I can’t recommend Tessa Baker’s painting holiday more. Although more than 3 months have passed, I think about the class almost daily – our week with Tessa was so special in every way! I dream of the colors, I frequently use Tessa’s palette now (so different from the cool, Scandinavian palette that I have grown accustomed to), I dream of our venues, the light, the ambiance and the easy flow of our paintbrushes. Everything about the setting encouraged us to see, observe, sketch, paint, and internalize so many details into our work. We couldn’t not sketch, sketch, sketch and paint, paint, paint – so we did! After 3 months, I am still using the brilliant colors in a completely different way than I would have before. Not only the idyllic setting, but Tess’s generosity and warm hospitality, the wonderful food and well-planned settings to get the maximum inspiration out of our week in Provence are what made our week with Tessa so fantastic. An accomplished painter in her own right, Tessa was able to instruct, inspire and encourage 4 friends at very differing levels of experience with painting watercolors. She brought out the best in each of us with her easy-going style of instruction and lots of encouragement. Tess knows her countryside and her palette very well… She took us to all of the most picturesque places, carefully chosen to capitalize on the weather conditions and our levels of skill, to develop our individual strengths and styles and to challenge us to new levels. I highly recommend a week with Tessa to learn, enjoy, paint, sight-see (and shop, eat and wine-taste!) and let yourself be inspired and challenged as well as spoiled and amazed – at all of the beauty, fun, laughter, great results and good times! I would go back in a minute, any day! – Trilby

Generosity of spirit. Those are the words that keep coming to mind as I remember our time with Tessa. She is generous with her time, her home, her creativity and her knowledge. The first night it felt like we were having dinner at a friend’s house and by the end of the week we truly were friends. The house is picturesque, the food plentiful and scrumptious, and the rooms homey and comfortable. The experience is warm, gentle, delicious and broadening. We saw and painted so many beautiful sights—the boats of St Tropez, umbrella pines, olive harvest, ancient villages, vineyards—the list goes on. If you like picnics, wine, gardens, mountain roads, beaches, cats, dogs, bakeries, entertaining stories or just hanging out in beautiful surroundings then you will have a marvellous time. I highly recommend Paint Provence for anyone who would like to visit Provence in a relaxing way. Whether you are an accomplished watercolorist or have never picked up a brush, Tessa is sure to make the experience delightful. – Valarie.

Please let me extend my personal thanks for such a great week on so many levels. As a vacation, our every need was catered to, from transportation, to food preferences, to dining (as part of a family) on meals prepared by one of the finest chef’s in my experience. Anna’s meals were always fresh and creative, always delicious and artfully presented. And the wine choices were carefully chosen to accentuate the Provençal culinary experience. On an artistic level, I learned so much from you, Tessa, about shedding my controlled style and allowing the exuberance and joy that this sunny clime invokes to flow freely from my brush to the paper. Every vista, vineyard, olive grove, sea village and market was more inspiring than the previous. And the farmhouse and wildflower meadow were my absolute favorites. Our week flew by far too quickly. I will certainly recommend this this corner of Provençal paradise to artists of any level. “Come to Tessa’s and be pampered.” – Marsha Bates, Kennewick, WA

A note to thank you for the marvellous week Bill and I spent in Lorgues. For me it was a most enriching experience. I truly enjoyed the time Tessa and I spent talking, drawing and painting out of doors. I learned a lot and hope to put into practice what I learned! Bill and I greatly appreciated the delicious, fresh, chef prepared lunches and dinners- not to mention the stimulating conversations we had! And special thanks for including the trip to the Espinasse’s that was a big highlight for Bill. To sum it up, thank you for a memorable week in Provence. – Cindy and Bill

Paint-Provence – LOVED IT!! This was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Tess provided wonderful instruction and Provence a scenic backdrop. We had limitless choices to grab our interest; it was only of a matter of which view to select and put brush to water and paper. No mistakes were made only “brilliant” brush strokes from beginners and genius alike. I can not thank Tess enough for the encouragement and believe I have found a friend for life. Accommodations – The accommodations provided by David and Tess were wonderfully quaint and comfortable. Some may have described the scene as rustic, but it is traditional Provence in every sense. It was clean and well maintained. Set among vineyards and wild flowers – I had no problem finding a peaceful spot to sit, relax and breathe the fresh air. I can’t wait to return. – Best regards, Sue