In A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway purported the clear and good advice, “Write the truest sentence you know.” For local artist Eric Demarchelier, that advice translates to painting, too.
“I love Shelter Island. When I’m on Shelter Island, it’s the more natural things I see. When I lived in France when I was young, I lived near Sainte-Adresse,” says Eric of the town where, in 1867, Claude Monet was inspired by scenes around the seaside resort to paint some of his most famous works. “He was my inspiration.”
But eventually, that inspiration would become the island he’d call home.
“”I do this,” he says, “because I love Shelter Island.”
He and his wife, Catherine, first came to Shelter Island when they still owned and ran Demarchelier Bistro on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. One of their chefs — fellow French ex-pat and long-time Island resident Marcelle Iatone — told them about the quiet little town in eastern Long Island when they were looking for a summer getaway. They made their first visit nearly 50 years ago, and fell in love with the peace and natural beauty. Immediately, Demarchelier found it inspiring.
Former restaurateur, Shelter Island resident and artist Eric Demarchelier and some of his island-inspired work. (Photos courtesy of Eric Demarchelier)
“My family very artistic I was photographer for a while, and then opened the restaurant,” Eric says. “And then I said to myself, ‘l want to paint.’ I took a lesson and, voila, I paint now for 32 years. I remember when I started, I was going to the Met[ropolitan Museum of Art] every day to see the stroke of the impressionist [Monet], and after a while I started to get my own ideas.”
The Demarchelier family is certainly a creative one. Brother Patrick, who passed in 2022, was the famed fashion photographer whose work graced countless glossy magazine covers and super-model spreads. Catherine has designed jewelry, among other creative pursuits. Daughter Emily — the host of his current exhibit — is the owner of Demarchelier Bistro.
The exhibit, filled with scenes captured all around Shelter Island, features a dozen of Eric’s paintings, all done in oil, “because it doesn’t dry fast and can always add or work on it for a few days,” he says. “The different stages are very liquid and it’s very nice to work with.”
Emily will be hosting a special opening reception to fête her father’s new exhibit, “Scenes from Shelter Island,” at Demarchelier Bistro (471 Main St., Greenport, 631-593-1650) on August 12, from 5 to 6 p.m. with rosé and passed light bites to sip and nibble on while taking in Eric’s work. Check out their website for more information.
