Over the Christmas period I’ve been happily busy creating new workshops I’m really excited about. In 2026 I’ll be hosting not only my full week summer art retreats and holidays but also eight creative workshops in the first 6 months of 2026 here at the Maison du Fort in Lot-et-Garonne, South West France, and I … Read more
“These are the best painting holidays in France in the iconic landscapes of South West France” Well, according to me any way. There’s something enjoyable, actually brave, about coming on an art holiday in France either with a mixed group of friends, maybe knowing one or two are really here for the food and wine, … Read more
As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has been as challenging as it has been rewarding. French bureaucracy, with its labyrinth of paperwork and visa processing, has been a formidable opponent in my quest to set up my business in France. At times, it felt like I was … Read more
So the start of May, the 1st, is a significant bank holiday in France known as La Fête du Muguet. Long associated with spring, renewal and luck, lily of the valley blooms everywhere and the beautiful fragrance fills the Manoir’s front garden, It is given as a gift and it’s thought that the tradition of offering … Read more
March has got away from me. I think with the start of spring and the garden beginning to open up, the start of the month was magical. The month was stormy in terms of billowing winds – good grief the roof creaked (actually thought it was coming in one night!) and it snapped a tree … Read more
The month of love. Only for the House!! So now the rewiring and plastering of the stairs and landing have been completed (still wiring in bedrooms and Studio to go) the layers of sealing and painting is the next thing to do. I always start painting like “whoo yes it’s looking so clean” and then second layer … Read more
A very happy new year to you all. So new year is a big thing here in France – not so much the fireworks (can never find any…) but parties in the village Salle de Fetes and at home. Lots more decorations, party hats and party poppers can be found in supermarkets and party shops … Read more
So with the salon almost finished and Alastair away for a few weeks, I decided to try and get the art deco upstairs bathroom progressing a little bit more. Dropped Cersei at school and was back to it for 9 am. Now I have been up and down tall ladders doing all sorts of risky … Read more
We are racing through the year, November already. Cersei’s birthday was celebrated with an old fashion dormitory style sleepover and fire pit with her new friends. It was also my birthday and around this time is when I started to miss my friends and family. You can be so busy with this exciting project but then … Read more
“TIMBER….!” The garden here is lovely, full of trees but unfortunately lots are dead and crowding the area. The garden has not been tended for many many years. So we got lovely Paul, the tree surgeon, in to tell me what was dead, could be saved or just tidied up. Paul has done half the garden so … Read more