As an Israeli painter, many of whose paintings are landscapes, I frequently paint the landscapes of the Land of Israel and even conduct landscape painting workshops for my painting students, to beautiful and fascinating places in our country of "primordial" beauty.
The idea of doing painting workshops in Paris was born to me largely thanks to the Francophile, photographer, journalist, friend and resident of my city: Yoel Tamanlis. Yoel's love for Paris is expressed in his magnificent photographs, which he publishes on a daily basis on his Facebook page and occasionally also organizes photography exhibitions. The idea was born during one of my visits to his photography exhibitions about Paris.
I had been to Paris before, but Yoel helped me get to know and fall in love with Paris like I had never felt before. At first, we thought about a collaboration between a group of photographers and a group of painters who would go out together to the same sites – each for their own occupation. We traveled to Paris together with the task of scanning as many sites as possible that would be suitable for both painters and photographers, that would be suitable for beautiful weather and rainy weather, that would be diverse in urban and natural landscapes.
Yoel took me to places that only someone who is in love with Paris and has documented it for over 20 years, traveling there several times a year – knows and can. After that preparatory trip, we held a first workshop that was very successful, but we realized that there is a different pace and different needs for photographers and painters, and so the decision was made to continue independently and hold painting workshops intended mainly for my painting students. According to my acquaintance with Yoel, he will most likely be in Paris when I go out with my workshops, and so it will be possible to receive tips from him that he gives with love and generosity.
Many of my students wonder and ask (especially those who have not yet taken a painting workshop with me): “But why a painting workshop in Paris? There are so many beautiful places in the world, closer, more exotic, and painted just as beautifully…” To those who ask why do a painting workshop in Paris, and in general… why come to Paris to paint? Here are 12 answers, as many as the tribes of Israel (or at least as many as the first districts of the city):
1. Inspiration
Because Paris, the city of lights and art, has served as inspiration for the greatest painters in history: Watteau, Fragonard, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Picasso, Georges Braque, Modigliani, Chagall, Toulouse-Lautrec, Dali, Rodin, Brancusi and Osip Zadkin, and many more.
2. Diversity
Because Paris is a diverse city, with views of the Seine River with its wonderful bridges, gardens, vast urban parks with waterfalls, caves and a wealth of flora that changes every season of the year. The Tower ofEiffel And the picturesque rooftops create a spectacular and unique skyline, and the forests are full of lakes, boats, and magnificent trees: Luxembourg Gardens, Tuileries Gardens, Parc Monceau, Vincennes Forest, Boulogne Forest, and more.
3. The museums
Because Paris is a special and cultural city with some of the largest and most important museums in the world. After 4 hours of painting and a short rest, it's best to complete your stay in one of its magnificent museums and get more motivation and inspiration (if you didn't have any): the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Rodin Museum, Picasso, the Pompidou Center, the Museum in the Luxembourg Gardens, and more.
4. The architecture
Because Paris has architecture with impressive buildings from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Neoclassical to the modern era. Somehow, this whole mix is beautiful and exciting, not to mention the towers, domes and spires that stand out in the skyline and are wonderfully painted.
5. The stores for artist supplies
Because Paris has some of the largest and richest art supply stores in the world. For example, the Bazaar Hotel de Ville, which has dedicated an entire floor to art that requires hours of time to digest the offerings, and also small and high-quality ones, such as the artist supply store called “Esquisse,” located next to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.
6. The Metro
Because to paint in Paris you don't have to rent a car and deal with driving. Everything is so simple and accessible thanks to its wonderful metro (underground train).
7. Belong to a respected dynasty of painters
Because in Paris, when you paint from the Pont des Arts, you feel part of the history of the world's greatest painters who sat right there, in the same place, and painted the bridge across the street and the Seine River.
8. Getting to know the locals
Because in Paris, when you sit and paint, you become part of the place. You get to know the residents who hang out there, Michel the painter who imagines he's Picasso, and the lady with the poodle who scolds everyone else for not being well-behaved enough (French, come on).
9. The Light and Sky of Paris
Because in Paris there is a light that begs you to admire it, and a sky that is nowhere else, and these two together enhance every creation.
10. Awakening of the senses
Because only in Paris are there houses that you want to draw, lanterns that you long to paint, bridges that you are excited to paint, and a river that makes you crazy to paint. The forests and parks are a delight to the senses, and let's not forget the Eiffel Tower – which comes out most beautifully in paintings.
11. Multiple options
Because you can come to Paris with your family, your partner, a friend or a girlfriend. You can only say goodbye to them for 4 hours of a painting workshop, and at the end join them for a couple's or family outing. If you are lucky enough and Zvi Hazanov is in Paris, we highly recommend taking a tour with him on one of the fascinating routes he offers and hearing from him about the history of Paris, novels, murders, kings and queens.
12. Paris is a city of food
Because only in Paris, if you've had a not-so-successful day in terms of creativity, can you simply go into one of the small cafes or bakeries and take comfort in soft pastries, with the smell of fresh butter and unforgettable flavors.
When are you returning to Paris?
You are more than welcome to contact me by email and receive a detailed prospectus from me containing information about upcoming painting workshops in the City of Lights:
📧 Email: einat.mizhar@gmail.com
🔗 Facebook: Link to Einat Kerman Maor's Facebook page
Link to Einat Kerman Maor's website
with love,
Einat Kerman Maor
