Life in France
2022 New Years Greetings
I send you my greetings for the New Year with a heart full of gratitude and my most sincere wishes to you all for a year full of love, joy, good health – and creativity!
The Romance of Danilo & Georgette
The story of an unlikely friendship formed between my horse Danilo and a wandering pig named Georgette.
SUMMER WORKSHOP IN PROVENCE
Summer workshops in Provence are back! This was a week of exploring Provence and walking in the footsteps of Cézanne and Van Gogh. We experienced the creative process, learned to mix a harmonious palette of colors and spent lots of time painting plein air. Not to mention the culinary and musical delights shared with new friends.
Meeting Serge
In her book Art, Soul & Destiny, Jill writes about how fate brought her to meet her husband Serge in the streets of Aix on her second day in France.
“Painting the Invisible” Film Release
“Painting the Invisible” is a documentary film that follows Jill Steenhuis as she navigates the landscapes of Provence in search of inspiration for her creative practice. Shot by her son, James Ruffato, over the course of three years, the film gives intimate glimpses into the world of Jill’s prolific, creative, spiritual energy.
Spring Tour Cancelled
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jill is cancelling her spring tour. Stay tuned for further updates.
Happy New Year 2020
Jill sends her warmest greetings for 2020 as she enters her 40th year of living in Provence. She reflects on her artistic pilgrimmage and life journey as an American living in France. She also shares some of the highlights of the past year and mentions some of her upcoming events in 2020.
Workshops in Provence – Summer 2019
This summer May, July and September, Jill hosted artists in her 8-day oil-painting workshops. The groups journeyed throughout Provence, to Cézanne’s art studio, followed in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Saint-Rémy and captured local scenes on canvas (port of Cassis, market in Aix), and more!
Almond Blossoms
The delicate and exquisite beauty of the almond blossom bears a poetic reminder of greater truths. Jill captures a few of these thoughts as she crafts her palette and is inspired by these lovely flowers and the graces of this season.
Happy New Year 2019
As the New Year begins, I wish you all a year of renewal and time to be silent, time to go outside and to walk to restore your spirit. The question is not “How can I be happy?” but rather “How can I be free?”
Lavender in July
In the heat of July, Provence is colored in shades of purple as the lavender flowers bloom, releasing their sweet, heady scent.
Poppy Profusion for Painting Workshops
SPRINGTIME IN PROVENCE — An unusually rainy spring led to more bountiful flowers in the landscape for my two oil-painting workshops in May. In spite of some rainy days, we journeyed out en plein air to experience nature and allow our inner poetry to emerge on the canvas.
Steenhuis Ruffato Family Aix-hibition
ANCIENT SPACES SHOWCASE BRAND NEW ART — Once again we are thrilled to be exhibiting our work in the beautiful Galerie de la Prévôté here in Aix. The 11th century building and courtyard, nestled just under the magnificent Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, is an oasis from the bustling streets of Aix and a perfect place to showcase our … Read more
