Francophile Friday: Who's in Le Paradou

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

Like many weekends, this one holds the promise of catching up on some reading.  For such a purpose, let's borrow this former sheep barn in Le Paradou, a small Provençal village tucked between Arles and Saint-Rémy in Provence. 

This illustration is loosely inspired by my copy of Pierre Deux's French Country: A Style and Source Book, by the two Pierres of Pierre Deux fame {sale on now, by the way!} and Linda Dannenberg.  This country house now comes with a library, chandelier, resident redhead and puppy dog {the cats are sunning themselves out the back}, as all good country homes should do.   And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

21 comments

  1. How delightful. And YOU have a bon weekend dear Shell. I think I'll have a macaron on my way out!
    V

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  2. You know, Shell, whenever my five-year old daughter spots your images on my screen, she leaps to attention. Should you be illustrating charming books for little girls?

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  3. And there's a puppy just for me!

    And I think Mise is on to something.

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  4. I think Shell should be illustrating charming books for girls and boys of all ages.

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  5. I think mise and altadenahiker are BOTH on to something! As depicted by you, Shell, Le Paradou is definitely my idea of "paradis." Have a lovely weekend, ma chere!

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  6. Yes, a series of books would be lovely! No pressure. ;-)

    The only thing missing in this charming illo is a charming Frenchman. Or a charming man of any nationality.

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  7. Shell you've created an illustration of complete and pure delight! Just fabulous. Oh to be headed off to my weekend house in Le Paradou. I too agree that you need to put together a book of your illustrations!

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  8. What a restful, beautiful way to start the weekend after a busy week! Lovely....
    I also agree that your work would make wonderful illustrations in books.

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  9. Ah, yes, book illustrations. One of my dreams. And books for young ones? Hmm. So when people say I'm behaving childishly, I can take that as a positive thing... I like it! Thank you, all!!

    Virginia ~ I think I was hankering for a macaron when I chose the colour for the door and shutters.

    Mise ~ thank you so much for telling me that. I love the idea.

    Margaret ~ I think the puppy heard you ~ look, his tail is wagging!

    Hiker ~ I have the illustrated hard cover of A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. Paul Hogarth's illos are gorgeous!

    Thanks, dear Alexa ~ a beautiful weekend to you, too!

    LOL, Cali!! Let me eat some procrastinational fudge and think about it... meanwhile, you might want to look in the armoire and choose a charming man off the rack.

    Katie ~ I'll wire ahead and let the caretaker know you're on your way. ;)

    Ms M ~ it's my pleasure to give you a restful transition into the weekend ~ enjoy!

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  10. Shell, I think when you're inspired by something to create your own work from it, you've given that something the ultimate compliment! And I love the idea of you illustrating books. I hope you'll pursue it.

    My WV is "dicatic," which should have been my WV for the previous posts because it has two cats in it.

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  11. Petrea ~ that's a lovely way of expressing it, thank you!

    "Dicatic" ~ heh heh!

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  12. I would love to see a children's book illustrated by you!

    How did you know that catching up on some reading is what I'm looking forward to most this weekend? I wish I had a home in a countryside villa in Provence, but alas. My little house in California will have to do. :)

    I love the little puppy, he looks quite content to be looking outside at the world.

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  13. Your lovely view of Le Paradou is so relaxing and promising of a nice, warm and full of "douceur de vivre" weekend !!
    Thank you !
    I like the idea of a book too for children or about Paris or Venice... You have a way to show the "essence" of those famous places in a different and inspiring way !!

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  14. A ready to wear man? One size fits all? Surely you jest! ;-)

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  15. Where does the line form to buy Shell's book of illustrations? I'll bring a bucket of chicken and wait until it goes on sale.

    My WV is "repar," which made me look nervously about to see if something's broken.

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  16. A: This K9, I wish.

    How much I wish I could catch up with some of my reading!

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  17. Amy ~ you are such a busy poppet, you never cease to amaze me. A little putting up of the tootsies sounds timely!!

    Thank you, Marylène ~ and it's so lovely to see you again!! I trust all's grand in your own piece of French countryside...

    Cali ~ I think there's a jester in the armoire as well ~ you may need to dig around and listen for the jingling noise. :)

    PCN ~ you'll all be on the VIP list!

    Cafe ~ always seems to be wishful thinking for me, too, {thanks, PCN, for reviewing excellent books to add to my list!}, but this afternoon I am definitely settling in for a quiet one.

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  18. Macarons tomorrow on PTML, but not from Paris! :)
    V

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  19. Oooh, thanks for the heads-up, Virginia!!

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  20. I hope ShSh does a painting of PTML's macs shot.

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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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