Mado le Niçois, Nice Fish Market (2026)

In Nice, France, the seagulls know their place. At sunrise they are already circling above the beaches and the Promenade des Anglais, gathering along the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea. As the city wakes, they move inland—perched on terracotta rooftops and chimneys, watching from balconies and awnings, or swooping through the narrow streets of Vieux Nice. Around the Old Town fish market, they are never far away, waiting patiently—or not so patiently—for their chance at breakfast. Enormous, fearless, loud, endlessly hungry and full of attitude, Nice’s seagulls are impossible to ignore. Mado le Niçois is my playful homage to one of these larger-than-life local birds, set against the colourful storefronts, striped awnings and warm ochre façades of Old Town Nice. Mado le Niçois sits somewhere between a colourful contemporary cityscape and a character portrait. Rather than a postcard version of the French Riviera, it is a love letter to the character, colour and humour of everyday life in Nice and the Côte d’Azur. This acrylic painting depicts a lively market scene with a seagull standing atop a red and white striped awning. Below, fresh fish lie on ice, while two softly rendered figures in pastel tones examine the display. The background features a simple building with open shutters, adding architectural interest. The composition balances geometric shapes with fluid brushstrokes, evoking a bright and tranquil mood.