Francophile Friday: Take a Vantage of le Métro
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| Illustration of Paris Métro Notre-Dame des Champs by Shell-Sherree: ink & watercolour |
Parisian cat burglars have taken one look at today's illustration and rubbed their paws with glee. A drainpipe conveniently located between two windows and right next to a Métro stop? It's like taking cheese from a mouse but without the indigestion! A decoy would be handy, however, and that's where we can help ~ let's make like femme fatales and distract the passers-by. Asking for help with our luggage is the oldest trick in the book so we might as well use it. In return, we can enjoy our share of the spoils. And on that note...
Happy Francophile Friday to you!
Thanks to dear Genie of Paris and Beyond for her very lovely inspiration for today's illustration. Merci, ma chère!
Oh, Shell! How could I have missed le chat and your illo really shows the beauty of the wrought iron railings. You are so very talented and what a delightful way to enjoy Francophile Friday!
ReplyDeleteMerci, ma chère amie!
Bises,
Genie
Cat burglars? That sounds about right!
ReplyDeleteTGIFF!!
Just popped over from Genie's blog.... love your illustration of her photo, and the rest of your blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your petit cat burglar up there smelling the roses (geraniums?) and contemplating his next move! And oh to be a Suzy Parker decoy! When I was a pre-teen, all I wanted was to grow up and be Suzy Parker and pose for Richard Avedon in Paris. Unfortunately, as you know, I never quite grew "up." :~{
ReplyDeleteKitty is a clever cat burglar, hiding amid the flowers. Perhaps along with the candy necklace, she'll find something chocolate. I could be an "Oh, no, I've lost my contact lens!" decoy.
ReplyDeleteI meant to tell you ... the touch of white is a nod to Macie, Ms M. ;)
DeleteGenie ~ imagining you tootling along on your Velib while pausing to Brrrng your bell and take snaps of scenes like this plants a smile on my dial! Thank you for the lovely inspiration.
ReplyDeleteCafe ~ hmm, I think with the right incentive, canines could be tempted.
Hi, Nat ~ thanks for dropping over from Genie's place! Lovely to see you here.
Growing up has a lot to answer for, Alexa. You have plenty of time for that ahead of you. ;)
Ms M ~ you could be! And here's something to keep them safe when you find them.
When it comes to diversionary tactics, the leg is mightier than the luggage. This instructional video pertains to hitchhiking, but it translates to other areas of endeavor:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar-hnj5Zsk4
I just knew altadenahiker's link was that famous scene! Was Bugs Bunny really inspired by Gable's carrot eating scene? Is it a coincidence that we are discussing Gable on this, the 52nd anniversary of his death? (It's still the 16th in SoCal)? :-)
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely illo, Shell. Your links are also enjoyable, as always!
Heh, great suggestion, hiker! I think we could manage something along those lines.
ReplyDeleteCali ~ I thought of you as soon as I saw hiker's link. When I see movies of that vintage, it's inevitable!! {I just realised that makes it sound like you're of that vintage ~ you know that's not what I mean. ;) }
It did sound that way. Made me laugh though. I should be so lucky: vintage never goes out of style! (Isn't that a great clip though?)
DeleteIt's a marvellous clip, Cali!
DeleteOn what other blog could I find two other people who would know that scene before they even punched the Play button. (Had no idea it was his anniversary, though. Oh, why didn't he do more comedies?)
DeleteI didn't know it was his anniversary, but I knew what video it was before I looked. You gave it away with "diversionary tactics" and "leg."
DeleteBut did you notice this? Claudette's satisfied smirk when she first reclines on the fence bears an amazing resemblance to some of Shell's characters.
DeleteI admit I didn't notice that.
DeleteI hadn't noticed it either. Great catch, hiker. I also just noticed another kitty in the illo. Bet I'm the only one who missed that!
DeleteHeh, I like that observation about the satisfied smirk! And Cali, you have fabulous eyesight.
DeleteCute cat in flowers ! I like your artworks.
ReplyDeleteNice sunday !
Nath.
Thanks, Nathanaelle! Happy Sunday to you, too.
ReplyDeleteI love every tiny detail of this fabulous illustration! Kitty sure has a great seat to watch all the goings on below, especially with Suzy Parker turning heads in that amazing dress and gloves (plus the matching hat and flowers). I sure wouldn't want to be dragging all that luggage up the stairs of the métro, but if the right person came along to help (bonjour Hugh!) it would be a good trick.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie! And if someone stopped to lend a hand with that amount of luggage, they would truly be a gentleman of the highest order ~ so indeed, Hugh's our man.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice conversation you all have been having. Sorry I'm late. Actually, I could use some luggage...
ReplyDeleteThe conversation is all the better for you dropping in, Margaret. Imagine doing a book tour with that luggage...
ReplyDeleteI love how Genie's photo inspired you to create not only the exquisite detail in this illo, but also this nostalgia-filled escapade. Hold on to your pink hats à la Suzy Parker, ladies! Oh dear. Maybe they've already blown off in this wild adventure. I'm so late. I'll have to hitch a ride to catch up with you all. Not sure I can pull off the leg trick. Maybe a kitty in the arms will help?
ReplyDeleteSeems fitting to drop by your blog on our day of expressing gratitude. Thanks for all the sparkle you add to the world, Shell.
that femme fatale makes me want sooo badly to have had a moment in my life where I was "all that" then I think that if I was "all that" how painful it would be to loose it to time
ReplyDeleteSusan ~ thank you! Always my pleasure. As for catching up with us, we've been lazing around admiring our spoils for the last week so you shouldn't find it too hard. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's a wise observation, PA. Imagine the weight of expectations. An armful of tulips would never go out of fashion, though.
Très sympa...
ReplyDeletePierre
Merci, Pierre!
ReplyDelete