Artists gravitate toward certain subjects--- and to each, her or his own. Looking over my travel sketches of the past year or so, I realized that fountains were among my favorite things to draw, along with people and cafes and food and so on. Months ago, I'd made a list of fountains I wanted to sketch while I was here---(and it was fun to get the suggestions from commenters below!) The Medici fountain in the Luxembourg Gardens is on the top of the list.
Here's my first go at it:
My recent fascination with an abandoned motorbike seems in Paris to have generalized to an interest in small cars. They're such sassy, enigmatic creatures, each with a compelling story, I'm sure---if only we could decipher them.
If you ask me, the guy in the red shirt had a very unhealthy interest in the little car. He kept casting sidelong glances at it and then cast appraising looks up and down the street. Can I make a citizen's arrest in Paris, even though I'm not a French citizen? These are the questions I ask myself.
The pigeon, apparently, found the whole situation--- car, man, and me--- unremarkable.
Thanks, one and all! Yes, the small cars like the Smart Car and the one I sketched are godsends in a city like this. Linda, I haven't seen a deux-chevaux this trip, but have seen them all my life as I've been here for one reason or another. Funny little things, aren't they? So very Gallic. Patricia, I love the Saint-Michel fountain and need to go to it when there aren't crowds of people hanging about---maybe at 4am? ;D.
Posted by: Laura | October 09, 2006 at 07:53 AM
Love the fountain. As for the voitures, small=less fuel=fewer euros spent on transportation=easy to park. I loved seeing Smart Cars parked perpendicular to the curb. There's a Smart Car dealer in the northern suburbs of Paris that has them displayed on shelves in a large glass silo that looks for all the world like a vending machine. My favorite small car sight, was an old Morris Mini parked across the street from the Varenne Metro station. It had little boat fenders tied on its front and back bumpers. I came home determined to replace three mid-sized cars with a Mini Cooper and a Vespa. (Dream still unrealized.)
Posted by: Dr. Research | October 07, 2006 at 08:43 PM
Have you seen a Deux Chavaux yet? They are my favorite little car in France. They no longer make them but they still putt around the roads and have more personality than newer cars.
Posted by: Linda | October 07, 2006 at 01:02 AM
This September, my daughter and I were lucky enough to spend nine days in Paris. Our hotel was across the street from the Luxembourg Park. We began and ended most of our days strolling past the fountains, chess games, ponies, art students, tennis courts, and boules players. You have brought back many tender memories. There is no question that we will return to Paris - and the park. You must check out the fountain at the beginning of Boulevard Saint Michel... heroic proportions, public gathering place.
bon voyage,
Patricia
Posted by: Patricia | October 06, 2006 at 11:23 PM
:-) LOVE the fountain, especially the second drawing -- so dramatic and idealistic -- so FRENCH! (And I mean that in a good way!) The little car is funny; are there really that many of them there?
Posted by: Linda | October 06, 2006 at 09:52 PM
Laura, you are so funny. It is so refreshing to see your wonderful posts and hear about your fun.
Posted by: TeriC | October 06, 2006 at 04:09 PM