Bouthonvilliers castle is located in Dunois, or more precisely in Perche Goët, a charming country which separates Beauce from Perche, just 1h from Paris and close to the chateaus of the Loire Valley. A magnificent forest massif, of more than 100 hectares, surrounds this residence formerly called Boscovilore (House of the Woods). Bouthonvilliers castle is surrounded by a beautiful 20-hectare English-style park, classified as a Historic Monument.
The property also benefits from outbuildings, a “small” French-style park, a 1-hectare vegetable garden, a swimming pool, a lake and a chapel installed in the 19th century in a 16th century dovecote.
The main body of the building is a 7m wide manor house with double exposures. The East/West orientation gives it great brightness. The elegance of its symmetrical architecture, dating from the 18th century, has earned Bouthonvilliers its classification as a Historic Monument. The castle is made up of two pavilions from the 16th century (Henri IV) and a central part from the 18th century with attic roofs. Inside, the period parquet floors and moldings contribute to the extreme refinement of this exceptional residence. This timeless universe will allow you to live a unique experience.
The outbuildings, built in the 19th century for the castle staff and horses, still house today the stables as well as two gîtes completing the castle’s accommodation offering
My main focus is the art of conversation, both literal and figurative. I love to capture the energy and mood of people interacting with each other and their surroundings. I use a bold and colorful palette to create expressive and impressionistic paintings that invite the viewer to join the conversation.
I work both in the studio and plein air, often painting scenes of urban life, cafes, architecture and landscapes. I enjoy the challenge of painting from life, observing the changing light, colors, and shapes.
Painting with both brush and palette knife, I prefer the latter for its versatility and spontaneity. I use the palette knife to apply thick layers of paint, creating rich impasto effects that enhance the sense of movement and depth. I also use the palette knife to scrape, blend, and draw with the paint, creating interesting marks and edges.
My goal as an artist is to share my passion and joy for painting with others. I hope that my paintings convey a sense of life, emotion, and connection. I believe that art is a powerful form of communication that can transcend language and time.
Bio:
Michele Byrne received a B.F.A. from Kutztown University and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. After working 20 years in graphic design she turned to full time painting in 2001 and began plein air painting in 2006.
Michele is an impressionistic artist known for her bold, colorful palette knife work. She often explores the theme The Art of Conversation, painting cafés, street scenes, musicians, or any social situation where people gather to converse. She has won numerous awards in her plein air and studio work and was featured on the January 2020 cover of PleinAir Magazine with an eight-page article titled “Adventures with a Palette Knife.”
Byrne moved to Santa Fe, NM in 2020 and now incorporates her palette knife techniques into the Southwest colors of street scenes and landscapes.
Liliedahl Productions has released three instructional videos of Michele’s palette knife techniques. The most recent one is titled PALETTE KNIFE CITYSCAPES.
Michele is proud to be an Artist Ambassador for Royal Talens North America and is a popular instructor who teaches workshops in-person and online.
New Mexico
South Carolina
Texas
California