
Vanessa Françoise Rothe ‘Making the Leap’
The Fine Art of Business
Learn how to become a professional artist at this exclusive workshop based in a French Chateau
Chateau in Normandy, France – May 1 – 9, 2025
Join us for an exciting new workshop geared towards helping you “Make the Leap” to become a professional artist, armed with the tools needed to run your art business successfully. This immersive workshop takes place in the inspiring atmosphere of a genuine French château estate. Discover how to use important inventory software, write a great bio, artist statement or press release, and develop exciting business savvy skills. Learn how to create email blasts, create social media posts, and pitch your work to a gallery.
Your instructor and expert in the fine art world, Vanessa Françoise Rothe, will show you step-by-step how to create, market and promote your art Here, students will discover and develop their business savvy and technical skills learning by how to create, market and promote their art from Vanessa Françoise Rothe, an expert in the fine art world.
Rothe is a gallery owner, exhibition curator, art museum lecturer, and contributing editor for American Art Collector and American Fine Art magazines. She is known for her informative column the
“Art Industry Insider” published monthly in International Artist Magazine. With 25 years of experience in all these aspects of the art world, she can help you make this big and exciting step, while having fun in the process!


Note this workshop is generally geared toward a Realist and Impressionist genre, however many of the concepts overlap for abstract or mixed media artwork as well.
The magic takes place on the grounds of an authentic 18th-century chateau where the alchemy of classic art and romantic imagination come together to create the ideal workshop and art retreat environment. Vanessa teaches you all the important business aspects in the morning and helps you to improve your fine art in the afternoon with helpful tips and tricks. Our workshops are so much more than a classroom. You will spend the entire time living and working under the same roof as the instructor and other creative guests who share their passion for art and la belle vie!
We are not limited to the chateau grounds with plenty of excursions in the surrounding areas just northwest of Paris. This makes it an ideal destination for couples with non-painting partners, artist friends who want to travel and paint together, or even family members who share their artistry. Plenty to do for non-painting partners.



Get ready for some painting and an immersive experience in the Normandy region just outside of Paris. This once-in-a-lifetime inspiring and instructive workshop will be unforgettable.
The workshop experience is open to artists of all levels who are ready to begin selling and promoting their work. There will be demos, one-on-one painting sessions and critiques. You will explore different approaches and create art using the principles learned. You will also be plein air painting on the historic Château’s Estate. Sound like heaven? We thought so…
With Vanessa Françoise Rothe, you will experience a comprehensive learning experience for painting that you can use and refer to and further your own work. The instruction and accommodations are in an 18th-century château estate. You will be able to venture out with the group and capture landscapes and scenes of life in France in the surrounding countryside.
You’ll be able to explore the neighboring villages, visit vineyards to taste the local vintages, and shop at local outdoor markets as part of your retail therapy. You can see our chateau featured below! See more images here.
Vanessa Françoise Rothe
Vanessa Françoise Rothe grew up in the artists’ colony of Laguna Beach in California, the daughter to a fashion designer father and linguist mother. She studied Business Marketing and French Literature at the University of San Diego, and UC Irvine, graduating with honors. She was then awarded a Classical Art Education scholarship from the Laguna College of Art and Design achieving the Dean’s List Honors.
Rothe started out with three successful solo exhibitions at Wendt Gallery in Laguna Beach in 2002 and was listed among the ”Artists for a New Century” by the Bennington Center for the Arts in 2012. Her work has been included in important exhibitions at top galleries including: Arcadia Contemporary, The Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction, Abend Gallery, Galerie Prince de l’Oeil, Paris, Galerie DDG in Paris,The Salmagundi Club, J.WIllott Gallery and Coda Gallery Palm Desert, The Laguna Art Museum, The American Impressionist Society Annual Exhibitions, The Bowers Museum, the California Museum of Fine Art etc. Her fine art work now appears at in the Permanent Collection the Hilbert Museum of California.
She is a member of the American Friends of the Musée D’Orsay, a signature member of the American Impressionist Society and served as its Educational Director for 4 years.
She is an Artist Member of the renowned Salmagundi Club N.Y. and is both a curator and a member of its PR team. Rothe has proudly served as the West Coast Editor of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine for the past 16 years and is the author of “An Art School Approach to Oils” published by Walter Foster.
In addition to her pursuit as an artist, Vanessa is also a curator, editor/writer, lecturer, and art dealer. She owned Vanessa Rothe Fine Art in Laguna Beach, California for the past 12 years
where she showcased top international contemporary realism and impressionism. It was Rothe’s initiative to create the Americans in Paris fine art project starting in 2015, with travel, workshops and bi-continental exhibitions at the Salmagundi Club in New York in 2015, 2016, 2023, at VRFA Laguna Beach in 2021, and at Arcadia Contemporary and Galerie Prince du L’Oeil in Paris, 2018. This fine art project is currently in its eighth year, and thanks to its partnership with Workshops in France, the American in Paris workshops are now open to the public


Normandy France
Normandy France
Normandy, France, is a haven for artists seeking inspiration from its picturesque landscapes and charming coastal villages. Known for its enchanting light and vibrant colors, Normandy has long been a favorite retreat for painters like Claude Monet, who found endless muse in the region’s lush gardens, serene rivers, and iconic cliffs. A visit to Monet’s house and garden in Giverny is a must for any art enthusiast, offering a glimpse into the life and work of the father of Impressionism. The region’s unique blend of pastoral countryside and dramatic seaside vistas provides a diverse array of subjects for painters, photographers, and sketch artists alike.
After soaking in the tranquil beauty of Normandy, we recommend extending your stay with a short trip to Paris. The City of Light has been the cradle of artistic innovation for centuries, home to the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and countless galleries showcasing masterpieces from every era. Wandering through Montmartre, once the bohemian heart of Paris, artists can follow in the footsteps of Picasso and Van Gogh, drawing inspiration from the lively atmosphere and historic charm. Together, Normandy and Paris create a rich tapestry of experiences for any artist, blending serene natural beauty with the dynamic pulse of one of the world’s greatest cultural capitals.


Students will leave the workshop armed and ready with:
• Software programs necessary and learn the general costs of running an art business
• A written Artist Bio and Artist’s Statement
• iPhone tips and tricks for photographing, cropping and adjusting images
• Effective inventory software, already set up and know how to use it.
• How to pitch to a Gallery owner with insight and tips on what they are looking for.
• How to use Email programs like Constant Contact and keep a mailing list of their clients.
• Learn how to enter their work into juried shows, use sales platforms, and join art groups that fit their style
• Put a professional PDF together and how to submit to galleries. Including advice from a gallery owner
• Website advice with suggestions to improve existing websites (only pre-existing websites)
• Tips on how to tag and improve their Instagram account, tips for FaceBook, and social media apps.
• Key art marketing starting points and tips with an understanding of marketing.
• How to pitch to an editor for an article on their work, and more.
• Tips on the no-fail “subjects” that continue to sell in the Realist and Impressionist art world throughout the last 20 years.
• Recieve special discounts from the participating vendors.
This Workshop Includes:
- Exclusive workshop with world-class instructor Vanessa Rothe.
- 9 days of artistic immersion in Normandy, France.
- Chateau accommodation
- Ongoing demos, art discussions and evenings with the instructor.
- Tuition, all meals on the estate, wine, accommodation, and ground transportation. We eat out at our own expense at one lunch and one dinner.
- Learn, paint and enjoy the good life in beautiful French surroundings.
- Excursions to painting and historical locations: Charming villages, markets (painting and excursion locations vary with weather)
- Balanced itinerary of learning, painting and relaxation for artists of all media – all levels!
- Live, learn, and paint side-by-side with Vanessa Rothe.
- Airfare is not included.
- Gare de Rouen-Rive-Droite train station pickup is included.
"Making the Leap" Workshop with Vanessa Françoise Rothe
$5,500
May 1 – 9, 2025
Vanessa Françoise Rothe “Making the Leap” Workshop in a chateau in Normandy, France. Limited number of guests.
All prices are in USD.