Maison Blanc Petits Fours, watercolor, 9" x 11" Last May I was forced to immerse myself in petit four pastries day AND night. Really the correct French word is mignardises for these cuties.
I was forced to wolf down great quantities to find my inner, ultimate petit four self.
June a year ago, by chance I stopped in at the Fulham Road Maison Blanc for a spot of tea...
A pleasent combination of Frenchness and British afternoon tea don't you think? Tres charmant French chef Raymond Blanc is their maitre in charge of every bite and their desserts are quite stupendous.
And this past May I was immersed in doing illustrations for their new menu thanks to Paris Breakfast.
That's why all the petits fours and chocolate gateaux torture around here. And it's why I spent my birthday in May getting upclose and personal with a tunafish sandwich too. Bonne 4h to YOU!
It was a bit of a long haul being in the US - not in the UK to bite into actual petits fours. Research by transatlantic imagination & too much search and destroy on home shores.
So sad that you had such demanding research for this project. Hmm.... perhaps someone someday will ask for assistance with a survey of lemon tarts. tee hee
Divine illustrations CarolG. I've bookmarked Maison Blanc and will visit next time in London, wish it wasn't 20,000kms away! Love their Arc en Ciel macaron wedding tower - worth getting married for! he he hee
Lucky you! I love your opening paintings and then your illustrations for the menu. Great job. Nice shot of the exterior of the shop, too, at "the blue hour." So, if I ever get to that store and mention your name, I'm golden, right? Have a great holiday!
Hi Carole .. when I am back on my feet (have broken ankle and in plaster) I will have to go into Oxford , we have a shop there . How brilliant for you :-)
I hate you, hate you, hate you, hate you, but only in the most loving way. I broke my computer screen trying to grab that last tempting morsel of chocolate heaven with the raspberry on top! Oh well. I've been leafing through the pages of my macaron book (thank you for the suggestion - the book looks perfect) to build up the courage to try baking the ultimate of culinary perfection. It's been a long time since I've done any actual baking, but I think the French blood in me will soon conquer any fear I have.
You are so incredibly talented, Carol. Love how you just have to do the tastings to create such amazing paintings. Bravo - Maison Blanc are so lucky to have you!
Took your advice and dropped in (more than once!) to Maison Blanc in Oxford when visiting there this week. Had a lovely breakfast and one of the (as recommended by you) wonderful deserts.
Yum is all I can say.
As a follower of yours was really tickled pink to see your watercolour paintings on the menu. Felt as proud as if I had done them myself! Regards,
Hi, I’m Carol Gillott, watercolorist, former NYer living on Île Saint-Louis in a 21 meter chambre de bonne. I send out Illustrated letters 💌 monthly from Paris. Travel writer, Paris blogger, watercolorist, photographer, I share my personal experiences so you can walk around Paris vicariously in my shoes. I paint Paris your dreams and mail them ❤️ wherever you are. Receive an illustrated letter every month from Paris, France via Etsy.
Describe what you love about France in 3 words. Can we make it 5 words? Eyes, ears, nose, tastebuds + brain. Paris stimulates all my senses constantly. I’m inspired all the time – endlessly surprised and amused. New York doesn’t do it for me anymore…
Fabulous, Carol! You did a great job on those--they must love 'em! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteMiam miam!
ReplyDeleteWOWZA! Quelle Stunning!
ReplyDeleteI love the very Frenchie look you brought to their menu - very fem and pretty.
Well done PB
XAnnie
Veddy British and tres Francais!
ReplyDeleteTres jolie Carolg!!
What a wonderful commission carol,
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing where things can lead. I love your paintings and your research must have been wonderful x
what a great menu! good job!
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit of a long haul being in the US - not in the UK to bite into actual petits fours.
ReplyDeleteResearch by transatlantic imagination & too much search and destroy on home shores.
The jeans are tighter for sure.
Have a great weekend!
xCarolg
Your paintings for their menu are so inviting and jolly!
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate thing with the cream filling looks ALIVE! I want it now.
Go girl!
Winewalker
Exquisite illustrations and paintings, Carol!
ReplyDeleteLove the sampler, delicious temptations.
You made me put Maison Blanc on the places to visit in London. ;-)
(I noticed you were digging into a Sacherschnitte. *smile*)
This is worth scheduling a trip to get my hands on that beautiful menu!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! So tantalizing!
ReplyDeleteJust love, love, love the menu, Carol!
So sad that you had such demanding research for this project. Hmm.... perhaps someone someday will ask for assistance with a survey of lemon tarts. tee hee
Divine illustrations CarolG. I've bookmarked Maison Blanc and will visit next time in London, wish it wasn't 20,000kms away! Love their Arc en Ciel macaron wedding tower - worth getting married for! he he hee
ReplyDeleteLucky you!
ReplyDeleteI love your opening paintings and then your illustrations for the menu.
Great job.
Nice shot of the exterior of the shop, too, at "the blue hour."
So, if I ever get to that store and mention your name, I'm golden, right?
Have a great holiday!
Bravo, Carol, or should I say, Well done you!
ReplyDeleteThe menu pictures really do show your style beautifully, and will surely encourage folks to order more and more for their table.
xo
Lovely! A great improvement over the old menu.
ReplyDeleteIt would be so tempting to accept payment in the form of products...
Oh lucky you Carol, and talented you as well. Love the beautifully painted Sacher.
ReplyDeleteThese look so delicious! The next time I'm in the UK I'll have to go for a taste!
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness those look so delicious! I miss Paris!
ReplyDeleteNice artwork!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beauty
Hi Carole .. when I am back on my feet (have broken ankle and in plaster) I will have to go into Oxford , we have a shop there . How brilliant for you :-)
ReplyDeleteA mourir d'envie!
ReplyDeleteManon la gourmande...
Congratulations! Your paintings will make the book mouthwatering!
ReplyDeleteAnd you poor, poor thing. Forced to endure such pain and trauma. However do you do it?
I hate you, hate you, hate you, hate you, but only in the most loving way. I broke my computer screen trying to grab that last tempting morsel of chocolate heaven with the raspberry on top! Oh well. I've been leafing through the pages of my macaron book (thank you for the suggestion - the book looks perfect) to build up the courage to try baking the ultimate of culinary perfection. It's been a long time since I've done any actual baking, but I think the French blood in me will soon conquer any fear I have.
ReplyDeleteBillizetti has asked me to invite you over to our blog for a little surprise. http://wjcsdigitalworld.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteNice job!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat more can I say?!
ReplyDeleteI just love the menu illustrations~ and I'm sure Maison Blanc does too!!
WOW!
ReplyDeleteDelicious!!
Must go to MB
It's amazing where things can lead. I love your paintings and your research must have been wonderful...!!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could bake like that, but it never comes out right :(
ReplyDeleteCarol, it's brilliant! I love the menu and all the paintings. Happy birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteYou are so incredibly talented, Carol. Love how you just have to do the tastings to create such amazing paintings. Bravo - Maison Blanc are so lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteNot to be a spoil sport, but... shouldn't it be "Maison Blanche"??
ReplyDeleteNot at all Monsieur S. Sport.
ReplyDeleteMAISON BLANC is named after French chef Raymond BLANC
It is in the text of the post...ahem
I was so excited to see your sketches on a poster for Maison Blanc in London the other day.
ReplyDeletei recognized your beautiful work right away.
(Now why is it Maison Blanc and not Maison Blanche, I wonder?)
Great job--they were lucky to have you as their illustrator!
Superb Posting ! That's Delicious Look
ReplyDeleteTook your advice and dropped in (more than once!) to Maison Blanc in Oxford when visiting there this week. Had a lovely breakfast and one of the (as recommended by you) wonderful deserts.
ReplyDeleteYum is all I can say.
As a follower of yours was really tickled pink to see your watercolour paintings on the menu. Felt as proud as if I had done them myself!
Regards,
Barbara