Sunday, January 18, 2009,
We go out while pink light was still on the Galibier to take pictures. The weather and clarity of the day would not get better. It started to snow.
We went in for coffee and baguettes with good French butter, and back out to hear the results of the jury. When the Popular Choice award was announced it was: the bear on a sheep, followed by the cardboard boxes, and topped by a dragon. Steuart had gotten Second Place - People's Choice. He was thrilled that people liked his sculpture. Then they announced the Artists Choice and Steuart again won. He was shocked, and incredibly honored. Artist's Choice is always the most coveted award. He and most of the artists don't really like the idea that these events are competition and shrug off awards, but being appreciated by other artists is really meaningful. He probably only had one more vote than the next artist, he said.There were so many that were pushing the idea of ice sculpture.
He thought he was finished with getting awards, and then the decision of the jury was announced, and he given the top prize. He was speechless in both French and English. The snow was blowing in hard from the Galibier by this point, and everyone cheerily posed for a group photo.
We took more shots of the sculpture and then were treated to a great last lunch at the Crete Rond, another restaurant in Les Verney. Seafood in pastry, followed by a chicken breast, the cheese course and a great raspberry cake, A new wine was on the table, and then photos were passed out by Bernard Grange, the master of photo in the town -- just an hour or so, after the last image was taken. What a guy. Thank you Bernard.
We go out while pink light was still on the Galibier to take pictures. The weather and clarity of the day would not get better. It started to snow.
We went in for coffee and baguettes with good French butter, and back out to hear the results of the jury. When the Popular Choice award was announced it was: the bear on a sheep, followed by the cardboard boxes, and topped by a dragon. Steuart had gotten Second Place - People's Choice. He was thrilled that people liked his sculpture. Then they announced the Artists Choice and Steuart again won. He was shocked, and incredibly honored. Artist's Choice is always the most coveted award. He and most of the artists don't really like the idea that these events are competition and shrug off awards, but being appreciated by other artists is really meaningful. He probably only had one more vote than the next artist, he said.There were so many that were pushing the idea of ice sculpture.
He thought he was finished with getting awards, and then the decision of the jury was announced, and he given the top prize. He was speechless in both French and English. The snow was blowing in hard from the Galibier by this point, and everyone cheerily posed for a group photo.
We took more shots of the sculpture and then were treated to a great last lunch at the Crete Rond, another restaurant in Les Verney. Seafood in pastry, followed by a chicken breast, the cheese course and a great raspberry cake, A new wine was on the table, and then photos were passed out by Bernard Grange, the master of photo in the town -- just an hour or so, after the last image was taken. What a guy. Thank you Bernard.
