AN ARTFUL PILGRIMAGE TO PROVENCE - september 15-21, 2024

a transformational mixed media painting retreat with Amy Guion Clay.

*THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL, BUT EMAIL ME TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST

Discover the transformational experience of creating in the magical land of Provence! Many of history’s greatest artists (VanGogh, Gaugain, Cezanne etc) painted masterpieces in this beautiful region, inspired and motivated by the beauty of the villages and the quality of Mediterranean light.

Where in Provence is the retreat?
Our home for the week will be on the edge of the picturesque village of Roussillon, which is considered one of the most beautiful villages in all of France, famous for its astonishing deposits of red and yellow ochre pigments. It boasts magnificent hilltop views of Mont Ventoux, Mont Blanc, the Luberon Valley and Gordes and the sprawling vineyards, lavender fields and olive groves. Our villa is a short walk to this lovely village in a peaceful and beautiful 7 hectare garden.

What will we do during the retreat?
We will fully immerse ourselves in this rich environment, learning to see with fresh eyes the magical world around us. From this place we will explore our authentic expression through paint, collage and found materials collected after excursions to an ancient ochre factory in Roussillon, perusing the charming flea market of Il Sur La Sorgue, and exploring the quintessential town of St-Rémy de Provence where we will enjoy a fabulous dinner as we watch the sunset over the Provencal landscape.

During the workshop, we will paint in a sun-dappled studio where Amy will provide generous instruction on color/mixing, mark making with different brushes/drawing tools, collaging with local materials, incorporating photo transfer into your paintings, and other mixed media techniques. She works individually with each student to help them find their unique way with the materials.

Most importantly, Amy creates a safe environment for each student to have the curiosity and courage to play and explore possibilities and to bring home a rich visual story of the experience. This is a time for joyful expression and exploration, outside of judgement and expectations.

Of course there will be plenty of time to relax with coffee or a glass of rosé by the pool, take morning or evening walks in the surrounding area, enjoy some downtime in the beautiful gardens. Our own professional chef will prepare delicious Provencal meals in our kitchen, and dinner will be served in our dining room or al fresco in the garden, accompanied with excellent regional wine.

Your other hosts with the most!

I have joined with Abby Sivy and Cindy Parker: partners in Bohemia, a community art studio in Boulder, Colorado, who will be taking great care of us and all the retreat details, meals, excursions etc during our time in Provence. They have been empowering people creatively and leading creative retreats all over the world for more than six years, including several previous retreats in France. It helps that Cindy speaks French fluently! They love bringing art to people, and people to art! For any registration or retreat questions, click the button below to go to their website to register directly.

“The "Bohemia Queens" went above and beyond with the details, thoughtful touches, and hospitality. I love to travel but if for some reason, I could never travel again, I'd be content after this adventure. Cindy and Abby, thank you so much for some of the most memorable days I will cherish forever!! “~ Sara

Who is it for?
All levels are welcome. You do not need to have any experience in painting, as Amy will guide you through the many options of self expression. Using water based paints, collage, photography/photo transfer and various mark making tools, each painting will be a unique expression of the artist/maker. She will go over all of the materials and other things to bring, well in advance of the workshop, and you will have the opportunity to ask her any questions you might have.

The retreat cost is $3975 per person double occupancy, $4475 single occupancy.

What’s included in the retreat costs:

• 6 nights and 6 days accommodation in our private villa La Madone, just outside of Roussillon.

• All meals at the Villa - breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner prepared by our private chef (except one dinner and one lunch out)

• All transportation during the workshop.

• 4-5 days of art workshop instruction with Amy Clay

• Tour of the Ecomuseum of Ochre in Roussillon.

• An afternoon at the amazing Ile-Sur-la-Sorgue flea market - full of all sorts of local treasures.

• An afternoon/evening in St. Rémy de Provence, a beautiful town full of winding cobbled streets, fantastic shopping, Saint Paul De Mausole Monestery where Van Gogh stayed and painted.

• Wine tasting at a local vineyard in this “Vaucluse” region.

A non-refundable $500 deposit by check or Venmo is required when you register; the balance is due June 1, 2024. There are no refunds after the balance has been paid, unless the trip is cancelled by us in which case you will receive a full refund, including deposit.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT FEE:

• Airfare and transportation to and from the villa in Roussillon.

• Art materials - prior to the workshop, Amy will provide you with a simple list of options, and you can purchase materials in the local village as well.

• insurance [medical or travel], Travel insurance is required for this retreat, and must include cancellation coverage.

• One dinner and one lunch during our outings.

We HIGHLY RECOMMEND arriving in Provence a few days early to let yourself acclimate to jet lag, and be ready to arrive at the Villa by 10am on Sept 15. 

“Provençal light seeps into your soul, making you part of it whilst you are there,
creating an indelible memory when you are not.” (Shutters & Sunflowers)

AMY’S WORK:

Amy’s mixed media paintings are an expression of what she defines as the mythical journey. She sees her paintings as maps of places that do and do not exist. Each artwork is a journey of exploration and discovery, a visual representation of her inner world and imagination. She is also informed by the effect of PLACE, varied environments that inspire new palettes, imagery and working materials. She considers all of her artworks as travelogues, evidence of the creative journey, wherever it may take her. She has painted all over the world in places such as Iceland, Turkey, India and Spain, creating visual memories that evoke far more than just photos.

MATERIALS:

Each participant will bring their own supplies based on whatever water based paints and mixed media materials they want to explore. Amy will provide a suggested supply list well in advance. Being an experienced artist/traveler she will send suggestions for packing as light and efficiently as possible. We will also be able to purchase the famous local pigments (to make our own paints) from the village of Roussillon where we will be staying. And if needed, we can have materials shipped to our Villa.

SOME TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS:

"One of the very best art workshops I've EVER taken! Amy is a most generous and authentic teacher. She is fearless and gave lots of helpful hints on how to be brave and daring in our own artwork. She was generous, sympathetic and encouraging to all throughout the workshop, and I came away truly feeling transformed in how I will now approach my own mixed media work. Thanks so much, Amy.” Paula Hagar

“Amy is a warm and delightful creativity wizard, inspiring and encouraging each student to discover and refine their own style and expression no matter what their “level”  of experience.  Her well-crafted teaching and demo segments were in perfect balance with the longer periods of quiet work on our own, while she was always available for  individual guidance.  Just the jump start I needed!” Judith Ansara

“Amy’s teachings are a wonderful mix of inspiration, guidance, and support to find our own way. Starting with meditative moments to find our inner quiet, we begin painting with a sense of freedom and abandon which Amy calls “following the subtle beckoning.” We continue in this wild dance, experimenting and playing, listening and refining, until we come to a sense of completion. Amy opened the doors to my own Creativity in a vital and important way for which I am deeply and eternally grateful.” Lynne Foote

“Amy is a wealth of knowledge and she will share it all with you without reservation. If you want your art to improve and your confidence to soar do yourself a favor and work with Amy. You will be amazed at the results!” Laura Rose

“Amy’s workshop reopened the doors for me to again explore the world of abstract acrylic painting.  I feel like she lit a candle in me and now this light is calling me into new explorations.  Amy’s feedback helped me to see how I could bring some order, and composition, out of the chaos.  Her teaching style invites us to trust our own unique process, gives us a way to access it, and shows us how to create pieces of art that come from deep listening.  I appreciate how she also gave us good basic teachings on color, composition, mixed media, and mark making. Amy’s encouragement is based on working with what is arising and not on whether it is good or bad.  This environment of non-judgment quiets the Inner Critic so that the Inner Child can play.  I had fun,  I am inspired.  I cannot wait for her next workshop!” Lynne F.

To Reach The Villa:

* Nearest Train TVG is Avignon (about 55 kms. 1 hour drive).

* On start & finish days you can share a taxi - about 100 euros total. (you pay directly , not included in the price). Arrival time at villa is 10:00 am or later on Sunday the 15th. Departure time on Saturday the 21st is 10 am. It’s about an hour drive to the train station in Avignon.

* Nearest airport is Marseille (85 kms. 1 hour 15 mins drive). 

​Please email us to sign up for this trip. We are happy to help with any questions by email or phone. Spots are on a first-come first served basis, and will be reserved upon receipt of your deposit.

When the trip roster is complete, we hold a video party to meet each other before the retreat and we will answer all your questions.

The workshop is limited to a small group so don’t hesitate - sign up soon!