Painting in Provence with OPA Signature artists : Nancy Franke or Bill Davidson
What could be more fun than going to Provence with a group of artistically minded friends, staying in gorgeous surroundings overlooking the Luberon valley, and painting the countryside with expert direction from accomplished artists and acclaimed teachers, Nancy Franke and Bill Davidson? We can't think of anything!
We are excited to offer two painting trips in 2012: One with Bill Davidson from May 13th to 19th, 2012 and one with Nancy Franke, from September 16th to 22nd. These trips are geared to the amateur artist who has had some experience using and mixing paints. Although painting is the focus, each day is filled with other activities, including going to markets, shopping, antiquing, visiting museums and galleries, day-tripping to the Mediterranean, dining on fine food and wine, and enjoying dozens of scenic sites.Painting is woven throughout the day, and Nancy and Bill are excellent, mationally renowned instructors who will spend individual time with each participant.
2012 Trip Dates with Bill Davidson: - Sunday, May 13th to Saturday, May 19th, 2012 - Waiting list only
2012 Trip Dates with Nancy Franke: - Sunday, September 16 to Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 2 spaces available (must room together)
If you are interested in one of the trips, please call us as they are filling up fast. To secure a reservation, we will take a $1,000 non-refundable deposit, payable by credit card or check.
Nancy Franke, "En Plein Air"
Artist Bill Davidson
A Week in Provence with Artists:
Nancy Franke or Bill Davidson
Here is the itinerary for the the week of painting en plein air in Provence with our tremendously talented and energetic professional artists, Nancy Franke or Bill Davidson. Participants must bring their own portable easels and paints, and will arrange for their own transportation to Avignon, France. All meals and transportation from Avignon to the surrounding areas will be provided for the week, including lunches in fine restaurants and dinners served at home. The group will be housed at Les Murets, a beautiful stone villa, located in the heights of Gordes, France, in the heart of Provence, overlooking the Luberon Valley. Prices are for double occupancy in a spacious room with private bath or shower. Maximum number of participants: 7 individuals or four couples. Schedule for the week: Sunday: You should plan to arrive at the Avignon TGVtrain station mid-afternoon on Sunday. Our driver will pick you up and bring you back to the house, where you’ll spend the rest of the day settling in and acclimating yourselves to the house and environment. Nancy will lead a “warm up” session in the early evening.Optional trip to a vineyard for a little pre-dinner aperitif. Dinner will be served at home, on the terrace. Monday: This will be a mostly painting day, starting with some plein air studies around the property in the morning. After a lunch served at home, we will set up easels at the foot of Gordes, one of the most picturesque villages in the area. On the way home from Gordes we will stop off at the inimitable shop of Edith Mezard, and make a quick stop at a chocolate factory. Dinner will be served at home or perhaps at a restaurant nearby. Tuesday: The energetic and adventurous will get up early and hike to the nearby town of Gordes. Others will stay at the house and be driven to Gordes in the morning for the lively and colorful market. Lunch will be in the picturesque village of Oppede le Vieux, at a charming little outdoor restaurant. You will set up your easels across the street from the café and paint there in the afternoon. On the way home, we will visit the charming village of Menerbes, the home of many artists including Picasso's mistress Dora Maar, who lived in the village from 1936 to 1945. Dinner will be served at home, on the terrace of Les Murets. Wednesday: You will mostly rest your painting arms today as we head to the town of St. Remy, a charming town in the Alpilles area known for its bustling and colorful market. Following a delicious lunch at the Bistrot du Paradou, and after a brief photo op overlooking the dramatic valley of Les Baux, we will visit the sanatorium where Van Gogh lived for a year, and see the amazing countryside that inspired him. On the way home, we'll stop off at an olive oil mill and possibly a winery that specializes in organic wines. Dinner will be served at home on the terrace and you’ll have a chance to do an optional painting session from the terrace, in the early evening. Thursday: We’ll get up early with paints and easels and head to the Mediterranean, visiting the charming and ever so picturesque village of Cassis. Our morning will be spent walking around the village, possibly taking a brief but beautiful boat ride on the Mediterranean, and having lunch in the port. In the afternoon, we’ll set up easels overlooking the dramatic “Calanques” on the outskirts of town. Dinner will be served at home in the evening. Friday: In the morning, we will head to the charming village of Lourmarin, for the market, with an optional visit to the castle and a delicious lunch at the Ferme de la Cour. In the afternoon, we will set up easels in the town of Lacoste, where the Marquis de Sade once lived (in what is now the castle of Pierre Cardin) and we’ll rub shoulders with other artists, from the Savannah College of Art & Design, whose French program is located in this village. There is no shortage of subject matter in this charming little medieval town filled with cobblestoned streets, ancient doorways and overflowing flower pots. Our final dinner that evening will be a festive one at home. Saturday: At 8 a.m., you will be driven to the Avignon TGV station for the train to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris by TGV (for those going to the airport) or the train to Paris’ Gare de Lyon, for those wanting to spend some time in Paris.We are happy to recommend hotels or lodging in Paris and to spend some time with you going over your itinerary for Paris, as we are extremely familiar with the city.
Le Petit Bistrot in Oppede, lunch on Tuesday
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Trip Costs:
The Painting in Provence trip costs $3,900 per person for double occupancy. There will be a $500 surcharge for a private room. Costs include all regional transporation in a private van, all meals and wine, including lunches in restaurants and dinners served at the villa, all activities including museum entrances and boat rides, and all gratuities. Reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis on with a non-refundable deposit of $1,000. The remainder of the payment is due 8 weeks prior to the trip, and will be non-refundable after that date. Reservations are not considered confirmed until we have received the deposit. We accept major credit cards and checks. Maximum number of participants is seven.
Note: This form is for interest only. It is not a reservation and does not guarantee or commit you to a place on the trip. Reservations are confirmed after the non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is made. To see Nancy Franke's paintings, please click here. To view Bill Davidson's work, please click here. If you have any specific questions about the trips, please feel free to call or email us at the gallery. Or you may have your questions answered by our general trip FAQ's, here.
