Beach friends

The First Wave exhibition on Las Olas Boulevard has been amazing. One of the very best things about it for me – apart from Andy’s fabulous artwork, of course – is the fact that I met so many lovely people. I’d like to write an article about all of them but one stands out above the  rest – Pascal Lecoq.

I’ve known Pascal and his wife for a long time but this is the first time I’ve met them. Let me explain …

When Andy first started doing his early morning walk on Fort Lauderdale beach, I used to go with him. (Wuss that I am, I stopped going after several months when the dawn-time temperature dropped below the seventy mark). And every morning we would see the same couple – also out for early morning exercise.

Eventually, Andy started talking to them and found that the gentleman of the couple was French artist, Pascal Lecoq. Now I haven’t mentioned this to either of them but it’s amazing what they have in common. They were both born in June, just three years apart. They are both from Europe – Andy being from England and Pascal being from France. And what separates the two countries? Water – the English Channel. And what is the subject of their artwork? The ocean.

That in itself is curious enough. Andy came to Fort Lauderdale in 2000. Pascal set up his Fort Lauderdale studio in 2001. They both exercise on the beach every morning.

Now don’t you think, and I’m going into old hippie mode here, this is some sort of karma thing? Wouldn’t a joint exhibition be a great idea?

Andy Royston and Pascal Lecoq