Paul and Annette at the Pont Saint-Michel on the Seine in Paris, May 2025
I’m writing this on the last leg of a trip back home after a rich and wonderful three weeks in France with my husband Paul. Once I get back, I’ll start prepping for North Coast Open Studios this coming weekend, joining twenty other local and international artists at Creekside Arts in Freshwater (details below). But before I get swept up into Open Studios, I want to share some highlights of this inspiring art-filled trip.
Annette on the hike to the hill town of Gordes in the Luberon region of France. Part of the trail follows a dry stone wall built in 1725 to keep plague-ridden people away from the pope.
We did a self-guided walking tour through the Luberon region of Southern France, hiking nine to twelve miles a day through farms, forests and centuries-old hill towns. Instead of having to carry heavy packs and sleep in a tent, our bags were sent ahead to our next inn—a system we loved!
While the wilderness sections were beautiful, some of my favorite stretches of the hikes took us past stone farmhouses, olive and cherry orchards, lavender fields and red poppies.
white hill town
the herder shakes down cherries
for his goats
Least favorite part: huffing the equivalent of 89 flights up a mountainside trail—made of loose rock—on a hot day—only to reach a modest, non-native cedar forest, full of people who had simply driven there. Pretty underwhelming for those of us who live near Redwood National Park!
After the walking tour, we spent five days in the Provençal town of Arles, which we’ve visited many times. There we met an eclectic array of artists during Arles’ first-ever weekend of “Ateliers Ouverts,” or open studios. And we followed in the footsteps of Van Gogh, who lived and painted there.
The Roman amphitheater in Arles at sunset.
Our home base was a lovely Airbnb apartment just steps from the ancient Roman arena, where we happened on a reenactment of gladiatorial combat, and the Roman theater, where groups of children performed hiphop dances. We enjoyed memorable meals outdoors under grape vines or in sidewalk cafes. We stocked up on rotisserie chicken, goat cheese, olives, crusty bread and strawberries at Arles’ vast Saturday market.
sandal tan
the summer
at peak tomato
But the best part of our time there was just rambling through the narrow cobblestoned streets with their faded pastel shutters and occasional wafts of jasmine.
A panel of Les Nymphéas, a cycle of eight paintings by Claude Monet at the Musée de l’Orangerie.
We also spent some interesting days in Paris, exploring new and familiar neighborhoods and having dinner with old friends. Seeing Monet’s water lily paintings at the Musée de l’Orangerie was a highlight—they are truly massive. I was impressed to learn that once Monet had a vision of these paintings, he built a special studio to create them. Now that’s commitment to an artistic vision!
At the Musée d’Orsay, we hung out with iconic works by Cezanne, Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh, all housed in a stunning former Beaux-Arts train station.
So weird. Despite all that walking, I came home with a couple extra pounds!
Though we were unsure how Americans would be treated at this time, most of the French people we met were friendly and understood that not all Americans—especially those who travel to Europe and speak decent French—are aligned with the current administration. In some ways it seems frivolous to take a European vacation these days, but as the street art in Arles said, “la joie est un acte de résistance.”
And now I’m looking forward to settling back into our spacious, comfortable home in the redwoods. My aim is to recover from jet lag in time to be coherent for Open Studios this weekend. Hope to see some friendly faces there!
morning rain
blurring the redwoods
his three-note yawn
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Makino Studios News
Midway through the day’s hike, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch in the hill town of Lacoste.
North Coast Open Studios: On this 25th anniversary of North Coast Open Studios, I’m joining twenty local and international artists at Creekside Arts in Freshwater, CA. It’s a free, public event happening this Saturday and Sunday, June 14-15, from 10 to 5 at 465 Howard Heights Road. (About two miles up Freshwater Road, turn right on Howard Heights Road.) Look for the Makino Studios popup tent, where I will share my art and process.
On Saturday from 2-6 p.m. the venue will also host their annual Creekside in Bloom event, with snacks, wine and live music by James Zeller and Katie Belknap of Ponies of Harmony and Blasé Bonpane and Stellar Jays (Soul to Swing).
Books and cards restocked: I was down to two copies of my award-winning book of art and haiku, Water and Stone, but just received a shipment of 100 more—these make nice gifts! And I’ve also just gotten a big printing of my cards, which you can browse here.
Summer break: I’ll be on a creative retreat at the Klamath River July 12-19 and won’t be able to ship orders until my return. Sorry for the delay!
Free shipping: You can get free shipping on Makino Studios orders of $35 or more with code FREESHIP35, entered at checkout.
Thanks: I always appreciate your feedback, whether by email, in person or as an online comment.
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Publication credits: “white hill town” - Presence; “sandal tan” - Acorn; “morning rain” - Hauling the Tide: Haiku Society of America Members’ Anthology 2024.