In the Press

COUNTRY LIVING, February 2002

From the sea

Suzanne and Nick Pearson scour the beaches of the Vendee near their French home to find pieces of driftwood to make these simple ornaments. The seagulls are handpainted by Nick who then mounts the picture into the wood.

COTE OUEST February - March 2003 (translated)

How to prolong the maximum holiday spirit on the Atlantic Coast? Two very creative English people, who have chosen the Vendee life, have found the solution.

Nick and Suzanne Pearson are the owners of a charming, low, white washed house on the outskirts of la Tranche-sur-Mer. The Pearsons know all the best places where the sea deposits it's treasures. Bent low like gleaners, they harvest and collect shells and driftwood, ropes and littles stones with which they adore giving a new life, like coveted ornaments, to decorate their house, or for presents for friends. Four years ago they decided to abandon their England and make La Vendee a permanent haven for life and creation. Nick, tall and smiling, paints delicious watercolours of seagulls, puffins and other sea birds; he creates original frames, candle holders, or inspired by the form of the wood, paints sharks and fantasy fish. Small and meticulous, Suzanne transforms shells into necklaces, sews them onto voile for curtains, or uses them as a montage for greetings cards and decorates attractive gift tags destined for presents. A confirmed embroiderer, she uses pieces of natural fabric to make delightful signs - 'bienvenue/welcome, a la plage/at the beach' - framing them with worn driftwood and decorated with marine illustrations - sailing boats, lighthouses, starfish. From now on, they dare to exhibit their original creations at fetes, and art and craft markets around the areas of Talmont-Saint-Hilaire and Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits, under the covered market at Avrille each Wednesday morning and at the market at Angles every Sunday morning in Summer. Out of season, it's at their home, and by appointment.

Article by kind permission of Angela Bird.

COTE OUEST June - July 2003 (translated)

Guide de l'ete (Summer Guide)

At les Grandes Touches, at St Vincent-sur-Graon, Nick and Suzanne Pearson give a new life to treasures left by the sea. Nick paints delicious watercolours of seagulls, makes the frames and creates candle holders. Suzanne works with shells which she transforms into necklaces or as a montage for greetings cards.