Art Holidays in Southwest France in the Lot Region with Adam Cope
The Lot Region |
|
You will find inspiration on your art holiday in the Lot. It is a rugged, wild & unspoilt landscape, named after the next river south of the Dordogne. Off the beaten path. 'La France Profonde', where small scale farming still exists alongside 'Le Parc Naturel des Causses de Quercy', a protection zone of some the most beautiful nature in the South West. |
|
 |
|
many unspoilt little fields with wildflowers |
|
It's a stony, limestone country. Old dolmens along ancient sheperds pathways. You can walk for days along the footpaths (we supply you with maps). |
|
 |
|
Dry stonewalls, scrub oak & sheep farming on the plateaus. Tobacco, maize, vines, walnuts & popular-lined meandering rivers in the valleys. |
 |
The Célé cuts its way through huge white limestone cliffs, up to three hundred meters high in some places. Very paintable, truly inspirational, it merits the word 'sublime'. |
|
An Art Holiday Trip Out |
|
|
|
|
The art holiday includes a trip down the Célé valley to Marcilhac, an authentic medieval village, somewhat ruinous but full of soul & character. The romanesque abbey was wrecked by the English during the Hundred Years War. It's a stop on the piligrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. |
|
Wooden Sculpture of St. James. The Via Podiensis goes from Vézelay to Santiago de Compstela via the cathedral of Conques. It runs below Chateau de Beduer to Marcilhac. |
|
Adam was artist in residence in Marcilhac & used to live near Chateau de Beduer, painting the landscape. So he knows the area well & thus can guide you. Here, below high white cliffs, besides the river, you will paint & holiday with inspiration. |
|
The Prehistoric Cave Paintings of Pech-Merle |
|
 |
|
| 'The Horse Frieze' - Pech-Merle . Artist (or artists) Unknown. Carbon dating puts this frieze to be 25 000 years before present. Observe on the right side horse, how the head of the drawing fits into the 'found' shape of the cave wall, which is like the silohouette of a horse's head itself |
|
Your art holiday includes a visit to the Cave of Pech-Merle, probably the finest prehistoric painted cave still open to the public. Dating from about 30 000 years before present, this is one of the highpoints of mankind's creativity. To experience this is very humbling & moving for a contemporary artist. A trip to Pech-Merle is an unforgettable pilgrimage to our artistic sources. Adam also gives an informal presentation on prehistoric art.Prehistoric Cave Art - a contemporary artist's personal response |
|
|
|
|
|
' A Hairy Mammoth - Pech-Merle' Artist (or artists) unknown. This is not the work of an untrained hand. Observe how the contour line of the backbone ridge is drawn without hesitation. This drawing was done from memory (no mammoths underground ! ) & from imagination . The contour of the trunk is 'found' in a swelling of the cave wall; the artist must have pre-sighted this before starting to draw next page : A Student's Testimonial - who is now a well known art blogger. |
|
