Are all available over at the shop!

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I tweeted this a couple of weeks ago from Paris. In case you missed it, I thought I would also post it here and explain to you why this particular video means so much to me.

You see, not only is Sandra’s story of her life as an artist incredibly inspiring, but Boynton illustrations were my all time favorite when I was growing up. I absolutely loved her art. I collected it all from cards, to books, to magnets to wrapping paper, even a stuffed animal. You name it, if it Sandra Boynton illustrated it, I had it. 

I had almost forgotten that Sandra’s work was an early influence, just like I almost forgot that becoming an artist was what I was meant to do. 

It’s always been there, it just always has. It just took a little longer to realize than I thought, but I am here now. 

I am here.

When I saw this recent interview with Sandra, I understood. I finally understood why I was drawn to the straightforward, genuine honesty and humor that exists in her adorable characters. And I also had, what do you call it? a lightbulb moment? an aha moment? of realizing that being a fan of her art was, maybe one of the very first seeds planted that has now grown into my own group of characters, that I love just the same.

Best parts of this interview "It never occurred to me that they weren’t going to sell" ~ to my artists out there: what if? what if?! you thought this way?

I also can’t believe, and am completely inspired by the fact that she built and runs this entire art empire by herself. 

"I guess ideally, that I would like to add to people’s sense that there is good in the world" ~ Sandra Boynton

one of the very same reasons I create the art that I do.

 
Since Nichole is the writer among us, and I echo her sentiments completely, I am going to lift exactly what she said about me in her post today and swap out my name for hers.

I could write ten paragraphs about why I’m so happy to have finally met Nichole of Little Brown Pen two weeks ago, but I’ll get right to the point: She rocks. 

When I met Nichole two weeks ago at a restaurant in Paris, I made a promise. I said, "I am trying not to be a 'gusher', anymore" What is a "gusher" you say? It’s someone who carries on and on about friends in our online world, to the point of no return. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for feeling the love for another, but I’ve changed my tune over the years. This is simply due to the fact that  I’ve made friends with people online, as we all do, and proceeded to gush on and on  about them, only to find they really are not who they present themselves to be on their blog. I become aware of this either because over years of interacting with them, they come to reveal their true character or I meet them in person and really get that they are not "their blog". 

Why am I telling you all of this in a blog post about poppies? So you know why I feel free to gush on about Nichole. No, really. A new American friend,  I met in Paris. Nichole is her blog and more. She is as about as kind and genuine as you can get. I only wish I lived by her so I could visit with her all the time. I think I might just have to move to Paris part time so I can be her neighbor. Her love for the city is infectious as are her beautiful photographs that she shares on her blog and in her Etsy shop. She captures what I now, having spent a month there, love most about this city. Not so much the touristy places, but the true essence and beauty of everyday life in Paris. Having been a follower of her blog for a while, I couldn’t walk through the city without recognizing a Nichole "glimpse of Paris" every where I went.

During our four hour visit over wine and cheese,  Nichole mentioned that she had just taken a photograph of poppies that morning. She said they reminded her of something an impressionist would paint, and she noticed that I was dipping my toe back into some impressionist inspired painting. When we both returned home, she shared the photograph with me and {how can you not be inspired?}  Voila! a new painting for you and a collaboration between two friends who now share a similar love for Paris.

The original painting will be available for sale at the upcoming ETA LA 3 show here in Los Angeles, opening June 12 and it is available now as a print over at the shop.

You can visit Nichole at her blog and her Etsy shop.

I’m not going to lie to you, it’s taking some adjusting to get back into life in Los Angeles.

Feeling mostly, not like myself ~ I’ve needed to be quiet online and I’ve needed to turn to what grounds me most, creating {which also means I’ve got some new fun things in the works for you!} And, let’s just say the inspiration from this trip has got to have some place to go or it is going to start piling up in my brain. I have so many ideas right now. Honestly it almost hurts. Ideas are bursting at the seams.

So while I do some more creating over here,  I’m going to share some more of my Paris inspiration with you. 

The bunny lamp, completely inspired by my new friend Veronique who has one of these plugged in at her studio. And to think I might have gone all the way to Paris and not seen this bunny lamp?  To say I love him is an understatement. You may have seen me tweet about it, and you probably saw the painting inspired by it {which is also a new print over at the shop, by the way}. My big plan was to take a photo of him in his new home in my studio, to share with you on the blog, but I haven’t found the right spot for him yet ~ so this photo was taken on the day I bought him in Paris. I will tell you that as soon as we came home, he was the first thing I unpacked, and I plugged him in right away. 

Bunny lamp is a little piece of Paris that I’m now so happy to have as a reminder of this time. I knew when I bought him he might be. But now he just feels like a little piece of the magic that I managed to smuggle home in my luggage. 

Also in my luggage, these gorgeous fabrics {big, big plans for these!} bought in Montmartre on a Friday creative artist date also with Veronique, who was so gracious in showing me around Montmartre {and patient} while I looked through endless fabric swatches and buttons. Well, don’t feel too bad for her, because shopping for fabrics is also one of her loves. That was such a great day. Thank you again Veronique.

Just posting these photos brings me right back. *sigh* 

Can’t leave you with just a dancing baby today?

A little Monday color inspiration pour vous? I picked these sweet peas up at the farmer’s market yesterday, and I can’t get enough of the colors. I’m really feeling the red, light pink and deep pink. So, so pretty.

In honor of YouTube’s fifth anniversary. Can you believe YouTube is only, already 5 years old? Talk about changing the landscape of the internet forever. And to think it all started, like everything starts, at the beginning, with one single video.

I’ve always wanted to share this video with you. It’s a favorite.

So if you aren’t one of the thirteen million people who has already seen this, a Monday laugh for you.

It’s 5 am here in L.A., {experiencing one, or is it the only perk of jet-lag?} The ability to wake up early with the joy and exuberance of a morning person, which normally I am not ~ a morning person that is ~ joy and exuberant I like to think I express those qualities from time to time.

I had hoped to write this post from Paris before I left, but I was too busy moping and whining about having to leave Europe. 

Happy to report that the sadness has officially lifted, and now I’m just excited to be back. I can’t wait to implement all the ideas and inspiration from this experience. This was an amazing trip for us.

So I won’t say goodbye to Paris. I’ll just say "see you later" "a bientot" Paris because part of the excitement that is spilling over, is thinking about all of the ways we plan to return...

For you for now, a final grouping of favorite photos from Paris along with a completely random list of what I will call Paris "findings"

 
 
The "while you wait" seats at a Metro station are not made for lovers, or friends for that matter. They are spaced super far apart. {This may be one place you won’t feel crowded in the city}

Paris however, is made for lovers. It is a city in full support of public displays of affection

And, those same brightly colored seats at each Metro station are super cool

Oh, but don’t be lovers holding hands while walking on the street. People have no issue with walking right through your hand holding to get to where they need to go in a super big rush

It is not cool to look too overjoyed in Paris, especially when riding the Metro

Paris, or Europe, or economy airplane seats for that matter were not built for a man who is 6’5"

You do not want to walk too slow on the streets of downtown Paris, just sayin'

The reason Parisians can eat so much cheese and wonderful, rich food is because they walk A LOT and FAST

Metro tickets can be demagnetized when in too close proximity to your cell phone

The beauty and attention to detail that exists in this city will blow your mind ~ which has never been more evident than upon our return to what seems like a now very unattractive city called Los Angeles. Minus the weather, the palm trees, the ocean and some amazing homes, the strip malls plastered with neon signs have got to go.

I like the smell of perfume and cologne that Parisians tend to wear

I will miss the combination of cologne and smoke when I go to a restaurant, and I am not being sarcastic

Smoking in France, in comparison to California, where you can no longer even smoke outside, still feels very much in vogue

Toilet paper and kleenex is much, much softer in the United States

Flea markets in Paris inspire creativity and next time~ I am SO buying my favorite vintage leather chair

One should floss everyday, but especially if you eat saucisson

A jar of Barilla pesto sauce can work wonders if you are in a pinch for a quick and delicious meal

Only Parisian men can pull off bright yellow pants. {By the way the new Ralph Lauren store in St. Germain de Pres is 4 floors of impressive and beautiful}

Paris skies are also beautiful

And the gardens, don’t get me started on the gardens in the spring

I really like wearing scarves. I have one on right now

Postcard bags make good impromptu notepaper for making lists to post on your blog

I think the art in the Musee D’Orsay was my favorite collection

But a visit to the L’Orangerie to see Monet’s large Waterlilies = incredible

French stores and museums don’t make their {very odd} store hours very easy to find online

Laduree has the best cafe creme, not to mention their croissants and pain du chocolat ~ also delicious. And the macaroons ~ Laduree is famous for its macaroons. Too busy eating the croissants, I didn’t get to try one. This alone is a reason I need to return.

People are ageless when they have style and a zest for life

I love this city more than I thought could

I’ve noticed the French love bunny rabbits, especially the French children. I cannot tell you how many very well worn out bunnies I’ve seen cuddled by little ones in their strollers. 

As I’m sure is quite obvious, I too am a fan. J’aime le petit lapin.

These two are inspired by my new acquisition that I adore, a bunny lamp {photos to come once he is safely plugged into my studio at home}

{click here to buy original}

Just a couple of days before we return home now... a little subdued because we are definitely sad to be leaving. But before I say goodbye to Paris, I had to say hello to you from Paris and tell you one thing I know for sure.

Returning back to my roots in creative style, color and impressionism. The impressionists have always been my favorite. Now having the opportunity to see many of those original paintings in person, I  can’t help but be inspired all over again ~ that and how gorgeous it is here in the spring with all the trees blooming everywhere. 

{click here to buy originals}

I know the Eiffel tower has been photographed a million times. All you have to do is sit across from it and have a picnic at sundown and you’ll see constant flash bulbs going off, almost like the Paparzzi catching a celebrity in L.A.. I know it also might seem like a tourist trap. And in some ways it is, and in other ways it is so magnificent that it takes my breath away every time I see it. Personally, I can’t take enough photos of the tower and on the heels of Sean’s last video, I thought I’d share a few of my recent favorites {plus a shot of the light shining through the leaves of a tree on the walk to see it} with you.

Whenever I’m walking in Paris, and I look up, I see a glimpse of La Tour Eiffel ~it reminds me that I am indeed in Paris. And now 4 weeks in, sometimes I still want to "pinch" myself that I am really here. 

Nighty night from Paris! It’s always strange to blog late at night now, and realize that most of you, especially my west coast friends are just into your day. have a good Wednesday! xo

More video silliness from Sean. He too was inspired by the little girl listening to music. Have to say, I’m partial to the part where he says I look pretty ;)

Finally figured out that other photo app. that everyone has been using lately, thanks to Swirly and her great pictures from Berlin. If you thought you loved camera bag, oh you just wait... Here are my hipstamatic {am now in love with this new app too} photos form Germany. 

1. While this photo app does enrich the colors, Germany is the most luscious green, green, everywhere green. It’s all I could do not to stop and start painting, but seeing as how I left my paints and brushes in Paris, stopping to paint was not an option~ instead, I just took {way too} many photos so I could remember this green. The first photo is a view  taken during a short walk through the forest

2. my uncle, my aunt, {my mom’s younger brother and older sister both of whom I adore} Sean {who I also adore} and me, I’m the one falling behind on the walk as per usual, because I keep taking photos with my Iphone

3. dandelions, "Lowenzahn" in German {sorry I can’t find my umlaut key on the keyboard, which are the double dots that should go above the 'o'} which literally translates to lion tooth. If you ever wondered what a lion tooth looks like? it looks like a petal to a bright yellow flower ;)

4. I forgot the German name to these flowers, but they are the sweetest tiny daisies you’ve ever seen

5. & 6 all the apple trees are blooming right now

7. tulips are blooming too

8. & 9. rainy days and gorgeous skies taken while driving

10. spring green trees,  such a brilliant, vivid green, especially when the sunlight shines through the leaves ~ also taken while driving

We had the most wonderful time. I’d share more words with you, but it’s late Monday night here and after traveling by train, at 350 km per hour = crazy fast, and metro and then the metro again, I’m done for today. I know we are officially back 'home' in Paris because people are speaking French outside my door. Hope you all had a lovely, lovely weekend.