This red heart...

I hold your heart close to mine...

I know we had a date.

I know I'm late.

This red heart is filled with chocolate...

But you'll just have to wait...

Till next year. And I know you'll be irate..

Because this red heart is my new soul mate :)

French Candy Box Madness

Mademoiselle de Margaux Candy Box, watercolor, 9" x 11 1/2"

Eating only chocolates for dinner

Will narrow your chances of getting thinner.

Patrick Roger Candy Box, watercolor, 9" x 11 1/2"

But chocolates for breakfast is another matter.

It's well documented that eating breakfast prevents you getting fatter.

French chocolates sitting on a silver platter

Give cause for idle chatter - yum..yum..yum

*A special note for those concerned for my well being and think I'm capable of eating everything I shoot. The contents of these French chocolate boxes were left in a bag outside the door of the concierge as well as several other lucky recipients (the photography shop on rue Vavin and M.s' door). I can barely look a bonbon in the face these days...well almost.

Paris Pinks*

Peony, French Candy Box, watercolor

Most Parisian floral shops are no bigger than a small closet.

Parisien real estate prices being what they are.

There's something charmingly endearing about tiny shops.
Cherries, French Candy Box, watercolor

Their owners can be quite proud and difficult.

But their selection is divine and worth the trouble.

There was a florist near me on rue Vavin. His flowers stayed fresh a long time.They were well loved. I know everyone gives red roses for Valentines Day.But why not give something pink?
*A pink is a small bud worn in the lapel.

*Le Leche-Vitrine..

My nose is forever pressed Against a French shop window.

I didn't go inside I felt shy...

When I think of how I passed on by... Some of the best, I almost get depressed.

But back at home I can pretend To go in the door Of that French store.

I look again

At pictures taken then.

Inside I go.

The curtain lifts, Begin the show. There is no snow...

*Le leche-vitrine means literally in French to lick the windows.

But figuratively it's an expression for window shopping...

BTW, I went many times into Patisserie Gerard Mulot, mostly to look....

Rue de la Grande Chaumiere

Yesterday The Promoted Princess said...Your blog is inspirational. I'm off to paint something pink!

If you want to go paint something pink in Paris go to rue de la Grande Chaumiere in Montparnasse, an artist's dream street...

At number #14 is the Academie. You can walk in and take a sketch class just like Calder or Modigliani did...

Across the street at number#13 is my favorite art store, Maison Gattegno, NOW CLOSED) You can browse in there happily for hours...

Their selection of watercolor brushes is like looking in a display case of macarons at Pierre Herme - delicious!

And down the street at number #4 bis from the Academie, is a branch of Sennelier's art store.

In Sennelier's vitrine/window sits a complete oil painting kit to take into the Academie to paint something pink, blue or...

Paris Tout en Rose

Angelina Pink Cup, watercolor,

What is it about Paris and pink?

The French love to tie a pink ribbon around a cake.

Look at this tower of pink power.

 A lushious pink bouquet from AU NOM DE LA ROSE on 50, rue du Cherche Midi 75006 They scatter rose petals at the base - that's their signature.

Afternoon Tea, watercolor

At the Fauchon's Afternoon tea you get pink sand in a tiny minute-glass, so you know when your tea is ready.

 Pink champagne to go with your pink roses.Next Paris trip I'll be looking for all things rose-colored and rose-flavored. Me and Amelie.

Paris Valentines Reds

Yellow Bird Admires A Chocolate, watercolor, 9" x 11 1/2"

February is the "RED" month, the month of Valentines Day - to keep us distracted from the cold wintry gloom?

Paris reds always strike me as strong and forceful - there are plenty of true reds where ever you look.

Paris isn't afraid of red!

This strawberry tarte aux fraises is loaded with true Paris reds.

Plus just a touch of pale green to give it that zing!

Comptoir de la Famille, is a wonderful chain of old fashioned styled kitchen and home shops. You can always find plenty of reds to cheer you up here. Their logo is true red!

I loved this whimsical red mural painted for no special reason on a low Paris wall...

Why don't you put something RED on today?

Et merci Marie-Noelle for all la vie en rouge!

ChocolateZOOM!

Triple Hearts, original watercolor, 9" x 11 1/2"

You no longer have to hangout in Schwab's Drug Store like Lana Turner to get discovered...

Writing a blog is a very nice way to get "discovered". Carmen found me a few weeks ago, while searching out macarons.

She invited me to paint the February Valentines cover for her online chocolate zine, ChocolateZOOM!

Naturally I jumped at the opp. The "research" began with a box of Pierre Marcolini's chocolates...

No matter how much chocolate I ate, I could not come up with the right cover painting :(

Then it came to me! Get my nose out of the chocolate box and paint what I love to paint -> a teacup still life. Et voila!

PLEASE visit ChocolateZOOM

There are a ton of fun articles about what we all love to eat and read about. And then get to work on your blog!