Welcome to Michele's Traveling Studio Online! My name is
Michele Cooper
and through this web site I hope to keep in touch with my students,
readers
and friends in many countries around the world with whom I share a love
for the art of painting watercolors. The Traveling Studio has just
returned
from France; a few days in Paris, then barging on the Loire, back to
Paris
and then painting in Monet's garden.
I took 34 disks (averaging 28 digital photos each)
during our journey.
Check these pages for updates and photos every few days. For a complete
workshop itinerary, go to our Barge
Workshop page.
![map of france](francemap.jpg)
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
![Image of Metro entrance](metroentrance.gif)
Riding the Metro in Paris is on
our list of
intended experiences.
![](Parisgroup.jpg)
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
![image of Michele demonstrating on deck](Micheledemodeck.jpg)
As the scenery glides past, Michele paints her demonstration.
![image of class painting on deck](Neverpaintingondeck.jpg)
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.
![](Neverunderlock.jpg)
Sancerre
The
Wine,
The Picnic, The Painting
![line and wash sketch at Sancerre](SketchSancerre.jpg)
"Vineyards & the Loire"
My demonstration of line & wash technique as we look
out over
the Loire valley from the hilltop at Sancerre.
![image of Sancerre facilities](Sancerretoilet.jpg)
You can almost hear the choir.
Vernon &
Giverny
The
Bridge,
La Roche Guyan, The Museum, The Gardens
![image of bridge at Vernon](vernonbridge.jpg)
The famous bridge that links Vernon and Giverny.
(See the Barge
Workshop page. for Monet's interpretation)
![image of our salon at Giverny](salonGiverny.jpg)
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.
![](GivernygroupAmerMuseum.jpg)
Jane, Michele, Rachel, Debi with Margaret at
Musee d'Art Americain, Giverny
![](LaRocheGuyan.jpg)
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.
![image of Debi reading menu](Debbiewinewindow.jpg)
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.
![image of Gary and Michele's room at Giverny](atelierGiverny.jpg)
In our atelier, we wake. It is the day we will paint in Monet's garden.
Giverny --
Painting in Monet's Garden
![image of Michele's easel at the lily pond](lilypondwithsketch.jpg)
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.
![image of Michele's painting, Monet's lily pond](pondsketchb.jpg)
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
![image of arched corridor, Coliseum, Arles](ArlesColiseumcorridor.jpg)
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.
![image of Arles, rooftops from the tower at the Coloseum](ArlesColoseumrooftopsky.jpg)
We emerge at the top of the tower and look across the arches at the
rooftops of Arles.
![image of laundry on a rooftop terrace, Arles](Arleslaundry.jpg)
Laundry dries quickly on a 100 degree terrace.
![Michele at Roman Theatre ruins, Arles](MicheleArlesRomanTheatre.jpg)
Michele at the ruins, Roman Theater, Arles.
![image of intricate carvings in ruins of Arles Roman Theater](Arlestheatrefishcarving.jpg)
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.
![image of woman feeding pigeons in the shade at Roman Theater](Arlesfeedingpigeonstheatre.jpg)
![image of turtles in the fountain at our hotel, Hotel d'Arlatan](Arlesturtlestack.jpg)
Keeping cool. A good idea for pigeons, turtles and artists.
![image of L'Escaladou](Arlesrestaurantlescaladou.jpg)
L'Escaladou serves fresh Provençal dishes in Arles.
![image of a Provencal Salad](ArlesProvencalsalad.jpg)
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.
![](Arlescheesetrolley.jpg)
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.
![](Arlesdoorcarved.jpg)
The antique carved stone and wood distinguish this doorway to a hotel.
Avignon
![](Avignonhousewares.jpg)
Cheerful Provençal house wares.
![](Avignongallerysign.jpg)
I vote this the best gallery sign.
![](Avignongalleryfull.jpg)
Mostly oils. You can buy in any size and with or without frame.
They take all major credit cards. (Located on "Money Street.")
![](hilltownEze.jpg)
"Hill town of Eze"
Watercolor by Michele Cooper
Pont du Gard
![](AvignonPontduGardbacklight.jpg)
![](PontduGardMichele.jpg)
Michele at Pont du Gard.
![](PontduGardriver.jpg)
From the center of the Aqueduct, the river leads the eye to Nimes.
![](PontduGardPhotogModel.jpg)
A photographer and his model take advantage of the light.
![](AubergatAvignon.jpg)
The Auberge at the Pont du Gard.
![image of snail](escargot.jpg)
Gary found a free range escargot on the way back from the Pont du Gard.
Mmmmmm!
![](lavendarwithsky.jpg)
"Lavender with Sky"
Watercolor by Michele Cooper
![](lavendarhills.jpg)
"Lavender Hills"
Watercolor by Michele Cooper
![](lavendarestop.jpg)
Our rest stop on the toll road to Nice. . .
with lavender. A lovely way to end a splendid adventure.
![](sunflowertable.jpg)
A few souvenirs.
On arrival home, we have only one question:
Where's the fromage??
I have written a workbook for those on this journey,
actual or virtual.
It contains the lessons from the workshop, full color illustrations,
photos
and more. If you would like a copy, please contact Workbook@michelecooper.com.
For many of you a visit to this web site will be our
first meeting,
so perhaps you would like to read a
little bit more about me and my connection to the art world.
I hope you'll visit this site often and I would love to
hear from you
- my e-mail address is michele@michelecooper.com.