A family environment conducive to creativity

In addition to Jean Souverbie's studio, Denise Ferrier spent time at the Académie Frochot, then directed by Jean Metzinger, where she developped her drawing technique.

There, in 1949, she met Jean Spadoni, an artisan stone-cutter and painter, whom she married four years later. The couple then lived at the studio located at 33 Cité des Fleurs in Paris. They had a son in 1953. While life was sometimes difficult due to their limited financial resources, art was a central part of the couple's existence, sometimes leading to competition and conflict.

While Jean Spadoni seems to have remained loyal to cubism and to the teachings of André Lhote and Jean Metzinger, Denise Ferrier soon shifted towards abstraction, as shown by Composition n°1 [Composition no. 1], a brightly coloured work she painted when their son was born.

While she did not abandon figurative representation entirely, it was reserved for personal subjects : portraits of their son Patrice, numerous sketches of their cat and a tribute to her partner are all reflections of a supportive home environment. This family environment was torn apart by Jean Spadoni's death in 1957, following a long illness.