CREATING IN VAN GOGH COUNTRY

 A Month of Painting, Place, and Process in Provence. 

Some places change the way you see. Provence is one of them. For one month, I created in the landscapes that shaped Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Matisse — absorbing the light, the colour, and the quiet rhythm of days devoted entirely to making.

Art residencies have played an integral role in the evolution of my artistic practice and career. They have connected me with new artists and immersed me in unfamiliar places and ways of working across the world. Through them, I’ve had the rare opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the masters, gaining deeper insight into how particular locations shaped their lives and work. Creating within an environment that actively encourages exploration and absorption is a rare indulgence.

My recent four-week residency at NG Art Creative in Provence offered exactly that – and far more. What follows are a few highlights and reflections from a journey that took over a year to plan.

What is an Art Residency?
An artist residency provides dedicated time, space, and resources for artists to focus on making work, experimenting, and developing new ideas – often in a setting far removed from everyday pressures. Residencies are an invaluable way to deepen your practice, connect with other artists, and expand your creative world.Most residencies require a formal application process, much like applying for a job. Artists submit a CV, outline their concepts, explain why they want to attend, and articulate what they hope to achieve. It’s competitive, and rejection is common. When accepted, however, I’ve found every residency to be profoundly rewarding – fast-tracking my creative development and enriching my art life in ways that linger long after the experience ends.

The NG Creative Residency
NG Creative is housed in a 17th-century Provençal olive mill, the Moulin de Gréoux, located in Maussane—a small village around 45 minutes from Avignon. Set among olive groves at the foothills of the Alpilles mountains, the residency feels like stepping into a long-imagined vision of Provence: stone villas, wildflowers, alfresco dining, and slow, sun-soaked days. Locals even display a regional symbol proudly on letterboxes and signposts, reinforcing the strong sense of place.Accommodation ranges from single rooms to self-contained stone cottages, and artists are allocated space in a shared studio where work can continue at any hour. Writers, performers, and musicians are given dedicated private workspaces tailored to their needs.

The Director
The residency is directed by Nicky Ginsberg – something of a legend in the industry. She founded NG Art Gallery in Chippendale in 2006 and has since built an international community of artists connected through support and collaboration. Her warmth and generosity are felt immediately upon arrival at the Moulin.From the beautifully curated interiors to the exceptional meals she prepares, Nicky’s greatest gift is her ability to curate people as thoughtfully as spaces. She brings artists together in ways that spark conversation, exchange, and creative expansion. Every decision is made with intention, and most artists leave feeling incredibly fortunate to have been selected.Nicky is supported by a wonderful team. In 2025, Katie Dukovcic assisted throughout the residency and was always on hand to help with logistics, schedules, and day-to-day questions.

What Is Expected of You?
Each residency has its own expectations, though they generally include a few light communal chores to help keep things running smoothly. Beyond that, the primary expectation is that you create – fully engaging with both the studio and the surrounding environment.While there are undeniable pleasures built into the experience, this is not a holiday. The director regularly visits the studios, and artists are expected to give talks, share progress, and participate in discussions about their work, challenges, and discoveries. These exchanges are among my favourite aspects of residency life, offering invaluable perspective and insight into both my own practice and that of others.You quickly realise that while every artist works differently, everyone grapples with similar questions around growth, process, and sustaining a creative life. Hearing these shared experiences is both grounding and motivating.

The NG Creative Residency
NG Creative is housed in a 17th-century Provençal olive mill, the Moulin de Gréoux, located in Maussane—a small village around 45 minutes from Avignon. Set among olive groves at the foothills of the Alpilles mountains, the residency feels like stepping into a long-imagined vision of Provence: stone villas, wildflowers, alfresco dining, and slow, sun-soaked days. Locals even display a regional symbol proudly on letterboxes and signposts, reinforcing the strong sense of place.Accommodation ranges from single rooms to self-contained stone cottages, and artists are allocated space in a shared studio where work can continue at any hour. Writers, performers, and musicians are given dedicated private workspaces tailored to their needs.

The Director
The residency is directed by Nicky Ginsberg – something of a legend in the industry. She founded NG Art Gallery in Chippendale in 2006 and has since built an international community of artists connected through support and collaboration. Her warmth and generosity are felt immediately upon arrival at the Moulin.From the beautifully curated interiors to the exceptional meals she prepares, Nicky’s greatest gift is her ability to curate people as thoughtfully as spaces. She brings artists together in ways that spark conversation, exchange, and creative expansion. Every decision is made with intention, and most artists leave feeling incredibly fortunate to have been selected.Nicky is supported by a wonderful team. In 2025, Katie Dukovcic assisted throughout the residency and was always on hand to help with logistics, schedules, and day-to-day questions.

What Is Expected of You?
Each residency has its own expectations, though they generally include a few light communal chores to help keep things running smoothly. Beyond that, the primary expectation is that you create – fully engaging with both the studio and the surrounding environment.While there are undeniable pleasures built into the experience, this is not a holiday. The director regularly visits the studios, and artists are expected to give talks, share progress, and participate in discussions about their work, challenges, and discoveries. These exchanges are among my favourite aspects of residency life, offering invaluable perspective and insight into both my own practice and that of others.You quickly realise that while every artist works differently, everyone grapples with similar questions around growth, process, and sustaining a creative life. Hearing these shared experiences is both grounding and motivating.

Managing Your Time on Residency
It has taken me years to learn how to make the most of residency time. Having a loose structure for your days is essential, particularly when balancing studio work with exploration and research. I usually set three guiding intentions: First, I want to fully experience the place—through all the senses. Being present in a location, rather than consuming it through books or screens, sharpens observation and fuels new ideas. Second, when a location has inspired great artists, I make a point of walking where they walked, seeking to understand what influenced them so deeply. Third, I give myself permission to experiment freely, starting as many ideas as possible. I want the atmosphere of the place to physically enter the work – to influence surface, palette, and mood.Colour, shaped by natural light and climate, is central to my practice. Experiencing it firsthand seeds ideas that later grow into more resolved works in the studio.

What to Pack
Over-packing is a skill I’ve perfected. My suitcase is always at maximum weight, usually made up of 80% art supplies and 20% clothing. As an expressive painter focused on still life and landscape, I typically travel with acrylic paints (oil paint and airports don’t mix), brushes, rolled canvas, watercolour paper, sketchbooks, ink pens, and pencils. I also carry a small cross-body bag as my on-site kit, filled with fold-out sketchbooks, a compact watercolour set, a water container, and a fold-up chair – essential for avoiding ant nests or soggy ground. Working small removes pressure and encourages spontaneity when time in a location is limited.

My Process
This residency placed me in the landscapes of artists who have profoundly shaped my approach to colour – Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Matisse. Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, where Van Gogh spent time recovering, was just 20 minutes away. He painted in this region between May and October, meaning I experienced the same seasonal light conditions that informed his work.I begin with loose observational sketches on site – often under olive trees or while walking the hills of the Alpilles. These drawings aren’t detailed; they’re visual footnotes, capturing the essence of a moment. I no longer paint plein air extensively, preferring instead to return to the studio to develop ideas with fewer logistical constraints. Back in the studio, I create colour swatches to respond directly to the local light. In the past, I’ve defaulted to my familiar Australian palette, which simply doesn’t translate here. These studies help build harmony and accuracy before I begin larger works. Then comes the paint itself. I start loosely and allow the material to lead. Learning to respond to marks and let them guide composition has been a long but rewarding process. Complete control leaves no room for discovery – and discovery is where the magic lives for me.

During this residency, I also experimented with gel plates, producing prints and abstractions that may appear chaotic to others but contain the skeletal memory of landscapes I’ve experienced. My challenge is keeping the work loose and resisting illustration – a lingering instinct from more than 30 years as a graphic designer.

Shared Studio Life
Working in a shared studio offers constant insight into how others approach their practice. One lesson I’ve learned repeatedly is that improvement comes only through doing. Thinking about good ideas isn’t enough – you have to show up and work.

The Benefits
Residency days may be punctuated by gallery visits, trips to provincial towns, and long meals featuring local produce—hardly a hardship. Each residency reinvigorates my enthusiasm and opens new creative pathways. I no longer feel pressured to “finish” work while away; instead, I return home carrying a lifetime of memories and ideas ready to unfold. This trip brought unexpected connections: travelling with glamorous Icelandic artists, discussing competitions with a UK Portrait Artist of the Year winner, and sharing meals with an opera singer. None of this could have been planned, and all of it enriched the experience immeasurably. I wholeheartedly encourage artists to apply for residencies – provided they choose ones aligned with their practice and aspirations.

What’s Next?
Back in my studio, unpacking studies and sketches instantly transports me to Provence. Now begins the work of developing these ideas into finished pieces and allowing those learnings to ripple through other areas of my practice. These firsthand experiences will also inform my workshops and teaching – there’s nothing like having truly been there. I am deeply grateful to everyone at NG Creative, especially Nicky Ginsberg, for their ongoing support of my artistic journey. I can’t wait to see where it leads next.

CHECK OUT MY VIDEO REVIEW BELOW

Prefer to download a print version of this article? Click here to download PDF >

__________________________

This blog focuses on the practice and processes of creativity. It is one little step in championing the benefits of creativity in our life.  I believe being creative matters. It is the space where your imagination can run free and your explorations can take you to new and exciting places. Exercising your creativity maybe one of the greatest luxuries you can allow yourself to take. Studies show that it can make your day brighter and your journeys lighter. It can give you purpose and even improve your mental health.
Adding more art and creativity into your life will always count, sometimes you just need a little help getting started!

Kristine Ballard is a Visual Artist and Arts Educator, Kristine Ballard on www.kristineballard.com © Kristine Ballard 2026.