Paris is a Masterpiece
A living, breathing sculpture
One of my favourite places
If you can't go to Paris, here's some of Paris brought to you.
The Louvre
Thousands of years of art and culture have been gathered in this place.
It is incredible to see and understand so many expressions of mankind.
What was once a kings Palace
is now for royals of Art.
Da Vinci,
Raphael,
Michelangelo,
Caravaggio.
So many great kings from times long ago.
All of them here,
amid sculptures and frames.
The Louvre,
Where Violinists and Cellists
Play their music between,
The art of street music,
Pouring through the cut stone walls,
Between hidden gardens,
and perfectly fresh lawns.
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Besides its exquisite physical beauty,
The Louvre has utterly magnificent acoustics,
Thus attracting the worlds best street musicians.
Sitting outside of the museum you can look down through its windows at ancient Greek sculpture,
all the while hearing a perfectly played classical masterpiece.
I've spent hours enjoying the hidden gardens and pouring fountains around the Louvre.
It is one of the most incredible places that I have ever been.
Every time I visit Paris, I visit this place.
Encante'
If you asked me when to visit Paris,
I'd say any time you feel.
If you ask me why,
It would be to meet people like this.
One of the most free and open faces of time,
I met this man in Paris walking outside of Notre Dame.
What you can't see here is the life in his eyes,
He was full of joy and completely alive.
After taking this beautiful portrait I said:
"nice to meet you" and he replied "Enchante'!"
Pointing Up
One of the gifts of street artistry is that you get to know others who share their heart on the streets. This is my friend Cameron from Australia, who often plays just next to me when I'm drawing in London. Almost every day beside Trafalgar Square I was treated to Cam's playing the electric violin.
He is an amazingly talented musician.
We happened to be in Paris at the same time,
with St. Michael pointing up and slaying evil behind.
I consider the simple act of living your truth from the heart and sharing your talents with the world to be victory.
So long as we do this that victory is endless.
After taking this picture I stayed for his set.
You can hear Cam playing here.
My Paris
The first time I rolled into Paris (literally - I was on a bicycle) I was so excited. It was very early, between 5 and 6am. I didn't have a phone or a watch, but awoke with the sunrise.
After cycling for days from the Northern coast myself and two friends made our way to the capital from Amiens, a much smaller city with a magnificent cathedral and beautiful people.
Paris was mostly asleep, still dreaming of itself perhaps.
As dust flew from the old cobbled streets newspaper bundles hit an old granite floor.
The city awoke as the street sweepers, metro staff and Cafe' barista's began working.
I was in awe looking around. There is beauty to find on every corner.
As the guys asked where to go I barely noticed them,
my eyes were wide open and I was just taking it all in.
Feeling the direction we should go I cycled ahead and let the magic continue.
As we cycled through space but beyond all of time,
The places we found are now etched in my mind.
All of these spaces, little French streets with lovely French faces,
It felt like we were living inside of a painting.
Living Poetry
Take a long stroll through these wise old streets,
and remember what they've seen.
The learned old men,
were young back then,
a peoples' revolution and a nation's evolution,
the beauty and the light of love at sunrise,
all of this is Parisian life.
Memories made, on romantic days,
the ways love will dance, through eyes at a glance.
All that Paris has seen and the things in between,
A dimly lit road, amid leafy green trees,
Where the people are free,
Vive la liberté!
Paris is living Art
The Paris I love will always be the Paris I first met.
About a decade ago when we rolled through her streets she was filled with artists, live musicians and peace.
Last time I went there were fewer of these,
Now artists are harassed,
told to leave by police,
How do I know?
One of these artists was me.
"An Artist Has No Home in Europe Except in Paris" according to Nietzche. That's not something I believe, since Europe is utterly filled with artists amid the old cities and parks. There are many great places to find inspiration, but I do see the point.
This city is all about romance and art.
The moment you are are near to Montmarte,
when you see the glorious Sacré-Cœur,
that perfect temple,
you will feel it.
Paris is Art.
Romance Defined
A place called Mont Marte.
Sacré-Cœur on the hill.
Arrive there at sunrise;
And time will stand still.
Calling the Artist
When I first arrived in Paris it was very early in the morning.
I did not know the city nor where I was going. The spirit inside drew me up toward a hill.
That hill was Mont Marte, one of the most beautiful places in the whole Universe.
I was 20 years old then and just following a feeling.
The energy of this temple just called to my soul.
Little did I know this was also the famous arts district.
The spirit within had lead me right here.