The French You Already Speak
You Already Know More French Than You Think. Just for fun, we started looking at the French words that have been in common usage in the English language for a long time. Remarkably, many of these words seem to pop up in the realms of culture and cuisine. No surprise there, as France is known for exactly that – their wonderful culture and delicious cuisine. Let’s start right here with food! Cuisine “Cuisine” – This is exactly the same word in both languages. Let’s look at some more… You already know so many of them! With this in mind, rest assured you won’t starve! “Restaurant, chef, café, vinaigrette, gâteau, sauce, pique-nique, salade, soupe, aperitif, menu, croissant, hamburger, chocolat.” Ha! And, there’s “silhouette”, which might change depending on your consumption of the aforementioned. The Arts and La Renaissance We also find a host of French words in the world of art. Florence, Italy was the epicenter of the greatest rebirth of creativity which the Italians call the ‘Rinascimento,’ but in English and in French we refer to it as the Renaissance. Art in French is ‘Art’, pronounced Arr, even in the plural. Let’s look at a few more art terms. Art nouveau, art deco (art décoratif), artist (artiste), impressionism (impressionisme), avant-garde, realism (réalism), surrealism (surréalisme), cubism (cubisme), trompe l’oeil, paper maché (papier-mâché) and film noir. Although French is also the language of ballet, it was actually brought to France from Italy by Catherine de Medici. Ballet dancing as we know it was adopted by the French royal courts where it flourished. “Cuisine” – This is exactly the same word in both languages. Let’s look at some more… You already know so many of them! With this in mind, rest assured you won’t starve! “Restaurant, chef, café, vinaigrette, gâteau, sauce, pique-nique, salade, soupe, aperitif, menu, croissant, hamburger, chocolat.” Ha! And, there’s “silhouette”, which might change depending on your consumption of the aforementioned. Royalty and French French was the official language of the courts, that is, the Royal courts. Around 700 years ago it was the most widely spoken language throughout all of Europe. At that time, the rulers in Europe used French to communicate with each other. It was spoken by their liaisons and international treaties were hashed out in French. No doubt a few French swearwords were tossed around at those who disagreed. French was the language of the gentry. It was generally seen as the language of sophistication, power and wealth. It became a popular second language. By the end of the middle ages, the lingua franca of Europe was indeed French. Of course, the term ‘lingua franca’, is Latin and not French, but it means the language used between people who do not share a common language. A contemporary example of a lingua franca would be Emoji. ❤️ 🇫🇷 🍷 Pronunciation So, you do know these words, but do they sound French when you say them? Probably not. It’s the pronunciation that makes them French. So here’s the mini-lesson of French pronunciation. It’s very general, but it should help. Firstly, the French pronounce every syllable without the English way of stressing one syllable over the others. Take “pronunciation”. We say “PRO-NUN-SEE-AISHUN”, with the stress on NUN, the French would say each syllable – “PRO-NUN-SEE-A-CEE-ON”. If that doesn’t slow you down a bit, the French also tend to drop or swallow the very last consonant if it ends the word. Yes, drop the last consonant, unless the next word starts with a vowel, in which case you need to add it back in. Complicated? Oui! Even More French To round out this blog on the French words you already know, look at these: R.S.V. P. (Répondez S’il Vous Plaît); bourgeois; brunette; blonde; déjà vu; fiancée; chic. All French and all English too. There must be so many more but hopefully these will give you a little confidence about being able to speak this beautiful language. In order to gain more understanding of French and the culture of France, may we suggest that you drink good coffee, share excellent wine and come join us on an artistic and inspirational journey with WorkshopsInFrance. Blogger: Julie Snyder Julie Snyder is a professional artist and also the programs director of Workshops In France. A native of Scotland, she is a seasoned traveler who splits her time between California and France. You can learn more about her role with Workshops in France here and about her painting on her website.
Coffee is an Art Form in France
Coffee in France is an art form, and an art-form that we have researched intensively. We fully expect to spend the rest of our lives continuing our research, just to make sure we don’t miss any nuances.
Our conclusion so far? Yum!
Venetian Red—Loved by Painters, Hated by American Colonists
Like many colors used on the palettes of today’s artists, Venetian Red has a fascinating and dramatic backstory. In addition to its place in art, it holds a special place in British history and the American Revolution.
Our Secret’s Out: The Multi-Talented Scott Burdick
This coming October, we will be hosting world-renowned artist Susan Lyon in a masterclass in Provence, which is fantastic news for anyone who wants to study with a true master. But the best-kept secret of this masterclass is that Susan’s equally-renowned husband, Scott Burdick, will be joining us and painting right alongside her.
Rose Frantzen: A National Treasure
Rose Frantzen is a truly quintessential artist, personifying all that is unique and extraordinary about what it means to be a painter. Working primarily in oil, she specializes in figurative works, landscapes, still lifes, and thematic projects. We are very proud to be hosting a masterclass workshop with Rose Frantzen, which will take place in Provence, July 15-23, 2024. Portrait of Maquoketa After studying at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, with Richard Schmid at the Palette and Chisel Academy, and then with the late Deane G. Keller at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, Frantzen returned to her hometown of Maquoketa, Iowa, making it the center and study of her artistic endeavor. One landmark project undertaken by Frantzen is entitled Portrait of Maquoketa, which focuses exclusively on the citizens of the town. The project consists of 180 individual 12” X 12” oil portraits, painted over the course of a year from a Main Street storefront, of anyone in the town who wished to pose for her. This is how she describes the project on her web site, “I wanted to paint my neighbors and fellow Maquoketans without any selection or choice on my part, attempting to capture a direct portrayal of the people around me. Together, we could democratize portraiture, allowing anyone to be painted just by showing up and participating.” From 2009-2010, Portrait of Maquoketa was shown for eight months at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Iowa Figge Art An expanded version of the project was shown in 2012-2013 at Davenport, Iowa’s Figge Art Museum. To complete her full vision for this exhibit, Frantzen painted a 315-square-foot landscape view of the town, which was broken up into 34 vertical panels. Seen from one end of the installation, the panels comprise what one would see if they were standing in the hills outside of Maquoteka. The 180 portraits of the townspeople are mounted on the reverse of the panels. Fritzen’s husband, Chuck Morris, assisted with mapping and engineering the landscape so that the panels coalesce from one point of view. John Frantzen, the artist’s brother, composed audio compositions to accompany the exhibit. The compositions include voices of the portrait subjects combined with the landscape’s natural sounds. Ultimately Portrait of Maquoketa was purchased by the Figge Art Museum, which alternately shows the installation in the museum, and tours it to other locations. In the Face of Illusion Another intriguing project undertaken by Frantzen is entitled In the Face of Illusion. This exhibit consists of portraits and figures that are integrated with optical illusions. Of the exhibit, Rose is quoted on her web site as asking, “Can we trust ourselves so much? Optical illusions remain persistent, even when we rationally know that we are seeing things incorrectly. If misperception happens with simple lines and shapes, why wouldn’t this also occur when we encounter something as complex as another human being or maybe even ourselves?” Frantzen’s other work has been widely exhibited at the Denver Historical Museum, the Butler Institute of American Art, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and she is a multi-award winner with the Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition. In addition to showing her art at the Figge Art Museum, Franzen’s work is included in the permanent collections at the Brunnier Art Museum and the Dubuque Museum of Art. Frantzen’s paintings have also been pictured in international art magazines. Franzen frequently conducts art demonstrations, guest lectures, and participates in art discussion panels. In addition to their other work, Frantzen and her husband, Chuck Morris, operate the non-profit Maquoketa Art Experience on Main Street in Maquoketa. The Art Experience offers exhibitions of regional art, art classes, and a creativity café. Learn more about Rose Frantzen’s Workshop and sign up here.
The Wonder of Lavender in Provence
Your first step into a lavender field is a complete sensory invasion.
First there’s the unique color, and then the unforgettable scent. When a breeze crosses the field, it becomes a sea of undulating purple. Then there’s the constant sound of…
Sorolla at the Hôtel de Caumont, Aix-en-Provence
For anyone attending one of our two Lavender Art Retreats near Aix-en-Provence this summer, there will be an extra special added event: the Hôtel de Caumont Art Centre in Aix-en-Provence will be presenting an exhibition of the Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla, entitled Joaquin Sorolla, Spanish Lights.
Americans in Paris, George Gershwin and Gene Kelly
When Workshops in France partners with Vanessa Rothe Fine Art to present the historical workshop Americans In Paris Paint Provence in September of this year, we will be following a tradition that goes well beyond painting.
Carrières de Lumières 2020
An Immersion into Dali’s Creative Mind. While 21st century technology has brought new dimensions to the world of visual art, there is nothing so breathtaking as Les Carrières de Lumières in the village of Les Baux in the South of France. CultureSpaces has created an immersive art experience in sight and sound within the subterranean space, with images projected onto the solid limestone walls. Regardless of the art selected, the experience is already somewhat surreal—but in 2020 it is being made even more so by an exhibition of the mind-bending creations of Salvador Dali. Spanish artist, Dali, has been astounding art lovers since the 1930s. From the melting clocks of The Persistence of Memory” to the floating figures of his muse Gala, and to the many other inexplicable visions of the universe as only he could see it, Dali’s art continues to mesmerize fans from all over the world. Now Dali’s art is presented in “Daliesque” ways that were never before possible, and that would thoroughly delight Dali himself. Dali, The Endless Enigma In this exhibit, you will actually be immersed in Dali’s works, in a digital exhibition entitled Dali,The Endless Enigma. You will walk through an enormous cavern, while Dali’s art is sharply focused beneath you on the floor, on the ceiling, and on the walls, accompanied in surround-sound, appropriately, by the music of Pink Floyd. Also on the bill is a short program of Antoni Gaudi, known as “the architect of the imaginary.” Gaudi was a great source of inspiration for Dali, and in fact his works from the beginning of the twentieth century were defended by Dali. The immersive exhibition will pay tribute to this ingenious architect through his modernist buildings that have now been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. About Les Carrières de Lumières This unique art experience is known as the Carrières de Lumières, meaning the “Quarry of Lights”. While music plays through the surround-sound system, enormous masterpieces are projected onto the 64,583 square feet of quarry walls and floors from over 100 projectors, literally enveloping you into the paintings. It is an artistic, sensory adventure like no other and it has brought us to tears with its beauty. The program is really is one of those things you have to experience to appreciate, but it is guaranteed to blow you away. Carrières de Lumières is the brainchild of a Belgian named Bruno Monnier, and his company Culturespaces. The company developed and trademarked the technology they call AMIEX (Art & Music Immersive Experience). Since the launching of Les Carrières de Lumières in 2012, they have since opened similar exhibitions in Paris (Atelier des Lumières) and South Korea (Bunker des Lumières). Due to the outstanding success of these venues, several others are now in the planning stages as well. We include this visit to Les Carrières de Lumières as part of the workshops and retreats program in Southern France. CultureSpace: Throughout our workshops, we have included a trip to Les Baux and Les Carrières de Lumières for our artist-guests. They have experienced tributes on separate years to Gustav Klimt with Egon Schiele (again they were influenced by the Japanese Style), Marc Chagall, The Spanish Masters – from Goya, Sorolla to Picasso and the Giants of the Renaissance featuring Michaelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci. Les Baux de Provence Did you know that Les Baux de Provence is arguably one of the most beautiful villages in France? Phenomenal buildings and intricate facades make this village rich in historic architecture. Culinary minds can explore the delicious cuisine, quality wine, and fab company. Les Baux de Provence has been home to Carrières de Lumières since 1976.
Susan Lyon: Faces and Figures, A Personal Vision
No doubt you have heard that Workshops in France is hosting a workshop given by world-renowned contemporary figure and portrait painter Susan Lyon. You won’t want to miss! You can see some of her art here. She not only creates breathtaking paintings, but she is also in high demand as an instructor. Her workshops sell out quickly, as do her many instructional DVDs. When Susan saw a feature on PBS about the artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, she was inspired to be an artist. This prompted her to enroll in the Art Institute of Chicago. Although she says she really learned nothing at the Institute, Susan considers herself fortunate that her father later steered her toward the American Academy of Art because he knew an instructor there. It was there that her career actually blossomed. Stepping Stones to Success It’s no surprise that Susan is valued so highly as an instructor, her teaching style is positive and highly encouraging. She comes by it honestly, as she was impressed by her Life Drawing teacher at the American Academy of Art, Mr. Parks. He inspired her to enter into a career in fine art. She describes Mr. Parks as “like a grandfather—loving, and everyone just melted toward him.” At the time, she was also taking a class in Creative Illustration, and the teacher of that class was quite the opposite. He sought to intimidate students rather than take them under his wing. It’s no surprise then, that she made her career decision based on the work of the kind, nurturing teacher. Susan went from there to the Palette and Chisel Club, where, at the age of 23, she become the youngest winner of their prestigious gold medal. It was also there that she met fellow student and her future husband, Scott Burdick. After their marriage they wanted to explore the world, inspired by artists such as John Singer Sargent who traveled extensively, painting faces and figures of many lands. When not traveling, they live in rural North Carolina. “Curious” and “Peonies” by Susan Lyon Susan and Scott have certainly made their dreams come true, as can be seen through their collective body of work. Today, they reign as a royal couple of the painting world—and the best-kept secret of Susan Lyon’s upcoming workshop is that her husband Scott Burdick, will also be there to mentor and engage with all the workshop attendees. The workshop includes painting models on the estate, and also in the Provencal countryside. Don’t miss it! Pictured here: Susan Lyon, programs coordinator for WorkshopsInFrance Julie Snyder, and Scott Burdick in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence where an impromptu meeting led to the creation of the Susan Lyon Workshop in Provence. Register Here Blogger: Julie Snyder Julie Snyder is a professional artist and also the programs director of Workshops In France. A native of Scotland, she is a seasoned traveler who splits her time between California and France. You can learn more about her role with Workshops in France here.