model chairs

I'm carrying my little point and shoot digital canon camera everywhere with me here in Paris, not necessarily to get touristy shots, I carry it in Toronto just as much, but this is my way of journaling. Instead of writing everything down I just go snap happy and keep a kind of visual record of the things around me. 

Here are some amusing things from the other day, the first being a window filled with models wearing garbage bags - too timely since I had just been in a couple churches that up until easter, cover any Jesus statuettes with a purple cloth - they look eerily similar to these mannequins. 

The second photo is taken from the roof of the Grande Mosquée de Paris, it's a beautiful mosque filled with wonderful gardens and mosaic tile work. I don't know if it's the season or if they generally don't tend this one area of this rooftop garden, but I enjoyed the contrast of the industrial view in the middle of such a lovely oasis...

Postcards from Paris

Some more postcards from the early 1900's that I altered and sent home to Toronto, these two feature the Gare St. Lazare and la Grande Roue set up in the 15th arrondissment. 

Carte Postale

I adore the old booksellers by the Seine - one of those typically Parisian things you expect when you get here, but are still delighted to see in person. They have some of the most beautiful old and rare books, posters etc. although most are beyond my price range (and often priced for tourists). They do however, also sell old (and used) postcards, which I adore. These postcards are far better and have much more character than the glossy and not-quite-cheesy-enough postcards they sell in souvenir shops and tabacs. This postcard is from 1904 and already has a delightful message written on it in french, but it was a pleasure to add to it and then send it on it's journey to Canada.

Livre d'Arrondissements

I collaged the cover of my little Paris map book so I look lest touristy and feel more comfortable whipping it out on the streets. Also I needed a project to get me into the swing of things. Considering the fact that I brought almost zero art supplies with me, it was a good little challenge. The other day I treated myself to a new pad of tracing paper, and some glue. I also decided that I'm done with the vogue I bought for my plane-trip across the pond and it has now become one of my few collage materials.

collaged live d'arrondissements; 2011
tracing paper, vogue magazine, sticky note, whiteout, scotch tape, pen and marker.

En Paris!

Je suis finalement en Paris, et c'est magnifique!