Art Holidays in Southwest France in the Lot Region with Adam Cope
The Lot Region |
|
The Lot is a rugged, wild & unspoilt region, named after the next river south of the Dordogne. Off the beaten path. Here, you are in '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. Here, on your art holiday, you will find inspiration. |
|
 |
|
many unspoilt little fields with wildflowers |
|
It's a stony, limestone country. Dry stonewalls, scrub oak & sheep farming on the plateaus. Tobacco, maize, vines, walnuts & popular-lined meandering rivers in the valleys. |
 |
 |
|
|
It's not just humans that enjoy the high, dominant position of Chateau de Beduer ...
|
|
 |
|
|
One of the many 180 degrees views
|
|
The Cele 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'. |
|
Two Trips Out |
|
|
The Romanesque Abbey of Marcilhac. Wrecked by the English during the Hundred Years War. |
|
The art holiday includes a trip out up the Cele valley to Marcilhac, an authentic Romanesque village, somewhat ruinous but full of soul & character. Adam was artist in residence in Marcilhac, creating stone lithograph prints, & so knows the area well, which will help guide you. He also lived near Chateau de Beduer for a time, & so has painted the landscape. It's this type of familiarity that gives a feel for the place, a knowledge helpful to share. Here, below high white cliffs, besides the river, you will paint & holiday well. |
|
 |
|
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 also includes another trip out to the Cave of Peachier, 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 will supplement this with an informal presentation on prehistoric art.read a page of meditations about Prehistoric Cave Art |
|
|
|
|
|
' A Hairy Mammoth - Pech-Merle' Artist (or artists)
unknown. 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 backbone is 'found' in a swelling
of the cave wall; the artist must have pre-sighted this before starting
to draw).
|
|
