Here's my contribution for this week's
Café La Reine (Queen Café) in Edmonton's
small French quarter is a favourite place
of mine to hang out for brunch or coffee.
Its neon wall sign means "thirst for life"
(an appropriate double entendre for a coffee place!)
But my favourite beverage order
here is not coffee, but chai latte --
sooooooo delicious!
And I enjoy their Eggs Benny too!
Speaking of which . . . .
Here's a direct-to-paper continuous line drawing
I did last summer in permanent ink and watercolour,
complete with an oh-so-trendy ink splatter flourish.
I really overdid it on the size of the cutlery, didn't I?
Oh well, that's the hazard of not being able
to erase or correct anything, LOL!
[Photos # 1, 2, 4 © Debra She Who Seeks, 2025;
Photo #3, art and photo of art © Debra She Who Seeks, 2024]
..a snazzy place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dream breakfast, Eggs Benny topped off with chai latte! Mmm!
ReplyDeleteI love the ink and wash! It's got a lot of life and movement. I'd like to see more.
ReplyDeleteNice place and cool drawing - maybe you were like very hungry creating it ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun place - I would love to drink a chai with you.
ReplyDeleteWell done Debra!
ReplyDeleteI like your artwork; the colors are nice together and who doesn't need a big fork???
ReplyDeleteThe oversize cutlery makes it kinda of fun and unique.
ReplyDeleteoh I love love your drawing!!!!!!!!!! So wonderful! I also love a good chai drink. I love the pepper spice in it. My favorite chai is Tazo chai tea. So good. :) Have a lovely Thursday!
ReplyDeleteI have friends who live in Edmonton..I'll pass on your recommendation!
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked, we drove by that place every morning. I always wondered what the name meant. Your line drawing is amazing. I don't think the cutlery is too big, perhaps the plate was too small:)
ReplyDeleteWhen we make it to Edmonton, we know where to meet you for breakfast.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteLove the place!
ReplyDeleteYummy and witty? Sign me up! Chai is the best.
And now I want a neon sign with 'soif de vivre'.
I love the drawing. Love it. Is this the kind of technique that Picasso used? I have some (copies, duh) of his drawings that seem to have been done in one trace.
XOXO
@ Sixpence Notthewiser -- I don't know about Picasso but continuous line drawing is a common artistic technique. It's used to help train hand-eye coordination.
DeleteI am very impressed with that line drawing.
ReplyDeleteThis wonderful. Including the size of the cutlery.
ReplyDelete👏 I like it! I don't know much about art, but this makes me feel warm and comfortable and hungry! So it is more than I could ever ask of an artist!
ReplyDelete⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and two very enthusiastic 👍👍!!
Hello Debra,
ReplyDeleteWe love the look of your café and the coffee looks delicious too. There is something really wonderful about spending time over coffee, it feels such a treat to watch the world go by whilst sipping.
the line drawing is incredibly interesting. Such a talent to be able to draw with a single line but also to convey such a sense of place. You really have captured the spirit of your delightful café.
Dear Debra, this is a lovely place to hang out! I have to admit, I've never actually had a chai latte in my life—but at least I know Eggs Benny (only from our travels). I like your painting—size is so overrated! 😊
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/11/reisebericht-2025-von-kanada-bis-asien.html
Your painting is great and well done👍
ReplyDeleteI love it! I probably wouldn't have noticed the size of the cutlery, but after you mentioned it, it made me giggle just a bit imagining using cutlery that size, lol.
ReplyDeleteYour favorite little spot looks so delightful. I really like your artwork---you are SO very talented!
ReplyDeleteTalk about shrinkflation! Those eggs benny are getting smaller all the time! Lol
ReplyDeleteLove the ink and watercolor with splatter. Makes me want brunch!
It looks so inviting there. Like that drawing too!
ReplyDeleteHello Debra, Your drawing has me Rorschaching big time. In the salad I see a woman's face, and in the eggs a baby, making the whole composition like a Cubist mother-and-child.
ReplyDelete--Jim
@ Parnassus (Jim) -- When I first read your comment, I thought WTF? But then I looked at the painting with "fresh eyes" and damn! I can see it now too! LOL
DeleteRegular latte is nice, though I prefer cappuccino. Does Chai latte really taste like pumpkin pie or is it spicier? Nice art too!
ReplyDelete@ Tundra Bunny -- Chai spice is SO much better than pumpkin spice, although it does have cinnamon and ginger in it too, plus a bunch of other tastier ones that I don't know.
DeleteIt looks incredibly cozy!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure it's not going to suddenly start raining inside?
ReplyDeleteA fantastic place to visit
ReplyDeleteLooks really nice.
ReplyDeleteI do like coffee.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Debra,
ReplyDeleteI love cafes and I go there often.
Your creation is very beautiful!!
The coffee shop looks a lovely place to enjoy a fresh brew and watch the world go by. I do like people watching
ReplyDeleteI love chai, too. I often enjoy it with some spices I choose based on how I feel that day.
ReplyDeleteOh I love your line drawing!
ReplyDeleteI have been to Canada many times, but have never heard of Eggs Benny. Nonetheless any Australian could guess within 7 seconds that it is an abbreviation for Benedict. Just like we would used Chrissy for Christmas and pressies for presents.
ReplyDeleteI love the art. I've never tried a continuous line drawing, might have a go at that.
ReplyDeleteEven with the ink splatter the glass of vodka looks good with your eggs benny. 😄
ReplyDelete@ Catalyst -- D'oh! You caught me!
DeleteNice place and I like the look of your drink. Your are is simply amazing.
ReplyDeleteNice place. I like Chai Latte too.
ReplyDeleteFantastic application of continuous line, and YES YES YES to chai latte.
ReplyDeleteCafé La Reine sounds like the kind of cozy French-inspired spot every city needs, and that neon “thirst for life” sign is the perfect welcoming touch! Chai lattes and Eggs Benny are a winning combo for any morning.
ReplyDeleteCafé La Reine looks inviting and relaxing, Debra! I have never attempted a continuous drawing. Yours is great, except I couldn't eat with the silverware. 😂. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot of different types of drawing styles, don't you? Shows your versatility.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this. You bring such a steady eye to the places you cherish, and it’s easy to picture myself settled in that café with you, taking in the small comforts. Your drawing has a charm that comes from doing things the honest way, pen to paper with no turning back.
ReplyDeleteDear Debra, what a beautiful place! Lovely ambiance, spacious, elegant and comfortable! And the illustration is wonderful! Great place for a meal and to spend some time!
ReplyDeleteOMG. You didn't overdue it with the forks/stuff. No way. I love it. It makes the photos. The whole thing is excellent and have you considered selling these? That cafe too. I wannnnnaaa goooooooo. My kinda vibes.
ReplyDeleteLook line a very nice place
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog
Much♡love
I love your pen and watercolor cafe drawing! Using the continuous line drawing technique gives it a very fluid feel, enhancing the moment. Happy blelated Thursday Art and Dinner!
ReplyDelete