Arts in Provence

ARTS IN PROVENCE
Welcome to the Arts in Provence Blog. This is a blog about life in Les Bassacs, a small hamlet in the South of France, where we organise summer painting courses. You can find out about the courses by going to our website.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Lichen

David photographed these lichen in the ochre woods; an exploration of subtle autumnal colours.

Mark's pastel drawings


During Mark's teaching stint at Les Bassacs he always does a series of drawings, usually executed at the beginning and end of the day. 

Mark's pastels


This is the exuberant and beautiful 2011 edition.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Last course of the year - Collage with Mark Cazalet

We were fortunate that the good weather held out to the last.  The cool mornings with plenty of sunshine during the day made for ideal painting conditions. 


At this time of year the shadows get deeper and deeper as the sun sits lower in the sky, here they exaggerate the fluid shapes of the worn away ochre cliffs.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Viper

David found this viper coiled in the undergrowth this morning.  The low temperature last night meant that he was slow to slither away.

Night skies



A fierce Mistral brings a beautiful aftermath - stunning deep purple skies with a lone planet at center stage

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Gros chêne de Murs


The ancient oak tree at Murs where David often drops groups for a mornings painting is one of three oak trees aligned North-South outside the village.  It is thought that the trees are 500 years old and this particular tree has a trunk with the circumference of 6.8m and is 24 m high.  It provides much needed shade for our painting groups and is lovely spot for a picnic with pretty vies through the branches to the village of Murs.

Colour: Light, Space and Mood with Mark Cazalet 10th-17th September


The warm, still sunny weather continued throughout Mark's week with temperatures peaking at 31C, perfect for painting outdoors in the shade.



 Mark encourages James to experiment with colour as he paints in the garrigue above the St Saturnin barrier.   Note Mark's own exciting use of colour in his yellow socks paired with an orange and blue checked shirt!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Rebecca Hind showing at the Curwen Gallery

Rebecca is showing at the Curwen Gallery, 34 Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2JR from 9th-30th September. 

The show entitled Causeway features her beautiful watercolours inspired by air, fire and water.  



 Rebecca's lively and expressive work communicates a strong sense of wonder and a joy as she explores the dynamism of these elements.



You can watch a film of Rebecca making one of her large watercolours on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v91lGeSl3kg

The Gallery website

www.curwengallery.com

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Adie Parker's group


 The good weather continued throughout the week, with lovely summer temperatures and sunny days, although the heat was definitely getting to the kitchen!  Adie's group took advantage of the opportunity for plein-air painting and pic-nicked in the square at Oppède le Vieux under the shade of the beautiful, ancient plane trees.