Je Ne Sais Quoi

La Belle de Paris, Giclee print by Lyse (2011)

"If the beautiful were not in us,

how would we ever recognize it?"

- Ernst Haas

There's something about Paris. The French have the perfect saying for this 'something:' je ne sais quoi. The intuitive translation is an 'indescribable or indefinable something;' which is perfectly fitting because it explains everything and nothing [wry grin]. For although Paris is a place, it is more than a place. It is a compilation of small and large experiences that evoke a myriad of emotions.

Waterlilies

Original painting on canvas by Marie Louise (ArtStudio)

For centuries the city has inspired writers, dancers, singers, musicians, poets, architects, photographers, painters, and artists of every genre. The city has endlessly inspired me - of course, it is the raison d'etre of this blog and it led me to start my own fledgling business/shop-site at Etsy.com [Temple Designs] 

For A Thousand Ships

Original painting by Daisy Giles

Etsy is an online community of artists from 150 countries. But Etsy is not only an online place to find unique and beautiful original art, it also serves as a forum to meet and talk to fellow-artists from around the world. And there are many of my fellow-artists who, like me, are greatly inspired by Paris. I'd like to share a few of my favorite pieces - chosen because they are iconographic of Paris...

Carousel - fine art photograph by Amy Victoria (Awakes)

And what makes an art piece iconographic of Paris? For me, je ne sais quoi is not a person, a place or a thing. Je ne sais quoi is that 'something' that instantly transports you to a memory, a fantasy, an emotion, a feeling, a moment... 

Coco Chanel - fine art photograph Briberrie

Je ne sais quoi resides in the 'in-between:' light, shadow, shades of color. It's a three dimensional thought.

Paris - mixed media artwork by Kostas Tsipos

Je nais se quoi evokes the feeling of movement, a sensation, a flavor, a scent, a sound. It is the intangible made tangible - if only for a fleeting moment.

The gorgeous artwork featured in this post is only a taste - a tiny sip of the most excellent champagne. To see my entire collection, please visit my Treasury. Everything in my treasury, and pictured here, is available for purchase - just click on the names beneath the photo(s)... 

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple

A je ne sais quoi moment...