Mitsie’s Memories: A Tribute to Marcel Mouly

We are so fortunate to have guest author Mitsie Scaglione, the wife of Park West Gallery CEO Albert Scaglione, sharing her personal stories with us and all of you. Please enjoy the first installment of “Mitsie’s Memories”…and we’re all looking forward to her many more stories to come!

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~ Written by Mitsie Scaglione ~

For over 30 years, Albert and I have traveled here and abroad and have had the good fortune to meet with many of our artists, not only on a business level, but on a personal level. Recently, I was documenting many of the photos from our trips for our Marketing Department when they asked if I would like to share the photos and memories with our clients.

MARCEL MOULY
February 2, 1918 – December 17, 2008

It was always a pleasure to visit with Marcel Mouly and his wife Magy at their home/studio in the suburb of Paris. From the beautiful flowers adorning their front porch to the heartfelt welcome at the door, we always felt special.

Entrance leading up to the home of Marcel Mouly in Paris. ©Park West Gallery, 2010

As you entered their home, you took a right to Marcel’s studio where usually on the easel was work in progress basking in the sunlight from the many windows. He was always eager to show us the many souveniers they had purchased from their travels to exotic places – India, Greece, Israel, to name a few. He lived life to the fullest and was always captivated by the colors and hues of the different countries, with Greece being a favorite. You can see this influence in many of his paintings. Also, the woman in his paintings was a tribute to his wife Magy.

Albert (left) and Mitsie Scaglione (right) visiting Marcel Mouly’s (center) studio. ©Park West Gallery, 2010

Marcel was also happy to play the host by wheeling out his beverage cart so we could be properly welcomed by aperitif. Then onto the business at hand — looking at the collection. And what a collection!

Albert (center left) and Mitsie Scaglione (center right) enjoying cocktails with Marcel Mouly (far right) and his wife, Magy (far left). ©Park West Gallery, 2010

We were honored to have Marcel and Magy at our gallery for a V.I.P. event in September 2004. It was a magnificient show. Then at a dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Marcel was honored where he received a standing ovation that deeply touched him.

Unfortunately, this was Marcel’s last visit to us. He passed away on December 17, 2008.

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Related Links:

• A Personal Tribute to Marcel Mouly (1918-2008), by Morris Shapiro
• Park West Artist Biographies: Marcel Mouly
• Selections from the Park West Gallery/Marcel Mouly Art Collection

Park West VIP Guests Enjoy Their Latest Cruise

Dear Park West Gallery:

Words can not express how happy we are, make that ecstatic, over our recent experience with the Park West Gallery VIP Cruise you gifted us with!

First of all, we felt like kings and queens during the entire time we spent with your staff! From the Hyatt Hotel and the Italian dinner to the balcony stateroom aboard the Explorer, to the excursion to St. John, to the pre-parties and the auctions themselves, all the way to the processing through customs and delivery to our final destination, we could not have experienced better planning and efficiency. Every detail was thought out and provided for.

Even though the ship was beautiful and the islands a treat to see, the highlight of the entire experience was spending time with your intelligent, knowledgeable, well trained staff during the auctions and lectures. This was the highlight of our day and what we looked forward to every day!

Chris was an excellent auctioneer and educator. He brought in-depth knowledge to each and every presentation and delivered it with great style. The hours flew by listening to him and we were ready to stay and listen some more!

Simon always seemed to have things under control and was always patient and willing to help us, both with information about the artwork in the gallery and the art world in general.

Adam and Sebelle had unlimited energy and social skills right along with their great knowledge of each and every artist and their work. They had the ability to educate us about every piece we asked about and take it one step above the norm. They never pressured us to buy; they just shared every aspect about a piece so we could make informed choices. Even when we were not actively participating in the auction they had a smile, a greeting or a pat on the back for us. We felt that they really cared that we learn about art, acquire what was best for our collection, and have a wonderful time doing it.

Rebecca was the dynamo behind the scenes. She was always willing to discuss financing and payment options with us and always made us feel welcome, even if she had other things to see to. We smile over our favorite interaction with her when the bus driver at the end of the cruise told us we couldn’t get on the bus and she took charge and handled the situation in the true spirit of a bulldog, and all with a smile on her face.

The collection of art on board was outstanding! There was something for every taste and budget. Our dream was to purchase our first signed Picasso, which we accomplished. Not only are we now the caretakers of this fine work, but we have the entire history and background of its creation thanks to Chris, Adam and Sebelle. We purchased beautiful surprises also and can hardly wait until we have our gorgeous Mouly oil, our lovely Tarkay watercolor and our whimsical Markos acrylic all hanging in our home.

Thank you so much Jin for the invitation to be a part of this outstanding experience! We both feel this was the very best vacation we have ever taken together. Our travel companions were all friendly and had similar interests and provided lovely dinner company. We now have 50 new ‘best friends’ as well as terrific memories and gorgeous art.

Thank you all for ten days we will never forget!

Very sincerely,

Alan & Victoria
Tacoma, Washington

My First Park West VIP Art Cruise

Dear Park West Gallery:

“I just wanted to take a minute to thank the entire Park West team for making the VIP Art Cruise so enjoyable.

Simon was fantastic in keeping me posted on all the pre-cruise logistics, and I really appreciated his help and guidance in all the auction previews. He also went the extra mile every day by asking if there was anything we needed, etc!!

Samantha was great – and she was particularly effective at clearing NCL staff out of chairs in the lobby on the evening of the “paint off”!! I also appreciated the fact that she took time to point out other original Picot works that were available when she found out that I bought the original Picot watercolor.

EJ was friendly and helpful! He went to the other auction and pulled the Nixon and Marko pieces for me which I really appreciated (and can’t wait to get them). And he helped me through all the framing decisions despite that fact that he was feeling poorly!

And Rebecca was a star – she rounds out your team well with her bright personality and incredible administrative abilities!!!

As this was my first VIP Art Cruise I really didn’t know what to expect and even when I knew there were going to be artists on board, I still really didn’t understand the opportunity that was being afforded to me!! Upon reflection, how incredible it was to meet and socialize with Noah, Tim Yanke, Nano and Jerry.

Park West has certainly increased my appreciation for all art! I’m still incredulous when I think I bought some abstract pieces (Mouly and Yanke)!!!

Thank you Park West for such an enjoyable experience.”

Nancy W.
Apopka, Florida

A Very Grateful Thank You to Park West Gallery

“I would like to express a very grateful thank you to the Park West personnel on the cruise that we just concluded. They were very helpful, very courteous and just wonderful people to deal with. They spent time answering questions and being very patient. Thank you very much. I will attend future art auctions when Park West is involved.”

Joseph D.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

“I attended all the Park West events aboard Liberty of the Seas in November 2008. I wasn’t expecting the whole ‘art’ thing aboard. Truth is, I checked it out for the free champagne and free artwork, but I was AMAZED at how FUN and INFORMATIVE you made it. That’s what kept me going back for each event. I was never much for ‘modern’ art but I have a deeper appreciation since being a part of the events onboard. The art events really picked me up and MADE MY CRUISE a fun experience in a way I truly wasn’t expecting. The coolest part is, coming home after vacation is usually a bit of a downer. But I still have something to look forward to in that the art I purchased is still coming and, since part of it is ‘Caribbean-y’, it will make a really cool souvenir.”

Jackie N.
Pembrook, Ontario

“I just wanted to thank you for inviting my wife and I to the fabulous VIP cruise. Megan is very competent and knowledgeable and she has a great personality and sense of humor. Ryan is an amazing auctioneer. Tim, Ann Marie and Tom did everything in such a friendly and professional manner. You should be very proud of this crew; we had a great time and we bought even though we hadn’t planned on it because of how good they are at their job. As usual we were made to feel that we are VIPs and meeting the artists is an incredible experience. Thanks again for everything. Park West Gallery has greatly enhanced the quality of our life the last couple of years. Best regards to everyone including Albert who I view as the Vollard of our time.”

Edmond H.
New York, New York

“Thank you for your invitation and opportunity to be part of the VIP cruise on the Carnival Pride. Starting with the Beverly Hilton overnight stay get-together, we knew we were in for a fabulous week. We had a wonderful time and met some great fellow art collectors. Your staff, directed by Rob, and his crew of never-ending energetic associates kept us well-informed and gently guided us through our purchases. We added three pieces – Picasso, Miro and Mouly, to our modest Masters collection. We especially enjoyed the visit to Puerto Vallarta. That was truly a special day. It was a beautiful setting with good food, great weather and ‘art-to-die for’ by Dominic Pangborn. What a treat to meet him in person. We also enjoyed spending time with Marko and Noah while on board.”

Rosa B. and Richard H.
Lake Elsinore, California

A Personal Tribute to Marcel Mouly (1918-2008)

Excerpted from an essay by Park West Gallery’s Director, Morris Shapiro

I was with Marcel Mouly in Paris last November 2007 at a favorite restaurant of Marcel’s a few blocks from Arts Litho, the atelier where Marcel worked creating his lithographs for so many years.

And although an air of optimism abounded as we all took in how great he looked and seemed, the inevitable understanding that this might be the last time any of us would see him again shrouded us all.

The photograph shown here is no doubt one of the last taken of him as he died just a few weeks later. As I look at it, it fills me with conflicting feelings and emotions. In it I see a smiling me, all optimism and posing for the camera and although I am aware that I have more yesterdays than tomorrows in my own life’s story, I am still looking forward to many more years of the richness that life has to offer.

In Marcel, I see the face of a man who has already confronted his inevitable destiny. He looks frail and wan, and although he was obviously not feeling well, he soldiered on that evening, laughing, telling stories, drinking his beloved scotch, and showing all of us so unfailingly, that no matter what lies ahead for us, we must grasp every moment of life fully and embrace the time we are given as an irreplaceable gift.

That night as we sat together at dinner I noticed the fresh paint on his hands and under his nails. I told him of how I had just returned from visiting Marseille and how we went to Cezanne’s studio in Aix en Provence. There in that little room, Cezanne had created some of the most influential paintings in the history of modern art. There, I touched the table where he laid out his still life props, the table that occupies so many of those paintings I have contemplated in museums and books. I touched the box of paints that lies next to his easel, the box of paints from which so much of modern art has sprung.

As I told Marcel of this and he sensed my excitement, I saw his eyes light up and I glimpsed a spark of that same passion in him as a younger man. He smiled and shook his fist and put it down on the table and said, “Ah Cezanne…he was ‘The Rock.’”

As we all got up to leave that night, we one by one hugged him and told him we’d be coming back for his 90th birthday party in February. But this was not to be.

Instead we all have our memories of that night together, and of course, his art.

Rest in peace, Marcel. You will always be ‘The Rock’ for me.