Ever had one of those times when everything falls into place? When you make certain decisions and you sit back
and you suddenly feel very contented; that you innately know you’re on the right track?
That’s me today.
I’ve spent the last few years really trying to hone my skills as a painter. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is ample room for improvement (and I hope I never lose the drive to continue learning). But today, I can finally stand back at my work and be happy with it, and feel comfortable (truly comfortable) presenting to you all.
And while I LOVE LOVE LOVE painting, I have wondered where my next adventure will be.
I know 100% that I don’t want to have a physical store. I would be terrible. I have zero interest in being a slave to bricks and mortar; and I marvel at those who will happily accept the pros and cons of such an endeavor. All I know is that I want to paint and I don’t have interest in selling ‘smalls’. I’ve had people approach me about teaching painting classes and, honestly, I’ve successfully being able to come up with a thousand excuses why I couldn’t do it.
I’m not good enough. I’m not organized enough. Where would I even teach? I have zero space. There’s so many people better than me. People would realize I’m ‘faking’ and that I’m not a ‘real’ teacher. Need I go on?
Basically, the one thing that I am VERY GOOD at, is talking myself out of it.
Until now
Now I’m ready. I’m ready to teach. And, as I said earlier, it feels right. You know that gut feeling that tells you YES.
So – my first teaching course will be held in….
FRANCE!!!
Yes, I know – crazy! I’m almost giddy!!! I was contacted by a wonderful French woman (Jeannette) who runs the Antique Buying Tours France Facebook page. She has been organizing tours for several years and a few months ago she contacted me and asked if I would be willing to attend one of her trips and do a workshop. After a few internal dialogues with myself, I decided to say YES.
YES, YES, and double YES!!!
Here’s my Facebook Live announcing it.
The trip is geared around shopping those wonderfully awesome French flea markets and antique stores. My kind of heaven. Seriously. The dates are September 10th – 17th. We meet in Paris, spend the day sightseeing on a Double Decker tour bus, have dinner and stay overnight. The following morning we head to Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny, for our inspiration. I’d love to teach you how to do a small image transfer of one of his paintings! You must know how much I love and admire him!!
From there, we drive to Leonardo Da Vinci’s last residence, Le Château du Clos Lucé – Parc
To think I will be walking the same floors that Da Vinci walked is mind-blowing. I kid you not. And if that isn’t enough, we then travel to beautiful quaint Central France, away from the crowds.
We will have a personal chef demonstrate and prepare a five-course meal for us. How stinking fabulous!
Our ‘home away from home’ will be in the small village of La Trimouille, France 86290.
Our village (see! I’ve already claimed it!!!).
The rest of the week we go to the wonderful flea markets and shop, and become inspired, and shop, and eat, and enjoy. It’s going to be so wonderful!!
Hopefully we can find something small that we can refinish at the guest house; perhaps buy antique frames from the markets and refinish them. I will bring my supplies. We can paint, and learn from each other. Maybe have a picnic by the village river? Have a wine tasting.
Basically, just relax and make friends, and play with all of my products.
All in France
The cost for the trip is $2300, based on double occupancy. Everything is included, except airfare. The only negative to this is that space is very limited. We only have space for 7 people (besides myself and Jeannette). If you’re interested, let me know or email Jeannette at gjcottagechic@yahoo.com
So that’s it in a nutshell. I’m taking the leap into the teaching world. I’m going to France. I am incredibly happy.
Come join me?
{insert catchy ending phrase here}
Diane aka The Paint Factory
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