The one week oil painting workshop is designed for confirmed painters as well as beginners. The focus will be on experiencing nature through the senses to engage one’s inner poetry — to see, hear, smell, taste and feel nature, which will result in a new painting that will speak of the mystery of the experience. Cézanne said, “Art exists…art must make us taste the eternal.”

Out in the fields of wheat, sunflowers and lavender in the Provençal landscape, at the seascapes of Cassis or in the flower and vegetable markets of Aix, we will celebrate nature with color. The workshop will begin with learning to mix a harmonious palette at l’Abeille, my studio and home, which will be our headquarters for the week. After warming up with a few drawing exercises each participant will do a studio painting after a Cézanne or a Van Gogh landscape in order to get used to the colors and light of Provence. The rest of the week we will draw and paint in the landscape, trying always to return to our creative spirit that we had when we were children. The exhilarating joy of being there to paint, to create from what is there in front of you, the sublime fragile beauty and translucent light of Provence will make it an unforgettable experience.

More than you can imagine will begin to take place on the canvas and in your heart — the stillness of the morning, mist rising from the water. Brush strokes go on the canvas. Immediacy is a key element to being able to let go of the intellect and let the paint fly onto the canvas without thinking and calculating, allowing Grace to happen. Each participant will be followed in their work from learning to mix the palette to guidance in creating the painting with individual critiques. It will be an intensive week of painting.

Note: Out of a great passion for Cézanne and Van Gogh and after teaching painting and drawing at the American University in Aix for 10 years, I have become a specialist concerning these 2 artists. If you have a special interest in delving into a deeper understanding of one of these artists, by painting on the very sites where they painted, please let me know.

Comments from previous workshop participants:
“Thank you so much for all the treasures you have opened up to me. I feel connected to a part of myself and my perception that I have never known. The scope through which I view the universe has a much richer, much tastier and colourful focus. Thank you for the passion and compassion, the humility and dedication you have shown us [in art].” Joanna

A returning participant: “I am looking so forward to every minute of my week in Provence. I hope to see my work improve — become freer — less self-conscious — less timid. My journey will be long. But every journey begins with a single step and I love my steps under your guidance.” René

“The past week was truly a life changing time for me. While I am sure I should not give up my interior design business to paint full time, I feel that I have come away with so much more than I ever thought I would.” Virginia

“Your message to fully engage the senses, disengage the intellect, and strive to become one with nature was transforming to me. My main goal in taking this painting workshop was in hopes of becoming looser and looser I was!” Louise

“I am inspired every single day by a memory of my week with you.” Pryor