Rouge Tomate

I'm always on the lookout for any excuse to paint red cherries. Sunday was full of tomato reds.

When I spotted Coco and Sarah's cherry tomato tarte I filed it away in my head keeping an eye out for these babies.  The Sunday Marché Bastille never disappoints. Though the prices ran the gamut from 5-8€ a kilo. Ouch. I got a vender down to 4ish at the end of the marché when prices drop and bought a half kilo(1pound).
 

Paris marches lift the spirits. The colors, aromas and general hubbub are a great distraction.
 

This poissoniere had plates/plateau of fish, scallops, crabs etc. at fixed prices so you knew exactly what you're getting - such a good idea. If I wasn't headed across town I would have bought a plateau of Normandie scallops.
 

On Place Saint Germain, Librairie La Hune's windows were full of tomato red paintings by Kveta Pacovska.
 

There's a vernissage/opening on Thursday - Centre tchèque 18 rue Bonaparte 75006

And a book signing at La Hune on Saturday at 4-6 18 rue de l'Abbaye 75006 I bought this folding book last year when I first discovered Pacovska's work.
 

On to art store Charvin 25 quai des Augustins.
 

Their tomato red sketchbooks are pretty but the paints are chalky sadly
 

And they're open on Sundays.

 

A customer entered with a parrot case on his arm. Not just dogs need walking.

Grey Polly or whatever her name is, was hiding bright red tomato tail feathers.

Time to head chez moi and get cracking on the tarte tomate 🍅 

Across Pont Neuf looking back at Charvin - the round windows to the left of the tree.

A quick turn into Place Dauphine near the pont, there's a cute little bistro, Ma Salle A Manger. Have you eaten here? The food is Basque and it's got red everywhere.

I decided to flip Coco's tomato pie and make it into a carmelized tarte tatin. But I suppose I should have flipped over the little tomatoes cut side facing up. Instead the tomatoes caramelized and stuck to the pan at the crucial turning point. I should have just followed Coco's tried and true recipe. It's one thing to mess with paints and another to change a recipe radically. It did taste quite nice even if it looks awful ;))

I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. 

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🍅Thanks for reading PB 🍅

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