/ Shell Sherree

Venerdi in Venice: Shutters & Flowers

17.6.11

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

Last Friday, we soaked up the atmosphere of flowers and shutters in Paris, then made ourselves at home for the weekend. And the weekend became rather extended. I'm still trying to retrieve lampshades from the heads of some of our guests {not mentioning names ~ sometimes discretion really is the better part of valor}. To expedite our departure, it seemed prudent to simply exchange one royal flush of flowers and shutters for another... but with a change of city to keep us on our toes. Thank you to dear Catherine Hédouin via sweet Danielle's VenetiaMicio for the beautiful Venice inspiration. I'll continue to work on the lampshade removal while you open those shutters more widely and embrace the canal view. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

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Francophile Friday: Flowers & Shutters

10.6.11

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

On a day when one has gone everywhere in Paris, as Virginia felt this particular day {thank you as always, dear V!}, a relaxed lunch with a view like this is in order. And your chances of scoring such a view in Paris would be pretty high. Shutters, flowering pot plants ~ perhaps even the occasional adventurous kitty cat ~ these are commonplace but never common. I shall consult my Filofax to see whose turn it is to charm the inhabitants into a weekend stay for us. No, wait. I see I already have some volunteers who are eminently qualified for the job. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

PS: You might recall that some of my illustrations are available as customised stationery at Nôte Couture. To my delight, I was also commissioned to create a custom illustration for Nôte Couture's blog banner. {Thanks, dear Julie!} It's over HERE if you'd like to take a peep.

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Francophile Friday: Shoes Afoot

3.6.11

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

In winter, I don't think a glass slipper would cut it for me. But spring, summer ~ those are indubitably glass slipper seasons. I wonder if some part of our collective shoe obsession is deeply seated in Cinderella. {We can call it Cendrillon or La Petite Pantoufle de Verre for an extra dusting of magic.} The speed of my circulation emulates that of the tortoise, not the hare, so winter finds my feet more closely aligned with another charming tail, Puss in Boots. Whatever your story, the quest to be beautifully shod must be even more enchanted in Paris, and the atelier of this Japanese artisan, Tamano. Merci, thank you to dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens for the lovely photo inspiration. I'll rustle up some gowns and bubbly and meet you all outside. If you arrive to find a pumpkin and some mice, you'll know the party has already moved upstairs. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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Venerdi in Venice: Flock to Pink Lamplights

27.5.11

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

I've read it's flattering to our complexions to use pink lampshade linings and lightbulbs. These birds silhouetted against the skyline in Venice have the right idea. Grazie mille to Catherine Hédouin and Danielle for the broodingly-beautiful photo inspiration posted at Venetia Micio. {If you can't get enough of these Venice lamps, you'll find more of Catherine's lovely photos here.} It looks like rain, but I'm happy to linger a while if you are. We might learn a thing or two. I hear these birds know how to pastry. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

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Francophile Friday: J'adore a Good Door

20.5.11

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

Today, I make amends. I've been neglecting a fundamental object of the affection of many. Doors. By their very function and existence, they carry an element of mystery. Intrigue. Some might accuse them of being temptresses. {But now matter how tempting, No means No in any language ~ even that of doors.} They wear their age well. You don't see them anguishing over whether they need a new paint job. All the better to express a sense of character ~ a measure of the years of experience they've acquired. The patchier the paint, the more distinguished the epaulettes. Some are unquestionably rugged and masculine. Strong silent types. Others lean to the coquettish, feminine side ~ such as these. Either way, they invite us to dream. Don't worry, as soon as we're all assembled, we'll carry the kitty cat inside with us, wherever that may lead. I'm thinking there will be chandeliers, violet-scented linen sheets and macarons. Lots of macarons. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

PS: Source of inspiration for today's illustration is here, but the image is not credited, sorry. If anyone knows, please tell me and I'll acknowledge accordingly.

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Francophile Friday: Amour at Bois Violette

14.5.11

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

Every day is a beautiful day for flowers. Giving, receiving, plucking, inhaling, or being smitten from afar. I wonder who will need smelling salts first after passing out from the heady sights and scents at Bois Violette in Paris. The inspiration for today's illustration comes thanks to this gorgeous scene by Genie at Paris and Beyond {merci, chère Genie ~ you are most kind!} Coincidentally, our little pampered pooch from last Friday was officially named Violette by Cali, one of our regulars here, so I took it as a sign for today's subject matter. It seems we can find Amour to go with our flowers while we're there. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday Fleurish to you!

PS: Thank you, sweet Danielle of drifty and romantic VenetiaMicio for passing on the Kreativ Blogger award. Your blog is poetic and I am honoured to receive this award from you.

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