Bruant himself was a reflection of life in those days, a free-wheeling character, and individual willing to take the odds, no matter how many problems were involved. The association with him had contributed a lot toward making me feel confident about being an artist, that I could succeed if I put my mind to it. In those days, the cafe style of life was intermixed with the careers of individuals who made the idea work, making the exchanges that took place, profitable to both sides. I was accepted in a generally male environment on equal terms--no reference, in terms of art, was ever made, about my being female. I was determined to push my obsession as far as it would go--as far as my circumstances would permit. The problems of my son, the old nanny, Madeliene, were, for the moment, pushed aside, ignored in the ambitious dreams of a Limousin girl anxious to succeed in the complex and volatile art world.