Nadia, the amazing talent behind the blog La Porte Rouge is speaking about Hidden in Paris today in a fun interview in the doubtful case you're not sick of hearing me talk about my novel yet. Oh and by the way, Hidden in Paris is a novel set in Paris. No shit! you say... but I needed to write this sentence to improve my google searches. Full disclosure, haha.
But this gives me a great chance to talk about Nadia.
No need to tell you how I became mesmerized by all things Nadia. All I need is to show you her pictures.
Okay, I'm in chatty mood, so let me illustrate the pictures (all stolen from her blog) by telling you a few words about her.
And if you ever doubt that friendships can be started on the internet, you can see that we go way back. I think it all started with this post.
Nadia has been a source of inspiration to me not only because of her stunning artistic eye but because of her poetic spirit and the rawness of her emotions. And because she make everything, even the simplest things so beautiful that she forces me to reexamine how I look at simple things. After I read her blog I am always reminded to look closer, not to rush by, to appreciate light, and texture, and color.
We've all gotten pretty good at rushing. But another thing we have become exceedlingly good at is protecting ourselves from the world, either by not caring too much or by developing a think skin.
Nadia has not developed a thick skin.
I find that marvelous. Of course I am not in her skin so who is to say if this is a blessing or a curse, but the way I see it, as we manage to numb ourselves from the painful things in life, we also end up numbing ourselves from its joys.
You don't get to be selective about self-numbing.
The last two mosaics are pictures taken when Nadia was part of a food styling trip in the Dordogne region of France with the famous Aran of Canelle et Vanille. I have NEVER lusted more for a trip to France than I did about that one, which you can read about here, here , and here
So what do you think? Should we make ourselves less or more vulnerable? And what do we have to lose or gain by being vulnerable?
i think the tears are flowing, the cheeks are blushing, the heart is skipping.
your words are to good to me. i am so glad we get to celebrate your novel, what an extraordinary accomplishment that requires such discipline and passion.
next time we must be hidden in france and paris together!
Posted by: nadia | November 04, 2011 at 06:12 PM
loved the butterflies - and yes, i think being vulnerable gives me butterflies!
Posted by: mlle paradis | November 05, 2011 at 04:34 PM
So weird to be following both of you and then to find out you know each other!!! Maybe I found one of you through the other many moons ago?? You both are awesome : ) ..... How lucky am I to have found both of you !!
Posted by: Penny Herring | November 05, 2011 at 08:57 PM
I agree 100%! I've tried my whole life to develop thicker skin, but I can still cry at the drop of a hat. When I read Nadia's blog, I feel like I've found a kindred spirit.
Posted by: josephine | November 06, 2011 at 10:20 AM
I think we shouldn't let ourselves be hardened by life. We should feel the emotions and learn from them. Hopefully when we are older we will be wise from it and able to pass on that wisdom. Great photos by the way :)
Posted by: Isabelle | November 08, 2011 at 08:57 AM
I love her blog and her universe.
Posted by: alicia | November 08, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Your words are too good to me. You both are awesome. Loved the butterflies.
Posted by: Affordable Insurance | November 10, 2011 at 02:09 AM
Love your blog and your great sense of humor Corine ! You are a talented artist. I enjoy reading you and looking at your great pics :-)
All the best,
Anne
Posted by: Anne Touraine | December 23, 2011 at 01:05 PM