Parisian Life Through the Lens of Small Joys – Limited Edition Calendar Giveaway

I think of Paris as a mosaic of joy-inducing wonders… tiny businesses in little shops that reflect not only their wares but the passion and the personality of each owner/ artisan.

When it comes to this fascination, it seems I’m not alone.

Parisian joy-inducing giveaway: how you can enter

I introduce you to a Paris-based creative whom I greatly respect.

Recently in conversation with Sonja Bajic, I discovered her beautiful hand-painted limited-edition Paris Calendar (Petits Bonheurs du Quotidien) and felt compelled to ask her to agree to offer a giveaway opportunity for MyFrenchLife Magazine readers — et voilà.

You’ll love this calendar, in particular, because each month features a hand-painted map of one of Sonja’s beloved Parisian shops, emphasizing the simple yet meaningful pleasures of daily life — from artisanal cheese to curated books. These shops reflect the Parisian experience, where luxury and simplicity come together in perfect harmony. As a mapmaker and illustrator, Sonja showcases the places that are not only rich in history and culture, but also serve as little moments of joy for the people who visit them.

If you, like Sonja and myself, love the tiny Parisian shops and respect the shopkeepers who make up the mosaic that is Paris, you can enter to win one of —>Sonja’s Limited Edition 2025 Calendars. <—

EDIT:

***ANNOUNCEMENT***

I’m delighted to advise that Jan Maddock has WON the limited edition 2025 Sonja Bajic calendar!!! woohoo! Congratulations to Jan!

Thank you to all entrants, both Sonja and I enjoyed hearing about your favourite tiny places in Paris that bring you JOY!!

Remember that these special calendars are for sale and would make a perfect gift for family or friends. Here is the link: https://sonjabajicstudio.com/products/2025-limited-edition-wall-calendar-simple-joys-of-everyday-life

All the best from Sonja Bajic and myself

Judy

How? This competition is now closed!

• Leave a comment below this article or below our le Bulletin newsletter here telling Sonja about your favourite shop in Paris and why you love it so.
• Tell her which small business creates that feeling of joy in you. Do it now 🙂
• The lucky winner will be drawn at random on December 12, 2024 (Paris time) and announced in the le Bulletin newsletter on 14 December.
• Do that now, then come back and read about Sonja. I really enjoyed interviewing her to get to know her better and I’m sure you will love reading it too.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Sonja as I got to know her better. Her responses to my questions provide great insight into her life and how she came to live in Paris, her creativity, her career and more. What a joy!

Introducing Sonja Bajic: Paris-based creative

Sonja Bajic — Image credit: Erika Kostialova

Sonja Bajic is a Yugoslav-born, Paris-based mapmaker, illustrator, and designer with a passion for connecting people to places through her art. Her creative journey spans a variety of mediums and projects, including authoring and co-authoring several books that showcase her storytelling talents through both visuals and words.

Sonja’s illustrations – on Paris and life and custom-made maps are available in her online shop or can be commissioned directly through Instagram, Substack, or email. Many of her illustrations are also perfect for framing, offering clients a chance to turn her work into timeless pieces of art. Her work is also featured in Tremas, a charming shop in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Whether for individuals or businesses, her creations are a seamless blend of artistry and storytelling, bringing places, moments, and experiences to life.

1. Sonja, tell me a little about your place of birth and childhood. 

I was born in a country that no longer exists, which, in a way, shaped my perspective on the transient nature of borders and places. I come from Novi Sad, the second-largest town in today’s Serbia, which was part of Yugoslavia back then. It’s a town in the middle of the Pannonian plains, on the left side of the Danube. Somehow, I always lived very close to the Danube. In the summer, I would spend my days next to it and in it, with my grandparents. In all seasons, I would always go on long walks along the Danube quay. That was—and still is—the way I clear my head: long walks and water. Today, I’m not far from the Seine here in Paris.

I grew up during very turbulent times in the Balkans. I can talk about the ’90s, the wars, and the embargo—those things certainly shape you. One day, I’ll illustrate that story. For now, I can tell you that I grew up surrounded by people who valued hard work, culture, and honesty. It was a great childhood—I had a chance to be creative, to explore, and to ask tough questions.

2. When do you believe your creativity first showed itself, and how?

If I had to choose one thing to tell you about myself, it’s that I’ve always been creative in all spheres of life. I invent new dishes and food combos every day, I explore new things and then write stories about them, I try new art techniques, and I let myself fail. I promised myself that failing would always be part of my life because it means that I am trying something new and inventing new ways. It’s like yin and yang—creativity and failing go together. BUT, you are the one who has the opportunity to choose what failing really is and what is actually just creativity. This took me a very long time to learn. The more you let yourself explore, the freer you will be.

My mum has a painting of mine framed in her living room. I did it when I was probably 8 or 9 years old. My best friend’s mum was a kindergarten teacher, and she always came up with new things for us to create. This painting of flowers in a pot was my invitation to create more, I think. And here we are!

Image credit: Sonja Bajic – Fromage

3. How would you describe your professional life, and how did you get there? 

I’ve always been drawn to art and storytelling, but my journey as an illustrator and mapmaker began organically. I moved to Paris as an architect and urban designer while completing my second master’s degree. I’ve always believed that cities tell stories if you’re willing to hear, see, and learn from them. My first illustrations captured my experiences in a new country—new food, friendships, and adventures. Maps were a part of this exploration because, back then, before Google Maps, they were my way of capturing and sharing the beauty of places where something significant (or seemingly small) happened. These maps quickly caught people’s attention and evolved into commissions for custom-made pieces, just as my illustrations did. That’s when I realized I could turn my passion into a career, blending creativity with meaningful connections.

4. What about France? How come you’re living in Paris? Tell me the story. 

I had a chance to visit France a couple of times before receiving my scholarship and actually moving here. I never thought of living here before that scholarship. I wasn’t a Francophile—I moved here because I spoke some French and thought it would be a good place to explore. I was in my mid-twenties, and this city offered me what I needed at the time. As I grew older, I understood that France is what I expect a country to be. It has its faults, but it celebrates the values I hold dear. I am a pragmatic person—life is hard enough, and we will grow easier if we are in an environment that supports our growth. I am deeply grateful to France and the French people for the country they’ve created.

5. What inspires you to draw? Please give some examples of your work and how they came about. 

Everything inspires me to draw! I think inspiration is an exercise. You need to push yourself to search for it. Some days it’s harder, some days it’s easier, but you can always find something. The other day, it was very cold here—the first day I felt that I needed to wear a beanie. I was walking down the street, in my beanie, and I saw a woman carrying her coffee thermos that looked like a person with a beanie. Maybe it didn’t—but in my head, it did! So I drew that in my sketchbook. Food is an endless inspiration for me. In 2015, I dedicated an entire year to food illustration, creating 365 food drawings. I create maps from those and other illustrations. 

Every day “adventures”—forest walks, museum visits, or conversations—appear in my head in the form of drawings and stories. That’s how I completed 100 Days of Paris, where I paired daily drawings with stories about the city for 100 days. Another food project, my Culinary Map of France, was inspired by my love of French food and regional traditions. Each map is a blend of research, personal connection, and imagination, and it’s always rewarding to see how people respond to them.

General human values—and celebrating those—are very important to me. In 2016, I co-authored a project that culminated in a book celebrating women who shaped society in Serbia—writers, politicians, doctors, and lawyers. This is a project I’m deeply proud of, especially in today’s political climate.

Image credit: Sonja Bajic’s food map

6. How did you transition from personal drawing to working with corporate clients? 

The transition often comes down to confidence and communication. Corporate clients are looking for creativity that aligns with their brand, so it’s about finding a way to connect your personal style to their vision. For example, when I worked with a luxury hotel group, I translated their values—elegance, and exclusivity—into a map that reflected those qualities. Building relationships and being open to collaboration has been key for me in moving between personal and professional projects.

I am a small business owner—I know how important it is to provide your clients with an excellent experience. That is what I try to create for my clients and their clients. We are all humans and need attention, respect, and care.

7. Do you have a favorite subject matter? 

I’m drawn to the idea of places—real, imagined, or somewhere in between. Maps are my favorite subject because they’re not just about geography; they’re about stories, connections, and journeys. Whether it’s a city I know well or a fantastical world I’ve dreamed up, there’s always something exciting about putting it on paper.

 sonjabajicstudio Instagram

8. Tell me a little about YOUR Paris. What would a Sunday look like? 

A perfect Sunday might start with a visit to a boulangerie for fresh croissants, which I like to eat with fresh kefir—unusual, I know. I would then head for a walk along the river and into one of the parks, where I would grab a coffee. Lunch would be pizza—because there is no better food than pizza. In the afternoon, I would go to the Musée de l’Orangerie or the Grand Palais. I would spend some time in a museum café. Then, I would walk home to work off all the croissants and pizza.

Image credits: Sonja Bajic travel notes – Portugal

9. Tell me about your other passions. 

Books are a lifelong passion—I read at least four pages every day, without fail. I designed book covers (I have over 70 of them in three different languages!). I’m also fascinated by typography, design, and food—mostly how these mediums tell stories about ourselves. When I’m not working on maps, I enjoy exploring new ideas, whether that’s in the kitchen, a museum, or a workshop. I teach, I swim, I walk. I’m very bad at textile art, but I love creating something out of nothing. I also explore my new book ideas—I always have at least five.

10. What else have I forgotten to ask? 

Maybe something about the process? For me, the act of creating a map is as much about research and storytelling as it is about drawing. It’s a blend of exploration, observation, and imagination. You could also ask about where I see my work heading—I’d say I’m always looking for ways to expand the stories my maps tell, whether that’s through new collaborations or exploring different mediums. I would also like to mention that What My Girlfriends Told Me—an ode to female friendship—came out in 2018 in London. I bet you didn’t know that about me.

Thank you, Sonja, what a joyful interview, and your 2025 calendar is an absolute joy
Judy MacMahon

If you’re searching for a Paris-inspired 2025 calendar, check out Sonja’s.

A perfect gift for Francophile family and friends!

Images credits: All images copyright Sonja Bajic unless otherwise indicated.

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