M I C H E L E     C O O P E R

We met at St. Michelle Winery in Woodinville to practice our wine tasting and receive final documents from Kathy, our travel agent.

Workshop Location on the River Loire

The first stop on the tour is Paris, where we soak in the atmosphere and get into our travel mode.

Paris -- Arrival

Riding the Metro in Paris is on our list of intended experiences.

Debi with Margaret, Jane & Rachel arrive at Hotel Regina.
We will meet the rest of our group in the morning.

The Barge Workshop -- Along the Loire

As the scenery glides past, Michele paints her demonstration. 

Even while descending a lock, the class is hard at work, knowing that any beverage they desire is available just steps away in the
air-conditioned salon.

Sancerre
The Wine, The Picnic, The Painting

"Vineyards & the Loire"
My demonstration of line & wash technique as we look out over the Loire valley from the hilltop at Sancerre.

You can almost hear the choir.

Vernon & Giverny
The Bridge, La Roche Guyan, The Museum, The Gardens

The famous bridge that links Vernon and Giverny.
(See the Barge Workshop page. for Monet's interpretation)

Our salon at the B&B in Giverny. After meeting our hosts, Annick and Thierry, we drive down the street to visit the American Museum.

Jane, Michele, Rachel, Debi with Margaret at 
Musee d'Art Americain, Giverny

Michele, Gary, Jane & Rachel climbed to the top of La Roche Guyan.
Enter the doorway on the far right, climb 7 floors inside the Chateau, then continue climbing up hand chiseled steps inside the rock. Finally, negotiate the progressively narrowing steps within the tower and come out at the top for a fantastic view.

Debi reads the menu. . .in French. She and Margaret secured
a table for the rest of us while we explored La Roche Guyan.
Tomorrow is a milestone day for us.

In our atelier, we wake. It is the day we will paint in Monet's garden.

Giverny -- Painting in Monet's Garden

At the lily pond in Monet's garden, I painted my fan first. Having thoroughly warmed up (mentally and physically), I continued painting at my easel.

Ten more strokes ought to do it. If I don't get out of the sun now, I'm the one who will have the stroke!

Arles, Avignon & Aix-en-Provence

Our first morning in Arles and we couldn't wait to see the Coliseum. Odd that these arched corridors were our refuge from the heat, considering their history.

We emerge at the top of the tower and look across the arches at the rooftops of Arles.

Laundry dries quickly on a 100 degree terrace.

Michele at the ruins, Roman Theater, Arles.

Once a fortress, its stones were later used for other buildings.
On the way to a modern concert, people pass among
ancient and intricately carved ruins at the Roman Theater.

Keeping cool. A good idea for pigeons, turtles and artists.

L'Escaladou serves fresh Provençal dishes in Arles.

Order un carafe d'eau, and prepare for the rest of your meal as your salad, merely the first course, arrives. But that's lunch.

After bread, starters, foie-gras, and entree--but before dessert, chocolates, nuts and mints--it's time for FROMAGE.
The upper left section is goat cheese, upper right is sheep, and lower section represents cow cheese. All these are arranged according to age and geographical source.

The antique carved stone and wood distinguish this doorway to a hotel.

Avignon

Cheerful Provençal house wares.

I vote this the best gallery sign.

Mostly oils. You can buy in any size and with or without frame. 
They take all major credit cards. (Located on "Money Street.")

"Hill town of Eze"
Watercolor by Michele Cooper

Pont du Gard

Michele at Pont du Gard.

From the center of the Aqueduct, the river leads the eye to Nimes.

A photographer and his model take advantage of the light.

The Auberge at the Pont du Gard.

Gary found a free range escargot on the way back from the Pont du Gard.
Mmmmmm!

"Lavender with Sky"
Watercolor by Michele Cooper

"Lavender Hills"
Watercolor by Michele Cooper

Our rest stop on the toll road to Nice. . .
with lavender. A lovely way to end a splendid adventure.

A few souvenirs.
On arrival home, we have only one question:
Where's the fromage??