Book Love in Several Languages

I collect picture books whose illustrations grab or inspire me. And alphabet books. And lovely children's books in foreign languages. And sketchbooks of travel.

Here are the ones I brought back with me from my trip to Tuscany, Prague, Budapest, and Paris. I will get many hours of pleasure from them.
In Budapest, I met the artist of one book (Jartamban..Kertemben), Maray Mariann, who signed it. She was working upstairs in a studio/gallery at the cutest darn bookstore of the whole trip, books and art and cards and jewelry all with artists' touches.

It does make for sweat time at baggage check-in, but I made it! 

Wrapper Medley

I found some wonderful wrapping paper in my travels last month....

in Prague:

and Budapest...

and Paris.

A couple of postcards

Altered an existing iconic Tuscany postcard view for a September postcard exchange. 

 Inspired by a French alphabet book I added to my collection this week!  

Montmartre Moments

This friendly-looking guy enticed me to an exhibit of his work today. It is a self-portrait of Eugene Delatré. I didn't know him before today. He was among the painters, printers, artists living and painting in Montmarte early in the 20th century. Think Moulin Rouge, Renoir, Picasso, and LaTrec.

This artist was a supreme etcher and printer. I fell in love with his pieces when I saw the exhibit today at the Musee Montmartre.

The museum is on this street but it didn't look so great back then. I saw pictures. Believe me.

Renoir lived in this building for a few years back then. He would take his large easel to the streets and paint all day there, then return at night to his room. 

This was on the grounds also. It is the swing from "The Swing" ...a painting you may recognize! Critics didn't like it when it was first presented. He took a hit. Don't know what they didn't like about it.  What's not to love about that dappled light? 

There were old photos of many of the artists who made their name here and spent their days and nights on the streets and cabarets. Fun to see early Picasso, young and old Renoir, Toulouse LaTrec....

I thought the best part of all was a large model of Montmarte with the artists' homes and studios designated. 

 I pooped out before getting to see everything I had hoped to see. I love scouting around and finding famous spots. (Yesterday we found Ernest Hemingway's first apartment in Paris with Hadley and Jack.)  I wanted to find Amelie's cafe and Picasso's studio. Alas. Must save for next time. Hilly, you know. Lots of hills and steps. but what views!

Walking the street is such fun. How else do you come across a silver man taking a cigarette break?