Creative Inspiration in Provence: Visit an Artist’s Studio in the Alpilles

Meeting Ashley Tinker was a chance encounter. I had nine girlfriends visit Provence from Calgary, Alberta — yes, nine! It was crazy and fun. Ashley and her now husband, Robin, were caretakers at the rental. At that time, Ashley, a creative person, had just launched her blog “Curious Provence.” We try to visit her studio annually to see her evolving art, and ask her some questions to learn more about her studio in Provence. Please keep reading this article to learn more about Ashley’s art and how to organize a studio visit.

©CuriousProvence

Who is Ashley Tinker?

Ashley Tinker was born and raised in Montréal, Canada. She has always been drawn to Europe’s history, way of life, and beauty. Her feelings for Europe were reaffirmed while studying art in Florence, Italy. Ashley says that stone buildings, colourful shutters, and terra cotta tile rooftops fill her dreams and now her days.

Ashley moved to Provence in 2014 with her partner, Robin (who also shares her Francophile passions). They are in search of the French joie de vivre, which they find at every turn in the local markets and in the natural beauty of Provence. This couple is indulging in local olives and wine as the Provencal sunshine transforms craggy rocks into things of beauty. For additional information, please read Ashley’s artist’s statement.

Where is your studio located?

My studio, or atelier, is in the tiny village of Mollégès. Our town is ideal. Although it’s small, it has a butcher, a cheese shop, a wine shop, two cafés, and now three bakeries. It’s also 10 minutes from Saint Rémy de Provence. It combines the best of both worlds: we can walk to the end of our lane to buy a fresh baguette while surrounded by beautiful countryside.

©CuriousProvence

Can you describe your studio and why it’s a creative space for you?

After a successful renovation project in Maussane-les-Alpilles, we decided to invest in a life project. In 2019, we bought a farmhouse that had two separate barns. The barns are older than the main house; the oldest documents we have are from the 1770s. We first attacked the barn opposite the house, and after actual blood, sweat and tears, we turned it into a 2-bedroom rental – La Picholine.

My husband, Robin, is doing everything himself, so it’s a slow process. My studio is the second barn. Unlike our rental, which was a horse barn, this building was used for a variety of farming activities. It housed animals, was used for storing quite a bit of hunting equipment (we still have all the bird cages), there were wine vats in the floor for winemaking, hay storage, and places to hang meat for curing. It’s still in a somewhat rustic state (there are still clumps of horsehair on the stone walls), but after installing windows, doors, the first layer of flooring and a roof, it’s now a fantastic space to work in and receive collectors. The studio is west-facing, so the afternoon light that bathes it is just magical. We kept a lot of the old tools from the barn; they’re hanging from nails scattered around the walls. It’s a large space, so I’ve been able to scale up my paintings accordingly.

©CuriousProvence

Could you share your journey as an artist?

I came to painting in a kind of roundabout way. My first love was black-and-white film photography. The subjects that first inspired me artistically were completely different—portraits, nudes, interior unseen spaces, and uncanny food juxtapositions.

Then, everything changed when I spent a year studying art in Florence. The colours and landscapes, in my opinion, could not be rendered true with a camera. A painting or drawing can aim to evoke the same feeling of standing before a moving landscape.

After that year, I returned to Montréal and fell back into black-and-white film photography. Painting was always on my mind. After moving to Europe permanently and living in Provence for several years, I finally found the courage to pick up a brush again. COVID gave me the time to develop my painting. I haven’t looked back since.

What inspires your art, and how do you choose the themes for your pieces?

These days, nature is my muse. I am lucky to live between 2 regional parks in Provence, the Luberon and the Alpilles. I can go months without seeing anything industrial. As someone so attuned to visuals, this is bliss. Part of my process is going on long walks in the Alpilles and finding landscapes that inspire me. These usually involve wildflower fields or fruit blossoms in the spring, and olive trees against limestone mountains year-round. I am childlike when exploring nature. It rejuvenates me. I often find myself exclaiming “wow” out loud. My enthusiasm for the things I love does not waver.

Could you describe a typical day in your studio?

There is no typical day in the studio! As it’s an old stone building, it can be cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Therefore, because it can take a while to heat or cool, I tend to work long hours to take advantage of the climate control. I usually paint or draw in the afternoon, when the light is best. Often, I go into the studio late morning, clean some brushes, mix some paint, and sit and think. I don’t outline a composition before I paint on the canvas. Instead, I sit, look, and think. It may look like I’m not doing anything from the outside, but decisions are being made.

What materials and techniques do you use most frequently in your artwork?

I use oil paint on linen canvases that I have custom-made with a thick natural linen fibre. My style is impasto, loose figurative landscapes inspired by impressionism and Fauvism. However, I also draw more detailed botanicals or abstract landscapes with ink and ochre quarried here in Provence.

Are there specific artists or art movements that have influenced your work?

It’s impossible to be a painter in the Alpilles and not be inspired by Van Gogh. I know many artists in this region who draw great inspiration not only from his work but also from his letters to his brother Theo. I can stand in the same places he painted, and sometimes do, and can see what he saw. His colours may feel surreal at times, but they are true to Provence. His inspiration on my work is quite evident. In addition to Van Gogh, I’m inspired by Monet, Matisse, Andreas Eriksson and Anselm Kiefer, among many others.

Can you describe a typical studio visit?

It’s often the case that I receive a message from someone interested in my work, and they drop by the studio. It can be a couple travelling through the area, or a group. I’m lucky that my studio is large enough to accommodate several people at once, but I think 12 is the limit, so I can talk to everyone and answer their questions. For groups, I can provide a glass of wine or coffee, even a picnic if they’re interested. The amount of time people spend in the atelier varies significantly depending on how interested they are in my work and whether they’d like to purchase artwork.

©CuriousProvence

Can visitors purchase the artwork directly from your studio?

Visitors can purchase directly from the studio, and this is often preferable. It’s wonderful to meet the people who acquire my work. For this reason, I am sharing less of my work online. I also receive a lot of commission work, so this takes up a large part of my time.

In addition, I do have specific sales exhibitions, which could be online or in person. I have one coming up this June at a local vineyard.

Here are some of the current paintings that are for sale.

Do you also offer private visits by reservation?

Yes! I often open the atelier for private visits. I can be contacted via email at curiousprovence@gmail.com or on Instagram (@curiousprovence).

Practical Details for Your Visit

Do I need to book in advance? Yes, please. It is a private residence, my creative space, and where we have guests in our 2-bedroom rental, La Picholone.

Is the studio accessible by car? Yes, the studio is in the centre of Mollégès.

Can we access the studio if we have mobility challenges? The studio is on one level; however, there is a small stair to enter the space.

Visitor’s Guide to the Alpilles Villages

From Nice: Chateau de Cremat and Chateau Ste Roseline Wine Tour

Venture into the scenic vineyards of Nice on a delightful 6.5-hour tour that showcases the art of winemaking and culinary delights. Start at the stunning Château de Cremat, nestled in the hills, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour and sample exquisite wines. Next, visit the historic Château Sainte-Roseline, where you can explore its beautiful estate and taste renowned crus.

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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).