Provence Light, Artistic Heights

A Seven-Day Painting & Photography Workshop / Retreat

September 5–12, 2026 | Gordes, France

What is the cost?

Regular Room (Double Occupancy): $5,500
Private Room: Additional $1,500
Significant Other (non-participant): $1,500

Deposit:
$1,000 due by March 5, 2026 (for those not using early-bird pricing).

Final Payment:
Balance due in full by May 16, 2026.

In early September 2026, we will gather in Provence for an intimate seven-day painting and photography workshop/retreat set just outside the hill village of Gordes. We will be based in a beautiful private home overlooking the Luberon Valley, surrounded by stone villages, vineyards, and the unmistakable golden Provençal light that has drawn artists to this region for generations.

This retreat is co-led by painter Laura Tryon Jennings, a Copley Artist, and photographer Joe Reardon, a Copley Master, and is designed for artists who want time, space, and thoughtful guidance to work more deeply—without pressure or haste.

Our days follow a natural, unhurried rhythm. Mornings are devoted to photographing on location—villages, countryside, markets, and quiet moments shaped by light and atmosphere. Afternoons return us to the retreat, where painting sessions focus on translating photographs into expressive, finished works. The structure is intentionally flexible: participants may focus more deeply on painting or photography, work independently, or simply rest and reflect.

This is not a tour and not a production-driven workshop. It is an immersive creative retreat designed to encourage careful observation, personal growth, and meaningful work in a supportive environment. Group size is intentionally small (7–12 participants) to allow for one-on-one guidance, thoughtful conversation, and shared discovery.

The Experience

• Early September in Provence—golden light, warm days, quiet mornings, and fewer crowds

• Luxurious private accommodation with gardens, terraces, and pool

• Sweeping views across the Luberon Valley, minutes from Gordes

• An intimate retreat designed for deep creative focus and connection

• A relaxed pace balancing instruction, exploration, and personal time

Dual-Artistry Workshop Structure

Mornings
Photograph on location with Joe—villages, vineyards, countryside, stone streets, markets, and quiet details shaped by light and form.

Afternoons
Paint with Laura at the retreat, translating photographs into expressive works using composition, color, and personal interpretation.

Flexible Format

• Focus more deeply on photography or painting

• Paint in the mornings or continue photographing in the afternoons

• Independent studio time, rest, or reflection is always welcome

• One-on-one mentorship and group discussions throughout the week

What You’ll Learn

• Capture mood, light, and atmosphere using manual camera controls

• Photograph confidently with DSLR, mirrorless, iPhone, or iPad

• Refine images through thoughtful editing (light, shadow, tonal balance)

• Translate photographs into paintings using composition, contrast, color harmony, and grid methods

• Develop a personal visual language that bridges photography and painting

An Immersive Artistic Experience Rooted in Provençal History

One of the great privileges of working in Provence is being surrounded by the places where some of the most influential artists in history lived and worked. During our week together, we will visit and photograph locations closely connected to these painters—studios, landscapes, and villages that shaped their vision and continue to inspire artists today.

Our experience includes visits to places associated with Paul Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence, where his approach to structure and form reshaped modern art, and Vincent van Gogh’s former residence at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where gardens, olive groves, and surrounding countryside remain much as they were during his time there. The broader artistic legacy of southern France—shaped by artists such as Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso—provides an enduring creative context throughout the region.

These visits provide a living context for our work—informing Joe’s guidance in seeing, composing, and photographing place, and Laura’s painting sessions focused on translating light, structure, and atmosphere into expressive finished works.

The goal is not imitation, but understanding: how place shapes vision, and how slowing down allows deeper, more personal work to emerge.

Inspiring Locations

• Hill towns and stone villages of the Luberon

• Vineyards, markets, cafés, and Provençal countryside

• Saint-Paul-de-Mausole (Vincent van Gogh’s former residence)

• Aix-en-Provence and surrounding historic sites

What’s Included

• 7 nights in a luxurious private villa with gardens, terraces, and pool

• All photography and painting instruction

• Daily excursions via comfortable, air-conditioned van

• Airport pickup and drop-off (Marseille Provence Airport – MRS)

• All breakfasts

• Welcome reception dinner with private chef and wine

Who This Retreat Is For

• Painters and photographers, or those who want to be immersed in a creative environment

• Beginners through advanced participants

• Artists seeking inspiration, skill development, and time to work deeply

• Anyone who wants to slow down and create in a beautiful, supportive setting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the dates?

September 5–12, 2026 (7 nights / 7 full days).

Where is the retreat located?

Just outside the village of Gordes in Provence, France, in a private home overlooking the Luberon Valley.

How many participants will attend?

The retreat is limited to 7–12 participants to ensure personal attention and a calm, immersive experience.

What is the cost?

Regular Room (Double Occupancy): $5,500
Private Room: Additional $1,500
Significant Other (non-participant): $1,500

Deposit:
$1,000 due by March 5, 2026 (for those not using early-bird pricing).

Final Payment:
Balance due in full by May 16, 2026.

Is there early-bird pricing?

Yes. Early-bird pricing is available until February 11, 2026, must be paid in full, and is non-refundable.

Early-Bird Rates:

• Regular Room (shared): $4,950

• Private Room: $1,350 additional

• Significant Other (non-participant): $1,500

What airport should I fly into?

Marseille Provence Airport (MRS).

Is airport transportation included?

Yes.
Group pickup from Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is provided at 10:30 a.m. on September 5.
Group drop-off is provided at 11:30 a.m. on September 12.

When should I leave France?

We strongly recommend flying out the day after the retreat ends to avoid rushing and to allow for unforeseen travel delays.
If you depart on September 12, please ensure your flight allows sufficient time after the 11:30 a.m. airport drop-off.

What equipment should I bring?

• Any camera you are comfortable using (DSLR, mirrorless, iPhone, or iPad)

• Basic editing capability (laptop or tablet recommended)

• Painting supplies (a detailed list will be provided after registration)

Is this retreat physically demanding?

Participants should be comfortable walking through villages, uneven streets, and outdoor locations. Activities are paced and never rushed.

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Flights are not included.

The closest major airport is Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)

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