The Best Job in the World

Bill Davidson, Painting in Provence

We've just completed a heavenly week of painting in Provence with our artist and "professeur" Bill Davidson, which was so much fun and so perfect and went by so very fast that is seems like a distant, fleeting dream.  Luckily we've got the "goods" to prove that it really happened, and some fabulous photos taken by Bill and a few of the ladies on the trip.

Here was the setting in Provence:

A magical backdrop of the Luberon valley in Provence

First night's lecture on the terrace of Les Murets

Add to that seven talented and committed artists, and give them a brush, a palette, a blank canvas and a drop dead gorgeous view (and maybe a little food and wine from time to time), and look what you've got:

Sydney, capturing the morning light on the vineyard down the street from our house

Carol, capturing one of the most iconic views in Provence

Elizabeth, catching the light off the top of the vines

Leslie, focused on shapes and values and all the space in between

Mary Jo, politely fighting off all the admirers who were hiking to Gordes

Tei, who couldn't believe her eyes when she first saw this view

Debbie ("Woohoo!"), are we having fun yet?

Add a charming, delightful, patient, encouraging, and ever-so-talented Professeur named Bill Davidson, who made it seem so easy, and so much fun ...

Le professeur in Gordes

The work that these artists created speaks for itself.  Here are some of the studies that came out of this workshop, which will be turned into little masterpieces in the next weeks to come (and shown at Huff Harrington's annual Bastille Day Celebration, opening on July 14th at Huff Harrington Fine Art):

Vineyards with a Provencal house in the background

The challenging composition of roofs and angles

View of the Luberon Valley next to Gordes

And the marvelous vertical accents of the cypress trees that dot the beautiful countryside.

For one of us, the highlight was being with seven wonderful, enthusiastic and talented women, plus one heck of a fun guy, in a gorgeous, challenging setting that , as one of the women said, was a picture perfect painting around every corner.  Luckily, these die-hards had to stop for lunch every once in a while, and so we enjoyed some delicious, festive meals in some of the best restaurants tucked away in the Luberon Valley.

Lunch under the plane tree in Oppede le Vieux

Roughing it at the Bastide de Gordes!

On the last evening, we were all on the edge of our seats as the Professeur wielded his magic palette and offered a constructive critique of the works, making a few discreet suggestions with his ever active paint brush.

Sydney, taking it all in, surrounded by the little jewels

Le Professeur performing his energetic critique on the final night

I think it's fair to say that this was a hugely successful trip all around.  The artists, who had all studied with Bill Davidson before, knew him well and appreciated his style, and were able to learn so much from him in this unique environment.  For his part, Bill, whose enthusiasm is completely contagious, loved the area and was thrilled by the work that all his students did (and the sketches that will be his inspiration for many paintings to come ... can't wait!).   And for the lucky hostess, this was just another bit of proof that I may have the best job in the world.  Thank you painters, thank you Bill, and thank you Meg, for letting me go! Oh, and can I sign up for the next one?

Why is this woman smiling?

Ta ta ...