I’m thrilled to announce that I am offering another travel adventure. Here we go!

France 2025
A Tour for Art Lovers
May 19 - 29, 2025

Below is a short description of the tour. For full details and the itinerary, please click here for a brochure. It is downloadable, printable and shareable. 

Our trip will be focused on art history as we walk in the steps of Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse  and Pierre-Auguste Renoir! Paris, Arles, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Aix-en-Provence, Antibes, Nice and Cagnes-sur-Mer. 

Are you ready to take in the beauty, tastes, and joie de vivre of France? Come join me!

Included in this package:

Art History Course
An art history course focusing on understanding how the French artists and technology of the 19th century helped bring about a major paradigm shift known as Modern Art. This three part lecture-based course will be taught online by Miha Sarani. Miha is an art maker and art historian. The course is organized into three sessions that will take on April 19, April 26 and May 3. The sessions will be recorded so if you can’t attend on Zoom, you will be able to watch the recording. You’ll learn about some of the greatest artists before we visit their homes and studios in France!

Lodging for ten nights
2 nights in Paris at the Crowne Plaza Paris Republique Hotel
2 nights in Arles at the Hotel Maison Volver
3 nights in Aix-en-Provence at the Hotel des Augustins
3 nights in Nice at the Hotel Aria

Meals
Daily continental breakfasts
Group welcome dinner in Paris
Group lunch in Antibes
Group farewell dinner in Nice

Transportation
Ground transportation between cities and to group activities.

City Tours
Hop on Hop off Bus & Boat Tour of Paris
Guided walking tour of Arles 
Guided walking tour of Aix-en-Provence

Museums, artist homes and studios
Entrance into Fondation Vincent van Gogh in Arles
Entrance into Monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Entrance into Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence
Entrance into Atelier Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence
Entrance into Picasso Museum in Antibes
Entrance into Matisse Museum in Nice
Entrance into Les Collettes in Cagnes-sur-Mer

For full details and the itinerary, please click here for a brochure. It is downloadable, printable and shareable. 

Welcome to my art world.

I have loved to create things with my hands as far back as I can remember. 

I believe that through creativity adults and children alike are able to understand their world and to establish connections to different areas in their life. Through art we are better able to understand and appreciate the world around us and develop a deeper relationship with ourselves. 

I offer workshops in watercolor, drawing, sketchbooking, and creativity coaching. I also regularly take students on international sketching workshops. Best. Gig. Ever.

My artwork is available for purchase from my website’s Gallery page and at Red Sky Gallery in Lake Forest Park, Washington and Tsuga Fine Art in Bothell, Washington.

If you would like to receive my quarterly eNewsletter with updates about my work, art shows, and workshops, you can subscribe by clicking here. (Should you later change your mind, you will be able to "Unsubscribe" with just one click.)

Student testimonials

Your online teaching skills are incredible. I’ve taken many online classes over the past several years, and I think you are the most organized, articulate, and personable instructor I’ve ever had. Your on-line teaching presence is just going to get bigger and stronger. - Lauren C.

Both my wife and I have been taking sketching and painting classes from Charlene. I have to say that the quality of art education that I am receiving from Charlene is staggering. I have spent 3 years of my life learning art for an MFA degree at Academy of Art University San Francisco, and I must say that the education I am receiving at Cloud 9 is way superior to those years of my art education from a university. I highly recommend Charlene and her art school, Cloud 9, to anyone who wishes to get a strong foundation to their artistic skills and push themselves further to rediscover the joy of creativity and eliminate all fears while following their passion. ~ Mukul Soman

I so love your class on drawing the human head and facial expressions. I feel like it is tailored just for me; it is exactly what I want so I am beyond thrilled! I’ve taken other courses on drawing faces and yours blows them out of the water. I keep pinching myself that I found such an amazing art school, classes, and teacher (who is great at attracting other wonderful teachers too) so close by. I am truly, truly blessed! ~ Deb W.

When I returned home yesterday, I told my husband that your class was the best one I have ever taken.  I am very excited.  It actually gave me goosebumps!  ~ Susan Cook

Knowing we have to grow into the curve  of learning and improving is why I keep coming back.  I love your class and more importantly I love the way you teach.  You are not judgmental, you care and we are fortunate to have you each week. Thank you, Char.  ~ Marilyn Scanlon

I'm so glad I took your  "Drawing the Masters" class. Looking back at my past work, the current work I'm creating is more accurate and my visual ability has improved. I've been drawing more and now tackling painting again. Thank you! ~ Donella Robbins