Paris is one of my favorite hobbies, if a city can be a hobby. But why not?! Thus, I love discovering new places to add to my ever-growing "must-see" list of things to see and do in the City of Light. My latest discovery makes me want to grab a sketch block, buy some paint and head straight to the banks of the river Seine to capture that light. Just take a look at this video and you'll know what I mean.
The Impressionists emphasized the effects of light in their paintings. Because of their lightness and transparence, water color based paintings allow artists to play with the light on the paper. Many of these great artists stopped by a crowded little shop in Paris, located across from the Louvre, seeking out just the right shade. Sennelier has been selling art supplies for over 100 years.
And now here's where the bees enter this story. Honey is a precious gift and benefits us in so many ways. But you probably didn't know that it is also the secret ingredient in Sennelier's water color paints. It acts as a natural preservative and also adds brilliance, luminosity and smoothness to the paint. Honey naturally draws moisture from the air. Thus, the paint stays moist for much longer on your palette as well.
So even though I don't (yet) paint, I will follow in the footsteps of Cézanne, Gauguin, Monet, Bonnard, Soutine, Picasso, Modigliani, Kandinsky, Chagall, and Dali and head to the Sennelier Art Store at 3 Quai Voltaire next time I am in Paris. It's been there since 1887 so I think it's time I stopped by for some inspiration.
Photo: Sennelier
If you want to learn more, listen to NPR's report "Art and History Intersect at a Paris Shop".
Now it's your turn. I'd love to know some of your favorite spots in Paris.
