Wednesday, October 8, 2014

PLEIN AIR PROVENCE

Plein Air Provence Painting Workshop  
June 24 - July 1, 2005

I would personally like to invite you to join me on an incredible art & cultural adventure in the heart of Provence.  The plein air painting workshop I am offering will include very personalized painting instruction while exploring the south of France in the region around Arles and St. Remy.

This is more than a painting workshop but an educational adventure into the life of one of the greatest painters of the modern era. The paintings that Van Gogh produced when working in Arles and St. Remy amounted to an immense breakthrough in his style and in the history of Western art. 

Just imagine painting in the same locations where Van Gogh painted some of his most important works, like the “Langlois Bridge”, “The Olive Grove”, the “CafĂ© Terrace At Night” and more.   The workshop will be base in St. Remy at the Villa Glanum, which is located across from the asylum where Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted some of his most famous works such as “Starry Night”. 

The daily painting excursions will be coordinated and accompanied by our French program coordinator. Because she is a local, knows the area and speaks French, we will be able to experience the South of France from a truly insiders point of view.

Please see the accompanying brochure that includes a detailed daily itinerary.  Early booking savings of $200 per person expires November 20, 2014.  Space is limited so, I encourage you to enroll as soon as possible to ensure your place by contacting Mary Lee Kenny at The Travel Gallery-American Express, 561-745-1553.   I hope to see you in Provence!

SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS

The Society of the Four Arts is one of the most popular spots
in Palm Beach County to paint.  Can't explain it.  Its just one of those things that "just is".  It was a very beautiful morning when I painted this and loved the light and shadows that were cast on the lawn.  I call this "Not Quite True" only because there really is not a fountain in this spot, but a sculpture of a fish in the center of the pool.  I wanted to romance the look a little and painted another fountain in the gardens that suited my needs more.


"Not Quite True", Oil on Canvas, 16x12

Painting in Cortona

Painting in Cortona
City of Cortona with view of valley

Painting of View of Cortona Valley

Painting of View of Cortona Valley
It was such a lovely day we painted in the piazza overlooking the valley. The round building in the foreground is actually part of the original wall that surrounds Cortona.

Cortona View Lake Trasimento from Piazza Garibaldi

Cortona Italy Workshop

The workshop was a very successful and met everyones expectations. The Villa di Piazzano was an outstanding small hotel that lived up to its rating of four stars. The staff was very accommodating and helpful. Our tour excursions to Florence, Sienna and Montepulciano were very fun and helped to take the participants minds off of the pressure of producing a painting.

I am currently in the planning stages of producing my next workshop and if anyone would like to be put on the list of perspective participants please email me at tedmatz@comcast.net

The pictures below will give you taste of our Plein Air Painting Adventure.

Courtyard of Hotel di Piazzano

Painting in the courtyard

View of Cortona in the distance.

Scouting painting sites.

Group painting in country side

Plein Air Passion

My real passion is for plein air painting. Love the challenge that you have to deal with when painting outside. I personally think it makes you a better painter because you have to deal with so many unforeseen circumstances that come your way but also you have a better handle on light, darks and textures that you don't get from working in a studio and from photos. The following is a sample of some of my most recent work done en plein air. This painting is currently being shown in a group show at the Palm Beach County Cultural Council in Lake Worth, FL and runs through the middle of September, 2013.

Apoxee Landscape

Apoxee Landscape

The path at Apoxee Park

Demo piece at Jupiter Beach Park.

Four Arts Lily Pads One

Four Arts Lily Pads One

Four Arts Lily Pads Two

Four Arts Lily Pads Two

Still Life

I generally do still lives as exercises and demonstrations for my painting classes. Featured below are samples of those pieces.

Bright Red Cup

Bright Red Cup

Blue Bottle with Violets One

Blue Bottle with Violets One