Testimonials 2022
I’ve recently returned from France‘s Dordogne region where I had the pleasure of joining Dean Fisher’s 2022 Plein Air Painting Workshop at the stunning Chateau Belcayre in Saint Leon Sur Vezere. To encapsulate the impact this experience has had is challenging. Words truly don’t suffice. Perhaps paintings will tell the more complete story?
Immersion began at breakfast each morning with Dean’s presentations/demonstrations providing inspiration and offering an opportunity for artists to set creative intentions. Dean’s expertise and dedication to painting is ever apparent, and his instruction and support consistently targeted each artist’s need. Weekly critiques and collegial discourse were robust and provided individual as well as group feedback well into many evenings. And, as if all this was not enough, breathtaking panoramas and sumptuous French cuisine delighted both palette and palate!
This workshop has catapulted me to become recommitted to my own art process! Doesn’t get any better than that! Merci beaucoup, Dean!
Joan D. Cone
For me this was a dream. The setting is beyond all expectations, but the real gift is the workshop! Dean and Josephine create a salon atmosphere that is accepting, supportive and welcoming while being deadly serious about painting. There was a fantastic group of artists living together, all there, first and foremost, for painting. Add to that the profound breadth of knowledge, experience, and insight Dean and Jo generously share starting at breakfast and sometimes into the night… honestly life changing (and so fun!!). After returning home I could not be more excited about the friends I made and my painting practice going forward.
Lisa Dieboll
NY
This is just to thank you both for such a great time painting in the Dordogne. It was really fantastic of you to do that and having it all made an enormous difference. I really enjoyed the week. As always I found your teaching so helpful – you do a fantastic mix of lecture, personal feedback and group crit and it made the whole experience such a pleasure. I also loved being able to paint around the chateau every day. It was a beautiful and atmospheric place and also meant I could make the most of the limited time we had, without having to pack up, travel, unpack etc etc every day. One of the really enjoyable parts of the experience was meeting the other participants – they were all very memorable and it was fun learning from them and how their work went too. You and Josephine set a wonderfully positive and supportive atmosphere so we could all relax and enjoy each other and the painting.
I enjoyed and got a lot out of Josephine’s shadow drawing class – please thank her.
Painting at Chateau Belcayre with Dean and Josephine was a really wonderful experience – such knowledgeable and warm support and personal encouragement – and in such a beautiful place. It has given me the inspiration to keep trying! Thank you.
Tony Cohen
London, UK
I can’t say enough wonderful things about my experience painting with Dean in the Dordogne valley. The landscape and the chateau were breathtaking, the food was plentiful and delicious, and the participants were warm, generous and serious about their work.
But the best part of the experience was spending the week with Dean and his wife Jo.
Dean’s gave so much of himself to make this workshop meaningful for everyone. We were immersed in art from early morning until very late at night, striving for ways to appreciate the art of painting and enhance our own techniques.
I will be thinking about Dean’s painting demonstrations, art lectures and discussions, painting and drawing critiques, and his thoughtful and insightful guidance for many years to come.
Stacey Creem
NY
My experience participating in my third workshop with Dean Fisher was most satisfying and enriching personally as well as culturally. The genuine hospitality that Dean and Josephine Robinson extended to me made the travel/workshop a defining experience for me. The location, Chateau Belcayre, a 12thC limestone aerie, perched along the Vezere river overlooking the French countryside with walled lawns and gardens to paint from could not have been more perfect. Our meals prepared by the lovely chef, Audrey and her mother; was authentic and pure in taste which added to the ambience of the French experience.
Through Dean’s morning lectures, demonstrations and constant presence throughout the day in critique mode learning; you are immersed in a daily practice that supports your painting. Dean and Josephine offer their keen trained eyes, experience and encouragement that you will find the correct tone, color, mark or shape to translate your visual world into a painting. They helped me further develop my tools for self-analysis and critiquing of my work.
The friendships and interaction with the other painters only deepened a most meaningful and enriching workshop. The “shop conversations” and opportunity to watch and hear various opinions and techniques furthered my learning experience. I had a couple of “aha” moments that helped me move off my painting plateau. I highly recommend this immersive painting experience to those engaged with their painting practice and the ongoing creative challenge.
Suzanne Martinson
Miami, Florida
The time spent painting with you at château Belcayre was a dream! I really cannot thank you enough for all the amazing instruction and the time you spent sharing your extensive breath of knowledge. I know so much more now than I did when I arrived and for that I am very grateful. Looking back at the photos, I still cannot believe that you picked such a beautiful setting! The Château was absolutely stunning and every day offered spectacular, ever-changing views of the valley!
It was also wonderful to get to know the other artists you gathered from far and wide! They were such a lovely, focused group and the environment you fostered gave us all the opportunity to learn so much from each other.
Not to be overlooked was the bonus of having Audrey and her mother on campus. What a special treat to have them introduce us to their delicious and varied menu of regional delicacies. Their lovely personalities made each meal so pleasant as they eagerly shared their spectacular cuisine.
I could go on and on, but, needless to say, you really outdid yourselves! Everything was fantastic and I so appreciated the chance to learn from you and spend time in such an amazing landscape!
Missy Savard
Connecticut
Thank you for an amazing workshop Dean and Jo! It was an enriching and unforgettable experience. It was a perfect balance of fun and learning – my favorite part (other than painting in a picture perfect landscape) was the morning inspiration sessions where you shared your favorite artists’ works. The other invaluable byproduct is the friendships we forged with other participants at your workshop!
Shana Sood
Boston, MA
I’ve lost count of how many workshops of yours I’ve attended…I’m continuing to learn and see new ideas about painting and art. This September at La Château Belcayre was exceptional. Thank you!
Our morning chats at breakfast with you presenting were illuminating. As painters we have so many balls in the air at all times and I benefited from your concise carving out of a daily aspect of painting for us to consider. Your fantastic library of images support this work beautifully.
I appreciate your efforts to come visit me while painting…no matter how far I wandered! The easel side chats are the meat of the experience and you are always very present.
The drawing lesson presented by Josephine Robinson was enlightening. I’m continuing to think about the work we did there.
The setting, the people, the food, everything was a dream come true. I enjoyed meeting new painters and hope to follow them.
Kathleen Gadway
Central California
“My week painting at the Chateau Belcayre in Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere in the Dordogne Valley with Dean and Jo was inspiring and expansive. The workshop has given me enough to think about for a very long time and has already made what will be a lasting impact on my painting.
Painting en plein air has always been foundational for me though something I had more recently practiced less often, and paintings produced in my studio were missing something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Dean’s painting workshop made clear that the missing elements were the spontaneity, mystery, and ambiguity that come from working from life.
Dean is a very generous teacher and shared the core tenets central to making meaningful art. I really appreciate Dean’s emphasis on the development of one’s personal style and the goal of creating something beyond a skillful landscape painting. I especially loved the breakfast sessions when Dean showed examples of great paintings and discussed what made them so powerful. This set the tone for the day.
I returned from the workshop reinvigorated and refocused. What a luxury it was to have all day every day to focus on art. It is not often that a great painter is also a great teacher, so Dean is a rare and wonderful thing. It is an added bonus to have Jo who is equally gifted. Thank you both so much for such a memorable and impactful time and for being both highly talented and incredibly lovely”
Annie Harris Massie
Virginia
Dean’s workshop was an experience of a lifetime.
It was a week of art, gourmet cuisine & wine, camaraderie, and incredible beauty. It was immersion in the French way of life and days filled with painting and enlightening discourse. The setting, in our beautiful chateau set high above the Dordogne River, was spectacular. There was inspiration around every corner.
The educational experience was unparalleled. Dean is not only a great artist, he’s a great teacher as well (and we know all great artists are not necessarily great teachers!). Each day of the workshop, Dean shared his wealth of knowledge to help develop our technical skills and broaden our perspective. For his lectures and demonstrations, Dean was always very well prepared. He explained concepts in a clear manner with many visual examples and connections to other important artists. Dean gave each and every one of us a lot of individual attention as we painted, encouraging us to push our boundaries and see in new ways.
It was wonderful to see how every person in our group, through Dean’s guidance, progressed dramatically by the end of the session.
Maureen Fisher-Schweit,
United States
This represents the utter joy of joining Dean’s workshop. I have never learned so much in one week and I have so much more to work on in Plein Air. Fun!
Joanne Uomini
United States
I’m so glad I attended your workshop in France this year. It exceeded every expectation!
Aside from the gorgeous setting and your warm hospitality, what I appreciate most is how you helped us all build a solid plein air painting foundation.I love the way you started each day by explaining key concepts (thumbnails, design, composition, etc.), and gave each person the individual attention we needed to grow.
I really grew as an artist, and came back inspired and re-energized. Forever grateful to you and Jo for the experience!
Rhonda Hurwitz,
United States
I am still processing the week in Carlux and know important thoughts will unfold in time. What I do know, though, is that the experience you provided was extraordinary in every imaginable way.
Thank you for a week that provided so much. Respecting how talented, accomplished and kind you each are (please don’t underestimate any of those statements), your generosity in sharing information, guidance, kindness and care was stunning. I’ve never had a mentor, but that’s how it felt you treated each of us. I realized that aligning with a mentor is the exact relationship that would be so meaningful and impactful at this point in my life.
In addition to sharpening how I see and take in the light, shapes and surroundings, the importance of combining it with heart and head, and in addition to the encouragement and inspiration you provided, I experienced feelings that connected to a part of me I haven’t paid attention to in a long time. Would you understand if I said I felt more like myself than I have in a very long while? It’s a huge statement but true – and my work now is to find a way to stay connected to that, in its entirety.
There’s so much more to say (I haven’t even touched on Noelle’s beautiful food, living in a chateau and the adventures of traveling overall). But I wanted at the very least, to thank you both, for providing an experience and an opportunity that was a true gift, new friendships I hope to continue based on common interests and experiences, and memories that will continue to provide inspiration for a lifetime.
Carol,
United States
September 2019 workshop
I joined Dean’s oil painting classes at Silvermine Art Institute more than three years ago. I was immediately and increasingly impressed with his skills, his teaching ability, his commitment, and his enthusiasm.
This experience motivated me to join his fall 2018 landscape painting workshop in France’s Dordogne Valley. Afterwords, I was so enthusiastic that I joined his fall 2019 workshop there as well.
The Dordogne workshop experience with Dean is simply wonderful – gorgeous setting, inspiring châteaux, supportive classmates, great food. And Dean and his lovely wife Jo are the consummate hosts!!
Important – I first started oil landscape painting in the fall of 2017, after one year of introductory drawing and acrylic painting courses. I was concerned that I wasn’t “good enough“ to justify participating in Dean’s French workshop. This should not be a concern for anyone interested. Dean makes it happen!!
Jere Thomson,
United States
Wanting to stretch my wings as an artist and step outside my comfort zone I decided to try Plein Air painting. With a medium I had been using for over 35 years but in a wholly new way, it seemed like the perfect thing.
I had taken a portrait painting class from Dean many years ago and I liked his teaching style and manner so I contacted him. I learned that there was a plein air class being offered that summer. I dove in even though I feared falling short of the mark I had set. Dean made me feel comfortable immediately despite my head telling me that this might have been a mistake. I took six challenging classes with Dean and there I learned about the workshops in France that he would be conducting in the fall.
I was very interested but thought that I did not have enough experience with plein air painting to justify my presence there. However, the lure of days of uninterrupted painting, three meals a day prepared by an incredible chef and the thought of actually having time to focus on art turned out to be an irresistible combination. Fast forward I found myself immersed in the beauty of the Dordogne valley of south-western France, surrounded by artists of all levels of experience.
Dean promised me that it would be a life-changing experience and he was right. Long hours of painting, lecture and critique, field trips to nearby areas for painting and exploring, lots of guidance, gentle nudging and supportive criticism combined to make it an absolutely unforgettable experience.Since returning I find that I’m looking at everything with a fresh eye and that my current body of studio work is taking an interesting turn.
I really cannot recommend this workshop more nor the teaching attitude and demeanor which Dean possesses.
The workshop is packed full of opportunities to create at every turn and the days are long and extremely satisfying even when one might be in the midst of uncertainty about the day’s artistic outcome.I can’t wait to go back next year!
Dayan Moore, Milford, CT
Dordogne Valley, Carlux, France
September/October 2019
Painting for the week with Dean, Jo and the wonderful group we had was truly a dream for me.
They created ideal conditions for sweating and struggling it out in front of the easel and the stunning views all day long, always knowing that we had a comfortable and supportive place to come back to with delicious meals when we needed them.
The concepts Dean introduced were not new to me with my extensive training with the JSS and my painting alone now for about 12 years, but the clear and concise reminders he gave us every day and his demonstrations helped me break out of some constricting and limiting habits I had gotten into over the years.
Dean’s kind encouragement made me much more aware of my strengths. I feel I am using them much more freely now and pushing myself to experiment from a place of confidence.
Thank you Dean and Jo! It was well worth the investment.
Lucy Sharf,
Israel
Thank you for the wonderful week of art immersion beginning with inspiring imagery over coffee. The persuasive power of your suggestions for thumbnails, as well as daily focus on planes, massing, color flow, chroma, etc. were the exact right notes to start each day.
Most of all, thanks for your sensitive teaching approach – your comments were always easy to accept and right on the mark.
The Dordogne is a most gorgeous venue and having a gifted, empowering teacher made it truly bliss.
Merci to you and lovely Jo! I very much appreciate her aesthetic eye and thoughtful comments as well.
Janet Stolle
United States
I enjoyed painting with you in the Dordogne. The venue was magnificent and Noelle’s cooking was an unexpected luxury. The views from the chateau patio were breathtaking and the motifs over the river seemed unending wherever we looked.
The week we spent painting with you and Jo was fabulous; everything I wanted. The breakfast discussions about art concepts, with examples of historic and contemporary artists made for a great way to start the day. The demos we’re the best! I learn a lot from watching you paint. I also appreciated the critiques you provided while visiting me at my easel. I probably learned more from your “over the shoulder” guidance and positive feedback.
Kathleen Gadway
USA
The stunningly beautiful setting of the Dordogne Valley in which the seminar takes place would be enough to inspire any observant artist.
That environment, coupled with Dean’s serious, well-organized instruction, insightfulness and personalized encouragement, combines to form an unparalleled opportunity to develop as a painter.
And, the icing on the cake (or should I say “le glaçage sur le gateau”) are the memorable, instructive suggestions and delightful company offered by Dean’s wife and fellow painter, Jo Robinson. A jolly good time was had by all!
Mauri Tamarin
United States
I was so thrilled with Dean’s 2017 workshop that I enrolled again for 2018, never imagining it would be better than the first trip. I was so wrong.
Dean and Jo really know how to conduct a fabulous, enriching painting immersion experience, so much that I found it more difficult to depart than the previous year.Noelle’s exceptional, creative culinary offerings were the icing on the cake. Months later I’m still longing for the morning lectures and discussions over coffee, croissants, and fresh fruits, beautifully prepared fresh lunches, early evening aperitifs with incredible wines, and sumptuous suppers among amazingly talented and interesting painters from all over the globe.
I experienced a personal transformation in my own paintings and could see the same in others as well. Two walls-worth of stunning art! It was heavenly.
I believe none of us really wanted it to end, and I cannot wait for the next one!
Trish Hanlon
United States
My week in the Dordogne was the trip, and the class, of a lifetime. Dean’s instruction, always enlightening and inspiring, took on a whole new depth in these extraordinary surroundings. Easily within walking distance were places to paint of astonishing beauty and variety: views of lush river and hills,;vistas past village streets and fairy-tale castles of golden stone; a swimming pool David Hockney would have envied: a picturesque pasture and orchard. Mornings were misty and mysterious, afternoons and evenings bright and clear. It’s easy to see why this area draws tourists from around the world. Every evening, hot air balloons drifted past us along the course of the river, once so close we could hear the flames roar on and off, sounding like the breath of dragons.
The chateau itself was just beautiful, and just the right size to accommodate our very congenial and stimulating group of painters. We were beautifully taken care of not just by Dean and Jo — who arranged the logistics to make transport etc.easy — but by Noelle, the chef, who prepared three delicious meals and an aperitif feast daily. I felt as if I was dining at a Michelin starred establishment, but was astonished to find on my return that I had actually lost weight, despite feasting on bread, cheese, charcuterie, and every rich dessert Noelle offered. Three different regional wines provided by her friend Jerome, plus a tiny tutorial on each, were offered at each meal. Oo la la!
I couldn’t recommend this experience more highly.
Helena Rozier
United States
This painting week in the Dordogne was an unforgettable experience. The painting lessons and live demonstrations were inspirational and educational, after which Dean gave every student personal attention and instructions.
On top of being a master painter, Dean is a wonderful person, friendly and knowledgeable. Dean and his wife Jo spared no effort to teach and help and take care of everyone.
The location is amazing. A whole chateau with wonderful views on the river in one of the most beautiful villages in France. There are endless beautiful landscapes to paint around the chateau. The group was joined by chef Noëlle who made magical meals paired with wonderful wines, a real treat.
The whole week was wonderful, enriching, and very tasty experience. I hope to be able to repeat it next year.
Judith Castro
United States
That was truly an amazing week. The beautiful location, the Chateau, the instruction, the quiche that made me cry (thank you Noelle) and a whole new group of friends were all part of an experience I will never forget!
Thank you for helping me get to my next level of painting!
Yolanda Mazzoni-
United States
I signed up for Dean’s Dordogne painting course hoping to improve my painting skills.
But I left with so much more.
When it comes to painting courses there are loads out there with good painters who aren’t very good at teaching. Dean is both a great painter and teacher. He has a calm and logical method of teaching that truly inspired and connected with me.
Dean made me aware of the gaps in my knowledge that were preventing me from moving forward. I now have a much better understanding of how to critique my own work and this alone has made a huge difference.
Dean is so knowledgeable and passionate about art and with Jo they make a wonderful team. I was delighted to find that you get “two for one” as Jo offered some great tips when I was struggling.
I am now building a body of work knowing how to look at my work objectively.
I signed up specifically to paint better but I would have enjoyed the week just as much if I had just wanted to come along and paint the beautiful scenery and enjoy Noelle’s delicious food (and the wonderful choices of wine). .
Not only was the course both fun and challenging but Dean’s direct feedback for improving my painting was invaluable. I cannot speak highly enough of this course!
Nina Stallwood
United Kingdom
It has been a month since we are back from Dean Fisher’s workshop at Dordogne, and the feeling of the extraordinary experience is still overwhelming.
A dream week in all meanings for all senses. For a short moment, we were transformed into the fairytale princesses living in a fantastic castle, catered with aesthetic gourmet meals cooked by chef Noel, delicious wine selected forever serving, aperitifs on the balcony overlooking the Dordogne river at sunset and hot air balloons as the stage decoration for the daily works critique.
And the important of all: the infinite inspiration, knowledge and sharing of Dean Fisher, who was always with us and for us at morning lectures and discussions, at virtuosic demonstrations, at responding to requests of each of us with kindness and sensitivity.
It was an unanimous opinion that there was absolutely nothing to complain about during the week! Thanks to Jo, everything went exceptionally well and smooth.
Thanks for an unforgettable experience to you: Jo, Noel and Dean and all our new friends in the group.
Yana and Yardena
Israel
I am looking back fondly at my painting trip to France this past summer with Dean Fisher and Josephine Robinson.
I love to look at the paintings I made to remind me of what a wonderful experience it was. The chateau where we stayed was full of old-world grace, and in a very picturesque location above the Dordogne River. It had a tower section where my room was, and my first painting was made in my bedroom with gouache, on a rainy day. (We were not allowed to use oil paint indoors). It was a toss-up whether to paint out the window from the bathroom and capture the landscape across the river, rolling hills and fields and barns, or the leaded glass windows and pink toile and rose velvet furnishings, and I chose the latter. The result was a moody and luscious interior.
Every day after that we made two and sometimes three paintings outdoors en plain aire, following an inspirational session of looking at paintings by famous artists. There were so many locations that were suitable for painting all around the property. There were fabulous views of the river, rooftops, hedges, orchards, great old Lebanese Cyprus trees, magnificent rock cliffs, a swimming pool, outbuildings, a pigeonnaire, far views with clouds, sky, fields and trees of various kinds (walnuts, poplars) and houses. There was always something to inspire a painting, but I learned that all I had to do was to shift my point of view a little and a good painting could be created from the same spot that I had been in the day before. It was a rigorous schedule, but excellent practice to get up and paint every day for hours.
Dean and Jo made their rounds and helped out when the going got rough, and were generous with fresh suggestions, but sensitive to the style of the painter too. The chateau was equipped with an art cave in the bottom of the tower where all the wet paintings and the equipment was stowed. There were 43 steps up to the top, past the old kitchen (which was full of many implements befitting some gorgeous still life paintings and where the washing machine was), to the patio on the ground floor. There we had our evening aperitif and critiques of the day’s work, with the amazing backdrop of river, landscape, and hot-air balloons which descended from the cliff every evening. From there Noel would summon us to the dining room for another delicious and imaginative meal which we always looked forward. The food overall was excellent, fresh and healthy.
The group was congenial. It was satisfying to be in the company of other artists from different parts of the world who had similar interests and struggles of creating paintings and the talk was lively and sometimes deep. In addition, walks to the town were interesting and picturesque.
As I look at the paintings I made I feel I made progress in my work, getting out there and getting it done.Dean helped me especially with color intensity and perceiving values and temperatures, showing new combinations of hues to achieve this, and encouraging freedom of brushwork. His thoughtful comments and perceptive eye are reassuring and true.
Cornelia Olsen
United States
I really don’t have the proper words to express my experience painting in Dordogne Valley but I’ll try to do it justice.
I spent an unforgettable week in southern France with Dean, his wife Josephine (also an incredible artist) and 8 other wonderful folks from all over. Gary, Judith, Maurie, Nadine, Trish, Yana, Yardena & Yolanda. We’d all gathered at Chateau Lamalartrie in La Roque- Gagaec to try out or improve our skills in landscape painting.
It’s amazing how close you become and how much you come to admire and learn from the people you paint within such a short time. We spent many hours all sitting around the dining room table looking at and discussing works of many different artists, old masters through to contemporary artists, whose love for the landscape compelled them to paint. And we did all this while being treated to Chef Noelle’s delicious fresh meals and local cuisine, desserts and lovely wines. Is there anything better?
After a daily morning talk by Dean, we all packed up our plein air gear and found spots on the chateau grounds or surrounding areas. And we painted all day. Uninterrupted. For seven days. I’m sure this was not unusual for some of the company but for me, this was a test. I had not painted for more than a few hours at a time. Would I get frustrated and discouraged and give in to the fear that I am no artist? Quit for good? Or would I be able to slow down and see and listen and learn. Find beauty in the simplest things. On about the third day of class it all just clicked. This is what I want and need to do.
Dean’s individual instruction, dedication, encouragement, his passion for art are so inspiring.
He emboldens you to develop your own personal style. He teaches you to see what many people only care to get a glimpse of. And he instills in each student the desire to see more. He is beyond generous in sharing his knowledge and talent and I cannot thank him enough for this opportunity.
And of course it helps that class was held in such a charming location.
The beauty of La Roque-Gagaec is indescribable. I cannot forget the way the sun fell over the hills across the river in the afternoons. The exquisite light. The ethereal sunsets. We were even graced with a rainbow. There were times when I felt like I was in a Cezanne. Even in the rain it was magical. It all feels like a dream…
I told Dean the first day that I had hoped this would be a life-changing experience.
And it was. I now know that I want to paint, to draw, to create. I want a life full of art. Regardless of what I produce this is my passion and I am beyond thankful to Dean for helping me realize this. So thank you, Dean. It was wonderful to chase the light with you.
Kristin Hoffman
United States