Painting in Paradise

Right now, a group of completely lovely and fun ladies (and one super nice and talented guy) are mixing paints, plotting compositions, cleaning brushes...all while sipping a nice chilled rose and drinking in the glorious sights, sounds and aromas of Provence.

Bill Davidson, one of our exceptionally gifted representational artists, is leading this little expedition - and reports from the field indicate that dinners at the base camp (Les Murets) are lingering into the wee hours and laughter can be  heard throughout the day and evening.

Bill Davidson: Le Professeur.

This isn't Bill's first painting workshop and the ladies accompanying him on this trip are longtime fans of his luminescent and lively work.

Bill's an enormously talented plein-air painter.

However, it is the first time they're all come together in Provence and we are hearing that these serious and committed artists are loving the daily selection of mind-blowingly beautiful scenery they get to paint.  There have been a few last-minute location changes (mostly due to the unpredictable mistral, the blustery wind that can pop up unexpectedly and wreck havoc with art supplies and paper towels.)

This little Provence piece is pure Bill Davidson...

Bill's paintings are warm, vibrant and full of light. (A Respite Corner, 11 x 14, oil on canvas)

We've been begging Ann (who is keeping an eye on the group for us) to fill us in on all the funny stories that we know are happening on the trip so far...and here's the first report:

"Today our little group was painting in Gordes and they began to attract a huge crowd of onlookers.  Bill was busy painting away and creating this drop-dead beautiful painting that had everyone ooohing and aahing.  He stepped away for a second...and one of his protegees walked right up to the painting, grabbed the brush and began acting like the painting was hers.  The spectators begain complimenting her and asking her about her technique and she was able to bask in the limelight until Bill turned around, saw her and playfully burst her bubble.  The protegee confessed over wine at lunch and had everyone howling..."

Bill in action in Gordes.

Here's the view that group had this morning...

The painting that had everyone oooohing and ahhhhing.

So far, their itinerary sounds like a little dream come true: starting off the day with a light and abundantly fresh breakfast at Les Murets, followed by a couple of hours of intense painting (and maybe a quick browse through a bustling and loud local market...)  That's a lot of hard work and sustenance is definitely in order after that, so the next few hours probably involve a delicious lunch and plenty of wine.

Lunch for hungry painters.

The multi-tasking Christophe who drives us - and pours the wine at lunch. He's handsome, too.

And the afternoon wraps up with several hours of painting an impossibly gorgeous landscape with expert instruction from Bill.  Another day's adventure might include a trip to Cassis, the picturesque fishing village near Marseille - a light-drenched painter's paradise - or a visit to a spectacular private garden.

The picture perfect harbor at Cassis.

A private tour of a spectacular garden was also on the adgenda.

As the sun is setting, dinner is served on the terrace at Les Murets...more fresh and locally-sourced food and plenty of red, white and rose to wash it all down. Yum.

Dinner on the terrace.

The good news is that we are already thinking about painting trips for next year -  and we're sure they'll fill up as quickly as you can say "wet paint."  We're hoping we can persuade Bill to come back and we think we've convinced the exuberant and lively Nancy Franke to do a couple workshops, too.
We'll be confirming dates in the next few months and if you think this sounds like a perfect trip for you, click here. We'll be in touch.

Ta ta...