Monday, June 23, 2014

Artnotes: It's the Top

 Shadows by the Seine   Laurie Fox Pessemier   Acrylic/linen  12 x 20"  30 x 50cm
 Woman with Dog by the Seine   Laurie Fox Pessemier   Acrylic/wood  13 x 6.5"  16.5 x 33 cm
 Seine from Eiffel Tower photo
 Lily pads and Reflections   Blair Pessemier   13 x 16"  33 x 41 cm
 Tree 20 June   Laurie Fox Pessemier   Acrylic/linen  16 x 12"  41 x 31 cm
 Willows and Lily Pads  Bliar Pessemier  Acrylic/linen 12 x 12"  30 x 30 cm
 Water Lilies in June   Laurie Fox Pessemier   Acrylic/linen  11 x 16   27 x 41 cm
 Two sunbathers   Laurie Fox Pessemier   Acrylic/wood  6.5 x 13"  16.5 x 33 cm
 Statue in the Park  Laurie Fox Pessemier   Acrylic/linen  11 x 14  27 x 35 cm
White flower Giverny   Laurie Fox Pessemier   Acrylic/wood  6.5 x 13"  16.5 x 33 cm

It's the TOP

At 10:30 on Friday night, there was still a little daylight on top of the Eiffel Tower.  We looked out on people picnicking on the grass of the Champs de Mars, and local fireworks display signaling  France’s victory over Switzerland in the world cup.  The streets were empty, with everyone at home, cheering on the home team.   

Blair and I had never been to the top of the Eiffel Tower before, and it was quite spectacular.  We were minding two girls, 10 and 13, daughters of an old Seattle friend.   The oldest girl ured us to go, and even paid our two adult fares.     It was a short line on the ground this day, and a brief wait at level two, which was as high as we’d gone before, on account of fog.  It is a quite good amusement, and for the first time, I can understand why people want to stand in line so long.  Nobody can accuse us of not enjoying our local attractions.

Friday was a painting day for us, the two girls, and one other painter.  I was so happy we all meshed, the youngest taking video footage for her movie, “my trip to Paris”.  “Excuse me, “ she says, “but just how old ARE you?”  We ate lunch at the local creperie where she showed us dance moves.
On Saturday night, their dad returned, liberating them from  the narrow bed and the two chairs strung together for sleeping.   I don’t know how they did it.

Children help to measure the time gone by.  I learned lyrics to new songs, which I won’t repeat in mixed company, but they sang them in the Eiffel Tower line.  They deemed us dinosaurs as we tried to take a selfie (we’d never made one before), pointing the camera-phone the wrong way (I like being a dinosaur – it takes off the pressure to be up to date).

Today, the five of us went for a walk in the Parc Bagatelle, to smell the roses.   We saw five peacocks, screaming their mating call (as shrill as Harika’s bark).   

We’ve had at least ten sunny days here in Paris, and have painted in all the usual places.   Giverny was exceptionally beautiful in the rays of the setting sun.
 

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