Provence beckons.

I don't know about the rest of you out there, but in my Philly neck of the woods, I've actually been seeing small signs of spring in the offing. Sunlight appears at my window a bit earlier each morning, and on my walk yesterday, delicate violet and gold crocus smiled at me as I passed. Can our next trip to Provence be far behind?

My friend Ellen Greenberg and I invite you to join us for our second "Painting In Provence Workshop", which will be held during the week of August 29 thru September 5, 2011.

Our "home away from home" for the week will once again be in the beautiful medieval "perched" village of Bonnieux, set high up on the north side of the Luberon Mountain range, in Provence.

We will be staying at Le Clos du Buis, as we did last year. This incredibly lovely Bed and Breakfast is in a 200 year old building that formerly housed a bakery. It has been lovingly restored by our hosts, Chef/Owner Pierre Maurin, and his wife Lydia.

Each day's adventure begins with a lavish buffet breakfast.

Our daily excursions to the towns, wineries, marketplaces, and artist's studios will be chaperoned by our private guide, the very French, always elegant, and incredibly knowledgeable Laurence Minard-Amalou.

We will visit the studio of the Cubist master, Paul Cezanne, in the ancient city of Aix-en-Provence.

And the 12th century cloister and asylum where the anguished Vincent Van Gogh painted many of his most famous works.

We will experience a private wine tasting at the organic vineyard Chateau la Canorgue, just a short walk from our hotel. The film "A Good Year," starring Russell Crowe, was made here, a few years ago.

Evenings will be spent enjoying the fare in our choice of the many quaint restaurants in Bonnieux.

And I will have the pleasure of sharing everything I know about painting with you during our late afternoon painting sessions, in the hotel's beautiful garden, with it's magnificent views beyond. (LaCoste, wc)


Here is our group of friends and fellow travelers at last year's farewell dinner. Everyone agreed it was an absolutely wonderful week of delightfully new experiences, and Ellen and I invite you...and friends of yours, to join our "Painting in Provence" workshop, (29 August thru 5 September) or the new "Picturing Prague" photography workshop during the following week. (9 September thru 16 September.)
Here is the link to see details of the two itineraries: http://www.quickculture.com/PaintinginProvenceAug2011.pdf


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