Painting Trips
Discover
the beauty of France or Belgium as well as indulging in your passion of plein
air painting. All skill levels are welcome.
In 2009: We will
have painting trips (see the dates
and rates page for a complete list): in the Alps, (see itinerary
below) in Provence (Email
us for the itinerary of this new trip) in Belgium (Email
us for the itinerary of this new trip).
Some of your Art Teachers in 2009
Jann Pollard:
Watercolor in Provence (May 10-17, 2009)
Jann has become a popular workshop instructor, internationally, teaching both
watercolor and computer workshops for artists. She has several giclée fine
art prints, posters, a serigraph and has been the cover artist for the lauded
Karen Brown travel books for numerous years. Her works are in private and corporate
collections, internationally. Jann has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior
Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. Check Jann's
website here. Sandy Delehanty:
Watercolor in Provence (May 2-9, 2009)
Sandy Delehanty has
a Bachelor of Art Degree in Fine Arts and a California Secondary Teaching Credential
from California State University, Chico. Sandy has taught watercolor workshops
in Bali, Hawaii and Italy. She enjoys helping students capture the essence of
the places they visit. In 2004, Sandy was selected by Public Television Station
KVIE as a "Legacy Collection Artist". One of her paintings, "An
Evening in May" has been selected by North Light Books as one of the winners
of a National contest. It will appear in "SPLASH 9" in October, 2006.
Her work is shown in the Elliott Fouts Gallery, Sacramento, CA and can
also be seen on her web site at www.sandydelehanty.com.
Sandy has been a teacher with French Escapade in 2006 and 2008.
Sonja Hamilton, SWA: Watercolor in Belgium (August
14-21, 2009)
Award winning watercolorist Sonja Hamilton, SWA, is a
San Francisco born artist, teacher, and calligrapher. Sonja is widely exhibited
and has paintings in private collections in the USA, Australia, Canada, Mexico,
England, France, Japan, and China. Amongst her numerous awards are several Best
of Show, First Awards, and the Grumbacher Gold Medallion. Sonja was a teacher
on a French Escapade tour in 2005. On this tour, she will offer you the opportunity
to improve or discover watercolor painting. Check her work at www.sonjahamilton.com.
Sonja has been a teacher with French Escapade in 2005 and 2007.
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Painting: Pat Brothen French Escapade 05
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Tours and Painting Excursions
Jackie will drive you to amazing places where you
could paint extraordinary landscapes (Alpine lakes, quaint villages, castle and
gardens, etc...). After each painting session, there will always be the possibility
for a cultural visit or a local product tasting.
If you want more painting
time, you will be able to opt out from any daily visit to stay at the house: you
can chose to paint in the garden or venture out in the village of Chelieu. Back
home, you can participate in the daily review run by the teacher while savoring
appetizers and sweet wine in the garden.
We want you to have fun so
everything is optional. Paint as much as you want or as little as you want.
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Day 1: Welcome Champagne Reception
We will pick you up at the Lyon airport, early in the afternoon. Upon your arrival
at our fully restored 19th-century French country home, you will relax and enjoy
a champagne reception with authentic local finger foods and drinks. In the evening,
a traditional sumptuous buffet will be prepared especially for you. | |  |
Day 2: Romantic Village of Chanaz and Walnut
Oil Tasting
We will drive east along the Rhone River, through beautiful
vineyards and picturesque villages to the lovely village of Chanaz. Sitting accross
the canal, in the middle of trees, you will enjoy painting this quiet village. | |  |
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Walnut Oil Tasting
After your painting session,
we will attend a walnut oil making demonstration in a 19th-century mill. This
is a unique opportunity that can't be missed since this mill is the only one left
in France listed historical monument where the oil is still made like it was in
the 19th century. You will of course have a chance to taste the delicious and
organic walnut, hazelnut and almond oils as well as the homemade jams. |
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Day 3: Magnificent Pre-Alps Cliffs and
Caves
We will be heading towards the breathtaking mountainous region
of Vercors, bordered by 300 Km of cliffs on the very edge of the Alps.
You will have the unique opportunity to take a memorable trip into the heart of
the earth when we'll explore the famous Choranche cave, with its thousands of
impressive tubular stalactites and its lake of emerald green.
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Photo
Credit: Grotte de Choranche |
Painting Credits: Pat Brothen French Escapade 2005 | |
Pont en Royans Village
After the visit, you will have plenty of time
to visit Pont-en-Royans, the picturesque 16th century village where the houses
are actually suspended above the river. This site is one of the painter's
highlights. Facing these incredible hanging houses, you will be breathtaken. |
Photo Credits: Office du Tourisme, Lyon
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Day 4: Historical Lyon
This day will be dedicated to the discovery
of magical Lyon, a World Heritage city known as the Capital of Gourmet Cuisine.
The Fourviere Basilica, with its breathtaking view of the city, will be our first
stop. We will also explore the superb Roman Theater built in 43 AD, and then on
to the Renaissance quarter, the second biggest renaissance quarter in the world,
listed World Heritage by UNESCO. In the afternoon, time for painting or shopping
(or a little bit of both). |
Day 5: Annecy or 'The
Little Venice of the Alps'
Annecy is the French show-piece of lakes-and-mountain
beauty. The Canal crossing Annecy brings Venice to mind as you stroll along its
banks.
Your choice for the painting site will be unlimited: medieval
narrow streets, renaissance houses along the canal, the famous old prison (one
of the most photographed monuments in France!) or the Annecy lake surrounded by
mouutains. | |  | | 
Painting Credits: Lisa Greenberg French Escapade 2006 |
Day 6: 11th Century Virieu Castle and
the Picturesque Chelieu Village
On that day, we will take our time to
visit our village (Chelieu). This quaint village is a treasure for painters: doors,
windows, flowers, church, ...
You can also decide to paint the extraordinary
Virieu castle, built over eight centuries.
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Painting Credits: Sonja Hamilton French Escapade 2005 | |  | | 
Painting Credits: Sandy Delehanty French Escapade 2006 |
Day 7: Market Day and Chocolate Tasting
This day is designed to give you an authentic flavor of the French countryside
and village life. Valerie (our chef) will open her own house to you. Be her guest
and feel at home.
We will experience the local market day and buy fresh
food at La Halle, a 13th-century covered market where the locals meet. Then, enjoy
this quaint little town. Some of our guests like to paint Valerie's medieval house.
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| | Chocolate Tasting
We
will finish the day by visiting a chocolate musem. You will learn everything about
the cacao tree and the making of a good chocolate at the "Paradis du Chocolat".
Tasting the delicious cakes made the famous chocolate maker of the Dauphine
region will delight your palate. |
Day 8: Painting in the Garden and
Visit of the Silk Museum
Enjoy your last day at the house. Take your
time to finish up some paintings or paint some beautiful flowers from the garden,
haystacks in the fields or whatever pleases you.
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Painting Credits: Kathleen Balamuth French Escapade 2006 | | 
Painting Credits: Jennifer Tomasselli
French Escapade
2006 |
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Silk Making Demonstration
This museum features the history of silk weaving,
the hard working life of the silk weavers and their children, demonstration of
weaving on looms from the 18th to the 20th century,…and then, of course,
the chance to buy wonderful silk scarves. |
Day 9: Departure
After
our last breakfast together, we'll drive you to the Lyon airport in plenty of
time to catch your flight home. |
Accommodations and Meals
You will be staying at our 19th-century
country house, located on the top of the hill, facing the Alps. Breakfast
and four-course French dinner will be prepared every
day by your French hostess, Valerie. She will
also prepare your bag lunch for you to take on your daily trips. Valerie will
take into account your special dietary needs and will introduce you to the delicacies
of French cuisine.
Dates for the trips in the Alps in 2009(see
the dates
and rates page for a complete list of painting trips in 2009): May
20-28, 2009 Teacher: Fayrene
Parrish May 17-May 25, 2009: Teacher: Sheila
Parson June 29- July 7, 2009: Teacher: Durinda
Cheek
Rate
$2,690 per person (land cost)
Includes
- Lyon airport pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation in our 19th-century
country house
- Transportation every day
- A champagne and hors-d'oeuvres
reception
- All meals
- All art classes
- All planned visits
- A
free Paris planner for a self guided visit in Paris: suggestions of hotels, restaurants
and places to visit
Excludes
- Flights to and from France
- Personal
expenses and tipping
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