Spring Renovation (Part 3)

May 24, 2026 by ashleyt 2 Comments

Burning the midnight oil.

Here’s an update on the last weeks spring renovation, the wild rush to get the roof finished before our first guests arrived for the rental, setbacks with Robin’s health and, sadly, no “after” photos just yet…

See Part 1 and Part 2 of this year’s renovation journey for these updates to make sense.

Progress in photos (as seen on Instagram):

We ordered a custom front door, locally made from oak panels that were once used for old train wagons. These photos (above) were the inspiration. It wasn’t a cheap option but isn’t it stunning? We were able to pick the exact wood panels that would be used. We’re so lucky to have so many artisans in this area.

Below are updates on filling in drainage channels with gravel and plaster boarding. If you buy from Point P, a local builder’s merchant, you can also rent their trucks to deliver your purchases.

The Kitchen Enlargement

This spring we knocked down 2 walls to enlarge the kitchen. Upon walking into the house, you walked into a long dark corridor. We opened this up, with the exception of a part of the wall that unfortunately had to stay. Although the second barn was originally supposed to be the kitchen and living room, it’s currently being used as my studio so we had to get a little creative.

Once we took the old floor tiles up we discovered the floor was, in some places, up to 15cm out of level. Because we had a bit of height in the room to work with we were able to use a spray foam insulation followed by a liquid screed to level up the difference. This was not in the original budget…but alas…

A New Roof

Our roofer was originally supposed to arrive in November. After months of promising to turn up, he finally did so three weeks before our first guests arrived. AH!! Thankfully Robin had the antique roof tiles ready to go.

Destruction of the potager by the tractor!

roof provence — Destruction of the potager by the tractor!

Downstairs Bathroom

The mad rush to get everything finished came to an abrupt halt when Robin’s back gave out 2 weeks before we were moving back into the main house (from the rental). Robin has had a herniated disk since he was a teenager (left alone to carry a boiler up a flight of stairs during an apprenticeship) but with all the running around his body forced him to stop. Amazingly, the village doctor agreed to come to our house to visit. He couldn’t sit or walk, only lie on his stomach for a week.

With a week left to go before we moved in he still wasn’t able to sit but at least he could walk. It was unfortunately back to work. No choice. We had no bathroom, front door and barely any working electricity. He has since had renewed x-rays and an MRI and will be seeing a specialist in July.

When we finally did move in we didn’t have a shower. Thank goodness we have wonderful friends that allowed us to use theirs! (Merci Jess!)

Choosing Tiles

We wanted Zelliges tiles for the bathroom. If you’ve worked with these yourself, I’m sure you know the struggle. Every batch has a slightly different colour. As an artist, I’m particularly sensitive to colour differences. Choosing was really tricky. It was impossible online. In the end we were at the mercy of whatever was in stock.

Massive Clean Up

Even the roofers took pity on us and helped tidy up before our first guests. They kindly delivered some gravel and raked the driveway to hide traces of their tractor.

renovation france provence — Contemplating…

traditional roof tiles provence — Contemplating…

Et voilà ! We’ve moved back in but there’s still a lot to do. There’s a lot of bare lightbulbs and the like. Robin has gone back to work for his clients so things will have to be slowly finished in the evenings and on weekends. The entire upstairs remains untouched, a project for next winter, if we can face it. Then again, we may have our hands full with our daughter due to be born in mid-October…

There won’t be the fun of making a nursery, she’ll be so little that her nursery will be in our arms. For now, we’ll be focusing on more pressing matters such as tiling downstairs.

Eygalières Exhibition Ashley Tinker

May 18, 2026 by ashleyt 1 Comment

Ashley Tinker, Provence-based artist working on a large sunflower painting.

The first exhibition of the summer is up as of this morning! This is one of two exhibitions this year.

Location

La Vallongue artist exhibition Ashley tinker

This exhibition of 10 paintings will run from May 17th to August 31st and is being held at La Vallongue vineyard in Eygalières. This stunning property is worth visiting just for the driveway of Parasol pines along the Alpilles mountains. It’s located on the Route de Destet, in the regional park.

You can see visit during opening hours :

Saturday	10 am–1 pm, 2–7 pm
Sunday	10 am–1 pm, 2–7 pm
Monday	10 am–1 pm, 2–7 pm
Tuesday	10 am–1 pm, 2–7 pm
Wednesday	10 am–1 pm, 2–7 pm
Thursday	10 am–1 pm, 2–7 pm
Friday	10 am–1 pm, 2–7 pm

Vernissage

The vernissage, or official opening night, will be June 18th at 7pm. Come have a gander, say hi and a glass of wine.

Process and Themes

(Thoughts on) Oil Painting and Gesture

Painting landscapes, especially with oil, is soaked in precedent and expectation. Especially painting the same scenes once painted by Cézanne, Van Gogh and the like, there’s a lot of predetermined ideas that people have when they see my work. I use an impasto style, lots of textured paint, no underdrawing, and I work alla prima, or wet on wet. For some reason people assume that oil painting takes a long time; but for me, it’s not the painting but the preparation that takes a long time. I spend hours looking at the blank canvas, mixing paints and stirring up the energy within myself to make the first mark.

I like my work to be closer to drawing rather than painting; I feel it’s more interesting to see the humanity in the brushstrokes, decisions, mistakes and gestures. I feel this energetic way of painting with tactile textures best evokes the limestone and gnarled bark of olives, in essence, the rugged landscapes of Provence.

Sunflowers

There’s something about sunflowers. The height of their bloom is filled with such vibrancy in comparison to their desiccated black seed heads. All flowers are symbols of our transient nature; but sunflowers showcase a contrasted vitality and decay that cannot be ignored. They are an embodiment of the South of France in the popular imagination; directly depicting the brilliant sunlight contrasted with often harsh weather conditions. Their devotion to the sun is touching. I grow them in the garden. All kinds of varieties. They grow like trees, their stalks a symbol of strength. The highlight of my summer days is seeing their transformation, sometimes opening petal by petal. There is an anthropomorphic element to sunflowers, they have such character. This is why I’ve named my sunflowers series “sunflower portraits.” Small versions of these are available for visitors to the studio.

Van Gogh claimed that sunflowers were “his”. It’s easy to see his influence on my work. I’ve decided that 2026 is the year of the sunflower for me, an homage to Vah Gogh, and an homage to Provence.

Fleeting Moments

My first creative outlet was black and white photography. I experimented with Holga cameras and then used a Hasselblad for my portraits, nudes and various artistic projects. I developed an affinity the square format. When depicting landscapes, there is something that feels complete or final when using a horizontal format. I’ve found that using a square or vertical format allows the viewer to feel like they’re in the landscape more, as if it’s a fleeting moment in front of them. I often take photos from moving cars for inspiration, or aim to give the sense that the landscape is enveloping you, as if you’re in the olive groves. You become part of the subject, part of nature.

Oil Paintings

All prices below are including the 5,5% TVA/VAT. If exported outside of the EU, 5,5% TVA will be deducted from the price. The paintings on linen are custom made 400g thick linen. There is a subtle watermark on the bottom right hand of these photos for copyright reasons. It is not on the painting.

Alpilles Landscapes

provence landscapes in oil by Ashley tinker

Sous le Ciel de Provence, Eygalières
80x80cm
Huile sur lin/Oil on linen
Sold*

Après le Mistral, Les Baux de Provence
80x80cm
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
Sold*

alpilles landscape by oil painter Ashley tinker

Matin sur l’Olivier, Les Baux de Provence
80x80cm
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
Sold*

This painting is a commission and is sold*

La Vallongue Alpilles vineyard provence by Ashley tinker

La Vallongue, Mai
80x100cm
Huile sur lin
2110€

Sunflowers

The below 2 paintings are ideally a diptych.

sunflower oil painting south of france Ashley tinker

Portrait de Tournesol; César
90x90cm
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
Sold*

Portrait des Tournesols; Marius & Fanny
90x90cm
Huile sur lin / Oil in linen
2110€

Souvenir du Midi
100x120cm
Huile sur coton / Oil on canvas
2720€

Bouquet d’Été
80x80cm
Huile sur coton / Oil on canvas
Sold*

Portrait de Tournesol; Apolline
200x200cm
Huile sur coton
6330€

Payment & Shipping

If you’d like to buy a painting, it would be wonderful if you’d be willing to wait until the exhibition is over at the end of August. However, if you absolutely can’t wait, I understand and paintings can be taken off the walls from the beginning of July after the vernissage.

If you’re not in the area and need shipping, we ship the paintings rolled in a tube with the wooden stretchers. Any professional framer can re-stretch the canvas for you. If you are in the area, and the size necessitates, the painting can be delivered to you. If you’re passing through, they can also be taken on the plane rolled in a tube. Depending on the airline, they may or may not charge you for the additional luggage.

Payment can be made in person in the atelier with credit card, by wire transfer directly with the bank, or I can send you a payment link with Wise.

If you’d like to see more paintings, feel free to contact me to come see what I have available in the atelier. Commissions are also possible. They take about a month to paint, then three months to dry.

My email : curiousprovence@gmail.com

– Ashley

See more available oil paintings here : Larger Oil Paintings

In Her Studio Magazine Feature

May 16, 2026 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

In her studio magazine featuring Ashley Tinker

I have the pleasure of sharing with you that my studio and work has been featured in a lengthy article and the cover of the last In Her Studio Magazine. This magazine focuses on working female artists and the spaces in which they create.

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy, the magazine ships internationally and can be found here : https://stampington.com/products/in-her-studio-summer-2026

With the code FAV15 you’ll receive a 15% discount.

DIY Winter Renovation Part 2

February 28, 2026 by ashleyt 2 Comments

Phew ! Are you ready for part 2 of our winter renovation? Robin is working against the clock to get this space somewhat lovable before mid-April. Didn’t see the first part of this series? See Part 1 Winter Renovation.

One project Robin has attacked recently is correcting this odd enlargement of an upstairs bedroom over the staircase. Of course it wasn’t done well and needed this metal support which is really not ideal. We’d like to open up the staircase and put the bedroom back to its original size. The reason he has to do this now is because a new concrete floor will be poured downstairs and we simply cannot have the pole here. As a side note, can you see the mould on the walls? Yuck. Robin has already added ducts for several VMCs throughout the house for ventilation. It probably doesn’t help that the roof is actually disintegrating either.

Upstairs, a complete overhaul

All the rooms upstairs are small. However, next winter Robin will be taking down most of the walls and completely reconfiguring the space. There are currently 3 small bedrooms, one separate toilet and one bathroom. Robin would like instead three larger bedrooms and three en-suite bathrooms. We can do this as we’ll include the large room that was being used to store hay and meat. Yes, this is definitely a farmhouse!

Below you can see photos of Robin starting to remove the wall and floor of the extension in the upstairs bedroom. He’s also removing all the tiles on the ground floor as we will be having it professionally re-done with a projected mousse for the insulation to make up the irregularities in levels and a liquid screed for the floor surface. Eventually we’ll add stone or tiles. Sadly we won’t get around to that this year. The staircase will remain the same.

I know these terrazzo tiles are back in fashion right now but we don’t like them. Sorry if you do! They honestly remind me of a hospital. We could have tried to sell these but the time it would take to clean and sort them unfortunately isn’t worth it.

home restoration south of france — Thinking…

All this newfound natural light unfortunately won’t remain as Robin will be building a wall here. However, the stairs feel a lot less claustrophobic.

The Kitchen

This is our current small kitchen. It received a significant improvement last summer when we were able to repurpose these units when Robin was doing a kitchen renovation for a client. It is however a basic space. The dream kitchen that was supposed to be in the large barn connected to the house is, for now, my studio. It’s serving as both a studio and gallery at the moment. It’s too useful for painting sales.

Therefore, we have decided to make this space larger. This room is on the right of the front door, after another dingy hallway. Robin has taken down this wall and we hope a mason (the roofer) will help with the other wall. Already, there is so much more light. Unfortunately, the unchanged windows you see here will remain that way this year. The other wall not yet taken down is a load bearing wall. Unfortunately some if it will remain, blocking the staircase view upon entering the house. This isn’t ideal but we have to work with what we have. Budget needs to be taken into consideration.

In the last couple weeks Robin removed all the units, took up the tiles, broke down one wall and filled countless skips. I’m really hoping his body holds out because there is currently no bathroom in the house. He needs to be careful. This type of work is punishing on his wrist which has been bothering him recently, not to mention his back and knee issues. He goes to the kiné (physio) once a week, which helps.

Insulation

Can you believe that all the below insulation is only for the ceilings downstairs. Wild! We’re using natural wood fibre. It’s more effective and a lot more agreeable to work with compared with fibreglass. It is a little more expensive. It’s best to buy direct online.

DIY Reno france — It was quite something to get all this in the house. It’s currently taking up a lot of my atelier.

Our Gate Arrived

Almost as a side note, as there’s so much going on right now, our gate arrived. We ordered this from a local blacksmith rather than a large company. There’s a big difference in quality. This is solid iron and the shape is called “chapeau de gendarme” or policemen’s hat. This refers to the top of the gate. The blacksmith still needs to come back to add a floral detail to the bottom panels. This is called a palmette in French, or rosace for a smaller gate. The gate will patina more with time.

Robin still needs to install the electrical mechanism for the gate. One of these days…

Plaster boarding (drywall)

So she does have a little character. After removing the thick white paint we briefly admired the colour and soubassement of these walls in the salon before Robin added a primer and started plaster boarding. The kitchen and room behind it are covered in hand-painted stencils. We’ve only glimpsed these details over the past few years behind the heavily flaking paint. The house was painted white in an effort to make it look more presentable for sale.

Things are starting to look like…something.

Up next, filling in the drainage channels, more plasterboarding, hopefully the floor guy and roofer will show up, a serious meeting about the bathroom layout, some pleading with the woodworker and more.

Robin has 5 weeks left before we have to move in… Wish us luck!

Help us buy a front door (and everything else)

We’re so grateful for your support!

Each stay in our rental or oil painting purchase helps us advance the renovation.

Winter Renovation in Provence Part 1

February 28, 2026 by ashleyt 6 Comments

diy home renovation in france — The house in October 2024, very much in its “before” state.

After buying this property in 2019, we spent the first few years focusing on converting the two barns on the property into useable spaces. One is now our 2 bedroom rental, and the other, which you see a little of on the left of the house here, is my artist studio. We haven’t touched the house at all since moving in other than adding a ground cable after I was electroshocked in the shower…

The first couple of winters were absolutely miserable without heating (other than a wood fire in one room). Afterwards, we were thankfully able to move into the rental during the winters. The winter months are when we have the most time to advance the renovation due welcoming guests in the summer.

The last couple years were a little slower to advance due to our wedding and the roofer not showing up last winter due to a death in the family. Robin instead constructed a auvent, or awning, made of stone pillars, wooden beams and antique roof tiles. That space will eventually be for solar panels and a shaded area for technical things such as our well equipment (moved this winter).

Winter Reno

Throughout the summer, when Robin wasn’t working for other clients, he was working on the electrics in the house. Then, in October, after our last guests left, he started on the massive travaux. On the do list: changing the very thin windows, installing stone lintels and framing and so much more.

home restoration france — These windows are from _____ . They rattle wildly in the Mistral wind! With no insolation in the house, it’s very cold in winter and hot in summer. We’re hoping to re-condition these shutters but Robin won’t be getting around to that this winter.

A Mammoth Task for One Man

As Robin is working on his own (except for the roof), due to needing to keep to a tight budget, there’s only so much he can prioritise. Other than the windows, the downstairs of the house will be the priority this winter. Above you see the salon which connects to my atelier. This is on the left of the front door.

After installing electrics this summer (the whole house runs through here- hence so many cables), he was able to get messy and remove the ceiling before insulating and adding plasterboard. Above this room was the hay storage for the house. The ceiling/floor above was only wooden planks; many things fell in between such as the below electric bill, bullets, tin cans, school workbooks etc.

Behind the salon, on the right, is a dingy back room that Robin will be converting into a bathroom and laundry room. He’s made a second opening as the rooms will be seperate.

Below you see the back room which we were using for storage and a wine cave. The floor in the house is just concrete directly placed on the earth. Therefore, it’s quite damp due to no insolation. Not to mention incredibly uneven. This winter Robin will be re-doing the floor properly. This wasn’t originally in the budget but we’d rather do it once. Below he’s cutting channels for drainage pipes and he’s moved the electrical board. The previous board was a relic and right next to the front door.

Windows

Installing the windows took a few more weeks than we originally thought due to each opening being wonky and different measurements. Robin spent a lot of time correcting these awkward openings. He also moved a few over a few centimetres to try to find a semblance of symmetry. For example, the shutters for the salon windows could not be opened correctly due to being too close together. The bathroom window was also impossible to open fully.

Wonky Everything & Lots of Concrete

This house was built by a farmer. It is unfortunately not as old at the barns which are from the 1770s. The house is from about 1930 which means there are no Provençal wood and plaster ceilings, vaulted stone ceilings or stone details. You can see here Robin is adding stone details. Although there will be no stone walls in the house, it will be clean and cosy as it will be properly insulated, contrary to many houses in this region.

We had to ask for planning permission to change the windows and colour of the shutters.

A Process over Several Months

These photos were taken from October 2024 to just recently. Due to the weather, having personal items in the house that need moving from room to room, and the slow process of working on one’s own, Robin, for sanity’s sake, moves around from week to week concentrating on different tasks. While he’s working away on the house, I’m in the studio working on commissions and upcoming exhibitions. Team work!

For the house, we chose to go for a more traditional feel; we had wooden windows made. In the rental and atelier we used steel. The stone is bought directly from the quarry. You’ll find many quarries in this region where stone can be sourced as well as woodworkers, blacksmiths and more traditional trades. We prefer to source these materials and use local craftsmen rather than buying cheap products from abroad. Hence, the budget problem…ha! Also, the cost of materials, similar to elsewhere, has gone up exponentially since Covid.

The Front Door

Ah…. After all these years in France we’re still lusting after French doors. We’re no longer looking for patina doors like our first house. As much as we love the character of them, the cost is prohibitive. It’s usually because of the work needed to create the frame rather than just the door itself.

The two you see below are made to order with repurposed wood. The cost, of course, is also prohibitive. Personally, I like the shape of the first option coupled with the more rustic colouring of the second. I wonder if the first is a little too chic for our funny house? Either way, we just received the quote from the facadier for the coat of hand brushed enduit on the house… It’s possible we will have to choose either between plastering the house or a front door this year.. The opening may have to remain boarded up for now..

The Mysterious Roofer

Next week, our roofer is supposed to arrive. He said he would start in November, then December, then mid January, then mid February. He actually had the gall to come by last week, when he was supposed to start, to say he’s on vacation and he’ll be starting at the beginning of March instead.

Does this sound like something out of a Peter Mayle novel? Of course you can’t be firm with him otherwise he just won’t show up at all. The rumours about French workmen are indeed true (obviously doesn’t apply to all of them). This is why Robin’s clients love him!

All to say, this delayed calendar means that the roofer will be leaving about 6 days before our first clients arrive. Can we get the roofer’s scaffolding down, get the facadier’s scaffolding up, do the facade, clean up the garden & driveway from remnants of rubble and tractor tires, all right before our first guests arrive?

Well, it’s going to have to happen. April is going to be WILD. Not that Robin isn’t already working 7 days a week. Keep your fingers crossed for us that things will go smoothly.

Next; insulation, plaster boarding, removing the tile floors downstairs, knocking a couple walls down and a rather lot of skips (dumpsters)…

Curious about our renovation in Provence? See the Curious Provence Instagram where I post daily updates.

Curious? See Part 2 Winter Renovation.

Rosemary and Maple Syrup Apéro Nuts

December 24, 2025 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

These rosemary and maple syrup apéro nuts are very simple but so delicious. It’s tempting to add paprika etc for more flavour but actually the simplicity of this recipe allows you to really taste the individual nuts. All these measurements are “about” this amount. Go with your gut and add a tiny bit more butter, salt and maple syrup if you’re adding both pecans and walnuts as we did. In my opinion, the pecans are the most delicious!

Of course, buy unsalted, whole nuts. Expensive- but a (relatively) healthy delicious snack!

No additives. Just goodness.

This recipe is adapted from cookieandkate’s recipe.

Ingredients

2 cups / 320g whole unsalted almonds
2 cups / 320g pecan or walnut halves
1 ½ cup / 180g green pumpkin seeds
1 cup / 135g hazelnuts
4 heaped tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary (from 4 large sprigs)
3 tablespoons good quality maple syrup
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons seasalt
1 ½ teaspoons cayenne pepper (reduce or add more if adventurous)

Method

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit/180 degrees Celsius. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients (or any other added seasonings). Mix well until all the nuts are coated.
Pour the mixture over the nuts on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the mixture in a single layer across the pan.
Bake, stirring after the first 10 minutes and then every 5 minutes thereafter, until almost no maple syrup remains on the parchment paper and the nuts are deeply golden, 23 to 26 minutes. Put a timer on- nothing worse than burnt nuts!
Remove the pan from the oven and stir the nuts one more time, spreading them into an even layer across the pan.
Add a final generous pinch of salt
Let the nut mixture cool completely on the pan. They’ll taste more flavoursome when cooled at room temperature.

This recipe makes a large batch. However, they’re so addictive that shouldn’t be a problem. In a sealed container they will stay fresh for 2 weeks.

If you’re a jar-collector like me, I used an old Cassoulet jar here, it’s an easy thoughtful gift.

Available Oil Paintings

December 4, 2025 by ashleyt 1 Comment

If you’re curious, these are the oil paintings currently available in the studio. For international shipping, paintings are shipped rolled in a tube. Any professional framer will be able to re-stretch them for you. If you’re in the area and would like to come by, send me a message! It’s difficult to do these justice with photos, especially to show the texture.

All prices are including tax. Shipping depends on the size of the painting and ranges from 100 – 300€.

If you’re located outside of the EU, the 5,5% VAT will be deducted from these prices.

Alpilles landscape by artist Ashley tinker

Palette Florale, Mai
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
130x200cm (51×79 inches)
4250 €

alpilles olive tree landscape by artist Ashley tinker

Entre Ciel et Feuillage, Les Baux de Provence
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
130x200cm (51×79 inches)
4250 €

Les Pierres Cassées, Vallongue
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
120x180cm (47×71 inches)
3750 €

Coquelicots, Le Destet
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
80x100xm (39×31 inches)
2110 €

Cerisiers, Bonnieux
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
80x100cm (39×31 inches)
2110 €

Le Destet en flou
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
80x100cm (31×39 inches)
2110 €

Couleurs d’hiver, le Destet
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
90x90cm (35×35 inches)
2110 €

Les Terres des Pierres, Mouriès
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
80x100cm (39×31 inches)
2110 €

Tournesols du Jardin
Huile sur coton / Oil on cotton
100x120cm (55×39 inches)
2720 €

La Taille / Beauté noueuse
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
70x100cm (28×39 inches)
2070 €

Oliviers, Aureille
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
180x120cm (71×47 inches)
3750 €

Fleurs sauvages, Mollégès
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
70x100cm (39×28 inches)
2070 €

Lumière de L’Été, Les Baux
Oil on linen / Huile sur lin
140x100cm (55x 39 inches)
2920 €

Tournesols, Castillon 2
Oil on cotton / Huile sur coton
90x130cm (35,4 x 51 inches)
2720 €

L’Amandier
Oil on cotton / Huile sur coton
120x140cm (55×47 inches)
3060 €

Contact

If you’d like to adopt one of these paintings, or would like to commission something similar in a different size, please send me, Ashley, an email : curiousprovence@gmail.com

See more about commissions and visiting the atelier/studio here : An Artist Atelier in Provence

For the next exhibition, happening in June 2026, I will be working on a series of smaller paintings (60x60cm/80x80cm).

Visit an artist studio in Provence

November 4, 2025 by ashleyt 1 Comment

If you happen to be in the Alpilles area of Provence and are interested in acquiring some artwork and meeting a local artist, my studio (atelier) is open to the public via rendezvous. This is a fun way for me to meet people traveling or living in the area that have an appreciation for art. Hopefully you will also be enriched by meeting a local painter in Provence.

My muse is the landscapes of Provence. I focus specifically on the olive groves of the Alpilles regional park but am also inspired by the seasonal wildflowers and crops here such as almond blossom, sunflowers, grapevines and more.

In recent months I’ve been focusing on a sunflower series, potentially for an upcoming exhibition in 2026.

My work is comprised of oil paintings in a loose figurative impasto style often painted at dawn or dusk. For smaller works, I also create botanical series with ink and ochre from Roussillon in the Luberon, or cyanotypes with poppies.

Meet Ashley, a local painter in Provence

The Atelier / Artist Studio

Our 1770s property is in the middle of the village of Mollégès, located 5 minutes north of Eygalières and 10 minutes east of Saint Remy de Provence. On Instagram, our followers have showed a keen interest in accompanying us on our renovation journey. This is our second project in Provence; for the first in Maussane-les-Alpilles we were on Househunters International. This project will be a life project. My husband, Robin, is a professional tradesman and has completed almost all of the restoration himself. We have 2 barns and the main house (not yet touched!).

When we bought the property in 2019, our first task was to transform one of the barns into a weekly holiday rental. After that long process (actual blood and tears!) we focused on the studio. The building is 95 square meters, or just over 1000 square feet. It was mud and 4 walls when we started. We have replaced the roof, filled in the concrete wine cuves in the floor, cleared out a lot of the hunting gear, family photos, replaced the massive barn door with a glass opening and introduced another large glass opening. See some photos here. Although long from done, the space now has a proper floor and some insolation. It has perfect light for a studio.

Group visits to the Atelier

picnic in an artist studio provence frace

If you’re traveling with friends/family or are a tour guide, and believe your group would be interested in visiting an artist atelier, you’d be welcome to stop by. For tour guides, I can provide a picnic lunch, coffee or apéro for a small fee depending on the time of day you’d like to stop by. The light in the studio in the early evening is particularly beautiful. This can be a wonderful moment to share what life is like living in Provence as an artist or otherwise. I used to be a tour guide myself, so can provide extensive tips and history of the area. Depending on how many people you are, I may ask my husband, Robin, to join us.

Oil Painting Commissions

I’m often asked about the option of commissioning a provençal landscape. In the atelier gallery I have some examples of my work where you can commission something similar depending on size, if you’d like warmer or cooler tones etc. If I have time, I like to paint 2 works so that you can choose from one of them. I want my collectors to be as happy as possible so there is no pressure to buy if you’re not 100% in love !

If you’d like to commission a work you’ll have to be patient… Depending on how much demand I have, it will take me a month to do the painting and 4 months for the painting to dry to be able to send. All paintings are in oil paint, hence the wait. If you’re living in Provence, the painting can be handled after a few weeks and left to dry on your wall. Thankfully good things come to those who wait!

Sending a painting overseas

If you stop by the atelier in person, the easiest thing is to take an artwork with you. For smaller works we can of course bubble wrap etc. For paintings, we take them off the stretchers and roll them in a pvc pipe, including the wood. The painting can be easily retrenched by any professional framer back in your home country. Depending on your airline, you can put the painting in your suitcase, check it as another piece of luggage or even bring it on board as hand luggage. To send a painting directly, I use Chronopost and, just the same, send in a tube.

Ashley tinker cyanotypes — Detail of a cyanotype

Contact

If you’d like to drop by, send me an email ! It would be a pleasure.

Curiousprovence@gmail.com

To see paintings available for sale, you can also send me an email.

Exhibition opening night !

June 5, 2025 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

If you’re curious, here’s a few photos from the opening night of my current exhibition at Domaine La Vallongue.

I want to thank everyone that came by on a particularly windy evening to enjoy the wine, artwork, jazz and food. It was a great turnout of about 120 people. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to La Vallongue, and especially Bertrand, who invited me to create work to show on this beautiful property at the foot of the Alpilles mountains.

The exhibition runs until the beginning of September. If you’d like to see all the paintings, see : À Travers les Alpilles Exhibition. There are already some red stickers…

Vernissage

à travers les Alpilles Ashley tinker — We were blessed with a stunning sunset to round off the evening

Ashley Tinker exhibition — We were blessed with a stunning sunset to round off the evening

In the end we were all too busy to take many photos. I was lucky to have a friend of mine, Clara, that took many videos. If you’re curious, see the videos here on the CuriousProvence instagram.

See the paintings : À Travers les Alpilles Exhibition

Let me know if you’re in the area and are able to drop by this summer !

À Travers les Alpilles Exhibition

May 21, 2025 by ashleyt 6 Comments

Here is a sneak peak of the paintings featured in the current À Travers les Alpilles exhibition being held at Domaine la Vallongue. I’m so grateful to those of you that have asked and have been patient to see these new oil paintings that I’ve been working on for months.

As the exhibition runs all summer, I ask that anyone who would like to purchase a painting consider waiting to the beginning of September to receive their work (if being sent internationally). Some of them are actually also still drying (they need a good 4 months).

All the text that you see on the paintings is merely added on the photo for copyright infringement. Please know the “Ashley Tinker” you see on the images is not on the actual painting. My signature is a small “AT” at the bottom right of the canvas. The paintings here are featured from smallest to largest.

If you would like to see a larger quality image before considering a purchase let me know by email.

Les Peintures à l’huile

Allée de la Vallongue
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
60x60cm (24×24 inches)
Sold*

Souffle sur les Rochers, Maussane-les-Alpilles
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
80x80cm
Collection d’artiste / Artist’s collection

Ciel Printanier, Les Baux de Provence
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
80x80cm (31,4 inches x 31,4 inches)
Vendu / Sold*

provence olive grove oil painting by Ashley tinker

La Taille / Beauté noueuse
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
70x100cm (28×39 inches)
2070 €

Le Destet en flou
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
80x100cm (31×39 inches)
2200 €

Le Destet, Aureille
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
80x100cm
Collection d’artiste

alpilles landscape by artist Ashley tinker poppies

Rêverie Provençale, Roquemartine
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
100x140cm (39×55 inches)
Sold*

cherry blossom oil painting by Ashley tinker

Verger de douceur
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
100x140cm (39×55 inches)
Sold*

Eygalieres landscape oil painting by Ashley tinker

Les Pierres Cassées, Vallongue
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
120x180cm (47×71 inches)
3750 €

Entre Ciel et Feuillage, Les Baux de Provence
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
130x200cm (51×79 inches)
4250 €

Palette Florale, Mai
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
130x200cm (51×79 inches)
4250 €

Éclat des Alpilles, Oliviers
Huile sur lin / Oil on linen
200x300cm (79×118 inches)
10,500 €

Shipping

Shipping for smaller paintings is 150€, for larger paintings, 250€.
Paintings are taken off their stretchers and shipped rolled in a tube with the wooden stretchers that can re re-used.

Reserve a Painting

If you’d like to reserve a painting for purchase before the opening night tomorrow please send me an email : curiousprovence@gmail.com

Fallen in love with something already sold? Commissions are possible for similar pieces but know that the colours and feel may not be the same. All pieces are unique. This is why I do not ask for deposits for commissions.

I will also be starting to work on my next exhibition this October so time is limited for commissions.

Un peu sur l’artiste :

Ashley Tinker is a Canadian artist that has been living in Provence for 10 years. An anglophone from Montréal, Ashley moved to Provence with her partner Robin in search for La Belle Vie. She has found it in the Alpilles.

Ashley studied studio arts in Florence at Firenze Arti Visive for a year in 2008 and then received her Bacehlor’s degree in Fine Art Film photography at Concordia University in Montréal in 2013.

Ashley enjoys many creative endeavours that include photography, ceramics, drawing and painting.

After focusing mainly on photography for many years, Ashley started painting again for the first time, in 2019. Shortly afterwards, she found herself gifted months of free time to work on her oil paintings due to the lockdown of the Covid pandemic. She has been focusing more her painting ever since.

À Travers les Alpilles

This exhibition focuses on representations of the Alpilles through oil paintings. These oil paintings will represent her view of the Alpilles as a woman painter, as a foreigner in search of a home in a state of uprootedness. The pilgrim walks with devotion, searching for something in a foreign land. This will be an exploration of the landscape as an intimate space and how, by habitually walking in the landscape, we can become not only a body in the landscape, but also a part of the landscape.

Ashley draws her inspiration from the Alpilles region of Provence and its complex mix of agriculture and wild plants. She has a particular affinity to olive trees whose gnarly trunks and various shades of green leaves are depicted in her impasto oil paintings. She paints in her studio at home in Mollégès as well as en plein air in the regional park.

Domaine La Vallongue

alpilles regional park vineyard provence poppies

La Vallongue is an organic vineyard situated in the Les Baux de Provence appellation. It is located in the regional park of the Alpilles, just outside the village of Eygalières and Saint Rémy de Provence. The estate is located at the bottom of a long valley, the “Vallongue”, whose road was the ancient Roman road which linked Rome to Spain.

100 years ago, the estate housed a sheepfold. It was not until the 1970s that the property, which had become a hunting lodge, that grapevines were planted in the natural scrubland.

In 2008, Mr. Christian Latouche, creator of Fiducial, already the owner of a beautiful olive grove, fell in love with the magic of the place and took over the reins of the estate to continue this great adventure.

See photos from the Vernissage / Exhibition opening night.