Ashley Tinker’s Stunning Painting Exhibition Brings Sunflowers to Life in the Alpilles

Are you passionate about wine and art? Ashley Tinker, known as @curiousprovence on Instagram, presents her latest exhibition at Domaine de la Vallongue. Her canvases are displayed on the walls of the boutique at this picturesque vineyard in the Alpilles until August 31. Visit Domaine de la Vallongue to sample wines, purchase olive oil from the property’s mill, and explore Ashley’s newest collection of 10 stunning sunflower paintings.

Inspiration and Style

Ashley finds her muse in the sun-drenched olive groves of the Alpilles Regional Park. Her impressionistic technique, with its bold textures and lively brushstrokes, distills the spirit of Provence onto canvas. By delving into her creative process, you can more deeply appreciate how she transforms the region’s beauty into art that feels alive.

Ashley’s creative process unfolds in oil alla prima, painting each piece in a single, inspired session. She often spends time contemplating the blank canvas, letting ideas simmer before the first stroke. Her impasto technique builds up thick, textured layers, giving her paintings a sculptural, almost touchable quality.

“I like my work to be closer to drawing rather than painting; I feel it’s more interesting to see the humanity in the brushstrokes, decisions, mistakes and gestures. I feel this energetic way of painting with tactile textures best evokes the limestone and gnarled bark of olives, in essence, the rugged landscapes of Provence.”

Photo credit ©CuriousProvence

Attracted to Sunflowers

Ashley’s latest exhibition, “Sunflower Portraits,” shines a spotlight on the sunflower, or tournesol—French for ‘turn to the sun.’ Young sunflowers follow the sun’s path, but as they mature, their golden faces fix eastward, standing tall and still. Their fleeting life cycle fascinates Ashley, who weaves these rhythms of nature into her art, creating a vivid dialogue between the sunflower’s journey and her own creative vision.

“Van Gogh claimed that sunflowers were ‘his’. It’s easy to see his influence on my work. I’ve decided that 2026 is the year of the sunflower for me, an homage to Van Gogh, and an homage to Provence.”

Sunflowers now blanket fields across Europe, producing 60% of the world’s supply, yet their roots stretch back to the Americas. First domesticated in ancient Mexico around 2600 BC, these radiant blooms travelled to Europe via Spain in the 16th century, carrying a story of migration and transformation.

“All flowers are symbols of our transient nature, but sunflowers showcase a contrasted vitality and decay that cannot be ignored.”

Photo credit ©Curious Provence

Ashley the Artist

Ashley’s creative roots run deep. She first explored the world through the lens of Holga and Hasselblad cameras, capturing striking black-and-white images in a square format—a style that echoes in her Instagram gallery. Her path led from photography to painting. Ashley studied in Florence and Montreal, and she continues to seek inspiration on artistic retreats in Italy.

On the heels of a village home restoration in Maussane-les-Alpilles, Ashley and her husband Robin began reviving a centuries-old farmhouse in Mollégès. Robin transformed the first barn into a charming two-bedroom holiday rental, largely with his own hands. The second barn became Ashley’s sunlit art studio. Here, just minutes from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, she now invites collectors to experience her creative world firsthand.

Photo credit ©CuriousProvence

Exhibition Details

Exhibition dates: May 18 to August 31
Vernissage June 18 at 18h

Domaine de la Vallongue
Route de Mouriès
13810 Eygalières
Telephone +33 (0)4 90 95 91 70
Open daily in high season 10h – 13 h and 14h – 19h

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).