Souvenirs of the Riviera

Over thirty years ago, NMWA had the privilege of publishing Continuum, the first collaboration between author David Bruce Smith and painter Clarice Smith. I loved this reflection on Venice, and how mother and son worked together to seamlessly capture Clarice’s love for the beautiful city on the lagoon. I always hoped they would create more books like it, so when I saw Souvenirs of the Riviera, I was astonished and delighted. Once again, Clarice’s paintings and David’s choice of texts and excerpts from her letters, have brought her memories and creative spirit forward...to touch our souls.

For more than two centuries, France and America have shared not only a robust democratic ideal, but also a mutual cultural attraction. The mutual influence of our two countries’ art, music, cuisine, and fashion can be traced throughout our respective histories.

Souvenirs of the Riviera is an elegant and beautiful book. It is also poetic and meaningful as the last collaboration between Clarice and David. Clarice’s oil paintings are dramatic and powerful and her watercolors, by contrast, subtle and graceful. They all evoke the elegance of the Riviera. Clarice will be truly missed.

The paintings of Clarice Smith are a beautiful testimony to her extraordinary eye, talent, and vision. To travel through France with her is an enlightening and enjoyable and extremely rewarding experience. To have the words of her son, David Bruce Smith, accompanying these beautiful images, which have such a range of techniques and talent is truly an inspiration and a great example of that commitment to art and storytelling that David and Clarice Smith are so well known for. Clarice’s eye is one that the world misses, but we are delighted to have this piece of her talent to share forever.

Souvenirs of the Riviera is a personal reflection on life’s beautiful moments, a collaboration, and a vibrant appreciation of living in France. As with many successful artistic statements, it leaves one thirsting for more dazzling paintings. The layout echoes Clarice’s sense of design; the cursive notes express both sadness and joy, of times well spent and remembered. There is universality in the words and images that is heartfelt and hopeful.

Souvenirs of the Riviera is the most recent fruit of a 30-year collaboration between writer David Bruce Smith and the late artist Clarice Smith. Mr. Smith’s poignant and moving text, punctuated by historic and literary references (Mr. Smith’s signature writing style), imparts to Ms. Smith’s vivid and resonant paintings the unique charm of an artistic imagination overlaid with painterly evidence of time and place.

Souvenirs of the Riviera invites readers to share Clarice Smith’s experiences in the South of France, which are successfully executed by her deft use of light, color, form and mood of the people and places she chose to capture.

David Bruce Smith, her son, collaborated with his mother, and provides thoughtful insights. These personal impressions are punctuated by carefully chosen quotes from some of history’s and literature’s greats; a fitting tribute to Clarice, Souvenirs of the Riviera recalls her spirit and tenacity as she reclaimed her joie de vivre through her art.

In this final collaboration of the multi faceted and renowned artist, Clarice Smith, her passions and intentions come alive through the eloquent and sensitive prose of David Smith, her son and author. With her brush and his words, Souvenirs of the Riviera, a treasured memoir has been created.

Souvenirs is a tribute to Clarice Smith and her captivating art. This moving project realized by David Bruce Smith shows how, in translating the beauty of the south of France to the canvas, she addressed grief and found inspiration.

An intimate glimpse of a poetic journey expressed with delicacy and strength. In Souvenirs of the Riviera, Clarice Smith’s subtle and restrained color harmonies capture the mood and elegance of a time gone by.

The paintings of Clarice Smith provide an intimate and inspiring art journal that captures timeless scenes along the Riviera and reflections of a life, a love, and a place infused with the light of the Mediterranean Sea.

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