Mon Quartier (My Neighbourhood)

In the past five years I've spent much of my time traveling and living on the road but during 2013 I decided to spend some more time in one place, the better to work on my art. The city of Nantes is one of the larger cities in France, with a long and significant history. For me, part of everyday here is dedicated to walking. Although there are several lovely wild rivers including the Loire that flow through Nantes, and the seacoast is near, I'd like to share a decidedly urban walk today. I love the study of architecture and there is an abundance of medieval buildings in the centre ville where I live. In fact the Gothic cathedral is practically outside my door and the chateau of the Dukes of Bretagne (Brittany) is a mere block away. My own apartment is an add on that abuts a medieval convent on an enclosed courtyard. In fact there is so much to see that I can only begin to touch on in this post...This is just a taste...

View of my neighbourhood and the Gothic cathedral of Saints Pierre and Paul, seen from the chateau ramparts.

Medieval era carving on the facade of a half timbered and slate shingled building, now a popular cafe and restaurant.

Entry to a medieval era cellar on a cobbled side street.

Part of the roof line of the chateau of the dukes of Bretagne (Brittany) viewed from the ramparts.

An ancient house and former food shop.

There are many fascinating doors and blue is the ubiquitous trim colour in France.

The next block from where I live: a clever public bike rental system in front of narrow medieval buildings.

Another ancient stone structure and once again, blue is the colour of choice.

Beautiful half timbered buildings on a cobbled side street.

Aerial view from the castle ramparts looking toward the towers of St. Croix and St. Nicolas Basilica.

A former stable with a heraldic pediment and a yellow ceramic cat on the roof.

 Medieval buildings with newer facades reflect in the window of an artist's studio.

Aviary in the botanical garden.

Behind the cathedral, part of the old city wall and the medieval La Psallette building and park.

Part of the chateau roof line.

Spires on the cathedral heights.

Heraldic emblem on the chateau of the Dukes of Bretagne.

Nantes seldom has more than one or two light snowfalls per winter, so the beauty is especially precious.

Behind the Jardin des plantes botanical garden.

A view of part of the chateau complex seen from the park behind the cathedral.

Medieval frontage on a side street.

A multi point star motif carved in stone on the Gothic cathedral's facade.

A jumble of roof lines seen from the street.

A Faery Carriage

And here it is at last, the faery carriage--- a plump bird in natural materials---ready to take a spin in the park or travel to an enchanted ball! (If you recall my last blog I posted the large fae chateau commission that this carriage accompanies but at that point the wheels hadn't been added...)

There's room for three faery beings to ride on the seats inside. And on days when it rains buckets and the fae for the most part stay inside dreaming, there is always music from an ancient gramophone...or lutes and harps...

Wishing you all an enchanting day and night full of the magic of nature and the joy of creativity...

A Fae Chateau

A house and theatre of birch bark and pine cone scales, twigs and magic, seashells and old lace is near its finish and a long voyage to another land.

And though they are often shy of cameras the residents have agreed to appear here... relaxing, sky gazing and carriage riding...

 

(The fae carriage before the addition of the all important wheels...)

Shadow Play

Last autumn I created a group of shadow puppets for the telling of a contemporary fairytale and finally, in May, was able to see the end result performance at a theatre near my home in Nantes. The shadow show is part of a larger work entitled "Les Fabuleuses Histoires du Fabularium", a charming piece full of humour and accordion music performed by Les Aretes du Biftek troupe:
http://lesaretesdubiftek.wix.com/lesaretesdubiftek

Below is the princess character minus her control rods...

She is beloved of the wolf, a dandified fellow who in some ways might not be all bad, although still obsessed with harassing pigs...

Here they are in performance...

And we all hope they lived happily ever after...

Or in the meanwhile at least had a very good time...

A Walk Among the Flowers and Fae Matters...

Away from home again and traveling among the flowers in a cold and wet spring...

A few new things I've made recently:

Faery dream catchers for my Artemis Jane shop on Etsy:  http://www.artemisjane.etsy.com

Also on Artemis Jane, a magic mirror: vintage mirror with skeleton key and found butterfly wings encased in mica...
And speaking of skeletons, I've finally gotten around to finishing Ms. D. who started as a beach combed bone and early on looked like this:

And now looks like this:

And this:

Then on to the realm of fae furnishings...

Natural materials miniatures on my Pandora Jane shop: http://www.pandorajane.etsy.com
A wonky fae portal...

A simple fae kitchen set for adults or older children...

A mermaid chair and lamp of shells and twigs...

Fae acorn chandelier...

And another simple rustic dining set of driftwood and twigs, suitable for adults or older children...
More news to follow...wishing you a beautiful and creative day... and night!
Love, Diana