La Fontaine Artist Residency
Break free from your routine and reignite your artistic passion in the relaxing and inspiring atmosphere of rural Provence. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, writer, photographer, musician, or multimedia artist, we can help you recharge your creative batteries in a serene and beautiful setting free of worry and distraction.
La Fontaine Artist Residency is located in the charming French countryside on our private secluded 1-acre villa, surrounded by small farms and expansive forests. We are a 5-minute drive from the lovely village of Velleron or a 20-minute walk or 10-minute drive from L’Isle sur la Sorgue, an extraordinarily picturesque small town.
This program is designed for one or two artists who are either a couple or friends. You will stay in a gîte (cottage) located on the same property as our private home where we live full-time. The gîte is air-conditioned and has two bedrooms, one bathroom with shower, a fully equipped kitchen, a sitting room/veranda with great light, and an art studio. It has a private entrance and yard for you to enjoy. We have a shared pool, with a pool house and a pétanque court to enjoy during your stay.
We require a minimum stay of 1 week but encourage artists to stay between 2 and 6 weeks.
We do not accept children below the age of 18.
We are not able to accept pets.
We welcome all kinds of artists. We provide a list of the best places to see for inspiration and can connect you with other creators in the area for inspiration, courses, and reviews.
With our private, self-contained gite, this residency is designed for artists to be independent and have a quiet place that allows inspiration to flow.
Photography day touring, mentoring, and photo review sessions are available for an extra fee. We can also connect artists with local models who speak English for artist-to-hire projects.
La fontaine, Where you will stay, be inspired and create
Fee and length of stay
The fee is €1000/week for one person. There is an additional charge of €200/week for an extra person, either a partner or friend who will also be participating in a residency.
Length of stay is a minimum of 1 week, and a maximum of 6 weeks.
Transportation
We recommend you rent a car for the duration of your stay as there are many beautiful and inspiring villages in the area to visit.
If you choose not to rent a car and want to venture out there are options for hiring transport as needed. We can provide you with a list of taxi and chauffeur services in the area.
We provide day tours for an extra fee.
We are a 30-40 minute drive from the Avignon TGV train station and 1 hour from the Marseille airport.
Meals
All other meals are on your own. The foods and wines of Provence are superb, and there are many easily accessible grocery stores, outdoor markets with fresh produce and meats, butchers, cheese shops, and boulangeries. We will provide you with a complete list of places to shop nearby, and we can recommend some wonderful cafes and restaurants in the area.
We provide you with a welcome meal during your stay with us.
What is provided in the gite?
Fully equipped kitchen with coffee makers, gas stove, (with one electric element), microwave/convection oven combination, fridge freezer, glasses, mugs, dishes, pots, pans, cutlery, knives, and cooking utensils
We supply you with cooking oil, basic spices, sugar, flour, coffee, tea, paper towels, napkins, dish soap, and cleaning supplies
Bathroom with bath towels, pool towels, hand and body soap, shampoo, conditioner, and blow dryer
Art studio with work tables
Desk
Wifi and a wireless speaker
1 large wooden easel
1 metal portable easel
Photography tripods
Photography reflectors
Photography strobes and softboxes
Cloth backdrops
Antique props
If you have questions or would like more information, please get in touch with us by clicking below
Your host
Raina Stinson is an internationally award-winning photographic artist known for her evocative storytelling through imagery. Originally from the United States, she has spent the past seven years living in Provence, France, and is a full-time resident.
With a deep passion for visual narratives, Raina’s work often explores themes of identity, resilience, and the human experience. In addition to her photographic art, she teaches week-long photography workshops and day photography tours in Provence, sharing her extensive knowledge of the region and photographic skills. She incorporates her many years as a meditation and mindfulness teacher into her courses. She loves uncovering Provence's unique and hidden treasures, sharing an intimate and authentic experience of its beauty, culture, and history with her clients.
Raina, along with her husband, Denis, run the artist-in-residence program from their private villa, providing a peaceful and inspiring retreat for creatives to immerse themselves in their work. Through her photography, teaching, and residency program, Raina fosters a space where artistry and inspiration can thrive.
Over the years she has received numerous awards in recognition of her work and has exhibited around the world. For a full list of awards and exhibitions click here
many Surrounding villages, markets, restaurants, museums, art galleries, historic chateaus, ruins, hiking and biking trails, and beautiful countryside to explore and be inspired
A full list of locations and activities will be provided for our artist-in-residence.
Here is a taste of the stunning locations in our area
Testimonials
“My time at La Fontaine Artist in Residency was so helpful for my development as an artist. As a later-in-life beginning artist, it is hard to find the time away from work and kids to slow down and see. During my time I was able to really step out of go-mode and take the time to look, sketch, paint, and learn my medium in a deeper way. Time on the property was quiet and contemplative, with loads of walking/hiking options nearby, including a couple of lovely villages. Dozens more incredibly charming villages are within a 30-minute drive, and Raina was so helpful in directing us to places we enjoyed.
The apartment (gite) itself is adorably decorated and very comfortable. Personal touches, hand-selected antiques, and Raina's beautiful photography make the space both functional and a pleasure to be in. It is a great place to disengage from a too-busy life and dig into one's art practice."
Shannon Marie, Oregon USA
I had a truly fabulous experience with Raina!! She is a very gifted photographer and instructor. Raina is very skilled at teaching the nuances that make a great photograph and has a calm, beautiful way of empowering her students.
There were many things that stood out about Raina's photography sessions. I loved the fact that Raina uses mindfulness at the root of how she teaches. By being mindful and noticing how you are seeing things creates an entirely new way to photograph. Raina is an absolute pleasure to be with! She is fun, warm, caring, and instructs in the most helpful of ways. Raina knows which environments create the best photos. To learn by walking in her footsteps was priceless. I would never have learned as much as I did or enjoyed myself as much as I did if it weren't for Raina.
My time with Raina was so inspiring and rewarding. I left transformed and uplifted and now have fabulous photos from our experience together. I can't wait for my next course and residencey with Raina!
Phyllis Brock
California, USA
I had the privilege of staying in Raina's Gite for an artist residency, and absolutely loved it. The gite is lovely. As a photographer, it was extremely helpful to have Raina's help with location suggestions and connections to models. I had a truly wonderful time in Provence, and can't wait to come back!"
Fritz Liedtke , Oregon, USA
