A Stroll in the Rain

Some of the nicest childhood memories are those of strolls we took in the rain. Isn't it a treat to be almost isolated in a bubble of peace while it is softly raining? My Parisienne looks cosy and contented! Around the corner is a coffee house with steamed up windows and wonderful aromas....

180 x 180mm (10 x10)

Acrylic on Canvas Board

COPYRIGHT MARIE THERON 2010

At the Couturier

For an elegant lady who lived in the twenties and thirties in an environment of liveried servants, clothing was an investment. Here I imagine her in the setting of the show lounge of her couturier, making a decision about a coat, while it is modeled for her by a live mannequin. I do believe you had to have morning, afternoon and evening coats!

My little belle looks serene in a blue suit with a tight-fitting flattened bodice. Suits in pastel colours were popular and female curves were abandoned. Frenchwomen had a battle with this, but English and American women found it easier to achieve the boyish frame, being naturally more angular.

The photo comes from Costume & Fashion by James Laver.

I came upon a very special blog today, called "Eye Prefer Paris". I thought I would show you this delightful post on Parisian dogs in their winter coats.

180 x 180mm (10 x10)

Acrylic on Canvas Board

COPYRIGHT MARIE THERON 2010

Enjoying the Cold Weather

180 x 180mm Acrylic on Canvas Board

COPYRIGHT MARIE THERON 2010

AVAILABLE in South Africa from January 2011

Price R400 + R50 Postage and Packaging

America in the Twenties saw a lot of affluence, with lots of money made in new ventures and even some of it even through gambling. I quote from The Great Gatsby again:

'She's got an indiscreet voice' I remarked. 'It's full of ' - I hesitated.

'Her voice is full of money', he said suddenly.

That was it. I'd never understood it before. It was full of money - that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals' song of it.....High in a white palace the king's daughter, the golden girl..... (F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby)

How well he writes. I like it when one knows a story by heart through constant reading and watching films. It is then, on re-reading it, that little gems like this are found.

I tidied my paintbox, and found this lovely colour 'Permanent Magenta' by W&N, hidden in there. How well it matches the violets and purples I have been using in this range so far.

Street Smart in Par-e-ee-ee

180 x 180mm (18 x 18 cm)

Acrylic on Canvas Board

COPYRIGHT MARIE THERON 2010

This Painting is available in South Africa for R400 + R52 for overnight package ( or you can choose snail to lower costs)

We love to quote Coco Chanel, and nothing was more true than her belief: "Fashion does not exist until it goes into the streets". It took some daring to walk around in the totally anti-Victorian clothing which were the rage in the twenties. My two girls, bold and beautiful, has thrown off the shackles of prudery. They are showing off, which was not the first nor the last time in history. Nowadays, what I see on young girls is a pout copied from their pop idols!

My West Coast blog is humming along nicely and I keep to the formula of REAL scenes. Here in the world of French belles I get to the part where I can "think up" something. I was pleased by the way these figures developed, there is almost a story there. I decided to dedicate this post to K.Madison Moore. I love her wonderful bold planes and riotous colour in her very inspiring portfolio.