
The Artist and His Objects: Matisse in His Studio
I’ve just been to a wonderful exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. It was called Matisse in the Studio, and it shows how the objects that Matisse surrounded himself with appeared in his art. Henri Matisse was a collector: He had an array of vases, chairs, carpets, furniture, …
I’ve just been to a wonderful exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. It was called Matisse in the Studio, and it shows how the objects that Matisse surrounded himself with appeared in his art. Henri Matisse was a collector: He had an array of vases, chairs, carpets, furniture, …

Who was Artist Nicolas de Staël and his Connection to Le Castellet in Ménerbes
One trail always leads to another…and so my discovery that the cookery writer Elizabeth David lived for some months in a large house in Ménerbes far more associated with another famous name from the 1950s inevitably made me want out find out more about the artist Nicolas de Staël. Who …
One trail always leads to another…and so my discovery that the cookery writer Elizabeth David lived for some months in a large house in Ménerbes far more associated with another famous name from the 1950s inevitably made me want out find out more about the artist Nicolas de Staël. Who …

Annie Liebovitz in Arles at Parc des Ateliers
Aixcentric is a bit in ‘catch-up mode’ having spent the summer in cooler climes. But on my return, I was very keen to see the work of Annie Liebovitz in Arles (on until September 24th). Firstly to see the exhibition of the early work of this important American photographerbut also …
Aixcentric is a bit in ‘catch-up mode’ having spent the summer in cooler climes. But on my return, I was very keen to see the work of Annie Liebovitz in Arles (on until September 24th). Firstly to see the exhibition of the early work of this important American photographerbut also …

Ateliers Fourwinds Breathing New Artistic Energy in Aureille
At first glance, one might think nothing much has changed at Ateliers Fourwinds since my last visit four years ago. Which, is exactly what the new partners want for this artistic workshop (atelier) space with its natural vistas of the Alpilles. Their desire was to breathe new artistic energy into this …
At first glance, one might think nothing much has changed at Ateliers Fourwinds since my last visit four years ago. Which, is exactly what the new partners want for this artistic workshop (atelier) space with its natural vistas of the Alpilles. Their desire was to breathe new artistic energy into this …

Oh La La! Visit San Quentin la Poterie and its Pottery
Imagine a little village in the south of France where the main industries are farming and pottery. Can you think of a place that is more “down to earth?” (Pun intended!) Friday is market day in San Quentin la Poterie. It’s only a few miles down the road from Uzes …
Imagine a little village in the south of France where the main industries are farming and pottery. Can you think of a place that is more “down to earth?” (Pun intended!) Friday is market day in San Quentin la Poterie. It’s only a few miles down the road from Uzes …

Provence Painting Sessions Capturing the Scenes on Canvas
As a painter in the South of France, you rarely feel alone. There are reminders everywhere of those who have gone before – of Cézanne in the countryside around Aix and of Gauguin and Van Gogh in Arles and Saint-Rémy. But not all these impressions are specific to a place. …
As a painter in the South of France, you rarely feel alone. There are reminders everywhere of those who have gone before – of Cézanne in the countryside around Aix and of Gauguin and Van Gogh in Arles and Saint-Rémy. But not all these impressions are specific to a place. …

Take Home a Piece of France? Think “Packable Art”
One of the first artist friends I made after moving to Uzes was Andy Newman, an American with deep roots in France. Andy had read my blog and emailed to tell me about himself, that he and his partner had a home near here, and that he had painted many …
One of the first artist friends I made after moving to Uzes was Andy Newman, an American with deep roots in France. Andy had read my blog and emailed to tell me about himself, that he and his partner had a home near here, and that he had painted many …

Poetry in Painting: Joseph Inguimberty at Musée Regards de Provence
Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: He is not an artist I had ever heard of, but I came away impressed by this discovery courtesy of the Musée Regards de Provence. Joseph Inguimberty was born in Marseille back in 1896. Here, one of his early works captured the scenes in the …
Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: He is not an artist I had ever heard of, but I came away impressed by this discovery courtesy of the Musée Regards de Provence. Joseph Inguimberty was born in Marseille back in 1896. Here, one of his early works captured the scenes in the …

Nice is Nice but Marc Chagall Makes It Nicer
To say the Côte d’Azur city of Nice is all about fancy beach clubs, great French and Italian food and the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean, you’d be right. It’s all that… … and more. Nice was the home of artist Marc Chagall during the last part of his …
To say the Côte d’Azur city of Nice is all about fancy beach clubs, great French and Italian food and the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean, you’d be right. It’s all that… … and more. Nice was the home of artist Marc Chagall during the last part of his …

Take a look at the New Pierre Bonnard Exhibition in Le Cannet
The Musée Bonnard over in Le Cannet (just north of Cannes) is the only museum in the world dedicated to Pierre Bonnard. Visiting his paintings lets you see the world through his eyes, a celebration of joyful colour from the yellow mimosa in his beloved garden down to the sparkling …
The Musée Bonnard over in Le Cannet (just north of Cannes) is the only museum in the world dedicated to Pierre Bonnard. Visiting his paintings lets you see the world through his eyes, a celebration of joyful colour from the yellow mimosa in his beloved garden down to the sparkling …