France
Arragons and Ballantynes
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David and Katharine's life-long attachment to France was accentuated by their special friendship with the Arragon family, who had come from Isère to live in Bournemouth during the 1960’s, Maggie Arragon attending David’s evening class in the pottery department. Her husband Philippe’s scientific and mathematical background very much intrigued David and the two enjoyed intense discussions about the meaning of life!
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'Breakfast sunshine at Maggie's'
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This family friendship provided the context for much of his renewed interest in painting. When the Arragons returned to France, the Ballantynes went to stay with them in their country cottage in Maloza, near Grenoble, David painting canvases en route and in the surrounding area. On their first visit in 1964 he designed the 'Rencontre' mural to celebrate the occasion, which the two families painted onto one wall of the Arragon's house.
In David’s later years, a number of wine-producing chateaux in the south of France commissioned him to make spittoons. For several successive summers the two of them would drive the spittoons to their destination, which would pay for the leisurely route they took through the countryside, making time for David to paint and for Katharine to practise her French.
In David’s later years, a number of wine-producing chateaux in the south of France commissioned him to make spittoons. For several successive summers the two of them would drive the spittoons to their destination, which would pay for the leisurely route they took through the countryside, making time for David to paint and for Katharine to practise her French.
'Rencontre' mural