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Behind the window of my watercolor artist studio in Provence: the soul of my studio-boutique

Writer's picture: Laura RachezLaura Rachez

The LL Artisanat Workshop in Monieux: A Provençal Dream that is coming true


watercolor of the front of a green workshop boutique
Watercolor from my watercolor artist painter studio in Provence

It was a sweet spring morning, March 15, 2016, that my dream took flight. I was living in Sault, a neighboring village, lulled by the hope of a workshop where I could give free rein to my creativity. One day, like a sweet melody in the midst of the daily tumult, an ad on Le Bon Coin caught my eye: the town hall of Monieux was looking for an artist to breathe new life into the old village inn. My heart raced, a spark of hope was lit. I dared to apply, my soul filled with a sweet impatience. And then, the miracle happened: I was chosen!



Storefront of an art studio in a stone building. A blue door and display window frame the entrance. Artwork is displayed inside. A ginger cat sits in front of the door.
The photo, taken in 2016, shows the charming front of my workshop-boutique, nestled in an old stone building. And Picasso my faithful cat friend who is always the first to greet visitors.

This is how, carried by the winds of destiny, I put down my brushes and my dreams in this house full of history, ready to open my workshop-boutique in the heart of Monieux, where art and beauty meet.



From the Little Inn to my watercolor artist studio Provence: A Name, a Story

At the beginning of this adventure, we chose to keep the name steeped in history of this building: "La Petite Auberge". A nod to the past of this residence, while opening the door to a new future, that of a place where art and conviviality blend harmoniously.

However, we quickly realized that this name could be misleading. Forced to realize that, when the village restaurant was closed, we were yelled at by some hungry cyclists after having pedaled for kilometers in the Gorges de la Nesques or after having climbed Mont Ventoux, we decided to change the name of our house-workshop.


Vintage bike painted in brown watercolor with gray and ochre panniers
Vintage bicycle from one of my watercolors

We repainted the front and renamed our workshop-boutique: Atelier LL Artisanat .

Here is a description of the image: Description: The photo shows the welcoming façade of Atelier LL Artisanat, nestled on a picturesque street in a stone village. Two large umbrellas, one white and one patterned, provide pleasant shade on a small terrace set up in front of the shop. On this terrace, a round table made of colorful mosaic tiles is surrounded by wicker chairs, inviting you to relax. The shop front itself, with its sign "Atelier LL Artisanat - La Petite Auberge", is an elegant shade of blue that contrasts harmoniously with the golden stone of the building. Large windows provide a glimpse into the interior of the shop, where you can make out colorful curtains and green plants. To the right of the entrance, an easel displays a few canvases, while to the left, a wooden display showcases other artisanal creations. Potted plants and a wine barrel add a rustic and warm touch to the whole. The overall atmosphere is peaceful and invites discovery.
Here is our watercolor artist painter workshop Provence today, a haven of peace in the heart of Monieux! The photo captures the warm and inviting atmosphere of our space, with its colorful parasols, its sunny terrace and its artisanal creations on display. Welcome to my watercolor artist painter workshop Provence

The Evolution of the Workshop

Initially conceived as a space dedicated to painting, our workshop naturally evolved into a larger creative space. Pottery for Laura, wooden object sculpture and knife forging for Lucas have enriched our artistic palette. Faced with this diversification, we deemed it necessary to change our name. "Atelier LL Artisanat" underlines our desire to create unique pieces, marked by our artistic sensitivity.


Vase in the foreground and painting depicting a blue sofa in a living room with details
Detail of a vase that I made when I was doing ceramics in my watercolor painter studio in Provence

The photo shows two exceptional knives, hand-forged by Lucas Poutou in his workshop in Monieux. Placed on a wooden base, they stand out against an orange background. The first knife, in the foreground, sports a finely chiseled blade and a handle made of precious wood. The second, slightly set back, reveals a more massive blade and a handle decorated with delicate patterns. The light plays on the steel, highlighting the beauty and precision of each detail. These knives are much more than simple tools, they are the expression of ancestral know-how and a passion for creation.
Discover the craftsmanship of Lucas Poutout, a blacksmith in Monieux. This photo highlights two unique knives, witnesses to his know-how and his passion for forging.

Eight Years of Passion and Creation

Eight years have passed, like a sweet melody painted on the canvas of time. My workshop-boutique in Monieux, nestled in the heart of this Provençal village where time seems to have stopped, has become my refuge, my haven of peace.

Monieux, a little jewel of the Albion plateau, enchanted me with its authentic charm and peaceful beauty. The cobbled streets, the stone houses bathed in sunlight, the scents of lavender and thyme that fill the air... every corner of this village breathes eternal Provence.

These eight years have been rich in experiences and transformations. I explored the art of pottery for six years, shaping the clay with passion and patience. But today, my pottery tools are resting, making way for new brushes and new colors.

My heart now beats to the rhythm of watercolor and acrylic. I continue to bring home interiors to life, capturing their essence on canvas. And I have thrown open the doors of my studio, inviting creative souls to join me in exploring the wonders of painting.


Watercolor painting of a picturesque alley in the village of Monieux. Stone houses with blue shutters line the cobblestone alley. On a shaded terrace, a woman sits on a chair reading a book, while a cat lounges at her feet. Climbing plants and flowers add a touch of greenery to the scene. Sunlight gently bathes the alley, creating a peaceful and warm atmosphere.
Watercolor that I painted, alley of the village of Monieux that you can find in my studio artist painter watercolorist Provence

Courses & Workshops: Sharing a Passion

In my light-filled studio, I am pleased to share my passion for watercolor and acrylic through classes and workshops suitable for all levels. Whether you are a beginner, curious to explore these techniques, or an experienced artist seeking improvement, you will find here a space for learning and fulfillment.

I regularly organize introductory watercolor workshops, where you will learn the basics of drawing, color mixing and the different techniques of this fascinating discipline. For the more experienced, I offer thematic workshops, focused on mastering light effects or other specific aspects of these techniques.

The atmosphere is always friendly and warm, conducive to exchange and creativity.




"A glimpse into my bright and welcoming studio, where the magic of watercolor happens. Join me in Monieux for inspiring art classes, surrounded by nature and serenity
Immerse yourself in the creative atmosphere of my studio, bathed in natural light and surrounded by greenery. This is where the magic of watercolor comes to life, during friendly and inspiring classes.

My Creations: Colorful Home Interiors

My paintings are a reflection of my soul, my emotions, my inner journeys. I particularly like to bring home interiors to life, capturing their warm atmosphere and unique personality through vibrant colors and subtle plays of light.

Although I do not focus on Provençal landscapes, the spirit of this region infuses my works. The hilltop village of Monieux, with its stone houses and tiled roofs, sometimes invites itself into my compositions. And the lavender fields, symbols of Provence, often appear in touches of color through the windows of my living rooms and kitchens painted on canvas or on watercolor paper.



Daily Inspiration

And yet, inspiration never fails me. It is a faithful companion, an inexhaustible source that springs from every corner of my existence. The rays of the sun filtering through the shutters of my studio, the laughter of children playing in the street, the song of the wind in the cypress trees... Every bit of life, every fleeting moment, nourishes my creativity and fans the flame of my imagination.

Monieux, this timeless village, is a true jewel of beauty. Its cobbled streets, its murmuring fountains, its stone houses full of history... Every corner of this place is an invitation to dream, to create. The landscapes of Vaucluse, with their lavender fields as far as the eye can see, their hilltop villages that seem to touch the sky, their verdant forests... Each panorama is a living painting that awakens my senses and nourishes my imagination.

And then, there are the meetings, the exchanges with the visitors to my workshop, the students in my classes... Their curious looks, their knowing smiles, their life stories... All of this enriches me, moves me, inspires me.


watercolor representing a sunflower

The Future, a Blank Canvas

So, what is the future of this workshop, this village, these knives? Only time, this elusive artist, holds the answer. Perhaps the years to come will see new colours bloom on my canvases, new shapes come to life under my brushes. Perhaps Lucas, the blacksmith with an artist's heart, will continue to shape metal in the garden of the small inn, creating sparks that dance with the light of the setting sun.

Or maybe the winds of change will blow over Monieux, bringing with them new stories, new faces. But whatever happens, I know that the spirit of this place, this unique alchemy between art, nature and human encounters, will continue to live.

Because inspiration, this flame that burns in each of us, never really goes out. It transforms itself, reinvents itself, always finds a way to express itself, to illuminate the world with its beauty.

And it is this certainty that carries me, that gives me the energy to continue to create, to share, to dream. So, may the future hold for us canvases that are still blank, hillsides to shape, encounters to make. May inspiration continue to guide us, to surprise us, to amaze us.

Because life, like art, is an eternal recommencement, a promise of infinite possibilities.


watercolor of the village of Monieux

And do you know Monieux and my workshop?




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