It's been a full day, in more ways than one. My friends A and E and I had stumbled across a vintage hat shop the other night, walking home after dinner. I vowed to come back and draw some of the hats displayed there, and to juxtapose them with a feathered mask from Africa I'd sketched that morning at le Musee du Quai Branly.
Please click to see the whole page.
I then went to draw an elaborate art nouveau door I'd seen earlier at Square Rapp. Once inside the square, I was seduced by a fountain....what else?
Next I met the wonderful photographer and charming person Linda Matthieu of Frenchless in France. We had a nice lunch together and then we strolled for a couple of hours in the a 6th and 7th arrondissements. Then my overdoing got to me---my feet were still hurting from hours of walking at the chateau yesterday and today and then the foie gras and oysters I'd had for lunch ( I know, I know, it WAS a wee bit much, but I'd had no breakfast!) felled me. Absolutely felled me. But as I always say, far better to fall apart in Paris than to be intact anywhere else. I've actually never said that before, but it sounds like the kind of thing I would say, doesn't it?
How wonderful that you and Linda got to meet in person! And those sketches - incredibly gorgeous! I´m glad you´re having such a rich full experience in Paris.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | October 17, 2006 at 12:21 PM
What wonderful comments! Marly, that poem is one of my favorites from my childhood, so I'm especially happy to have been made a Peer of that Realm, the realm of the walrus and the carpenter! Labelle, je suis tout a fait flattee! C'est sur que nous avons beaucoup de choses en commun, meme si je suis ...ahem... bien plus agee que toi! Pedro, Linda from Pa, and Cin, you're right---I need to behave! It's very hard for me;D. Linda from Paris, you're the charming one! Linda M, ha! Glad you like my quote---it was very hard come by ;D. Emotenote, it is lovely to see you here again. Thank you for coming by and for leaving such a supportive message. Shirley, have a wonderful time in London with your family. I look forward to seeing YOUR sketches! Lin and Terri, Lori and Jana, thanks, you sweeties. Agnes, I agree wholeheartedly, It would take not only a special kind of person to wear such a thing, but a very special event, too. Z, you know just the right things to say, always. Merci mille fois a tous!
Posted by: Laura | October 16, 2006 at 01:41 PM
Those feather sketches demonstrate why Paris is so good for artists. It's just so stimulating and inspiring! That red hat really triggers my imagination. It's totally desirable, but who can afford it? Who can wear it without looking ridiculous? Who has an occasion fit for it? Answer: some beautiful, wealthy, fascinating Parisienne.
Posted by: Agnes | October 16, 2006 at 08:54 AM
I hope you do not literally mean felled!!! take care, Pedro is right!!
Posted by: Cin | October 16, 2006 at 12:54 AM
Wonderful feathered composition! Love it. These are the sorts of sketches that will bring back smiles when you look at them in years to come. :o)
Posted by: Terri | October 15, 2006 at 08:01 PM
and...once again...my pinky has hit the "Enter" key too quickly...i wanted to add that i also totally empathize with the needs, desires and joys that lead to "falling apart in Paris"
i have absolutely no doubt that you, the intrepid Laura, will soon be out and about again...even after you possibly take Sunday a bit slower, perhaps...but still inspired, enlivened and creating as the Parisian air and light continue to wash over and through you
Posted by: zephyr | October 15, 2006 at 12:32 PM