Priceless Parisian Garage Sale Find

 I love garage sales ....

I love the thrill of the hunt.

And once in a while,

you actually find something that just takes your breath away.

You know instinctively which house or what seller might just

be "the one" where you will find the items you will love.

The seller at this particular house was a very cool

older woman.  She had obviously loved travel and

all things French and artistic.

She had decided to lighten her life and pass her

memories to buyers that would 
appreciate some of her treasures.

That was me!

This set of French books caught my eye.

I thought I could use the aged papers with French

text in some of my art projects.

I was thrilled when I got all 3 books for $2.00

Little did I know what surprises were inside the book

until I got home.

There on the front page of one of these books was a note to the

recipient from the author of the 3 books.

I ran to Google and found Jules Lévy.

He lived in the late 1800's and was a French writer

and publisher.  He established the Salon of Incoherents,

which was made up of writers, artists, poets and

other reps of Parisian bohemia.

The Salon was organized in opposition to the phrase

"Les Arts Decoratifs".  They felt it was too controlled

by society and left little room for diversity.

This Salon had an exhibition in 1882 in Paris which

featured works of 6 artists who were considered

precursors of Surrealism by 40 years.

The front and back page of each of the 3 books

had a beautiful illustration that were oh so French.

The fun back page.

Another title page of book 2.

And the back page of book 2.

Title page of Book 3.

 

  And the back page.....

I found some other wonderful treasures from this wonderful

lady and one of her neighbors.  I had to tear myself away or

I would have filled up my home again.

But, the trip inspired me to get back to my studio

and add some French elements to some of my

Parisian women pillows.

A favorite Parisian woman author of mine

is Anais Nin.  So....
 I created a little pillow in honor of her.

Stop by and say "Bonjour "

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