NOTHING IS SIMPLE - SEMPEMy summer holiday on the French Riviera was full of wonderful and relaxing experiences. One big surprise was to find a show of one of my favorite cartoonists on display at the Louis Vuitton boutique in St. Tropez. Jean-Jacques Sempe is known the world over for his witty commentaries on life. His unique style is instantly recognizable and his work has graced the cover of countless magazines over the years, including many issues of The New Yorker.
Born in the early 30's in Bordeaux, Sempe has spent most of his adult life in St. Germain in Paris - and it shows. His work is full of ironic and funny moments that poke fun at those who take themselves a little too seriously. Oftentimes children star in the show by acting out behavior learned from adults. First brought to fame by a child character he created called Le Petit Nicolas. 
SEMPE ON PARENTHOOD The comic strip was largely drawn from memories of Sempe's own childhood.
I enjoyed seeing Sempe's work showcased in the newly renovated Louis Vuitton Boutique in St. Tropez. Now incorporating a large courtyard, the LV space is impressive!
LE PETIT NICOLAS - SEMPELater that same week I stayed at the house of a family friend. Imagine my great surprise when I realized my bedroom was housing an original Sempe poster. The subject of the poster? The antique fair in St. Tropez! 
SIGNED SEMPE POSTER What an amazing coincidence. To make matters more interesting - the poster was signed by the artist himself! Wow - talk about serendipity! I couldn't have been more pleased. My hosts were so glad I knew Sempe's work - I was about as tickled as can be. I immediately went to Amazon on my return home to New York. Sempe is now in my own collection forever!
To see more work by Jean-Jacques Sempe - click -