Jennifer Tobias Workshop 2025
Jennifer Tobias is hosting her first workshop at Perigord Retreats with us from 27th May – 5th June 2025. This 10-day all-inclusive creative journey falls at the most perfect time of year. Long days, warm weather and right in the middle of poppy & lavender season. It is impossible to not be inspired by this area at this time of year.
This is a trip that you will remember for a long, long time.
A life-long Francophile, Jennifer is fluent in French, having studied in, and imported antiques from, different regions of France. Her interest in Art began at age 5, with the gift of a book of full color reproductions of Chagall, Van Gogh, Matisse and other major late 19th and early 20th century painters.
Jennifer describes herself as a colorist, working mainly representationally, and has occasionally been labeled a “fauvist.” Summers are filled with painting the landscapes of northern Michigan, depicting cherry trees, vineyards, lavender fields and shorelines. With the escaping light of Autumn, Jennifer’s work becomes more interior and gestural, moving into expressive abstraction.
Plein Air & Studio Painting
Delicious Homemade Dinners
Daily Excursions
To Beautiful Locations
Your Workshop with Jennifer
Your 9 days at the beautiful Perigord Retreats site will center on regular art instruction, demos and practice. I envision mornings spent painting, a wonderful farm-to-table lunch, then an afternoon tour of the region, except for a day or two of all day touring. We will have 24 hour access to the art studio, and students can paint as little or as much as they are called to. Beginners are welcome!
Topics will include:
-One on one guidance and exploration with students
-Developing confidence with your own painting “voice”
-Creating a painting ritual
-Composing directly from the landscape (environs, vineyards, watergardens, villages)
-Working from our photos of tours
-Learning to abstract the landscape
-Recording our impressions and feeling through gesture
-Creating collage papers
-Learning to paint with a limited palette, for ease and color cohesion
-Cutting up our paintings on paper and re-abstracting using collage papers and other media
-Keeping a travel journal as we tour
-Learning to gently critique our own work and that of others
-Free painting time to start new work or refine class work
-Rest and relaxation time, which is crucial to the creative life
Along with painting, our creative selves will be developed through: exposure to the beauty of medieval villages and natural scenery; meeting fellow artists from around the globe (a source of inspiration and friendship); down time to explore the grounds, kayak, swim (river or indoor pool), hammock, shop, and record your experience through photography and sketching.
*A non-refundable deposit of 1000€ Is required (unless cancelled by Perigord Retreats). Travel insurance is therefore recommended.
“Abstract works start with free forms and movement. I do not limit abstraction to pure form, but rather enjoy discovering the unconscious representations that derive from laying down the paint.”
Some Excursion Locations
Excursions may include but are not limited to the following
Rocamadour
Part of the Camino Trail. Historical & religious significance. Breathtaking village perched on a cliff.
Sarlat
One of the most well preserved medieval towns in France. Amazing market with local produce.
Beynac Castle
Home of Richard the Lionheart, perfect for a picnic by the river and plein air painting in the shade.
Saint Cirq Lapopie
One of the most beautiful villages in France. Incredibly picturesque. Perfect for shopping & painting.
Fill out the form below for pricing and more information relating to the workshop.
