A trip of a lifetime!

I always believe that when something is meant to be, things fall into place almost effortlessly. That’s also my reminder to forge forward with confidence through the messy middle.

When Harrison, the owner of Perigord Retreats, reached out to me in January of 2022, an entire year-and-a-half ago and asked me if I’d like to teach art in the south of France, I quickly said YES! And it seemed so far off in the future.

To do this was completely out of my comfort zone, but also on my lifetime wish list…to travel to another country to teach art. Yes, it sounded dreamy, but before it could happen I needed to fill the class with students, nefigure out how I wanted to structure the learning, research how to get supplies there so students didn’t need to travel with oil painting supplies if they didn’t want to, plan flights and train transportation…all of the logistics of how it would work.

But, as luck would have it, in what seemed like no time at all, a year and a half had passed and I was on the flight to meet up with my dear friends…some lifetime friends, new friends, acquaintances, online friends and some who I didn’t know at all. I am blessed that Michele, Jackie, Mary, Lisa, Micheal, Barb, Madelyn, Nancy & Sheila all chose to join me on this adventure of a lifetime. How lucky am I!?!

Perigord Retreats is situated on a picturesque property in Gourdon, France, a six hour train ride from Paris. There are two houses with nine bedrooms, a great studio space with doors that open up to the outside, a swimming pool, and a field filled with lavender, which was perfect timing for us!

We did day trips to Chateau des Milandes, we toured the Grottes du Cougnac and saw cave paintings, we went to a French flea market, visited the town of Gordon and their summer street faire. We plain air painted in Collogne la Rouge and Domme which has the most amazing views! We visited La Rouge Gageac, went canoeing down the Dordogne River and as we the beautiful towns from a different perspective. We shopped and had lunch in Sarlat and painting nearly every afternoon in the studio from all of the inspiration we gathered along the way that would remind us of our trip for years to come.

One day, Madelyn bought a huge box of vintage French newspapers which we believe were an ongoing story that was published bi-weekly for many years. Since we had this fun resource we decided to use the newsprint as the backdrop of a macaroon painting. I loved the collaboration of this project and painting the macaroons wasn’t easy, but all of the paintings turned out great!

Each of my “students” did an amazing job painting, I loved seeing how everyone’s pieces were different and unique but shared the same experience so they all looks fabulous together.

And did I mention our fabulous hosts, Harrison, Kate and their baby Sebastian? Plus their staff Gregory and Paola who made our experience even better! We ate amazing food, and even had a seven course dinner on the last night with wine pairings fore each course. I thought for sure I’d gain at least ten pounds but somehow, miraculously, I didn’t!

I couldn’t be more grateful for this wonderful experience with a great group of artists I can now call dear friends. It’s a memory I am sure we will all cherish. Thank you to everyone who joined me, thank you to our gracious hosts, and thank you to me, for saying YES!

Faites attention à ce que vous souhaitez, cela pourrait bien se réaliser !

(Be careful what you wish for, it may just come true!)