Who LovesToulouse- Lautrec ?

I can't begin to express how much I adore Art Nouveau- and just when I was about to start writing up some interesting tid-bits on Toulouse-Lautrec and Jane Avril...here's an exhibition that was called to my attention! I will obviously be writing up on this great artist's history- but in the meantime check out my art blog for more info on this fabulous exhibition!

I will be posting more on this artist very soon!

Toulouse- Lautrec Exhibition

For anyone lucky enough to be able to attend...This Lautrec art exhibition should be to die for.  Love Art Nouveau? It's one of my favourites and I already am putting this on my agenda for a possible escape there this September (keeping my fingers crossed as I've had this type of dream before...)

Back to the subject-The Courtauld Gallery in the UK is holding this fabulous exhibition: "Toulouse-Lautrec and Jane Avril; Beyond the Moulin Rouge".  16 June – 18 September 2011

'Nicknamed La Mélinite after a powerful form of explosive, the dancer Jane Avril was one of the stars of the Moulin Rouge.  Her fame was assured by a series of dazzlingly inventive posters designed by the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Jane Avril became an emblematic figure in Lautrec’s world of dancers, cabaret singers, musicians and prostitutes. This landmark exhibition is the first to celebrate this remarkable creative partnership which has to come to define the world of the Moulin Rouge. Bringing together Toulouse-Lautrec's most famous paintings, posters and prints from international collections, it captures the excitement and spectacle of bohemian Paris in the 1890s.'

Here's some eye candy

Learn more about the exhibition at

http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/exhibitions/2011/Lautrec.shtml

I will be posting on this again and bringing you a bit of history on Toulouse-Lautrec as well as some of his fabulous art...and maybe some of my own art inspired by this great artist...Stay tuned!

Outrageous! Book Review: ROYAL PAINS, by Leslie Carroll

 ROYAL PAINS: A Rogue's Gallery of Brats, Brutes, and Bad Seeds

 Let me ask you something...how important is it for you to learn about historical figures when reading history? Are you one of those people who strictly wants timelines with just a mere mention of names- OR- do you mostly crave facts and details on people of the past? If you tend to lean on the latter, Leslie Carroll’s nonfiction books are perfect for you!

After finishing Royal Pains, I felt completely satiated- a definite history fill that I am still raving about. Royal Pains is history bliss for anyone wanting to know up to the very last detail on notorious historical figures. EXCEPT that this time Carroll focuses on the brutes of history.

Yep, Royal Pains is filled with royals that were decadent, unbelievably brutal, carnal and destructive in every way.  Some parts were incredibly gruesome to read but nonetheless; this is the history.  It’s still unbelievable to me that some of those brutal acts were either condoned or extremely difficult to prosecute! Although I was shocked to learn about some of these historical monsters, I have to admit that some of their behaviours were so astonishing that I had to keep on reading with the hope that they would have somehow redeemed themselves.  But no! Brutes till the very end!

The absolute worst for me was Erzsebet (The blood countess).  This woman from a young girl was Evil incarnated.  I can’t possibly think of anyone (in any time in history!) that compares to her- an absolute monster! Catching up to her is the runner-up Mr. Cruel himself, Ivan The Terrible; he actually ties with Vlad the Impaler...Are you getting the picture here?  Royal Pains had me in a trance.  I’ve never read so much detailed history written this way-I was captured from the beginning!

And, for a bit of respite from the barbarians found in Royal Pains, the crème de la crème of narcissists are presented.  Two of my favourites being: Lettice Knollys and Pauline Bonaparte...oh the joy! If these two didn’t make the cut for brutality, they certainly aced the part of blatantly immoral. Just when you think you’ve read all that there is to read on these ladies...surprise, surprise- there’s more! And then the list of 'bad seeds' goes on.  (The ‘good old days’ does not apply here.).

Royal Pains is a fascinating read- a one-of-a kind history book that will feed you details by the ton. I love reading about historical figures but I can never get enough info on these.  It’s not the case with Leslie Carroll’s books! This author knows her history and brings the characters to life as she tells their story. I’ve found her style to be just as captivating and true to the figures in all her nonfiction works: Royal Affairs, Notorious Royal Marriages and now, Royal Pains.

History’s people are Leslie Carroll’s expertise- She’s definitely my favourite historian author.  Get the book- you’ll be SHOCKED.

Excellent!

Lovely Pattern Papers

The most de-stressing form of art for me is preparing backgrounds by painting and collaging.  Some people like Yoga...I reach that zen place by painting freely- no thought involved- I find this extremely relaxing.

When I registered for the 21 Secrets workshop (fabulous!!), I was thrilled by Debra Cooper's Playing With Patterns. Not only does she have numerous videos lined up, but her creativity and the ideas she gives are amazing.  Debra shares so muchin this workshop and is such an inspration.

So...when my little one announced that she had to prepare a project in a  "book" she had to create...well!  We both rolled up our sleeves and off we painted furiously throughout the weekend to get these gorgeous papers done..

This was so much fun- we worked furiously and got it all done!  And so it was both relaxing but so energizing and non-stop...does that make any sense??

Ahh the joys of art!  Loved it:)  What do you think?

Semi-Finalist for the Grand "Not going to the BEA" Event...

So, this morning I am announcing the Semi-Finalist for this grand Event. The winner here gets her name sent over to Historical-fiction.com, where Arleigh will announce the winner from the results tallied on my site and of my dear friend, Marie from Burton Book Review.

So...on with my answers:

1) My favourite all-time King is none other than....LOUIS XIV  (A close second would have been the rakish Charles II- And, yes you're right Roberta Nappy and Josephine were Emperor/ess and that's why I didn't choose them..but I digress!)

2) This one seemed quite easy for all of you...Marie Antoinette of course!!!

3) and last but definitely not least:  Absolutely Without a doubt: TRIANON!!! If you love marie Antoinette, you MUST read this.

So who got this all right?  Two of you:  Roberta and Library Pat- Great Job!  But there can only be one winner here- so off to the hat  these 2 names did go.  My precious youngest was priveleged to pick the name from the hat (paper bag really)....

The Winner is........Drum roll....ROBERTA!!! 

Congrats- you are one of the Semi-Finalists!!!  Please stay tuned at Arleigh's blog for the Grand Result.

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE that participated.  Thank you for being such great sports and attentive readers:)

More Art...

Here is my latest addition.  I had put this one aside for awhile, not quite knowing where I was going with it.  Then- just like that, the other night I sat down and finished it up in no time. 

I'm not sure there's any meaning behind it.  I just like the way these girls are part of a group...as though they've got eachother's back...bit of a solidarity thing.  I like that:)

And here are the side views:

Another mixed-media work: acrylic, gel pen, soluble water colours, glitter, and sparkle paint.  (note that I still have some teeny little touch ups- but couldn't resist showing you!)

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my art work:)

GIVEAWAY: Who's Not Going to the BEA?

And here is your chance to win the fabulous prize pack for the Nine Books we mentioned yesterday!

The BEA GIVEAWAY and Scavenger Hunt begins RIGHT NOW!

To see the details of the giveaway, please see yesterday's post.. which lists the eight advance copies of awesome historical fiction books PLUS the fact you will get to pick ANY book from The Book Depository!!

The blogs that are sponsoring this BEA Giveaway are:

Burton Book Review

Enchanted By Josephine

Historical-Fiction.com

Visit and enter at each of these blogs to increase your chances of winning. You can enter once here, or once there, or three times for all blogs.. but there will only be ONE Winner of the Nine Books.
                 To enter here at Enchanted by Josephine, go on a little scavenger hunt!


1)Can you tell me who my all time favourite King is?
2)Can you tell me who my all time favourite Queen is?
3)Which is my all-time favourite book on Marie Antoinette- (the one that is a real tear jerker!)

I'll pick a winner from those who have answered all three questions correctly...and then that name goes into the pick for the Grand Accumulated Prize for this Event!!!

If you want to increase your chances.. go visit the other participating blogs! Good luck!
Giveaway ends Thursday night, open to the USA!