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In the end Vallauris wearies the young artist craftsman, very hospitable for tourists, but less so for those who settled from “abroad”. But most of all, Guidi feels more and more the abslotute need to be in a green environment, which takes him to Normandy where he finds an studio and opens a pottery shop alongside a road very popular with tourists. To earn his livelyhood he tirelessly produces plates, goblets and vases. Sadly, Art becomes a side-issue more than ever.
In 1968 he settles down in Clermont-de-l’Oise, where he befriended two very talented painters: Pierre Lonchamp and Paul Ambille. The first has a difficult personality but he is a true creator, passionate, uncomprimising, and his colours and techniques reminds one of one of his friends Nicolas de Stael, who Guidi will always admire. Paul Ambille is a more known artist, talented and with a delicate palette, mostly inspired by boats and music, very courtuous, smartly dressed and with sophisticate manners and Chairman of the Société des Artistes français.
Both for his caracter and his art, Guidi sets himself between these two,such different friends, with whom he loves to play pétanque while drinking pastis, which remings him of his life in the Provence.
During his time in Clermont de l’Oise he devotes himself to pottery, and with tenacity and intelligence to the cause of craftsmanship, forgetting himself. He founds the’Maison des Métier’ (House of Crafts) quickly and skillfully assisted by Jean-Michel Nybelen. For this work, which lasted several years, Guidi was received by the president of France, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, but this work would also drive him away from artistic creation.
Several exhibitions of his clay scultures (first period) however, do mark his life as a potter and militant craftsman.
Standing couple - sheened terracotta (First period)
