Imaginary Trip to Paris - Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile

We had some free time on our last day in Paris, so I decided to spend it painting the Arc de Triomphe on the cover of my journal. It was a wonderful trip - I highly recommend Laure as travel coordinator!

I did a search of flickr for interesting or unusual shots. I found this image by Checco to use as my inspiration.

And no, I'm not really in Paris, although I'd love to be. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Sacred Heart

"Located at the summit of the butte Monmartre, the highest point in the city. So a few of us climbed to the top of the narrow stairway of 234 steps to see a spectacular panorama of Paris. It was a clear day, so we could see almost 20 miles."

And no, I'm not really in Paris, even though I'd love to be. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Moulin Rouge

"Originally little more than a high-class brothel, it became fashionable to see the spectacular cabarets, which have always included the can-can. The dance became less crude, but is still a little risque and somewhat provocative. The dancers have so much energy!"

And no, I'm not really in Paris, even though I'd love to be. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Art Everywhere

"It seems that everywhere we look. all over the city, we see artwork. On overpasses, manhole covers, details of buildings. And statues - not just in galleries, museums, and formal gardens, but tucked into every nook and cranny. This woman fascinated me with the caliper in her hand, and made me wonder why."

And no, I'm not really in Paris, even though I'd love to be. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Giverny

A visit to where Monet lived and painted. I didn't save any room on the page for writing.

And no, I'm not really in Paris, even though I'd love to be. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Dogs Part 2

"This little guy was moving so fast, all I could do was a quick gesture sketch while he flopped in the grass to rest for 5 minutes. Then he was back up playing with the other dogs in the park."

This was a gesture sketch using only paint and paintbrush done in 5 minutes.

And no, I'm not really in Paris, even though I'd love to be. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Dogs Part 1

"Dogs are very popular in France, and their owners take them everywhere. We enjoyed an hour in the park on this beautiful fall afternoon. The sun was shining and there was just a slight breeze."

And no, I'm not really in Paris, even though I'd love to be. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Musee Rodin

"I didn't know much about Auguste Rodin prior to visiting the museum. While best known as a sculptor (The Thinker and The Kiss), he was a prolific artist. He painted in oils and watercolors. And the museum holds 7000 of his drawings and prints."

And no, I'm not really in Paris, even though I'd like to be. I'm on an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Eiffel Tower

The only pencil I used on this entire page was a couple of guidelines for the title. All the rest was done with ink or paint, no pencil first.

Built as the entrance arch for the 1889 World's Fair, held to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. It was highly criticized when built, often called an eyesore, but it has become the symbol of the City of Light. It was the tallest structure in the world until 1930, when the Chrysler Building was built. It is about as tall as an 81 story building, so it can be seen from all over.

And no, I'm not really in Paris, much as I'd like to be. I'm on an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Lunch at a Cafe

What says Paris better than lunch at a sidewalk cafe? Watching people, listening to conversations (although not understanding any of it, but enjoying the sound of it), being out in the glorious fall weather! Les Deux Magots was once a rendezvous of the literary and intellectual elite, and is now a popular tourist destination. It was very crowded. The name comes from the two wooden statues of Chinese commercial agents (magots) on one of the pillars.

And no, I'm not really in Paris, much as I'd like to be. I'm on an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Luxembourg Gardens

We spent the day at the Luxembourg Gardens, but didn't have much time for sketching. Children love to push their model sailboats into the breeze in the large basin of water, and so that was what several of us decided to sketch. It is the largest public park located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. It is the garden of the French Senate, which is housed in the Luxembourg Palace.

And no, I'm not really in Paris, much as I'd like to be. I'm on an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Window

While wandering the neighborhoods of Paris, we saw lots of windows like this one. (No, I'm not REALLY in Paris, although I wish I was. I'm taking Laure Ferlita's online class, An Imaginary Trip to Paris.)

Imaginary Trip to Paris - First Breakfast

I am taking another imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita, this time to Paris! So here is the first page in my journal, commemorating our first breakfast together.