Before I went off to Paris I wrote about not wanting to go off in a Paris Cafe post.
I mentioned a book, Paris Cafe: The Select Crowd. Rick Tulka, the illustrator, found me through the link and remembered we'd met ages ago when I did illustration for the NYTimes. We arranged to meet the next Friday.
Rick brought his book and we compared the real Didier, the waiter.
With his illustration
Le Select's patron, Monsieur Francis.
A still life at Le Select! 
The real thing.
Rick has been drawing at Le Select 5 days a week since he moved to Paris from Brooklyn 13 years ago. He said he misses the smokers, but they've been replaced by the non-smokers. A cigarette makes an excellent prop for an artist.
Le Select's resident cat...
Rick counts out his change. You can see more drawings at Rick Tulka's website. 
I've always loved Le Select's logo, "Martin" an artist running with his portfolio. Le Select is one of the last remaining Paris cafes to stick with the old ways of doing things...more in the video. 
I have seen Rick's book, it is scrumptious.
ReplyDeletexoxo, Barbara
Wonderful post, Carol!! And thanks for those links--I'd seen Rick on Sunday Morning--that's my favorite show of all time. We watch if faithfully every week. (I met Rita Braver at O'Hare airport one year on the road and it made my day!) This was a big fave for me--great job, as you always do. Now I know why you purchased your little cafe table, too. ;))
ReplyDeletesue
Ahhh, you just made my morning. :)
ReplyDeleteIs it me or do the cafe chairs remind anyone else of well selected shoes. Just perfectly making a statement. Dreaming a bit with this one....Merci.
Jan
What a fun post!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have an old friend in Paris you didn't know about and so much in common!
I will definitely stop in next visit to Le Select.
Love the video!
ReplyDeleteSuch a real taste of Paris
Can you take the running man and make him into a running woman with camera and portfolio?
Suits you to a T!
I've been wondering how Paris cafes have changed minus the cigarette smoke...
ReplyDeleteSeems like something would be missing - a pensiveness...
Must be easier to draw
And breathe
Still...
Great post, love seeing the illustrations with the reaL THING!
ReplyDeleteSandra Evertson
Dont have dial up so cant see the video. But the book looks interesting. What a fun and interesting post.
ReplyDeletelooks like a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteMy French friend always takes me here for a Perrier.
ReplyDeleteNever fails...it must be her "local" too
his illustrations make you feel as if you are in france. wonderful creations with such expression of a time and place. captures a spirit so well.
ReplyDeleteIs there no end to your acquaintance? By now, I should just take it for ranted that you now EVERYONE!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I found the Heinz bottles just a bit jarring.....but I take comfort from the fact that ketchup is no longer the biggest selling condiment in the USA, having lost its place to salsa.
As for your stint with Sesame Street, I bet I've seen your work. I believe I was , well my SON was, a charter subscriber. A shame I pitched them.
Jeanette even though Le Select is tradionally an "old" French cafe, it was very much the American Ex-pats' cafe and even says "American Cafe" on it's awning, so Heinz Ketchup is not out of place. Your eagle eye again catching those details.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for my stint as a freelancer at Semame Street, I have nothing to show for either :)
Smokefree cafes are a dream come true, one more reason to travel to Paris! Heinz Ketchup is available in every grocery here in Vienna, it's simply the best. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the video, even had to play it again and watch it with hubby. I'll be sure to keep a look out for his book.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to see how the smoking ban changes things. I'm guessing the ban is only for inside? I don't know how you'd enforce a ban on the outside tables - I know even though here in California it's illegal, folks still smoke in outside eating areas.
Living out here in the Brittany countryside we don't often go to Paris. Don't know why really because it's only three hours door to door on the train.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, when I'm next there which is mid June (for an Open University exam) I'm going to go to Le Select and think of you.
Rick's work is phenominal! I have been to the Select and he has captured not only the ambience of the cafe, but the character of their Bohemian clientele.
ReplyDeleteRick's talent can also be seen in MAD magazine, where he is a staff illustrationist.
I wish him well...Buy his book!
Great video, thanks! There is only one cafe here and well, we need more. Cafe's one of the best things about living in a city. It's one of the only things I miss after moving away from the NW (US). I hope Paris makes a comback with them.
ReplyDeleteHi...Does anyone know where I could by the real authentic Paris cafe chairs and tables in the US (I live in san francisco)? Thanks very much, Greg
ReplyDeleteyour blog is especially interesting since it has to do with Paris Cafes
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan!
Darvin