Market Day, Cours Saleya

Market Day, Cours Saleya is an original contemporary painting inspired by the colourful open-air market at Cours Saleya in the heart of Nice, in the South of France. Celebrating one of the French Riviera's most iconic daily rituals, the painting captures the atmosphere of a Mediterranean morning filled with market stalls, shopping, flowers, striped awnings and sunlit conversations.

Built from countless visits to Cours Saleya throughout the seasons, the composition brings together the details that stayed with me most: overflowing fruit stands, colourful produce, blue-and-white striped canopies, elegant boutiques and people moving through the market at an unhurried pace. Rather than depicting one specific moment, these familiar elements are reassembled into a composition shaped by memory, celebrating the colour, energy and effortless lifestyle of the Côte d'Azur.

Created using acrylic, oil and hand-painted collage on canvas, Market Day, Cours Saleya is a one-of-a-kind original painting inspired by Nice, the French Riviera and the Mediterranean. Through bold graphic forms, layered textures and a sun-filled palette of citrus yellows, ochres, turquoise blues and warm terracottas, it celebrates the simple pleasure of wandering a local market, discovering beautiful objects, and embracing the slower rhythm of Mediterranean life. 

Inspirations

Market Day, Cours Saleya was inspired by my frequent runs, market strolls and plant-shopping stops through Cours Saleya in the heart of Old Nice. I'm endlessly drawn to its colourful market stalls, striped awnings, fresh flowers, citrus fruit and graphic architecture—every visit offers a new combination of colours, shapes and light.

Rather than painting a single moment, I wanted to bring together the elements that I love most about this iconic Mediterranean market into one joyful composition. Colourful produce, elegant figures, bold stripes and sunlit façades come together to capture the warmth, optimism and effortless charm of everyday life on the French Riviera.

More than a market scene, this painting is a celebration of slowing down, wandering without purpose, discovering beauty in the everyday, and embracing the vibrant rhythm of Mediterranean living.

Market Day, Cours Saleya was inspired by my frequent runs, market strolls and plant-shopping stops through Cours Saleya in the heart of Old Nice. I'm endlessly drawn to its colourful market stalls, striped awnings, fresh flowers, citrus fruit and graphic architecture—every visit offers a new combination of colours, shapes and light.

Rather than painting a single moment, I wanted to bring together the elements that I love most about this iconic Mediterranean market into one joyful composition. Colourful produce, elegant figures, bold stripes and sunlit façades come together to capture the warmth, optimism and effortless charm of everyday life on the French Riviera.

More than a market scene, this painting is a celebration of slowing down, wandering without purpose, discovering beauty in the everyday, and embracing the vibrant rhythm of Mediterranean living.

Material & Features

• Original artwork
• Acrylic on canvas & collage
• 50 × 70 cm
• Gallery-wrapped canvas
• 2026
• Signed on the front
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Worldwide shipping available upon request

• Original artwork
• Acrylic on canvas & collage
• 50 × 70 cm
• Gallery-wrapped canvas
• 2026
• Signed on the front
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Worldwide shipping available upon request

Creative Process

Cours Saleya is part of my daily rhythm in Nice. I often run through the market in the early morning, and find myself there a few times a month shopping for flowers and plants for my little urban garden. I’m endlessly drawn to the vivid colours of fresh local produce, fruit, flowers and market stalls, especially when they contrast with the sunlit façades of Vieux Nice.

This painting was composed from photographs, sketches and memories gathered over many visits. I first drew the reimagined composition directly onto canvas with charcoal, reconstructing the market scene from the details that stayed with me most: striped awnings, colourful displays, passing figures, flowers, fruit and the warmth of a Mediterranean morning.

The final painting was built in layers using acrylic, oil pastel and marker, adding colour, highlights, contrast and graphic detail until the scene captured the energy and charm of Cours Saleya. This layered process creates depth, movement and a handcrafted finish while reinforcing the bold visual language that defines my work.

Cours Saleya is part of my daily rhythm in Nice. I often run through the market in the early morning, and find myself there a few times a month shopping for flowers and plants for my little urban garden. I’m endlessly drawn to the vivid colours of fresh local produce, fruit, flowers and market stalls, especially when they contrast with the sunlit façades of Vieux Nice.

This painting was composed from photographs, sketches and memories gathered over many visits. I first drew the reimagined composition directly onto canvas with charcoal, reconstructing the market scene from the details that stayed with me most: striped awnings, colourful displays, passing figures, flowers, fruit and the warmth of a Mediterranean morning.

The final painting was built in layers using acrylic, oil pastel and marker, adding colour, highlights, contrast and graphic detail until the scene captured the energy and charm of Cours Saleya. This layered process creates depth, movement and a handcrafted finish while reinforcing the bold visual language that defines my work.

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