Illustration Friday: Toy.

Ahhhh.... Georgiana Cavendish. She was FABULOUS. Unfortunately, she didn't have what one would call a "happy" marriage. Ridiculed and abused for not producing a male heir - Georgiana found love with Charles Grey in a well-known affair. Their affair produced a daughter, Eliza. Sadly, she was sent into exile to have the baby and then was forced to give her to Grey's family. "G" was told she would never see her other children again if she were to keep the girl. Eliza grew up not knowing why her "parents" resented and disapproved of her (Charles' Aunt and Uncle.) Georgianna visited her frequently in secret and always brought toys (which were never given to her as a child by anyone but Georgiana.) It wasn't until the Duchess passed away that Eliza was told who her real mother was.

Eliza named her first daughter Georgiana.

They Draw and Eat Figs

Super Salli and Nate the Great have launched a contest for a Fig Recipe Illustration. For more information click HERE. This is my submission for that contest. Boy oh boy- this was a fun one. Click the image to see it larger. Happy Friday everyone.

Illustration Friday: Stir

Madame du Barry was the last Maîtresse-en-titre of Louis XV of France and one of the victims of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. She liked to stir things up from the very beginning- as she started her long and profitable career as a courtesan in a brothel-casino. Her remarkable beauty caught the attention of Jean-Baptiste du Barry, a high-class pimp/procurer - who eventually arranged for her to have a  title and falsified birth documents to make it seem as if she came from nobler descent. I personally, picture her life in the castle as the white trash girlfriend at an expensive restaurant.


Years after Louis' death, Madame du Barry was accused of treason and sentenced to death. On the way to the guillotine, she collapsed in the tumbrel and cried "You are going to hurt me! Why?!" Terrified, she screamed for mercy and accused the crowd. Her last words to the executioner were: "One moment more, Mr. Executioner, 
I beg you!"  

Illustration Friday: Warning

It's safe to say that Jane Seymour (1509-1537, NOT Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) had sufficient warning that her husband was a narcissistic sell-out. She married him only hours after he had his second wife, Anne Boleyn, beheaded. Granted, it was a fancy sword and not a "commoners" axe that removed her head. Some believe Jane was strategically placed in Henry VIII's presence specifically to draw him away from Anne.

For years she led such a passive existence that there is no record of her even speaking until she did what the first two wives could not--- deliver a male heir. Her marital servitude did not get her far. Jane died a few days after giving birth due to an infection. When asked if whether they should save the mother or the child, Henry said "let the child live, for other wives are easily found."

Although he married 3 more women in his time, Henry is buried next to only woman that gave him a son, Jane.

Good Vs. Evil

got to meet my heroes this past Friday night. I could listen to Ripert's accent all night long (he also had the most fabulous suit I've ever seen)--- I'm on a mission to try each one of his recipes. As for Bourdain, I just can't tell you how much I LOVE him, smart AND sexy.

Joanna the Mad

I had to create a character illustration for a book collage- so I chose Joanna the Mad. One of the most fabulous facts about this Cuckoo Queen of Castile is that she was married to "Philip I the Handsome". I think I will just start calling my husband "Brian the Brawny". Yes, yes, I think that's a fine idea.