Villette L'Art Vivant By Susan Lidstrom 2002
Is Painting in France your
Dream?
If so, we've created affordable, inspirational art retreats in painter Carole Watanabe's
3-story stone home, Villette L'Art Vivant.
1 week in bliss - $1000 per guest with 3 guests
$900 each per week for a group of 4 guests
2011 Schedule
| Session 1 | 5/31 - 6/8 |
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| Session 2 | 6/7 - 6/15 |
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| Session 3 | 6/14 - 6/22 |
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| Session 4 | 6/21 - 6/29 |
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| Session 5 | 6/28 - 7/5 |
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| Session 6 | 6/4 - 7/13 |
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| Session 7 | 7/12 - 7/20 |
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| Session 8 | 7/19 - 7/27 |
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| Session 9 | 7/26 - 8/3 |
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| Session 10 | 8/2 - 8/10 |
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| Session 11 | 8/12-8/16 |
A Special message to Carole about Soreze
Carole,
We just got back on this side of the world and we have been reliving our favorite moments in your beautiful house in Soreze. We loved every glorious second we spent there! We stayed up on the top floor and set up our little drawing facilities at the tables in the studio. Even though it was cold and raining for a little while in the beginning, we were delighted to just stay bundled up and draw. Then, of course, the spring weather came on in full force with blooming lilacs and eventually poppies. The fields were full of green waves of wheat which I saw every morning as I rode my bicycle out and about on the bike route between Castres and Revel. The car by the way ran just great. Your new bathroom was absolutely beautiful, and we watered your plants diligently in the back garden which was so pretty that we ate out there whenever the warm weather descended. We had a great fling at the Vide Greniers and brought back many treasures, some of which were confiscated by security at the airport in Toulouse because they were either too wet (a big can of Confit de Canard) or too opaque (a set of old bronze petunque balls). But we made it home with enough stuff to remind us of our flea market excursions. Had a fabulous time. I decided that the best image I would keep foremost in mind occurred when I would go out into the back garden at midnight, look directly up at the inky blue green sky and see the Big Dipper directly overhead, framed neatly by the four rooftops. Thank you for making this lovely place to be."
Retreats Include
* Large, well lit studio to paint, collage, make art books,
do photography, write - whatever direction you choose is great.
All levels welcome.
* Professional Artist/Hostess for optional daily creative feedback (no
formal teaching, however.)
* Lodging in aestheticaly amazing home, 2 guests per bedroom. (4
guests and hostess is maximum group size.)
* Family style breakfasts provided - on your own for lunch and dinner
(full kitchen at your disposal)
For more information Email inquiry to Lorelei <BeArt@sonic.net>
or call Don Watanabe 707-823-9663
LiveArt Studio, 740 Pine Crest Ave., Sebastopol CA 95472
Affordable Artist's Retreat in France – Summer 2010
(Painters, Sculptors, Writers, Photographers)
Come live your artist's dream of working in beautiful southern France and staying in our wonderful home/atelier where your creative energy is your guide.
$1000 per person per week for group of 3 friends
$900 per person per week for a group of 4 friends
(take this opportunity to recruit friends and come together)
$1500 per person per week for 2 friends or un-related guests.
(single supplement for your own room)
Stay as many weeks as you like. Please choose your dates from the calendar below.
Our 10, one week long summer retreats are priced for a stress free art adventure in the medieval post-card perfect village of Sorèze, an hour's drive east of Toulouse at the base of the Montagne Noir. Your fee includes staying at Villette L'Art Vivant, a 3-story, 300 year old stone home with 3 bedrooms and a big art studio in the sunlit garret/atelier, free breakfasts and more. You will have full freedom to create your own schedule.
We Provide 
- Live-in professional artist/painter/hostess
- Breakfasts each day provided by your artist/hostess
- Spacious sunlit atelier and the freedomto make art without schedules, daily clean-up, telephones and the like.
- Plein air painting sites galore just outside your door in the village or in the surrounding countryside
- Stay-wet palettes for acrylic paints
- Family style accommodations, 2 shared bathrooms, and 2 guest per bedroom
- Sheets and towels and comfy artful environment
- Access to fully outfitted kitchen
- Internet access but no computer
- Inspiration and a chance for you to live your dream without having to buy the house, etc.
You provide
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Your airfare or transportation to Toulouse and Sorèze.
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Share costs of a rental car with other guests for getting to and from airport or train station to Sorèze, plus hops to the lake, farm markets and other local sights.
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Your own lunch and dinner (cook or eat out) and your proportionate share of meal costs for treating your hostess to both meals.
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Your art supplies A ++ positive attitude, no whiners allowed
Our intention is to offer artists of all accomplishmentsan un-limited time to paint and create in asupportive, inspired environment. An optional daily art talk about your work is the only "instruction" offered. However, observing your professional painter/hostess and the other guestswhile they work is always inspiring. There is a wonderful camaraderie that comes from creating in the big, bright 3rd floor studio at Villete L'Art Vivant. It has been witness to art adventures since 1994. Our village loves artists and it's small enough that you can walk to everything. Google Sorèze for details. Between the blossoming sunflower fields in summer, the great local bakeries and restaurants, the scenic beauty surrounding you, and the village ambience, your art vacation promises to be one you will remember forever. We hope you'll make it a yearly ritual.
To reserve your bed at Villette L'Art Vivant, Soreze, France, sign up below or send your non-refundable check for $300 per person to CaroleWatanabe
740 Pine Crest Ave., Sebastopol, CA 95472 or call Carole at 707-823-9663 and provide major credit card information (VISA, Mastercard or American Express). Using PayPal on my website (See Guest sign-up sheet below) for another option. 
Carole Watanabe - LiveArt Studio
740 Pine Crest Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Phone 707-823-9663 Fax 707-823-8202
www.artfully.com --- Email beart@sonic.net
2011 Artists' Retreats in Sorèze
Sign up for 1-20 weeks ~ first come, first served
Email 1,2 & 3 choices to beart@sonic.net $300 deposit required
Session |
Dates |
Hostess Information |
$300 Deposit |
Session 1 |
Fly May 31 Arrive June 1 Depart June 8 |
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Session 2 |
Fly June 7 Arrive June 8 Depart June 15 |
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Session 3 |
Fly June 14 Arrive June 15 Depart June 22 |
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Session 4 |
Fly June 21 Arrive 22 Depart 29 |
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Session 5 |
Fly June 28 Arrive June 29 Depart July 5 |
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Session 6 |
Fly July 4 Arrive July 6 Depart on July 13 |
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Session 7 |
Fly July 12 Arrive July 13 Depart July 20 |
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Session 8 |
Fly July 19 Arrive July 20 Depart July 27 |
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Session 9 |
Fly July 26 Arrive July 27 Depart August 3 |
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Session 10 |
Fly August 2 Arrive on August 3 Depart on Aug 10 |
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| Session 11 | Fly August 19 Arrive on August 20 Depart August 24 |
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| Session 12 | Fly August 16 Arrive on August 17 Depart on Aug 24 |
Visit the Hostess information page artfully.com/francehosts.html