Salut tout le monde (Hi everyone)
Here's newsletter #4 from Provence where Summer has arrived with a vengeance!
After an unusually cool Spring, the Summer solstice (the official commencement of Été in France) arrived and with it the heat. It has proved to be a case of "be careful what you wish for", as it has been frightfully hot for almost two weeks, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees! Here in Jouques it reached 43 - luckily the bottom level of our old village house has stayed cool, thanks to 60cm thick stone walls and two floors of our house above!
Setting off early on Monday, with our dear friend Jule, we drove to the Plateau de Valensole, where the lavender did not disappoint! Fabulous fields of deep bluish-purple, abuzz with innumerable bees and butterflies, stretching to the horizon and the distant Alps. Punctuated by fields of sunflowers and golden wheat, it is a 'must see' location when visiting Provence in early July.
The lavender season here is short - the colour this year started to form in mid June and by Bastille Day (14th July) the harvest is normally set to commence. However, the smaller fields grown further west in the Luberon, at a slightly higher altitude, normally colour-up and get harvested about a month later. Fortunately for us, Jouques is located midway between the two areas, so it's an easy drive to either location at any time! Though not on extremely hot days!!
Å la prochaine, Fiona (+ Jean-Louis) Diaz
Feel free to contact us by email: info@artelierprovence.com or via the website with any enquiry.
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Sunflowers are grown right through to mid September and are always a joy to see, especially when planted alongside lavender.
I can't think of a more stunning colour and textural combination! When I first saw a crop of sunflowers in France I was surprised at how big the flowers are - as large as my head!
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I was so pleased to see these bee hives alongside the lavender. Lavender honey is an important product in any market or produce store in Provence, and is delicious! Sadly I can't take any home to Australia as quarantine regulations strictly forbid bee products entering the country, to protect the local bees.
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July exhibition in Jouques
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Jean-Louis's latest works will be exhibited in the local tourist office during July.
It's great to have this opportunity to get more exposure in the local community, especially as our little gallery is way over at one end of the village - many of the locals don't venture that way. Sad to see bare walls in our atelier-gallery though!
Of course Jean-Louis will be busy creating more works throughout the Summer, as well as being available for any art workshops that are requested. Forth-coming four-day Retreats are scheduled for 7-11 July, then 5-8 August - however you can also request a time that fits with your itinerary. See the details here.
Plus we can customise a one-day workshop any time until the end of September.
We also offer quality accommodation which is included in the Retreat package or available separately. Information sheets and prices will be sent by email once we have received an online request, or why not email us now: info@artelierprovence.com
PLEASE SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER: if you know anyone who's travelling to France or Europe, why not tell them about our accommodation and workshops.
Photo: JL setting-up on Tuesday in the local tourist office.
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Voila - a first look at Jean-Louis's latest painting, completed late last night! It is entitled: 'Chemin d'hiver' (Winter path) - 78cm x 78cm oil-encaustic paint on canvas.
JL's comment: working on a larger canvas allows for greater freedom to work more boldly. With more space to work in, it's possible to exploit one's technical skills: playing around more with transparency and layering, adding impasto-style texture, as well as having space for detail and enhancing the illusion of depth and perspective. Essentially I'm creating form by painting-in light and shadow.
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Continuing on last month's theme of photos from our recent travels Fiona's original images - presents two images from a flying visit to colourful Marseille, early last week.
The first is a boat moored in the Vieux Port, which appealed to my sense of humour - clearly it was laundry day - looks like the whole crew handed over their shirts for washing! The evening light and reflective water softened the days harsh sunlight.
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Marseille is an under-rated travel destination - the museums, cathedrals, architecture old and contemporary, as well as the Vieux Port, are extraordinary! One of our favourite places to visit is 'La Vieille Charité', a former alms-house, now a museum and cultural centre, situated in the old 'Panier' quarter. Its scale and proportions are magnificent!
For more images, see our 'Gallery' page
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Fancy a fun evening of pétanque + aperitif ?
Last month I told you about our new 'Experience' on AirBnB : Discover how to play pètanque, and that we've been playing this French ball game for many years and teaching it to our visitors - hence we decided to offer it as yet another terrific Frenchy thing to do for people visiting the area. I'm pleased to report that it is proving to be very popular indeed with five sessions played during June and two already booked for July!
We've spent some fun evenings with Brits, Americans, Russians, French and Germans, both adults and teenagers! We can't think of a better way to share a bit of quintessentially French culture, with a little Rosé and nibbles to enjoy between games.
We gift this as part of the package to anyone who participates in our four-day Retreat, as well as to guests who simply stay for one week in our accommodation. Follow the yellow link to check-out the 'Experience' on AirBnB and please help us to spread the word.
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