Paris People

I have found Paris to be a city full of surprises and creativity. Below are just some of the people and characters who I feel have helped to build its romantic reputation.

 

Josephine Baker

There were two big loves in Josephine Baker's life; 'my country and Paris'. Originally from America, she made her name performing exotic dance routines in the Folies Bergere. She spied for the allies during World War Two, was prominant in the Civil Rights movement after the war and adopted twelve children from all over the world. I think she was an extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life.

Brigitte Bardot

I drew a lot of pictures of Brigitte Bardot when I was a teenager. She was just so beautiful and also very French and Parisian.

Jim Morrison

The Doors are mostly associated with West Coast USA; California and Los Angeles in particular. However Jim Morrison died in Paris and is buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetary with many notable European creatives such as Oscar Wilde, Theodore Gericault and Frederic Chopin.

Amelie

Amelie is one of my favourite films. The Parisians in this film are quite unglamourous and unsophisticated. I love the attention to detail and the real pleasure in small things taken by Amelie and the young man she falls in love with.

 

Christine from Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera is a powerful story that has been told many times on stage and screen. Our way in to the strange world under the Paris Opera house is Christine Daae, the obsessive love of the deformed and masked 'opera ghost'.

Satine from Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is a brilliant exhuberant musical celebrating truth, beauty, freedom and love. Nicole Kidman's portrayal of the showgirl Satine is, I feel, both sensitive and mesmerizing.