At Workshops in France, we are often asked if it’s ok if a non-painting partner comes too and we say, “Absolutely!”
We have had husbands and wives, mothers and daughters, sisters and friends at our workshops and art retreats in the past and everyone has a wonderful time, whether painting or not!
There Is Always Something To Do
We have had guests who go explore on their own, go to play golf, or go into town to enjoy the café culture and shops while we artists are tethered to our easels. In a way the non-painters are more flexible with their time as they have the freedom to wander and explore so much more!
If the non-painter joins us with their painting spouse, we’ve even seen their relationship change for the better! We remove all of the distractions so they can better concentrate on their own interests when apart, and each other when together.
At one of Carol Marine’s Workshops, Gregory a non-painter, came with his lovely wife Coralie. He was such an asset to the group as his enthusiasm for life was infectious! He even ended up painting and surprised everyone with his wonderful work! We enjoyed their company so much that we invited them to be crew for us in Scotland and they are returning again to help us deliver the retreat in Tuscany. We are thrilled to say that we have quite a few couples returning with us for our next season, so our harmonious blend of activities for painters and non-painters must be working!
Blogger: Shirley Hambrick
Shirley Hambrick is an award-winning stained-glass artist and painter. She has lived in Scotland, Spain and the USA. Shirley is part of the Workshops in France team and attended over 20 of these trips. She writes about her adventures.
Being Scottish, she was trained at Edinburgh College of Art and Design. Shirley teaches in the West Virginia area and you can some of her beautiful work here.
Your Artist Getaway Awaits
Check out more blogs about art workshops, tips and hacks for artists traveling in France, Scotland and Italy.
Les Carrières des Lumières Explores Venice 2022
This year at Les Carrières des Lumières, the famous underground quarry is once again transformed into a theater of mind-blowing proportions through the wizardry of technology, showing projected masterworks from Venice as well as the work of Yves Klein in Infinite Blue onto its limestone walls.
George Howard: Photographer at Large in Provence
Occasionally we meet a non-painting partner whose own work inspires the rest of us. The photographs by George Howard are immediately identifiable for their graphic color and beautiful light, the same qualities that artists seek in our work.
Yellow Ochre Lifted from Nature’s Palette
Yellow ochre is a naturally mined pigment used by artists everywhere. One of the must-see villages in Provence is Rousillon, where this multi-hued pigment was mined. You see it as orange, pink, and red on the walls of all houses and the red rock faces for the surrounding hills.
