Born in Kiel, Germany, a meandering path led Miriam Hartmann to her artist’s atelier in the village of Ménerbes. Why Provence? Over 15 years ago, Miriam Hartmann stood on the terrace of a modest studio in the Provencal village of Maubec. Gazing at Mont Ventoux, she had an overwhelming feeling …

Finding a way forward while staying in place Dear Friends, During this pandemic, I find myself in my art studio sanctuary. I am using this time to reflect on my wanderlust and travels while revisiting my photo collection of times past. For now, I am enjoying Provence (virtually), reflecting on …

Art and Travel I have always looked at my travels and lifetime of memories as the basis for artistic expression. Travel is similar to the process of creating a work of art with layers of imagery and experiences. My travel excursions have inspired me to create a new life or …

Art Lover’s Tour During my fall 2019 art tour “Provence From an Artist’s Point of View,” I discovered a gem, Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, which is an old village with colourful Provençal houses and medieval history. Clay has shaped the history of Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie since the middle ages. Come and join me this spring …

Father of Optical Art Victor Vasarely (1906 -1997) was a Hungarian-born artist and designer who spent much time working in Provence. His work encompassed architecture, publicity posters, fashion and even car design, as well as his signature op-art. Why not visit the Fondation Vasarely on the hillside overlooking Aix, beside …

Creative Retreat to Provence Tessa Baker of Painting Provence with Tess invited me to join her painting group for dinner on their last night together. The retreat location in the Vaucluse, a restored farmhouse with a driveway lined with cypress trees, offered the group the benefits of privacy, quiet and …

It was 2015 when an opportunity dangled in front of Jill Douglas’s painting easel in Los Angeles. Could she help out for a few months at Atelier Fourwinds, an artist’s retreat, in the Alpilles village of Aureille? Born in England, life took Jill to France and then to Southern California …

Showcasing Alpilles Craftsmanship It could only be serendipity that Le Savoir Faire des Alpilles, a boutique showcasing the designs of local artisans, is across the street from the administrative offices of the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles. Both groups actively promote the beauty, traditions and natural environment of the small …

By Aixcentric: Biot Museum Have you visited the Musée Fernand Léger at Biot? It’s the only museum in the world dedicated to this major 20th-century artist who lived and worked in the town. It is also one of the few Musées Nationales de France dedicated to a single artist. Purpose-built and …

Discover Arles Arles is an excellent example of the adaptation of an ancient city to medieval European civilization. It has some impressive Roman monuments dating back to the 1st century BC. These include the arena, the Roman theatre and the cryptoporticus (subterranean galleries). During the 4th century, Arles experienced a …