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Patricia Jones
"Painting in Provence in Jim and Brigitte’s workshop was a fantasy come true for me. As a mother of three, having two weeks that were about me and my work was a time of personal and artistic rejuvenation and growth. Not to mention the meals which were to die for and that I did not have to cook! How one’s sense of time can change in this setting. Being an oil painter, I had some trepidation about using watercolor exclusively. Yet, I have been very excited to see the results in my oil paintings subsequent to the workshop. Working in another medium has strengthened my knowledge and skills as a painter. My experience and memories of the landscape and the people of Provence are something that will always be with me."
Ed Terpening
"I went on the Provence workshop in 2002 with my daughter Brittany. It was a wonderful experience and gave me a deep love for Provence and its beauty and serenity. The memories I cherish are the endless stretches of lavender fields, the smell of lavender, the quality of the light, exploring the little towns and cities, the warmth and friendliness of the local French. Because of their knowledge of the area, Brigitte and Jim took us away from the main tourist routes. In some of the places we visited we were the only visitors and were able to wander around the centuries-old towns without running into other tourists.
Jim was such a good teacher. Every morning there was a formal lesson, and every evening a review of our day's paintings. On site he was always available to look at our work and give us suggestions. He especially helped me with my drawing - the basis for good art ;-) I learned to observe, and sketch quickly. Many thanks to Brigitte and Jim for the lovely experience. "
Marjorie McLaren
"My husband, Charlie, and I had a wonderful time. The course was just what I needed to get me started painting. The instruction was wonderful, the place was stayed was great, the other people were most enjoyable, and the food was excellent. All in all it was a great experience."
Judith Russell
"Arriving in the Pays de Sault was like walking into the fabled "Brigadoon". It truly felt as though one had left the modern world behind. The potential for concentrated work and inspiring material for sketching and painting was abundant. The infectious enthusiasm of Brigitte and Jim and their selection of sites for both work and play were a delight! It was an unforgettable experience and the memories are so much more palpable for having recorded them on paper and canvas. I can hardly wait to stroll the cobble stones of Simiane de Rotonde once more!"
Linda Gray-Moin, Stanford, CA
"I have attended the Lavender workshop as an artist's spouse. Well, it was an entertaining experience. Jim and Brigitte don't always talk about art. Jim's views on income taxes, for example, are different from my accountant's. And I learned about cheeses from Brigitte. Though the visual esthetics left me behind, it was interesting to hear how artists market their wares. (I found Brigitte pointing out a "red" roof, and Jim a "yellow" field, that both looked more like the brown in the crayola set from which I learned my colors.) Dan, -Marie Anne husband - and I had fun visiting the local vineyards while our wives were hard at work. The classes were held in such scenic spots that I spent a lot of time just hiking around taking photographs and enjoying the countryside. We were in Haute Provence for the lavender harvest, a region off the main tourist track but well worth an extended stay. We enjoyed it enough to remain a few days after the class ended."
Charlie Russell |