As I wrote last year, every year for Christmas Vincent my partner creates a special art gift for me. I never know what form, shape, or medium it’s going to be. Over the years there have been paintings, drawings, books, boxes, photos, sculptures, and videos.
Vincent is a stickler about when we exchange gifts and it’s always on Christmas morning, never on Christmas eve, even thought I have cajoled him for years about exchanging gifts earlier. He never really gives me a hint about what it’s going to be, but this year he slipped a little and told me it was an installation.
When we woke up on Christmas morning, he told me I needed to stay in the bedroom for about 30 minutes while he prepared my gift. I dutifully stayed in the bedroom all the while guessing what it would be, as I heard lots of rustling and some light banging.
When I came out of the bedroom there was a sheet covering the wall. We first exchanged our other gifts and I gave Vincent some UniQlo shirts and a cookbook and he gave me an Agnes B. sweater and shirt, plus a CD and video of the Barbra Streisand concert she gave in Brooklyn last year.
Finally the artist unveiled his masterpiece, and what a masterpiece it was: a series of photos of me taking photos. One was a triptych of me in a pair of shorts with a camera around my neck and another small frame had flecks of gold with the phrase "You are Gold" written on it.
When we were in Israel last month Vincent kept on taking photos of me taking photos. I thought it was odd but then thought it was just Vincent being the quirky artist. Little did I know what it would lead to.
We spent Christmas night at home just the two of us, watching the gift of Barbra Streisand. A perfect Christmas.
vincent also designed my holiday card yesterday. Thanks for the Christmas emails and good wishes you sent yesterday.
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.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. 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
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I 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 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos Available
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
WOW, once again Vincent "shoots & scores" - what a thoughtful gift and what a treasure you two are to each other. Keep on carryin' on!!!
xx,
M
Posted by: Mary Gilbert | December 26, 2013 at 08:36 PM