Author :            Thierry Gardie, Art Historian

Preface :           Dominique Herpin-Poulenat,
                         Mayor of Vétheuil

Text :                English and French

Format :           17 x 24 cm, 200 pages including
                         140 colour reproductions

Limited edition (500) copies of the book can be purchased for £28 per copy plus postage (please see the Contact page for ordering details). These books are signed by both the artist and the author.

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Synopsis :

Mary Towsey had already established herself as a painter of English landscapes when, at the age of 46, she saw an advertisement for a property with a studio to let in Vétheuil, she little knew that her life was about to change. Relatively untravelled and, until then, convinced that the British Isles held all that she needed for subject matter, she boarded a plane to have a look. Three months later, and with ten students, she set off again for Vétheuil.

This was the beginning of a long and passionate love affair with the village. Captivated by Vétheuil and the surrounding area, she dared to step in the footsteps of Monet who lived in the village from 1878 to 1881. Four years later she bought a house there.

This book tells the story of her artistic journey through learning, teaching and exploring new techniques in oil, water-colour, gouache and mixed media. Subject matter includes still life, portrait, industrial scenes and abstract but primarily landscape where Vétheuil became the jewel in the crown.

Mary’s story, as told in “Vétheuil and other passions” was published in May 2006.

In October 2006 an exhibition of Mary’s paintings was held in the Town Hall in Vétheuil followed by a reception to celebrate the publication of the book.

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