an illustrated journey of an american in paris
My first exhibition at Un Jour Une Illustration Gallery / Paris
Delighted to invite you into my watercolor world in my first digital exhibition at the Parisian gallery “Un Jour Une Illustration”, “Paris I Suppose”, available online January 6th-February 24th. IRL vernissage January 13, 15h-18h. More here. 3 Rue Augereau, 75007 Paris, France
Dear reader, it’s been a hot sec.
Pleased to introduce you to my newest edition of thefrancofly La Vie en Watercolor newsletter, a deep look into the creative mind through the lens of watercolor. I know that creativity isn’t this eureka, struck-by-lightning, kinda phenomenon. Obtaining the tools to achieve (hopefully) great creative work requires deep reflection and channeling complex emotions at a moment’s notice.
My path to becoming an ever-evolving artist was not a straight and narrow one by any stretch of the imagination. My journey started with a little rusty Winsor Newton watercolor palette that I bought over a decade ago as a broke traveler in Paris with no tangible artistic ambitions. Today, I have an exciting career as a watercolor illustrator, author, standup comedian and drawing professor, working for clients like The New Yorker, Chevrolet and Cartier.
Through my experiences I’ve learned a lot, and I have loads of insights and stories to share about being pro-active in seizing beauty and seeing like an artist. This newsletter is not about executing a masterpiece, but more about how to develop ideas and organize your thought process to create stronger, more personal art.
Every week, I will share a few insights into what I am currently thinking about (museum visits, Parisian trend reports, color combinations, micro recipes) and a prompt that will activate your own creative process. This newsletter is for you if you are an artist at heart, but still can’t find the time or headspace to get inspired. Whether you are a painter, writer, francophile or traveler, I hope this will be the place that gives you an encouraging little push to create.
Shall I take you there?
Stay inspired, dear reader.
And don’t drink the watercolor water. Follow here
Join me for a cup of coffee or a gobelet of vin rouge at the Portes Ouvertes Montreuil. I’ll be hanging new large-scale watercolor work, selling my books “Paris in Stride” and my New Victory Garden 2023 Calendar and other watercolor keepsakes. And also take the time to explore all the other artist studios in the storied Usine Chapal.
October 15-16th, 12-7PM
Usine Chapal PORTE D 2ème étage / 2nd Floor
2 Rue Marcelin Berthelot, 93100 Montreuil
New Victory Garden 2023 Wall Calendar, available wherever books are sold!
Greetings from a Parisian graveyard AKA the lonely month of August. There’s 10,000 step minimum to find an open boulangerie and a decent baguette.
I’ve hidden myself from my small child long enough to share my newest publication, New Victory Garden 2023 Wall Calendar! If you kindly ordered the 2022 version, you’re in for a treat. It features 12 sumptuous illustrations of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers—along with tips on what to plant and when. At the end of the day, it’s a joyful and optimistic gift under $20 and something beautiful to hang in the kitchen.
If you are so inclined, please order a copy or two, request it at a local bookstore, share with a friend and leave a review on Amazon. Even if you can’t purchase a copy, every little gesture helps.
Enjoy a little taste of NVG 23 and some behind the scenes pics of the creative process.
Although I can’t walk down the produce isle without getting sick to my stomach after painting so many fruits and vegetables, if you’d like to learn my own watercolor process, take my course here.
A mashup of the fabulous new exhibition À la rencontre du petit prince at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs and the current being of my small child…
Just in time for holiday giving, my latest project to give 2022 a joyful boost The New Victory Garden 2022 Calendar.
And it’s the perfect special something for the gardener/foodie/mother-in-law/designated auntie/Secret Santa-ee. And it’s conveniently under $20.
Available for purchase at your favorite non-evil bookseller and Amazon if you must. And please leave a short and sweet review if you can. They really do help a young non-Dan Brown author out.
Save-the-date! You can purchase a copy and peruse the originals at my studio open house October 9-10 at the Usine Chapal in Montreuil (2 rue Marcelin Berthelot 93100 Montreuil). I’ll also be clearing out original watercolors for very interesting prices. More to come…
In a great big room with a Stephanie Tanner bed, there was a JTT and a Kurt Cobain head…
He seeks independence while also the comfort of his mother’s arms! A single Tic Tac makes him screech with glass-shattering zeal! Lock your windows and doors! It’s toddler-i-zing! Unfortunately inspired by real events.
Here’s some other cool stuff I’ve been up to. Wanna indulge your creative bug? I’m now teaching watercolor and illustration on Skillshare. I wrote an illustrated a guide to Julia Child’s favorite Parisian haunts in the Julia issue of Cherry Bombe Magazine. Missing Europe? Cookbook illustrations in Katie Quinn’s new-ish travelogue/cookbook Cheese, Wine, and Bread. Watercolor lettering and bespoke invitation suites to make any event beyond special.
A collection of watercolor gifs recapping the joyful and unfiltered first month of motherhood, inspired by real events…
Feeling the pandemic slump? If you rarely leave the house, you might as well make it impactful, right? In my latest Skillshare course “ART MASK”, I teach students how to recreate my breathtaking 3-D watercolor masks. It’s a joyful statement piece that just needs your personal style attached. You can take the course free until February 15th using this link: https://skl.sh/3p3rHay. Please review and share a sketch. And do tag me so I can admire your creation @jessiekanelosweiner.