During the inauguration of her beach cabin on the famous Deauville boardwalk, actress Pamela Anderson received a special gift from a devoted fan – a custom portrait painted in her honor. Michelle Boesnach, a Norman artist from the region, presented the artwork to Anderson amidst a crowd of autograph seekers during the 51st edition of the Deauville American Film Festival.
"I still can't believe it happened – she took it, looked at it, and smiled," marveled Michelle Boesnach, the artist who created the painting. "She's impressive," she added, still in awe of the encounter. The moment captured the authentic spirit that Anderson brought to the festival's opening.
Boesnach, originally from Gournay-en-Bray in Seine-Maritime but also residing in Villers-sur-Mer, leads a dual life as a shopkeeper during the week and an artist in her free time. Her decision to create the portrait was spontaneous yet heartfelt. "I knew I was coming here this weekend, so I checked the Deauville festival program," she explained. "Thursday evening, I turned on my phone and saw that Pamela Anderson was coming to inaugurate her cabin."
Despite working until Friday evening, Boesnach felt compelled to create something special for the actress. "I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's my way of paying tribute to her," she said with a smile. Her admiration for Anderson runs deep, rooted in respect for the actress's recent career resurgence and personal journey.
"I absolutely love Pamela Anderson – she's making quite a comeback," Boesnach explained. "She owns who she is, she's magnificent, and she helps us feel less self-conscious. She's an independent woman who has had quite a journey that explains the woman she has become." This perspective reflects Anderson's evolution from her early career to her current status as a respected actress and advocate.
This wasn't Boesnach's first celebrity encounter through her art. The accomplished painter has previously gifted artworks to notable French personalities, including Nicola Sirkis from the band Indochine, Michel Polnareff, and pop star Mika. Her artistic talents have gained recognition beyond these personal gestures.
Boesnach's dedication to her craft will soon receive formal recognition. She is set to be awarded a bronze medal by the Academy of Arts-Sciences-Letters of Paris, an honor that surprised even her. "I'm the first one to be amazed! I don't overthink it – I paint when I feel emotion," she said with disarming simplicity, embodying the authentic artistic spirit that drives her work.
After the memorable encounter with Anderson, Boesnach's weekend at Deauville wasn't over. True to her artistic nature, she headed back to her car to sketch another festival guest – Kim Novak, another major star attending the weekend festivities. This spontaneous creativity demonstrates the genuine passion that fuels her artistic pursuits and her ability to capture the essence of the personalities who inspire her.
