television when you’re with Nall?’
We went to the Foundation Maeght outside of St.Paul de Vence and saw a collection of works from the best contemporary artists known. Not only is the collection a treasure, but the building itself is a worthy design. We ran around the installation, ‘Penetrable’ by Jesus-Raphael Soto, like little kids, through the yellow plastic pipes hanging from ceiling to floor. This installation demonstrated the artist’s idea that we are all colliding in the universe. And we joyfully collided through the tubes.
Nall & Robin Blocker in the installation, ‘Penetrable’ by Jesus-Raphael (Image courtesy of Robin Blocker)
We visited friends of Nall’s in Tourrettes Sur Loup (the city of violets) in their beautiful home for dinner. This stunning village is located on a rocky setting overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Nall was in his element, enchanting the group with his stories.
One of the most memorable excursions we went on was when Nall was on a hunt for anything interesting along the way that people were getting rid of and were out at the front of the property for the garbage man to pick up. We were riding in Nall’s Mercedes and gathering all the items that caught Nall’s eye, which was plenty. Like the "Beverly Hillbillies", we had things jutting out of windows, tucked between us on the seats, around our feet on the floorboard, and strapped to the top of the car. With no more room, we headed back to Nall's.
Villefrance-Sur-Mer (Image Courtesy of Robin Blocker)
We joined Nall in Villefrance-Sur-Mer where he had a wonderful art show. Ville franche is a beautifully picturesque resort town on the French Riviera. We walked the medieval streets lined with pastel colored buildings. Stunning.
We got to enjoy a Donna Summer concert held at an outdoor venue on the Mediterranean, a short distance from the balcony of the apartment where we were staying with Nall in Monte Carlo. What a fabulous treat after a memorable day enjoying the sites in the Principality of Monaco.
Ted & Brett building the frame for Robin Blocker's Portrait (Image Courtesy of Robin Blocker)
Somehow we managed to have the time for Nall to do my portrait. Ted helped Brett, Nall’s apprentice, build the frame with colorful Venetian tiles of varying sizes and four large terracotta tiles placed at each corner. Nall used the technique he honed when visiting Mexico to use eggshell pieces as part of the base layer. Both Ted and I got to participate with the placement of those onto the piece. With all of us working, the portrait was finished quickly. Nall told me that that Ted and I putting the eggshells on my portrait would help us with our desire to have a child…
Robin Blocker eggshelling the portrait that Nall made of her (Image Courtesy of Robin Blocker)
Ted Blocker eggshelling the portrait that Nall made of Robin Blocker (Image Courtesy of Robin Blocker)
I know this sounds strange, but I think Nall’s pronouncement put a little bit of magic into the universe and we were soon blessed with a baby daughter. I will always believe in Nall’s positive magical powers. A wonderful memory…
Robin Blocker
Portrait of Robin Blocker by Nall (Image Courtesy of Robin Blocker)