July 9-19, 2010
Carol works in a variety of media and welcomes participants of all levels in watermedia. She has found, when working "en plein air", that watercolor, gouache, ink, watercolor pencil or crayon, or occasionally acrylics, are easy to transport and use. She encourages participants to consider making a Sketchbook/Journal of their experience in the Perigord. Smaller paintings or sketches done on sight may serve as finished works, or can become the basis for more refined works done in the studio. The workshop will focus on value patterns, which are so pronounced in the sunny towns and villages of the Dordogne. On location in the countryside and villages, emphasis will be put on how to choose a view or subject, simplify the scene, and how to work in the allotted time with the shifting shadow patterns. Her demonstrations and discussions will highlight a variety of techniques, but participants are encouraged to explore and strengthen their own unique approach.
Carol studied at the California College of the Arts. She lived in Europe for nine years and taught at the Pierre Chariot Ecole d'Aquarelle in Belgium. Carol continues to offer public and private classes in the US and Europe, and has exhibited in the 108th and 110th Salon des Independents in Paris. Carol received the Gold Medal of Honor at the American Watercolor Society's 137th Annual Exhibition in New York City, 2004.
What's included in this workshop:
- Lodgings: 9 nights at Petit Rousset, 1 night in Sarlat
- All breakfasts
- 8 dinners
- Transfers from/to Bordeaux, transportation by private coach
- Entry fees for included sites
- Private & Group Instruction & Critiques
Itinerary
Independent Arrival in Bordeaux
Depart U.S.A. on overnight flight to any European gateway city. Catch a connecting flight to Bordeaux. If you fly into Paris, the TGV fast train is an option.
Day 1
4:00 p.m. Meet our Private Coach in Bordeaux for the scenic, two-hour drive into the Périgord and Petit Rousset. Welcome Dinner.
Petit Rousset – Our home, an 18th century farmhouse, provides many opportunities for painting, sketching & relaxing – in the garden, on the terrace, by the pool, or in our new Art Studio.
A sampling of our Destinations
Our explorations of the towns and villages described here will sometimes be on bustling Market Days. We’ll visit other villages as serene as stage sets, waiting for us to bring them to life.
Eymet – Our ‘hometown’ is a 40-minute stroll from Petit Rousset, past rows of grapevines, fields of sunflowers and meadows of grazing cows. This bastide has a perfectly intact 13th century center square which bursts with activity on Market Day. Little streets radiating off the square are dotted with houses made of wattle and daub. As we explore, we’ll learn about the medieval conflicts that gave rise to the region’s many bastides.
Bergerac – The town made famous by the poet-Musketeer, Cyrano, is now the capitol of the wine-growing region. We’ll visit Old Town, with its medieval houses clustered along the banks of the Dordogne River. We’ll come one night for Bastille Day fireworks and return another time for a lively Market Day.
Chateau de Monbazillac – We’ll set up easels and enjoy painting this fairy tale Renaissance chateau. You may wish to take a self-guided tour of the chateau or taste the golden, mellow Monbazillac wine which gives the region its name and for which the area is justly acclaimed.
Rouffignac – We’ll celebrate the Dordogne as the capitol of pre-history by visiting this special cave embellished with prehistoric paintings.
Monpazier – Hailed as the most perfectly preserved bastide in Southwest France, the 13th century houses surrounding its totally intact market square, are identical in size, unique in appearance.
Beynac – We’ll visit the village with the Chateau at its summit. Built during the One Hundred Year’s War, the Chateau de Beynac perches high atop a cliff dominating the Dordogne River. Now we marvel at the views of the valley below, but its imposing profile attests to its original military purpose.
Sarlat – Founded as an Abbey Town, when Charlemagne visited, he brought a fragment of the True Cross with him. Nearly all of Sarlat’s restored town houses were built during its years of greatest prosperity, from 1450-1500, giving it a rare architectural unity preserved by the Loi Malraux. We’ll overnight here and as night descends and the twinkling gas lights go on, we’ll take a guided tour of this lovely town, made all the more magical by the dancing shadows. Before leaving Sarlat, we’ll take time to enjoy a delightful nearby formal garden.
Final Day – St. Emilion – After breakfast, depart for Bordeaux. En route, St. Emilion, a favorite of both medieval popes and English kings, in 1999 it was classed a world heritage site, the first vine-growing area to achieve this status. After free time in St. Emilion, Coach drop off at Bordeaux airport and train station. Onward journeys after 4:00 p.m. are advised.
