Budding young photographers

Hey hey y'all

I know it's been a while since my last post... In this post featuring a couple of little friends of mine..... Last week I was at a fiesta at Chez Paul... It was a huge family gathering where there was paella, music and good friends. Again I want to thank Paul and his family for inviting me to such a wonderful event.. So here goes the story behind a few of these pics... I handed my camera to Pepa and her little brother Illiam,(Tobacco) and I let them take pictures of people and things that they thought interesting... Don't let that picture of Tobacco fool you.... He's actually a pretty happy kid!! Notice how beautiful Gypsy kids are.... Their eyes... Even the young ones have a story to tell...Here are a few of Pepa's shots... I have reason to believe that Pepa is a more abstract artist... I love the way she sees things....

here are a couple of Tobacco's shots... Pepa and her mom... Awesome!! Notice the love that Tobacco's big sister shows!! tee hee Hey I am 36 years old and I still stick my tongue out at my brother! I thnk that little Tobaco is going to be the portrait photographer and perhaps still lives.
Pepa and Tobacco's Mom and Dad Paul and Nadia. YUMMY PAELLA!!!This is just another part of my life here. It was another wonderful evening shared with my Gitan family here in Arles..... MUCHAS BESOS Y AMOR MI AMIGOS!!

Who are the peeps in my hood 2

Well, Gang, it's time for another installment of "WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD" Please feel free to whistle the song from Sesamee Street.. As those of you who read my blog on a semi-regular basis, know I started this little thing so that y'all get to know a little bit about Arles. Not only Arles but my Arles... These people and places are part of the Arles I have come to call home for the past 8 months... They not only run some of the most fantastic shops and cafes here but they are also my friends.... Here are Gerard and Martine. They own and run what I happen to think is the best Cafe and ice cream place here in Arles.. Les Masion Des Gourmands... Located just across from the Roman Arena. It also is a wonderful Gallery space. They display paintings and photographs by artists from all over... I had the great fortune of displaying a few of my photographs there.... Like most places, here in Arles it is a family run place, which allows any visitor to feel like they are at home when they walk in... Once in a while it doubles as the unofficial Tourisim office here in Arles... It is a fantastic place to sit and watch people go by.. So kids, when in Arles stop in and get something to eat!! I recomend it all!!!

These next set of photographs are of my favorite Floristas!! Fabienne and Alain. This dynamic duo, husband and wife team run Marinette, by far the best Flower shop here in Arles... Below are a few shots of their creations. Stuning no?!!! So Gang these are a couple of the local places that I frequent quite a bit.. They are family run businesses, and they make sure you are treated as one of their own... They are part of what makes my Arles so special.. And I thank them not only for what they do and what they create but I thank them for being friends..