The French Man...

Of late The French Man has been getting a bad rap, well some of them, ahem. Yet French men do have many redeeming qualities. We must not overlook these by focusing too much on la French femme don't cha think? For ex. French men have A LOT of hair. Is it their diet or their genes? Are they hairy everywhere? One sometimes wonders... Yet they are effortlessly chic/classe/cool. And a French man carries a man purse so perhaps he understand us better?
It's a well known fact French men notice if you change your hairstyle, hair color or get a haircut. The American guy may not yet have realized you have hair.

                                 Viva la difference!

French men never tire of noticing French women of a certain age... Nor do French men have a problem entering all-pink patisserie Fauchon and helping his ladylove choose desserts.
French bouquets were put on this earth...
For the French man to show his appreciation to the French woman. American guys, as a rule only remember flowers on Valentines day...hmmm
Showing affection in public?

No problem for the French guy.

Many French dads are out and about strolling with their offspring.

Let's face it. Go into any Parisian cafe and you will meet up with a French man.

Eat in most French restaurants and you'll be eating the fruits of a French man.

French pastry?

French men mostly own that turf and who could complain?

My own French Monsieur showers me with flowers and champagne. He always carries my pastry bags too.

BONJOUR THE FRENCH MAN!

One Nite Stands

Mignardises Freehand, 9" x 11" An artist and her paintbrushes are like past lovers.
Some come and go so fast.
You can't remember what you ever saw in them.

Why is it in every new town, you go looking for a new one for amusement.

And why is it, old Frenchies (Isabey Petit Gris #6234) you were once so crazy about, are now stashed away in mothballs?

Your current French loves (Isabey Martre #6225) you discovered by chance in Paris and no where else, have suddenly become awfully pricy to keep around - they used to be so affordable...sigh Just like naughty gigolos.

An old favorite standby (these German DaVinci 'Junior synthetic') have stuck with me through thick and thin and are so affordable.

I still love YOU Babe!

I recently ran into an old boyfriend (a live one) and he flipped for these watercolors drawn with a paintbrush.

Naturalement I dragged out some old favorites and started messing with them.

Paintbrushes waiting on the back burner like forever are hoping to get a second chance with moi. Qui sait?

Actually the newest, hottest love of my life is Winsor and Newton LARGE size watercolor pans - I am so in love with you BABE - I bought a bunch over the 4th holiday at Dick Blick. I can not wait till you arrive darlings!

Are YOU madly in love with something and do you think if will last or just be a One Nite Stand?

Do tell all PBers!

BONJOUR OLD LOVES!

Roberta di Camerino

Back to Venice today to the Museo Fortuny and an exhibit of Roberta di Camerino. Idiot moi did not even know who de Camerino was - a famous Venetian fashion designer.
Particularly famous for her trompe l'oeil bags that graced the arms of Callas, Princess Grace and were adored by Dali. She died in December of last year at the age of 92. La Museo Fortuny with it's ancient figure sculptures was the perfect setting for her collections..
And Grazie tanti to Liz in London who sent me a Donna Leon signed (!) copy of her latest, Drawing Conclusions. Mio dio! I haven't read it yet but Commissario Brunetti never disappoints.
Camerino's jersey dresses fool the eye/trompe l'oeil...

With their printed drapery.

And criss-crossed faux pleats...

Especially over the derriere.

Here a faux cardigan and skirt set all in one-piece...

So witty, so convenient. Who has not left a cardigan in a restaurant or somewhere else? No chance of that when wearing a Roberta di Camerino!

If you have a di Camerino bag do you need to wear anything else?

Did the painting come first or the jersey dress?
These glasses turned upside down sitting out in the sun at a nearby Venice cafe reminded me of di Camerino's brilliant colors.

BUON GIORNO ROBERTA di CAMERINO!

Maison Blanc UK

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.

How else can you paint something?

Without knowing it through and through 

And Up close and personal?

I was commissioned to paint illustrations for Maison Blanc Patisserie 

on Fulham road, Chelsea, London.

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 chef in charge of every bite. Their desserts 🍮 are stupendous.

I had a bite of their luscious Concerto chocolate cake

Naturalemente I took a shot of the menu...

Inside and out...

This past May I was doing illustrations for their new menu thanks to an art director in Iran seeing Paris Breakfast!

That's why all the petit four & chocolate gateaux torture around here. And it's why I spent my birthday in May getting up close and personal with a tunafish sandwich too. Bonne 4th to YOU!