I'm dreaming of a Badaude Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice etc...

Tis the season, and I've decided to offer a cut-price Giclee print to readers of two of my best pieces of 2009.

I'm selling a limited edition of "Paris Girls" and "London Girls" at the bargain price of £55 each (or £100 for two) + £5 UK p&p or £10 p&p worldwide. They are printed on archive quality acid-free paper with pigment inks guaranteed to last a minimum of 200 years (how they know that, I don't know) so long as you don't do anything silly like hanging them in bright direct sunlight for a really long time.

The printed area measures 26.5 x 21.5cm and is printed on an A3 (29 x 42cm) sheet for you to trim as you like.

Each print is part of a limited edition of 25 and is signed and numbered by the artist (that's me).

You can pay me by Paypal or UK cheque. If you'd like one or both prints, email me (hit the button at the top right of my blog) with your delivery details. I'll send you an invoice with payment details and I'll ship your print to you within 24 hours of Paypal/cheque clearing. European orders should arrive within a week. Further afield may take a little longer. I ship by signed-for insured delivery packed either flat in a sturdy card envelope or rolled in a tube, both protected by acid-free tissue.

I usually sell prints at exhibition for £90,so choose your nationality of girl and revel in a bargain! PLUS! (read on under next pic)...

 
WIN A PRINT! I'm giving away a copy of either "London Girls" or "Paris Girls" (you choose) to someone who leaves a comment in the box below! What should it be about? Ermm, how about something appropriately seasonal (about London, Paris, fashion, any Winter festival, the weather...). The winner will be picked at midnight on 6th December!

Comments

[michelle]

Okay, I'm not commenting to win (that would be too greedy after winning the last one) but both of these are going on my christmas wishlist!
Thursday is Thanksgiving in the US and I think this quote is appropriate...
"After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relatives." — Oscar Wilde

[Anne]

I despair that I'll never look anything like those French girls (well, I'm a bit too old to be called a girl anyway). But I do love your work!

[badaude]

Thanks, Anne! But when you can no longer call yourself a girl in France (where it's a mark of respect to be called, Madame rather than Madamoiselle) there are always the women, from Jeanne Moreau to Madame Gaspard (see this October's Paris Vogue).

Michelle - but Mr Wilde doesn't tell us whether he means that he's actually taking the dinner in question with his relatives - forgiving relatives over dinner is always easier if they're not actually eating with you...

[Sakura]

I've just discovered your blog a few weeks ago and loooove your work. It's tres chic! And the artwork you've done at Shakespeare & Co. is beautiful. Next time I'm in Paris I'm definitely visiting. Now for something seasonal...this year, I'm actually enjoying the slow descent into Winter and am looking forward to my first visit to the Christmas market at the Finnish Church in London. Rye bread, salmon paste and cinnamon rolls, here I come.

[Shelli]

Having exchanged California for Paris, just having a change of season is holiday present enough, but your Paris Girls would be the cerise sur le gateau. And, like Anne, girlhood is in my past, but my fantasies still allow me to think I can be one.

By the way, a trip over to Shakespeare & Co. is on this month's list to do. Bravo for the exciting work, and for the attention it's getting.

[Iheartfashion]

I'm adding the Paris Girls print to my wishlist! London girls is pretty great too, but I'm still on a Paris kick, wishing I could have spent more time there...
My kids were inspired by your drawings on the wall, and did a few of their own in the little typewriter cubby on the second floor.

[badaude]

Love the sounds of the Finnish food. I just discovered the Scandinavian concept of Hygge (via http://afeitar.blogspot.com/2009/11/starred_20.html) which seems to be all about celebrating the good things about Winter which, if you live in Scandinavia, I guess you have to maximize...

[DBC Reed]

I am beginning to suspect that I am the only bloke dropping in on this blog which is setting off panic attacks about gender.
But as always in such perplexity,I look to Chic Murray,legendary Scots comedian and deconstructionist of "reality" .He begins on of his routines along the lines: " I am staying here with my Auntie.She's no really my auntie.You get that business of people who're not really your aunt...(pause)But in this case I know for a fact its not my auntie.It's my uncle .He just likes to be called Auntie (baffled'What can you do ?'look)."
I will adopt this attitude of confused acceptance.

[DBC Reed]

P.S.
Sorry about the typos above.Should be: begins one of his routines;She's not really my auntie.
If I had Chic Murray's nerve, i would introduce typos into the corrections.

[badaude]

Don't panic about being the only male. You'll also find comments from Adam (InvisibleParis) and Expat Stu (unless he's really your neice...)

[Neil S.]

All I have to say is, you do great work.

[badaude]

Awww, shucks...

[Notcharming]

ooh these are so cute! i'm going to be in both paris and london next month!

your blog has been helping me to add to my list of places to visit... and i'm tempted to wait till i arrive in paris to get my haircut now too :)

ps. if i was picked to win i'd love the paris girls :)

[Belinda Oaten]

Never mind finnish food and middle class markets stick on the Tijuana Brass band xmas album, open the sloe gin, mix it with cava for a 'sloegasm' and nail on the mistletoe to the nearest fake wooden beam.
Next check that you aren't offending anyone and put up a whopping great artificial xmas tree with all the trimmings. Buy a whole load of cut price presents from Debenhams on Dec 23rd.
Finally find a brilliant old style boozer on the corner and book your space near the pool table and the juke box for most of xmas day - it could useful to lean on either one when the going gets tough!
fa la la la la la la la!

[Marissa CZ]

I am quite new to your blog and I can't get enough of your prints and pictures. I read you and you make me feel like I am in Paris again. Be sure you have a loyal admirer of your work at Mexico!!.... Felices Fiestas!!

[badaude]

Marisa, thank you for your good wishes!
Belinda, I may well be joining you. Have you ever tried a sloe gin fizz (sloe gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white, shaken)? It looks slightly indecent, but tastes good...

[Belinda Oaten]

No haven't tried that one but it does sound like it could just pick you up or give you a bit prickle in your holly!
For New years Day there is always the ultimate pick you up bloody mary mix with horseradish, tabasco, sherry and a pinch of celery salt. If you happen to live anywhere near Brixton they serve something close with a celery tree sprouting over the top of the glass. I am an unashamed bllody mary drinker from 10.30am on a Sunday but usually find that by 12 i need to change drinks and venue.
Btw love the work- can you do an xmas shopper !

[badaude]

I drew the Paris version here http://tinyurl.com/yfdlybu though I guess it may be just a bit too refined, and something on London scrum shopping here http://tinyurl.com/yk9v7ox, and experience I hope to repeat when the Sonia Rykiel for H&M collection hits the shelves next week.

[Erin]

I'm studying abroad in Paris this year and have enjoyed reading your address book, especially since I am in real need of a haircut! It gives me hope that I won't end up with some crazy coupe de cheveux. And also, I love your drawing of la Place de la Bastille and the bobo girls.

[badaude]

Watch out for those Paris hairdressers. Why do you think most Paris girls walk round with a sexily dishevelled 'do? If you're a cash-strapped student, you should be able to get a free or almost free cut at The Toni and Guy academy, 18, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002 - tel:01 40 41 11 00

[Richard]

Hah! I thought I'd left a comment on Sunday, but somehow failed, which is good because I've now learned that there are still exciting sounding alcholic drinks out there that I haven't yet sampled. What's more, I am staring at a bottle of sloe gin that I made a while back.

So I am yet another male reader. Perhaps there is a whole underground cult of male readers, London geezers and Parisian philosophers - self-proclaimed 'Badaudists' - quietly gathering intelligence about the mysterious ways of the fairer sex on both sides of the Channel... That is as well as accumulating helpful eating and drinking tips and appreciating the wonderful drawings. What a privelege it is to be invited to look between the covers of someone's moleskin.

Ah but what a dilemma to choose between girls of Paris or London town. In this life, I happened to marry a London gal, who speaks French without an accent, (as we are told a bit too frequently and with much surprise when we are in France), and who sometimes wears those 1950s dresses with the flared skirts similar to the drawing. Sometimes however she will tuck her hair behind her ear in the manner that seems habitual to almost all French women as they lean over a cafe table gossiping. It's true, like Badaude I'm a trained observer.

[Heather Kenny]

I always say the secret to Parisian style is making the extra effort to wear that colorful scarf, dot on the red lipstick, pull out the fabulous pair of boots.

Hey, I'm acquainted with Brandon of Twentythirtyforty.net. Nice to see she and I have such great taste in blogs!

[badaude]

Maybe you're right, Heather - but I think its always the mix of conservative/daring or smart/relaxed that does it. The best Paris style I saw recently was an otherwise conservatively dressed girl (modest dark skirt/jacket) wearing brilliant red lipstick with matching tights and cowboy boots (spotted from a cafe at the junction of rue Jacob/rue des Saintes Peres). Fabulous...

[maggie]

i am an american girl with a french heart. love the print!

[DBC Reed]

Badaude is no doubt right (above)to venture that the truly chic is set off by a large dash of vulgarity but Belinda Oaten's suggestions (earlier still)do perhaps go a little too far in the wrong direction: spending Christmas in the battle;the Tijuana Brass;drinking sloegasms;playing pool (bar billiards is much more flattering to the figure and is chicly Belgian in origin) and then there is the matter of celery.This has the lowest associations as can be verified by Googling its use by Chelsea fans;its deployment, even to accessorise drinks, should not be taken lightly.
Sorry to come over like Chic (strange coincidence)Murray's maiden aunt but Belinda Oaten may be a subtle parodist of the chic philosophy or that most
dangerous ,because attractive, presence: THE BAD INFLUENCE.

[DBC Reed]

After a period of intense introspection (i.e. heavy drinking) I have come to the conclusion that Belinda Oaten is probably right and I will henceforward tackle Christmas in the spirit of artificial Xmas trees,Debenhams and all things cheap and cheerful.I told you she was a bad influence.
For a person lacking La Badaude's native good taste,the prospect of all the style decisions necessary is just too daunting,too demanding,too much like hard work.As someone who cannot really tell the difference between waving celery on the terraces of a fashionable football club and participatory performance art with volkische overtones ,I will take it easy (something I am very good at)and follow La Badaude as she negotiates all the fraught decisions with her customary savoire faire.
Tijuana Brass Music may well be a sticking-point. I will probably substitute Buddy Holly whose complete recording career( it only lasted two years!) including home tape recordings has just been released.In my experience the French never really 'got' Buddy Holly.

[badaude]

DBC, Glad to see you're indulging in the festive spirit. You'll be the one wearing the flashing reindeer antlers next to Belinda in the snug...

[KB]

I would love to win something like this, the illustration is wonderful and would look great on my wall!

[Shelli Owens]

Fantastique! Even if I don't win, I'm glad your art exists. It helps satisfy the French girl in all of us. Thank you!

[badaude]

Hey, Belinda, you're the only person who didn't leave your email address. Please leave it or email it to me if you're interested in being part of the draw for the print!

[DBC Reed]

Many thanks for your supportive comments in the existential crisis of Christmas.But do I have to wear the flashing reindeer antlers?Anything else--I will pay a forfeit; get a doctor's note.
Also Shelli above has set off the old demons by talking about your art satifying the French girl in all of us-- a rather touchy subject for us blokes,as you appreciate.

[badaude]

I think I'll let you off with the flashing santa badge and sno-flake sweater. BTW, DBC, if you'd like the Badaude Paris or London print, I can officially announce that you're the winner, or rather the default winner (I've been trying to track Belinda Oaten down for a week with no success). Let me know if you'd prefer London or Paris - unless you'd like the more 'manly' 3rd option of my Oulipo print (http://tinyurl.com/yapgd5q). And, congratulations!