PROVENCE
September 15-21, 2024
We are thrilled to offer this gorgeous retreat in Provence in partnership with Boulder artist and teacher, Amy Clay!
Join us for a very special Bohemia Art Adventure in one of the most beautiful hill towns in Provence. Our trip will be an exploration of a corner of Provence that is bursting with flaming color, lingering scents, and light that seeps into your soul. Vineyards, olive groves, orchards, lavender fields...Provence is a feast for the senses!
Our beautiful Villa is the old haunt of Hollywood stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Leonard Cohen. Roussillon is famous for its astonishing deposit of ochre pigments, with magnificent hilltop views of Mont Ventoux, Mont Blanc, the Luberon Valley and Gordes. Relax with coffee or a glass of rosé by the pool, paint with Amy in a sun-dappled studio during workshop time, join excursions in the region: a bustling flea market, the quintessential town of St-Rémy de Provence, an ancient ochre factory in our little town of Roussillon. In the evenings, cocktails, delicious Provencal meals prepared by a professional chef.
Images by Amy Clay
AN ARTFUL PILGRIMAGE TO PROVENCE
A transformational mixed media painting
workshop with Amy Guion Clay
Discover the transformational experience of creating in the magical land of Provence! Many of history’s greatest artists (Van Gogh, Gaugain, Cezanne) created some of their best paintings in this beautiful region, often inspired by the quality of Mediterranean light.
In this workshop, find your authentic voice through the exploration of paint and mixed media, and allow your inner compass to guide you toward your truest expression, where all things are possible. Enjoy perusing the charming villages of Roussillon, St. Remy and Ile-sur-laSorgue where we will collect visuals for our paintings.
All levels are welcome. You do not need to have any experience in painting, as Amy will guide you through the many options of self expression. Using water based paints, collage, photography/photo transfer and various mark making tools, each painting will be a unique expression of the artist/maker.
ABOUT AMY CLAY, OUR GUEST ARTIST AND TEACHER
Amy’s mixed media paintings are an expression of what she defines as the mythical journey. She sees her paintings as maps of places that do and do not exist. Each artwork is a journey of exploration and discovery, a visual representation of her inner world and imagination. She is also informed by the effect of PLACE, varied environments that inspire new palettes, imagery and working materials. She considers all of her artworks as travelogues, evidence of the creative journey, wherever it may take her.
During this workshop Amy will provide generous instruction on color/mixing, mark making with different brushes/drawing tools, collaging with local foraged materials, incorporating photo transfer into your paintings, and other techniques.
And most importantly, Amy creates a safe environment for each student to have the curiosity and courage to play and explore possibilities. She believes we are all storytellers and have a unique visual story to express and share.
Roussillon Ochre Factory
Road to St. Remy
by Amy Clay
YOU WILL ENJOY:
Six nights and six days at a beautiful villa in Roussillon, in a private bedroom, in the heart of the beautiful Vaucluse region of Provence.
Five days of art workshop time with Amy Clay. Intensive workshop time each day, structured teaching on color, technique, photo transfer, composition and plenty of personal encouragement and practical input,
Tour of the Ecomuseum of Ochre in Roussillon. The Mathieu factory is a former ocher production plant which produced around 1000 tons of ocher per year between 1921 and 1963. Abandoned for many years, it has been a museum/workshop space since 1994. Washing systems, the kiln and mills have been restored to show the different stages of ore processing, from extraction to shipping. This technical history of ocher is placed in its local and international economic and cultural context so that everyone can grasp the importance of this unalterable natural material.The shop is an artist's dream: ochres, pigments, natural earths, dye plants, dyes, binders, tools, rare materials, practical works and beautiful books.
Wander the steep and narrow cobblestoned streets, shops, cafés and markets of Roussillon. "Our" pretty hill town is just a kilometer away.
An afternoon at the amazing Ile-sur-la-Sorgue flea market. This is a beautiful market town on the Sorgue River which has been an antiques and brocantes mecca for decades. The river meanders through the town and on Sundays is lined with flea market stalls. As well as pop-up brocantes up and down the streets in the areas which aren’t hosting the traditional market stalls, there are countless shops and back alleys filled with antique shops and vintage stores.
A day in St. Rémy de Provence, a beautiful town full of winding streets, fantastic shopping, Saint Paul De Mausole Monestery where Van Gogh stayed and painted,
Wine tasting at a local vineyard. The name of the “Vaucluse” region comes from the medieval Latin “Vallis Clausa” (closed valley). Wines here are typically made from blends of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Carignan, provide a rich, round, and sometimes lightly spiced reds and whites, and pale, delicate salmon-colored rosés.
Free time to enjoy your home for the week - paint in the studio outside of class time, relax by the pool, nap, walk to town!
Provençal light seeps into your soul, making you part of it whilst
you are there, creating an indelible memory when you are not.
(Shutters & Sunflowers)
Gallery
St. Remy de Provence - St. Paul Asylum (Van Gogh) the market, and one of Cindy's favorite shops where you can buy the most beautiful Provencal dresses!
ST. REMY DE PROVENCE
ROUSSILLON
ILE-SUR-LA SORGUE
A flea market paradise
THE VILLA
Surrounded by 7 hectares of fragrant vineyards and
fruit trees, quiet and private yet 1 km from the village.
Private bedrooms with bathrooms, plenty of indoor and outdoor space to relax, large pool, eco-friendly.
OH, and the FOOD!
Provençal specialties prepared by a local chef. Daily continental breakfast and coffee,
market fresh lunches, "l'heure de l’apéro" every evening and amazing dinners nightly!
Your hosts with the most.
Abby Sivy and Cindy Parker: partners in Bohemia, a community art studio in Boulder, Colorado. We have been empowering people creatively and leading creative retreats all over the world for more than six years. We love bringing art to people, and people to art!
The "Bohemia Queens" went above and beyond with the details, thoughtful touches, and hospitality. I love to travel but if for some reason, I could never travel again, I'd be content after this adventure. Cindy and Abby, thank you so much for some of the most memorable days I will cherish forever!! ~ Sara
Amy Guion Clay is a mixed media artist/traveler based in Colorado. She earned her BFA from Syracuse University and University of East London. She has been painting and exhibiting internationally for over 25 years in such places at London, Berlin, and India. She also has been an artist in residence around the world, including Iceland, Spain, France and Turkey. Her next residency in 2024 will be in the remote Shetland Isles.
"One of the very best art workshops I've EVER taken! Amy is a most generous and authentic teacher. She is fearless and gave lots of helpful hints on how to be brave and daring in our own artwork. She was generous, sympathetic and encouraging to all throughout the workshop, and I came away truly feeling transformed in how I will now approach my own mixed media work. Thanks so much, Amy.” Paula Hagar
“Amy’s teachings are a wonderful mix of inspiration, guidance, and support to find our own way. Starting with meditative moments to find our inner quiet, we begin painting with a sense of freedom and abandon which Amy calls “following the subtle beckoning.” We continue in this wild dance, experimenting and playing, listening and refining, until we come to a sense of completion. Amy opened the doors to my own Creativity in a vital and important way for which I am deeply and eternally grateful.” Lynne Foote
The details
The retreat cost is $4475 per person, single occupancy, $3975 per person double occupancy.
All meals, snacks and beverages at the retreat property are included, as well as entry fees and transportation
by car to all of our excursion sites.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT FEE: Airfare, transportation to and from the villa in Roussillon, insurance [medical or travel], one lunch and one dinner out. Travel insurance is required for this retreat, and must include cancellation coverage.
When the trip roster is complete, we hold a video party to meet each other and answer all your questions. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND arriving in Provence a few days early to let yourself acclimate to jet lag.
A non-refundable $500 deposit by check or Venmo is required when you register; the balance is due June 1, 2024. There are no refunds after the balance has been paid, unless the trip is cancelled by us in which case you will receive a full refund, including deposit.
Please email us to sign up for this trip. SPACE IS LIMITED TO 7 single rooms unless you sign up with a roomate. We are happy to help with any questions by email or phone. Spots are on a first-come first served basis, and will be reserved upon receipt of your deposit.
