Jardin des Plantes - L'artiste

This artist was sketching animals at la Ménagerie, one of the oldest zoos in the world, created in 1794.  

L"artiste

Meet Olivia Clétienne, who paints in her tiny studio at the Village St. Paul in the Marais. She paints animals and restores artwork. She kindly allowed me to photograph her at work.

L'artiste

Prowling around the Village Saint-Paul, I spotted this artist at work. Olivia Clétienne, peinture animalieret et restauratrice de tableaux. She heard the click of my camera and looked up. She kindly allowed me to take more photographs.

Paris Rouge - La tour Eiffel

The hearty souls selling their art at Place du Tertre, brave even the cold temps in January!

Marché de la Création Paris-Bastille

 Mary and I love to take in this nice open air art faire near the Opera Bastille. Here is my artist friend Didier L'espagnol's  booth.

Marché de la Création Bastille

8 Boulevard Richard Lenoir

75011 Paris

L'artiste

Happily sketching the animals at the charming little zoo in the Jardin des Plantes.

For my readers in the Birmingham area, I will again be teaching my 5 week photography classes at Vestavia United Methodist Church's Conservatory of the Arts beginning Monday, September 12. These classes are designed for the amateur photographer who wants to improve their photos. Come join us!

Ma Journée à Paris - Part II

When monsieur spotted me with my camera, he stood up and in better English than my French, explained that he was preparing to do a Picasso chalk portrait. He fetched a copy of the original and told me,"You come back in three hours and it will be finished."  I said, "Au revoir", went across the bridge and returned later that afternoon, to ooh and ahh over this lovely masterpiece!

Re- Bonjour

I'm often asked why I yearn to return to Paris over and over again.  Today is a fine example.  I photographed this friendly sidewalk artist at Place des Vosges the first time in July, 2009.  This last trip, I found him again, in the very same spot, with the same wonderful smile.  Question answered.

And may I take a moment to thank my French language expert, Veronique for being my very faithful translator for this blog. She makes me look so good and when my French fails, it's because I didn't ask her first!  She has a fabulous blog, French Girl in Seattle, and I hope you will all start following her blog! 

L'artiste et l'espresso

L'espresso kept this artist warm at Place du Tertre, as only the heartiest of souls were out this cold, damp day.  During peak tourist season I stay clear, but in the colder months, I've enjoyed strolling this area of Montmartre.

Le photographe

This talented young man was selling his wonderful photographs of Tibet on the street in the Marais. I bought a few small ones and regret I didn't buy more.  I told him I would put him on my blog and got this response.  I still look for him every trip, in hopes that we will meet again.

L'artist et son oeuvre

You've met the artist, now let's have a closer look at his beautiful Conté drawing of Canal St. Martin. I never thought to ask if he was willing to sell it and the price.  

Meet the Artist

Olivia Clétienne is a painter of animals ( and apparently other things) and does restoration work in a small studio in the Village St. Paul area of the Marais.  I photographed her two years ago, but Monsieur Google assures me that she's still there.  I loved capturing her working in the open door of her studio.  She heard the click of my camera and turned but was kind to let me continue photographing her.

Paris Rouge - Le godet de l'artiste

I discovered the artist painting in a doorway at the Village St. Paul in the Marais.  Her rouge paint can caught my eye.  Tomorrow you will meet the artist herself.

L'Artiste - Sketching Canal St. Martin

This young artist with his interesting attire, was very focused on his lovely rendering of the Canal Saint-Martin.

Marche Creation de la Bastille

How could I resist this shot of the artist and his baguette?

This one is for Eiffel Tower Suzy

This morning Mary and I headed all the way to the 20 eme to the Grande Brocante-Quartier Saint-Blaise. Over 600 dealers offered a wide variety of ............JUNQUE! Mary and I decided there wasn't one thing we wanted to buy but it was worth the trip for the experience and the photo ops. I will tell you what we learned, no matter the country, everyone's tacky junk looks all the same! While we were there we did enjoy a little look at the cemitiere Eglise Saint Germain de Charonne behind the church.

We took the metro/bus back to Bastille for the Marche de la Creation Bastille and really enjoyed seeing the artwork there. After a nice lunch, we rested for a bit. Good thing, because we met fellow bloggers Janet Kincaid and Maya Lucchita and some of their friends at the Musee d'Orsay at five and wandered the area behind the museum. A short rain shower drove us inside a nearby cafe for wine and much laughing and chatting. A delicious dinner in Montparnasse capped the evening off. Another late night and long day. Bonsoir!

100 French Strangers Challenge - Les Artistes

French Stranger # 56

Well you know by now, I am often drawn to the artists when I'm roaming around Paris and the French countryside with my camera. The top photo is artist Françoise Daganaud. I met her at Vivienne Art Galerie last summer. Her unusual paintings of African children really appealed to me. Sadly I didn't see her there this past visit.

I met the artist below in a small gallery in Joigny, France. He graciously showed me around his shop. I enjoyed seeing his work, as well as that of his wife.

French Stanger #57

Le Photographe - 100 French Strangers Challenge

French Stranger #43

In July when I spent the day in le Marais, I met this charming young Polish photographer on the streets, selling his photographs. Most of his work was shot in India and Tibet. It was one of those times when you wish you had a pocketful of Euros. If I had, I would have bought them all! I did purchase 5 of his small postcard size images. They are remarkable. I love this portrait and I'm not sure why I've held onto it so long and not shared it with all of you. Pardon!

Le Marais - 100 French Strangers Challenge

Tuesday I walked all over le Marais. It was a bit more crowded with tourists as the day wore on, but I still enjoyed all the interesting places and people. These were taken at Place de Vosges. Some very friendly "French Strangers"!

The artist at work

100 French Strangers #22

Monsieur and Titi

100 French Strangers # 23

What can I say? Charming French artists can sell a lot of prints!

100 French Strangers # 24