Friday, June 18, 2010

Francophile Friday: Marseille-Days

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] 

One of my dear friends sent me her copy of Julia Child's My Life in France {written with Alex Prud'Homme, her hubby's great-nephew}. I happened to be reading about Julia and Paul Child's time in Marseille when I received the kind offer from "Papirazzi", via an equally kind friend of his named Hayley {who also happens to be an artist and sells her vintage finds in France here}, to use his photos for inspiration.  Thank you, Papirazzi and Hayley!  Lo and behold, the first photo to catch my eye was this happy façade in Marseille.  In the book, Julia writes that Marseille "struck me as a rich broth of vigorous, emotional, uninhibited Life - a veritable "bouillabaisse of a city," as Paul put it."  These exuberant colours look very much at home there.  And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!
Posted by at 11:30 AM

20 comments:

  1. Oh, I so enjoyed reading My Life in France. It did give me the most serious of travel itches though. ;)

    What fortuitous timing that you saw a photo of Marseille. The bright colors are lovely, and I really want little flower pots in my shutters. If I had them anyway.
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  2. That is such a good book! As lovely as your illo is I think the big M might be a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. ;-)
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  3. I love that color combo! Haven't read the book but saw the movie and have eaten the food.

    Happy Friday and weekend, everyone!
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  4. Another delighful illo! I wish you and everyone a bon weekend from Paris!
    V
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  5. Sometimes I look at your paintings and I think that all my life needs is shutters. They seem to epitomise a sunny, siesta-paced way of living. Then perhaps I too can be a bouillabaisse.
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  6. Amy ~ they'd slow the shutter-shutting process somewhat in the face of a mistral, but ever so picturesque. :)

    Cali ~ Paris or bust! ;)

    PCN ~ I felt very hungry for much of the book and movie. Happy weekend to you, too!

    Virginia ~ oh, you're in Paris and you still dropped in ~ you're a honey! What a weekend you'll have ahead ~ aahhh.

    Mise ~ sorry, shutters or otherwise, I don't think you could ever be a bouillabaisse. I see you more as a croquembouche.
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  7. I think I may have to love ALL of France and not just Paris, non?
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  8. Gorgeous (but of course)—love those colors, Shell!
    My cousin was the American consul in Marseille for a while, and loved it so much he is threatening to retire there when the time comes. My camera and I will have to visit, for sure.
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  9. What timing! I've just been rereading MFK Fisher's, As We Were, about the year she spent in Marseille. Now I have an illustration.
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  10. Love Julie and Julia, but mostly just the Meryl Streep part.
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  11. Petrea ~ a side-trip to Provence could be in order for me when I do venture all the way over to the other side of the planet. {Where's the teleportation Gene Roddenberry promised me so long ago?!!}

    Thanks, Alexa! Ooh, I hope your cousin does retire there. So wonderful for you ~ and you don't take up much room. ;)

    I'm delighted to accidentally oblige, dear Hiker!

    Margaret ~ I loved Stanley Tucci as Paul Child ~ and after I read the book, I couldn't imagine anyone else doing a better job!
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  12. How wonderful to be transported to Marseille for the weekend in this delightul drawing! Love the colors. And now I'm curious as to what's for sale at the Bazar du Panier! I've never been to Marseille, but maybe someday I'll go. I'm still reading My Life in France (I don't want it to end, so I keep not finishing it) and I'm currently "in" Marseille with Julia and Paul. Wow, what a life they led.
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  13. Thank you for those warm vivid colors that bring sun and warmth to my weekend !! Just what I need on this 12°C raining Saturday !!!
    Sorry for Virginia !! Hope she has a lot to see inside too.....
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  14. Katie ~ when I googled Bazar du Panier, it brought up a number of photos of different facades with the same kind of signage, so I'm a bit intrigued with the whole thing. Something for me to further google on a rainy day. Enjoy 'slow reading' the remainder of the book!

    You're most welcome, Marylène! I hope it brings in a sunny change for you. Fortunately, I think Virginia has a good umbrella. :)
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  15. Delightful piece! Love the colors. And, like Katie, I'd like to go in the shop and check it out!
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  16. Ms M ~ warm and cheerful colours, aren't they! Happy weekend. :)
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  17. Such a happy facade Shell, love the colours. I've had a thing for blue window shutters for quite some time and now I have a thing for blue window shutters that hold potted flowers! Have a great week! :)
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  18. Thanks, Favourite Vintage Finds ~ wishing you a happy week, too!
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  19. I really enjoyed perusing Hayley's different vintage finds on her Etsy site. Thanks for the link Shell!
    Another gorgeous illustration I see too! Beautiful.
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  20. Thank you, Lily, and my pleasure ~ Hayley finds some lovely treasure!
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Merci, grazie, thank you for joining our conversation lounge. Your smile lights up the room. Even more beautifully than our crystal chandelier. x

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