I met Jennifer Butler earlier this year at a book signing party she graciously hosted in her lovely Paris apartment. I immediately liked her ebullience and wonderful style and we became fast friends. She is passionate about art, literature, and all things beautiful. I had the exceptional pleasure of spending time in her stunning 12th century country home/mas in Provence in September.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Manhattan and grew up in Upstate New York, A town known as Elmira. Bance Packard used it as an example of small town 50"s East Coast mentality. A bit of a shocker. Couldn't wait to leave.
When did you move to France and how long afterward did you move to Paris?
We moved permanently to France in 1990. We started our French life in Eygalieres, Provence. Our daughter, Georgina, wanted to grow up in Paris so we turned the MAS into a hotel and began our Parisian life ten years ago in 1999.
You are working on an unusual and very personal book project. Can you tell me the details and what the book means to you?
The book as we know it is changing in this internet information age. Alas, The Book must spread something else - maybe sheer beauty or a much slower, more thought provoking message. Between 1989 and 1999, I wrote and designed, photographed and morphed montages onto 1200 postcards. These are full of crazy encounters, diets and weight issues, tarot readings, Portuguese fish, a collapsed London ceiling, a pilgrimage to Wiltshire, political fires, defeated Prime Ministers. the struggle with my new book, Quercus, the zippergate scandal with President Bill Clinton, Dude Ranch holidays, family funerals and funerals of dignitaries, family social conscience, Christmas trees, fantasies, a new dress, the price of a hotel one year and then the price a year later, and most of all surviving a private tragedy. We won our war and when the war was over, the postcards stopped. The most interesting and successful book designer, Irma Boom, has taken on the project. The working title is, Jennifer, James and Georgina. It will be published in August, 2010
You have owned and run a magnificent mas in Provence for the last 20 years. How did you come about that and what has the experience been like?
It was interesting in the beginning because it was an overnight success, however, when we decided to sell up 2 years ago I lost interest and found it exhausting.
What do you prefer about Paris and Provence?
I am not a country person and I hate HEAT. However, the restoration took six years and when restoring an 850 year old house it becomes an intellectual exercise. When the Popes were based in Avignon, two annual masses were held yearly to pray for water; in Spring, for the wheat and then, again, in Autumn, for the vines. The film, Jean de Florette, uses the necessity of water in Provence as one of its theme.
I know that you are friends with some important contemporary artists. What is your connection to the art world and how did you get to know them?
My husband's family are The Courtaulds. His Grandfather, Sam, whom he is named after, was the greatest British collector of French Impressionists. He gifted the nation with the Courtauld Institute and my husband is an important donor to this family bequest.
Who is the most influential person in your life?
This is difficult because It changes as I change. And I am not going to include my husband nor my daughter because this is entendu. As I am polarised in the design of my new book, Jan Tschichold, influences me. As a writer, William Faulkner is grand dad at the moment and when I need hard core advice, I turn to Elizabeth Heudebourg, a wise Paris friend.
If you could have lunch with one person living or dead, who would it be?
My mother.
You have a passion and near obsession with needlework. What are some of the pieces you are working on now?
I am almost finished with Leger's , Les Diques dans la Ville. it was painted in 1919 and hangs in The Pompidou. It is reduced but close on a metre wide. I have learned much about colour and always different uses of the silks. I have always loved the finesse of my hands even my calligraphic type handwriting. It staves off any boredom. When this is finished, I plan to do another Leger, much larger and more cubistic.
What three book would you have to have if you were stuck on a desert island?
Faulkner's As I Lay Dying.
Tschichold's The New Typography
The Bible
Here are photos I took of the magnificent mas.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking ClassesI am happy to announce the launch of
Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte’s professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 3 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
