In the Summer of 2003 I got to paint in the south of France for a few weeks with Brigette Curt and Jim Smyth. It was probably the most memorable painting experience of my life. The smells of Provence (Lavender, Lindent trees, herbs) and light are just incredible. If you’d like to join them, check out their site.
This is Brantes, France, in the Vaucluse area of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.
Ed. Thanks for sharing this. I am going on this very trip in July! I can’t wait. I checked out the web links above but they are in French. Oh well. I’d love to be able to read them.
By the way, we met at the Berberian workshop a few years back. Love your blog.
Randy
I think I prefer the normal way you paint to the high key method. You have such rich beautiful colors as opposed to the non distinct color in high key. Now I realize in high key the color is muted, but to me you lost some of the beauty you portray. My humble opinion.
Cora, I like your honesty! I think–all too often–my readers want to remain positive, so only enter comments that confirm what I’m writing, but I love it when I hear differing opinions. Want more of that! But yes, the high-key approach is very different for me, but I don’t necessarily look at it as a completely new direction overall, but just a new tool, that I can use when conditions dictate. I love the rich color as well, and that applies to many things that inspire me, but this approach gives me the ability to paint with a more subtle sensibility.
Cheers!
I followed your link from Wendy Brayton’s blog, and wow, your site and paintings are amazing. Since starting 8 Women Dream I have become acquainted with plein air painting through Wendy’s work. I find it breath taking and wish I had a huge house to place several on my walls.
Catherine
Hi Ed, I remember Jim talking about those Provence trips when I used to paint with him years ago in Palo Alto. Looks like it was a great trip. If you see them tell them I said hello –