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.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Last few weeks of 2015 season

The last few weeks have seen beautiful sunny, calm autumnal weather.  Konrad has been out taking advantage of the stunning light and dark shadows to take these photos.

Gargas Ochre Woods












































 We always have spectacular sunsets at this time of year.

  






















 


















The last vernissage.


 



Friday, September 18, 2015

Spectacular rain at the end of August

2015 has been a hotter than usual summer, but of course the good weather had to break
sometime . .  .  David's week was briefly interrupted by torrential rain, making beautiful patterns on the pool.  These photos were taken by Konrad who is helping us for the last few weeks of our season.




















 Then a return of the sun brought out the deep greens in the refreshed countryside.



At the start of September, Terry's week had a very happy and relaxed feel to it as people worked peacefully out and about in the local villages.



















Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Painting and monotype

A hard working week at Les Bassacs with some magical results.







































The output was prodigious!









































We even got Hazel up to the studio for the vernissage.




Drawn to Colour!

It seems that Mark Cazalet really is drawn to colour.  Here he is enjoying the shade and sporting a great combination of green and pink.





















As you can see, the pink soon spread as a theme through the group!

Evening picnic under the pines, Les Bassacs

















Sunday, June 28, 2015

Purple Haze

It has been such a hot summer that the lavender is fully out.  Our little patch at the top of the lane has finally managed a full bloom.

















We have an American group here this week led by Maggie Siner. This morning they eschewed the temptations of L'Isle sur la Sorgue market in favour of a shady tree and this painting opportunity.




















Last night as the sun went down the sky was suffused with purple too.


Tuesday, May 26, 2015

A busy week at Les Bassacs

The weather has stayed dry and the sun has been shining brilliantly on Les Bassacs.  A few days of mistral last week meant that some were painting inside.  I always enjoy having painters in the house.  It gives a convivial feel and I can see works in progress as I potter around the hameau.

























The wind blew a family of blue tit fledglings out of their nest.  They sheltered in the lavender bushes in the street while their distressed parents flew up and down trying to feed them.  David managed to photograph this one as it cowered by the front door.





















The cats were locked inside and the fledglings managed to get enough height to join their parents.  As far as we know there were no casualties!

James took a bit of time on Friday afternoon to paint Sacha.  She is working here for the first part of the summer and is an art student about to start a drawing year at the Prince's Drawing School. 


































Sunday, May 3, 2015

Start of Season 2015

The start of the season is upon us,  the mild wet winter has produced a verdant countryside and abundant flowers in the garden and around the hameau.







































The garden produced these enormous peonies that blossomed just in time to decorate the house ready to greet our first group;  painters from Southern California.  























Mark Cazalet Les Bassacs Exhibition at the Curwen Gallery

  The Curwen Gallery in London have gathered together a body of work that Mark has made here at Les Bassacs, and are mounting an exhibition from the 7th - 28th May.  The private view is on the 6th May 6 - 8pm.  Mark would be happy to see you there and to show you the work he has done while here.




Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Signs of spring at last

The air finally warmed up yesterday and there was a reassuring hint of spring at last. On our evening walk we came across Olivier's appaloosa horses. They were peacefully enjoying the sunset in the field at the entrance to Les Bassacs.


Thursday, February 5, 2015

Just when you think winter is finally over . . .



















17 centimeters of snow fell on Les Bassacs yesterday - I rushed out to measure it - the most snow we have had here since 1993.  David and I always try to be first to make our tracks in the virgin snow.  This time we were beaten to it by our neighbour Robert who walks his dog at 6 a.m. 

On our walk it was still gently snowing, there was little sign of wildlife, a few birds flitting around searching for food and the beautiful almost invisible trace of a hare which had made its way through the cherry orchard below Croagnes.


Croagnes in the snow

snowy lavender field























 

Thursday, January 1, 2015