Monday, November 18, 2024

Le Rendez-vous International du Carnet de Voyage, Clermont-Ferrand

 

Every mid-November it’s annual travel sketchbook time in Clermont-Ferrand.

I left early Saturday morning in pitch dark to catch the 7am train🚊from Bercy. I even left extra early 🙄 Still I got lost going out at the wrong metro exit. At last we arrived to a warm, sunny day - highly usually for normally freezing 🥶 Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne mountains.
Every artist tries hard to make their stand appealing and to reflect the theme of their travel sketchbooks. Many artist seem much more adventurous than I am 🤔
And so you will stop & look 👁️ Like putting sketchbooks in an ice cream 🍦display case!
This was an absolute first!
I’ve been coming since 2016,
It’s always an inspiring event.
I love Stephan’s drawings ✍️ A master draftsman.
Every artist must produce a small illustrated book 📕 you can buy at AUTO ÉDITÉS. The crowd at the end are behind the caisse/cash register handling sales. On the other side, the buyers, ready to murder anyone jumping ahead of them. I felt that way too 😆
Then you take it back to the artist and they sign it often with an original drawing while you wait!
My friend, Lis Watkins,(and her French-speaking son, Mathew)
Lis has a beautiful new 48-page book 📕 on Toulouse/Barcelona. You can sign up for Lis’ fun watercolor newsletter HERE. And if you live in the UK you can join her weekend sketch walks around London.
Or watch her watercolor demos on YOUTUBE.
A selfie - Lis & I at the fair.
An attendee was so reved up, he sat on the floor and started sketching ✍️
The art supply companies make you feel 
You are in a candy store. I bought a tiny watercolor fan brush (very restrained for me). 
So tempted by this minuscule paintbox I def do NOT need for 25€ ! 
Did I say everyone was chatty and friendly. It’s a nice place to meet new artists and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC for a small entry fee. Join me next November! Start planning now 👍
The next morning I doodled like crazy till they locked me out of my hotel room at 11:30 All reved up 😀


31 comments:

  1. You should exhibit there too, Carol! You could have a Parisian gimmick, like giving away Eiffel Tower keyrings ("one euro, one euro" as the barkers sing), and spread the word about your charming Paris maps.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:41 AM

      KIWI, YOU’RE HIRED!
      I need a PR person 😀

      Delete
  2. Bonnie L9:51 AM

    I agree with Kiwi…you would be a fabulous exhibitor, and just as adventurous as the best of them! I love these travel sketchbooks and envy the talent of all of these artists producing them. What a grand travel souvenir! Thank you for taking us along every year. I’m off to check out Lis’ YouTube videos…

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  3. Anonymous9:58 AM

    Carol, I also agree. This is a great opportunity for you. Think over about it for next year. All the Best. ISABELLE

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    1. Anonymous10:19 AM

      Hmm…🤔 The time…the time. It’s a lot of work. And you need a little book 📕 to sell

      Delete
  4. I always love your posts on this event -- the amazing talent, variety of works, etc. And, yes, you should definitely exhibit with them!

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:19 AM

      The talent is mind-boggling Joel!

      Delete
  5. Alaina Warren Zachary10:46 AM

    AGREE! Your artistry needs to be shared in that venue. Just bring a few of us along to help you organize, set up, wrangle customers. You continue to bring such joy to our Francophile hearts… much love, dear Carol.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:32 AM

      You’re hired Alaina and you speak FRENCH!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous11:57 AM

    Carol you already have a book, just put together some of your wonderful maps of Paris! You continue to inspire us to get out there and explore the city of lights. Thank you

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  7. It's unanimous, you need to share you talent. I bet you would come up with a cute presentation booth.🗼❤️

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    1. Anonymous2:54 PM

      Sure ☺️ Recreate my messy studio..
      Hmm…I haven’t seen that yet 😂

      Delete
  8. Anonymous1:40 PM

    Shirley L.
    What great fun! Is it open to the public? Something I would absolutely love to do! Maybe next year...

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    1. Anonymous2:53 PM

      Of course it’s open Shirley!
      The public are buying the artwork.
      But maybe I should add that in. Good point! 👍

      Delete
  9. Anonymous2:35 PM

    Omg, this post -- over the moon just looking at the booths, sketches, art supplies.........dreamy. And I agree -- you should exhibit there! Thank you for sharing, and in such wonderful, uniquely PB fashion!

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  10. Anonymous2:51 PM

    Why aren’t you there.
    With all your drawings.
    You are just as talented. Lynne

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  11. Sukicart3:56 PM

    We all agree, you def need to exhibit there next year (I've thought that for years when I read your post on this event), You would be an outstanding addition and would inspire many others.

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  12. Dee Ann4:45 PM

    A true «Busman’s Holiday ». …yes, what fun that had to be for you!!!! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Anonymous4:52 PM

      You made me giggle Dee Ann 😂

      Delete
  13. This is so inspiring! Thanks for giving us all a glimpse. I'm curious, are the sketchbooks for sale at the booths the original ones, or are they printed reproductions (like photo books you order online)? One would think the artists would sell the original books for a lot more than a printed copy? Your fabulous sketches and maps would be a sellout!

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:08 PM

      No, the original sketchbooks are for viewing only.
      Yes, Some artists have made facsimiles

      Delete
  14. Anonymous10:08 PM

    Oooooh!!! 😍 This would be way too dangerous for me! I have more paint sets than I have finished paintings!! I agree with all the others, I’m dreaming of a book of your paintings AND the “story of your life” … 🎼 begins and ends with you 🎶 😘🇨🇦

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:51 AM

      ☺️ 📕 ☺️ 📕 ☺️ 🇨🇦

      Delete
  15. Anonymous1:08 AM

    I can hardly wait for the day you publish your fabulous work!!! I know, you already have do much on your plate but we would all love it!! Carolyn

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  16. laura cruz12:42 PM

    I marvel all that you do Carol! And all the places you travel to so you can show us! Thanks for your time and your art..your beautiful creations!!

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  17. Thank you Laura & toute la monde

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  18. Anonymous4:51 PM

    I love to sketch and slosh about with watercolors. I would love to join you, or see next Novembers Travel Sketchbook exhibit in Clermont-Ferrand. Please keep me informed. Vince in NYC.

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    Replies
    1. Just follow them on instagram is the best Vince in NYC!

      Delete
  19. Anonymous9:23 AM

    What a wonderful tradition! It's always inspiring to see so many talented artists showcasing their unique travel sketchbooks in such a creative setting. Love the idea of using an ice cream display case for the sketchbooks! Stephan’s drawings are truly remarkable—such a master of his craft.

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  20. I always enjoy your posts about this exhibition in Clermont-Ferrand, looks like lots of fun and so many amazing artists. Have you ever bought any of the books?
    It would be great if you were there one year, but you’d need some time to put it all together (book + display).

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  21. I agree you should go. If you choose your maps, you could have a big poster like the guy with the ice cream cart. Large map, smaller pic of you working. other maps hanging. Maps on table with 3-D figures of you walking around them. And small 3-D 'Bear' too. Sell 'Bear' wearing I Luv Paris tee shirt. Did you buy someone's book?

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