Protected: A Perfect Day in Florence
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Sargent And Spain Exhibition Delights
Being a frequent traveler, arguably his genius was the ability to capture the light of the Mediterranean. In this collection, you can see that particular Spanish light. It’s similar to the Mediterranean light we encounter in Provence and Tuscany. The take-away from this show is the inspiration and invigoration that comes from travel can ignite any artist and when you are Sargent, the world will look upon the pieces for generations to come.
5 Ways to Light Paintings
It makes a huge difference to how the artwork looks. Under poor light, a painting can disappear into the shadows, and if left in direct sunlight, it can be damaged forever.
Correctly lit artwork can completely inspire the viewer but if hung in a poorly lit location it will not have had the same impact.
Barbizon and the Fontainebleau Forest
Impressionist paintings are among the most widely known and appreciated works of art ever created. Where did this start? What kind of work was being created right before Impressionism began… what actually happened in the Forest of Fontainebleau, located south of Paris in the 1860’s? How did that shape the art genres and even the French culture that we know and love today?
Scholarship to Professional Painter, Emiliano Marini
It was only a few years ago that Emiliano Marini applied for and was awarded a Scholarship to join us at Workshops in France. He was invited to paint at one of our premier art retreats or study in a workshop setting along with an international group of artists to focus on painting. We wrote this blog so that you could catch up with Emiliano’s journey and his artistic successes.
Vermeer to Van Gogh, Dutch Masters at Carrieres des Lumieres
This year we returned to the show titled; Vermeer to Van Gogh, The Dutch Masters and we were not disappointed. Included in the list of stellar painters from Holland are Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Imagine being transported inside these paintings when the projected masterpieces are monumental in size and you are able to observe the art pieces in ways you never imagined…
Family Affair in France
The art of traveling with family. It’s always a privilege to receive guests who decide to bring family members. We have discovered that one of the most enriching ways to experience a workshop or art retreat is to share it with a family member.
Glasgow Boys – A Scottish Art Rebellion
Their work, like other contemporaries around Europe, rejected traditional art styles and subjects and thrust the art scene into modernism. Like their counterparts on the Continent, these artists were ready to try something fresh and new when it came to painting.
Alizarin Crimson the Fugitive
Did you know Alizarin, one of the most common and beloved colors in a painter’s kit, was originally a cheaper replica of another color? Until recently artist’s didn’t know that the beautiful reds they were using were fugitive and would fade over time! Many famous works have suffered the same fate of fading colors.
Les Carrières des Lumières Explores Venice 2022
This year at Les Carrières des Lumières, the famous underground quarry is once again transformed into a theater of mind-blowing proportions through the wizardry of technology, showing projected masterworks from Venice as well as the work of Yves Klein in Infinite Blue onto its limestone walls.
George Howard: Photographer at Large in Provence
Occasionally we meet a non-painting partner whose own work inspires the rest of us. The photographs by George Howard are immediately identifiable for their graphic color and beautiful light, the same qualities that artists seek in our work.
Yellow Ochre Lifted from Nature’s Palette
Yellow ochre is a naturally mined pigment used by artists everywhere. One of the must-see villages in Provence is Rousillon, where this multi-hued pigment was mined. You see it as orange, pink, and red on the walls of all houses and the red rock faces for the surrounding hills.
From Train Station to World Class Art Museum: Musée D’Orsay
From a train station to a world-class art museum, the Musée d’Orsay is the top choice for artists who want to view magnificent French art. The Musée D’Orsay has a fascinating history which began as a train station built of steel and glass and became a world-class art museum.
Jill Dowell: Living the Dream. American Abstract Artist in Paris
Where do you find the inspiration to take the leap and make art the priority in your life? Meet Jill Dowell, who took a chance and leaped clear across the Atlantic. She now lives in Paris where she thrives as an artist.
Cézanne in the magnificent Carrières de Lumières
The Carrières de Lumières presents different artists every year in a surreal and fabulous audio-visual setting at Les Baux in Provence, and the tribute in 2021 goes to Cézanne and Kandinsky.
Josh Clare: Saints at Devil’s Gate and the Mormon Trail
Josh Clare, Saints at Devil’s Gate, The Mormon Trail. An American Painter's Spiritual Journey. A Leap of Faith. Josh Clare took an enormous leap of faith when he became involved in an extensive project with two other artist friends. This particular project spanned a...
Discovering John Peter Russell: The Lost Impressionist
Why is it that John Peter Russell is known as Australia’s lost Impressionist? Despite being a gifted painter who landed in Paris at the center of the Impressionist movement today he remains virtually unknown. He was well connected with friends like Monet, Van Gogh, Rodin and more
Dreaming of Glorious Provence in Glorious Color
If you asked an artist “What would be your dream painting trip look like?”, their answer would inevitably include a myriad of details that perfectly describe the landscape and colors of Provence. Every season in Provence is an artist’s dream, but September ranks high as one of our favorite times to travel to the South of France.
Hacking Instagram’s Hashtags
There are plenty of reasons to use hashtags on social media.
By the way, when we talk about social media for artists we’re really talking about Instagram. And the one thing that we know about Instagram is that it’s far from being instant, it takes time. So why invest all that time, if you are not getting results?
5 Tricks To Take Better Smartphone Pictures
In a world where endless artistic inspiration can be found at any moment, smartphone cameras have changed the game by enabling artists to take great reference pictures for later. It’s vital to capture a good shot…
Soup Tureen or Chamber Pot?
One of our favorite things to do while in France is to visit a vide-grenier. A vide-grenier is literally translated as “empty your attic” and rather than just being a flea market or village-wide yard sale, it can be an event filled with treasures.
