I’m still basking in the glow of our week in Provence. No sunshine needed! The accommodations, the food, the group of painters were all wonderful. I learned more in that week with you painting fields of poppies and mountain vistas than I did in a six week course at our local college. Thank you for taking my skills several notches higher. And it was so fun watching people who had little or no experience with watercolors produce such beautiful work. You are a teacher who can bring out the talent in anyone!

How am I going to wait a year for our next adventure with you? – Susan Arnaud

I’ve been to Tess’ painting trips twice the last two years, and I am am beyond the moon happy that we found her!
I’ve always had a love for painting, but I’ve never had the time or courage to purse it. Until I met Tess. The trips are only a week long, and the amount I have learned in this short amount of time is astounding. Tess is a fantastic teacher, and her love for the arts is so transparent in everything stroke she makes on the paper and her commentary to her students along side it. I’ve never felt more inspired than when I’m with her on her painting trips.
On top of that, she’s an incredible chef! And her friends are incredible chefs! Being fed the most amazing French, fresh cuisine whilst enjoying the sun and painting from sunrise to sundown (not to worry, you’re allowed breaks and pool time) – it’s my version of paradise.

I am happy to give Tess my highest recommendation. It’s difficult to put in to words how much you are missing out on if you have yet to go on one of her trips, but just trust me when I say it: you will not regret it! – Victoria

Tess’s love of Provence shows through her paintings and her joy in sharing with us as a small group. Provence is a beautiful area of France and through her artistic skills and energy conveyed this into our painting work. We learnt so much from essential colour mixing to showing us how to enhance our paintings with free movement, highlighting and softening areas to give real depth to our work. I came away not only having had a wonderful holiday but a reawakened desire to paint and paint and paint.
Chris Feast, Norfolk, England.

My mind is full of remembered images from the very blessed time spent with you and all the “lovely ladies”, so that I feel a deep glow of contentment. There has been so much beauty all around us that I feel soaked in it – beauty of the natural world, of generosity and kindness, of seeing people flourish through encouragement, and through it all your bubbling personality that belied the organisation and discipline that made everything run so smoothly. Thank you so much. -Ann Brown

I spent a wonderful week in Roussillon this May. We were two students so we did get a lot of personal attention from Tess. We did discover the lovely neighborhood of Roussillon and stayed away from places with too many tourists. Tess is great at finding the right spot to do plain-air painting: a poppy field, a village square, a vineyard, a castle surrounded by sculptures… we were there.
I wasn’t fond of watercolors before the trip, I’ve gradually changed my mind during the week as I discovered the lovely paintings you can make with a little splash of paint, a good brush, fresh water, a creative teacher and an inspiring environment. Tess knows how to motivate you to try something new. Just at the moment that you think you will not be able to paint that poppy or that rose, Tess is there to guide you to the next step.
Apart from being a great painter and teacher, Tess is also a lovely entertainer and a very good chef. Breakfast, lunch and diner were real treats: wonderful ingredients, prepared with love and lots of creativity. We even made some of our own paint with natural ingredients like eggs and Arabic gum.
I appreciated very much that nothing is a ‘must’ and all is possible. I returned home with a few amazing paintings, full of energy, new creative ideas and a desire to continue with watercolors.
Thank you for this fantastic experience. – Dominique

I just returned from a week of watercolor painting with Tessa and it was a wonderful experience. This was my third class with her in Provence. The house she rented for us was great, with a swimming pool, and plenty of room for the 4 of us. The Roussillon area is spectacular and there were so many places from which to choose to paint. We decided on several poppy fields and of course in Roussillon with all its beautiful colors. Tessa presents her class as learning to paint in watercolor but it is so much more. I made new friends, had some French instruction, and ate some of the most delicious food (and wine) I have ever had, thanks to Tessa and our wonderful cook Ruth. I highly recommend taking one of Tessa’s classes in Provence, and if she ever comes to the US, I believe she will have success there as well. I look forward to my next visit! Merci, Tessa! – Meiling