paintings

How I found freedom from my dream

| Angie Brooksby Arcangioli

This past year has been a time for reflection and it’s brought big changes in my work. Looking back I see that I realized the dream of my youth.

What was that dream ?

Move to Paris and be an artist. Dreams are attainable. In 1988 I left the US with 400$ in my pocket and a one way ticket to Italy. During the 21 years I lived there I carved a niche in space and built a career.

Then one day I woke up and saw that wasn’t the life I wanted. I sold everything and moved to Paris. People said I was stupid to give away all that I had built and move for the unknown. I had everything in the material world that would make 90% of the people happy. Including a house on the Etruscan coast. Every summer I spent 3 months at the sea…

But Paris was the destination. And it’s been good to me.

Then last year the persona Angie the Artist seemed to vanish. Nothing worked, nothing sold. I was in the red and digging. I had to get a job. I was terrified. I had to get a facial🤣 and I sobbed for an entire day. Starbucks refused me. Amorino didn’t even respond. My ego was a doormat.

Thank God I was practicing Hatha and Nada Yoga everyday. The vritti were calm.

I wanted a job where I didn’t have to think. I cleaned a house and the lady never paid me. I didn’t want to teach English though I had a good CV and I’d been smart enough to get a teaching certificate. Just before the massive strikes last December I interviewed with Cap English.

Then the strikes hit.

They offered me classes the next day because many of their teachers couldn’t get to work. I walked 3 hours in the rain to teach for 3 hours then another 3 hour walk to get home…

I subbed in different schools until in one school the teachers begged me to take over because the former teacher left.

I never knew how much I would like teaching. I even forget I exist when I’m writing on the blackboard. I was liberated from the persona Angie the Artist because I was enjoying myself, thought I did have to think 😉. No time wasted declaring taxes, doing marketing. No pressure.

One day during the lunch pause I looked at a tree and thought how the tree was content. It didn’t need to be anyone. It didn’t have to pretend

I was liberated from a 30+ year ego trip.

And now I am free to paint, scuplt, and play music.

TERRASSE LA SOURCE #postcardfromparis n°201936

postcard from Paris : a postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
| Angie Brooksby Arcangioli

Collectable Postcard from Paris – 25 euro – free shipping worldwide

postcard from Paris : a postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper

TERRASSE LA SOURCE #postcardfromparis n°201936

You are buying a postcard-sized, hand painted original illustration from Paris, France. It is ink and watercolor on archival paper. An envelope and free worldwide standard shipping are included in price.

€25.00

See more Postcards From Paris >>HERE<<

Here’s the big picture:

postcard from Paris : a postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
201936 the terrasse of La Source: Place de Convention – postcard-sized illustration – ink and watercolor on archival paper
Gotta a favorite Parisian scene? Tell me and I’ll illustrate it live, on site, and mention you on my instagram feed. Great gift for that special person.

Clic on the “MON PARIS” paypal link below.

MON PARIS

Send me to your "MON PARIS". Your favorite Parisian scene. Tell me why it is your favorite place in Paris. I will recount your story and Illustrate the scene on Instagram. Maybe it's where you proposed to get married, maybe it was the place of your first kiss. The Pont des Arts? I'll message you with the details when the video will be posted. ___ Read carefully: Disclaimer: Please note that this does NOT include the illustration. It does not include ticket prices to monuments or Batobus or private museums. It must be in Downtown, Paris. This is not a product. It is a service that includes my time and transport costs.

€15.00

n°201935 MORVAL: French Cheese from ANDROUET a #postcardfromparis

201935 MORVAL de Bourgogne: French Cheese From ANDROUET - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
| Angie Brooksby Arcangioli

Collectable Postcard from Paris – 25 euro – free shipping worldwide

Read about my experience with the shopkeepers from the cheesemonger ANDROUET in Place Saint Medard here: MONT d’OR

Here is today’s #postcardfromparis

201935 MORVAL de Bourgogne: French Cheese From ANDROUET - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper

n 201935 MORVAL from ANDROUET

a postcard sized illustration of French Cheese, ink and watercolor on archival paper, free worldwide standard shipping. Includes envelope

€25.00

Here is a bigger picture.

201935 MORVAL de Bourgogne: French Cheese From ANDROUET - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
201935 MORVAL de Bourgogne: From ANDROUET – postcard-sized illustration – ink and watercolor on archival paper
Can you smell it?

From the shop ANDROUET in place Saint Medard in this highly decorated façade.

I am definitely now a big fan of ANDROUET. I hope everyone in that shop gets a raise.

See more Postcards From Paris >>HERE<<

Gotta a favorite Parisian scene? Tell me and I’ll illustrate it live, on site.
I’ll mention you on my instagram feed.
Great gift for that special person.

Clic on the “MON PARIS” paypal link below.

MON PARIS

Send me to your "MON PARIS". Your favorite Parisian scene. Tell me why it is your favorite place in Paris. I will recount your story and Illustrate the scene on Instagram. Maybe it's where you proposed to get married, maybe it was the place of your first kiss. The Pont des Arts? I'll message you with the details when the video will be posted. ___ Read carefully: Disclaimer: Please note that this does NOT include the illustration. It does not include ticket prices to monuments or Batobus or private museums. It must be in Downtown, Paris. This is not a product. It is a service that includes my time and transport costs.

€15.00

TERRASSE LE SELECT #postcardfromparis n°201934

201934 the terrasse of Le Select - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
| Angie Brooksby Arcangioli

Collectable Postcard from Paris – 25 euro – free shipping worldwide

201934 the terrasse of Le Select - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper

n 201934 Terrasse le Select

You are buying a postcard-sized, hand painted original illustration from Paris, France. It is ink and watercolor on archival paper. An envelope and free worldwide standard shipping are included in price.

€25.00

See more Postcards From Paris >>HERE<<

Here is a bigger picture:

201934 the terrasse of Le Select - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
201934 the terrasse of Le Select – postcard-sized illustration – ink and watercolor on archival paper
Gotta a favorite Parisian scene? Tell me and I’ll illustrate it live, on site, and mention you on my instagram feed. Great gift for that special person.

Clic on the “MON PARIS” paypal link below.

MON PARIS

Send me to your "MON PARIS". Your favorite Parisian scene. Tell me why it is your favorite place in Paris. I will recount your story and Illustrate the scene on Instagram. Maybe it's where you proposed to get married, maybe it was the place of your first kiss. The Pont des Arts? I'll message you with the details when the video will be posted. ___ Read carefully: Disclaimer: Please note that this does NOT include the illustration. It does not include ticket prices to monuments or Batobus or private museums. It must be in Downtown, Paris. This is not a product. It is a service that includes my time and transport costs.

€15.00

BALCON PARISIEN n°201933

201933 Balcon Parisien Fleuri - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
| Angie Brooksby Arcangioli

Collectable Postcard from Paris – 25 euro – free shipping worldwide

201933 Balcon Parisien Fleuri - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper

n201933 Balcon Parisien

You are buying a postcard-sized, hand painted original illustration by Angie Brooksby. It is ink and watercolor on archival paper. An envelope and free worldwide standard shipping is included in price.

€25.00

See more Postcards From Paris >>HERE<<

Here is a bigger picture:

201933 Balcon Parisien Fleuri - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
201933 Balcon Parisien Fleuri – postcard-sized illustration – ink and watercolor on archival paper
Gotta a favorite Parisian scene? Tell me and I’ll illustrate it live, on site, and mention you on my instagram feed. Great gift for that special person.

Clic on the “MON PARIS” paypal link below.

MON PARIS

Send me to your "MON PARIS". Your favorite Parisian scene. Tell me why it is your favorite place in Paris. I will recount your story and Illustrate the scene on Instagram. Maybe it's where you proposed to get married, maybe it was the place of your first kiss. The Pont des Arts? I'll message you with the details when the video will be posted. ___ Read carefully: Disclaimer: Please note that this does NOT include the illustration. It does not include ticket prices to monuments or Batobus or private museums. It must be in Downtown, Paris. This is not a product. It is a service that includes my time and transport costs.

€15.00

n°201932 Bleue de Chèvre: French Cheese from ANDROUET a #postcardfromparis

201932 Bleue de chèvre: French Cheese - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
| Angie Brooksby Arcangioli

Collectable Postcard from Paris – 25 euro – free shipping worldwide

The shopkeepers from the cheesemonger ANDROUET in Place Saint Medard were nice. Now, if you know Parisian shopkeepers, you know that this is exceptional. Read more about my experience with them here: MONT d’OR

Here is today’s #postcardfrom paris

201932 Bleue de chèvre: French Cheese - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper

201932 Bleue de Chèvre

a postcard-sized illustration of cheese, ink and watercolor on archival paper.

€25.00

From the shop ANDROUET in place Saint Medard in this highly decorated façade.

I am definitely now a big fan of ANDROUET. I hope everyone in that shop gets a raise.

Here is a bigger picture.

201932 Bleue de chèvre: French Cheese - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor on archival paper
201932 Bleue de chèvre: French Cheese – postcard-sized illustration – ink and watercolor on archival paper

See more Postcards From Paris >>HERE<<

Gotta a favorite Parisian scene? Tell me and I’ll illustrate it live, on site.
I’ll mention you on my instagram feed.
Great gift for that special person.

Clic on the “MON PARIS” paypal link below.

MON PARIS

Send me to your "MON PARIS". Your favorite Parisian scene. Tell me why it is your favorite place in Paris. I will recount your story and Illustrate the scene on Instagram. Maybe it's where you proposed to get married, maybe it was the place of your first kiss. The Pont des Arts? I'll message you with the details when the video will be posted. ___ Read carefully: Disclaimer: Please note that this does NOT include the illustration. It does not include ticket prices to monuments or Batobus or private museums. It must be in Downtown, Paris. This is not a product. It is a service that includes my time and transport costs.

€15.00

n°201931 Mont d Or: French Cheese from ANDROUET a #postcardfromparis

ink and watercolor illustration of french cheese by Angie Brooksby
| Angie Brooksby Arcangioli

Collectable Postcard from Paris – 25 euro – free shipping worldwide

ink and watercolor illustration of french cheese by Angie Brooksby

n°201931 Le Mont d’Or des Jarrons

Postcard sized illustration- ink and watercolor on archival paper. Free international standard shipping in an envelope

€25.00

This is one of my favorite cheeses in the whole world so when I saw it in the window of ANDROUET in place Saint Medard right across from the church, it was necessary to paint it.

I’ve noticed that the French merchants are not always the jovial type, like one of the other cheese mongers on rue Mouffetard who yelled at me to get away from them when I asked, “Puis-je dessiner votre fromage?” Maybe no one ever asked them. That was the day I painted the chickens and the butcher was a bit gruff about it. “Can I paint your chicken?” Maybe it wasn’t a surprising thing to say. I can’t remember if I asked whether I could paint his sausage or his liver and then thought the Brest chickens were more beautiful.

Anyway there I was ready to skedaddle as I furtively sketched the Mont d’Or through the window. (This time I didn’t bother asking. I just stole the moment. ) Then the manager opened the door. I felt like Thumper, ready to beat my foot on the ground and split the scene.

french cheese from ANDROUET

To my surprise he was kind. He told me I could paint as long as I wanted and “Please do come in. Feel free to paint anything you want and stay as long as you like.”

I am definitely now a big fan of ANDROUET. I hope everyone in that shop gets a raise.

Wow, like, wow. I wasn’t sure if I was still in Paris or if I’d woken up in some other place on the planet. I went inside and the smell was heavy-heavenly, cheesy and yeasty. My mouth watered and I drew a few more of my favorites.

ink and watercolor illustration of french cheese by Angie Brooksby
201931 Le de Mont d’Or des Jarrons – postcard-sized illustration – ink and watercolor on archival paper

See more Postcards From Paris >>HERE<<

Gotta a favorite Parisian scene? Tell me and I’ll illustrate it live, on site, and mention you on my instagram feed. Great gift for that special person.

Clic on the “MON PARIS” paypal link below.

MON PARIS

Send me to your "MON PARIS". Your favorite Parisian scene. Tell me why it is your favorite place in Paris. I will recount your story and Illustrate the scene on Instagram. Maybe it's where you proposed to get married, maybe it was the place of your first kiss. The Pont des Arts? I'll message you with the details when the video will be posted. ___ Read carefully: Disclaimer: Please note that this does NOT include the illustration. It does not include ticket prices to monuments or Batobus or private museums. It must be in Downtown, Paris. This is not a product. It is a service that includes my time and transport costs.

€15.00

TROIS ÉCLAIRS AU CHOCOLAT n°201930 #postcardfromparis

n 201930 - TROIS ÉCLAIRS AU CHOCOLAT - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor
| Angie Brooksby Arcangioli

Collectable Postcard from Paris – 25 euro – free shipping worldwide

n 201930 - TROIS ÉCLAIRS AU CHOCOLAT - postcard-sized illustration - ink and watercolor

TROIS ÉCLAIRS AU CHOCOLAT n°201930

Postcard sized illustration- ink and watercolor on archival paper. Free international standard shipping in an envelope

€25.00

Not all chocolate éclairs are equal. These are from Maison Landemaine. Chocolate éclairs supposedly got their name because they were consumed at lightning speed.

See more Postcards From Paris >>HERE<<

Gotta a favorite Parisian scene? Tell me and I’ll illustrate it live, on site, and mention you on my instagram feed. Great gift for that special person.

Clic on the “MON PARIS” paypal link below.

MON PARIS

Send me to your "MON PARIS". Your favorite Parisian scene. Tell me why it is your favorite place in Paris. I will recount your story and Illustrate the scene on Instagram. Maybe it's where you proposed to get married, maybe it was the place of your first kiss. The Pont des Arts? I'll message you with the details when the video will be posted. ___ Read carefully: Disclaimer: Please note that this does NOT include the illustration. It does not include ticket prices to monuments or Batobus or private museums. It must be in Downtown, Paris. This is not a product. It is a service that includes my time and transport costs.

€15.00