This may by the single most important blog post I will ever write. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Jill Steenhuis yesterday at a luncheon where she spoke about her life as an artist in Provence that is now the subject of her new book, Art, Soul and Destiny: An Artist’s Journey from America to Provence.

Jill Steenhuis, an Atlanta native, is a French Impressionistic Painter who lives in the south of France. Jill earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Sweet Briar College {my alma mater} in 1980. Following graduation, she enrolled in The Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing in Aix-en-Provence, which follows in the tradition of Cézanne.

As one of only a few artists in the world with access to the privately owned Chateau Noir (where Cézanne painted from 1865-1898), Jill works from many of the same scenes as the great Master: the pistachio tree in the courtyard, Chateau Noir seen from the olive grove, Chateau Noir seen from under the pines, and Mt. Ste. Victoire seen from Chateau Noir, to name a few.

I am sure you are wondering why this is the most important post I will ever write. I will tell you. Jill struck a nerve inside of me yesterday. The kind of passion that lies deep within, but you know it’s there. Jill’s love for art is embedded in her soul, and you can feel that emotion as she speaks. As I sat there listening, tears welled up inside. I did not dare let them show, but once I pulled into my driveway after the luncheon, I broke down. My tears came bursting out as if they were waiting and waiting for that “ah- ha” moment to occur.

I asked myself, “What was that moment?” and it became crystal clear. Jill’s enthusiastic spirit is contagious, and I am happy to have caught it. Jill was telling me, in her own words,  to find my calling and paint from my heart.

In other words, I am ready to devote myself to painting what I feel from within, instead of what others want me to paint.  I want to practice a more creative approach to my work. I am now inspired to take charge and make it happen. Garden Party and Summer Bloom are two of my latest paintings which exemplify the direction that I want to explore.

I feel so lucky to be able to do what I love. I urge all of you to embrace your passion and live it. We all have busy lives, and many times we make excuses that we don’t have time for ourselves. I say, make time. We don’t control our destiny, so make each day count.


On a lighter note, we had a fun group of Richmond gals who attended the event. In order from left to right, myself, Kirsten Nease, Easy Milligan, Linda Hanson and Audra Boardman.

To Jill – I traveled to Aix en Provence and Arles in 1997 with my husband and it remains one of the most wonderful trips I have ever taken. You are right, the tree branches are mangled and curvy, just as they appear in Cezanne’s paintings. The South of France is truly a magical place on Earth. I want to thank you personally from the bottom of my heart for inspiring me to be a better painter and to reach from within myself in order for the painting to pour out on to the paper! I look forward to reading your new book, filled with your gorgeous paintings and beautiful poetry. I will treasure it forever.

Jill generously donated a percentage of the sale of each painting to the Ellen Shaw de Paredes Breast Cancer Foundation. The luncheon was held at the Country Club of Virginia where we had the opportunity to hear her speak and see her art, in addition to being entertained by pianist Joe Walsh and singers from Lyric Opera Virginia.

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jill steenhuis art photographed by laura trevey
boden circle applique dress in sunflower color as seen on laura trevey
presley skye “April” Crepe wrap dress via Nordstrom as seen on audra boardman