Teacher Invitational, May 15-21, 2017

More Information…

This is an opportunity to have your own experience of the Lot region prior to bringing your group to your creative workshop. If you have never held or attended an international art holiday, this is a wonderful way to understand what is available to you and to see for yourself what makes our programs the first choice of serious instructors.

If you have held an international workshop in the past, you may have had the experience of “herding cats,” or of being shuffled from here to there, with not much time to really see what you were expecting to see, in a group that may have been too large to handle comfortably. We do not work that way. We intentionally keep our groups small and this makes for a  fun and relaxed time for you as well, with or without your group.

We will give you a first-hand look at all this area has to offer…and there is much! So much, that you will have to pick and choose what is most important for your group. Are you someone who paints florals primarily, or landscapes, or still life? Are you into sketching architecture? We can show you the best places for your “dream workshop.”

Because there is no instructor teaching during the Invitational, we have a chance to show you more of the jewels of this area: the castles and cloisters, the gardens and flowers, the ancient villages for wandering, chateaux and wineries, the historic gems, the abbeys, churches and markets, all with their own stories to tell. You will see ancient pilgrimage stops that follow the route of St Jacques de Compostelle.

Your week will be filled with beautiful vista views of tiny villages nestled there for hundreds of years. Then you’ll get to stroll through them, gathering all kinds of reference photos for your own artwork.

You’ll have the chance to see the famous Rocamadour, the medieval village and cathedral literally built into the rock of the cliff, with its 240 steps to the top that St Louis visited with his mother (Don’t worry, there IS an elevator, if you need  one!).

Of course, there are the open air markets and shopping. We’ll even plan a visit to the art supply store, so you can see what’s available, should your students need some supplies! One day we will visit the bastide hilltop town or Cordes sur Ciel (“Cordes on the Sky”) where you can see artisans working in their ateliers and even find the iconic French blue, “pastel”– no doubt you will be wanting some of that handmade pigment, still manufactured the same way after hundreds of years!

Because Dominique is a native and Lisa is a confirmed Francophile, you will have the best guides available. They will show you places the average person will not see when visiting. It will be a tough decision which of these cultural and historic gems you will include in your own 10-day workshop with Lisa’s Gryphon Art & Travel!

Your accommodations will be the same ones your students will share, and the meals will be the same as those served to them. We eat as a family in the large great room, and much good conversation and laughter is shared around the table over Dom’s regional fare and creations. One night, you might even get to try your hand at making the French crepe, or you might get a lesson in French cooking, if you are interested. Dom is an avid organic gardener and grows much of the produce that we serve our guests (season permitting). We do try to honor special dietary requests as well and request that information in advance from the participants.

Occasionally, based on our day trip schedule, we will “pique-nique” (the French picnic) and you will enjoy an open-air feast in a tranquil setting, perhaps by a waterfall. Wines are included at both lunch and dinner.

There will be time to relax and enjoy an aperitif and some sharing of ideas with the other participants and new friends. You will also have some time, if you wish, to paint, sketch, photograph and wander on your own down the lanes or in the villages. And there will also be time to work with Lisa before the 7 days are up, to sketch out your own workshop itinerary, if you wish. (However, this is not a requirement for participation in the Invitational.)

In the words of one recent participant:

“…I just spent 10 days with Lisa and Dominique and being introduced to the French countryside and to their artist retreat program.  It was the most awesome experience to see all the sights and [participate in] the follow up discussions as to how it could work into the art (ink/watercolor, painting and journaling) I would be sharing with others.  Getting to know Lisa and Dominique was a great experience as well.  As a bonus, Dominique is a great cook!!!

I’m looking forward to sharing both the art and the sights with others in 2017.  I feel this trip was a great insight into planning for the 2017 trip.  I could not have prepared for 2017 without the experience of this teacher invitational.  Anyone who is interested in participating in this program really needs to have their own experience first.”   -Bev Birdwell, Vancouver, WA, Instructor 2017.

This workshop is an offering unique to Lisa’s Gryphon Art & Travel and is offered to you at a special rate. If you have considered teaching in France (or Italy), register today and come experience the beautiful Lot region of SW France.

Click to register HERE