Le Maison de Beaumont Invites Sam Dobrow to Artist Residency

Invitation

I am thrilled to announce that I have been invited to participate in a four-week artist residency at La Maison de Beaumont in Beaumont-de-Pertuis, France, scheduled for July 2026. This opportunity marks my first artist residency, and I am honored to accept the invitation to immerse myself in a creative environment that promises both personal and professional growth. Receiving this invitation means a great deal to me on multiple levels. Working from home for many years has limited my chances to interact with other artists and exchange creative energy. At La Maison de Beaumont, I look forward to engaging with fellow artists in an open and free-thinking atmosphere. The feedback and discussions that naturally emerge in such a community will undoubtedly fuel the evolution of my work and inspire new directions in my artistic expression.

My Inspiration

La Maison de Beaumont, nestled in the heart of the Luberon region, carries a rich history that deeply inspires me. Originally built in the early 18th century over the ruins of the medieval Castle of Beaumont, the house once served as the residence for the king’s representative and later became the town’s elementary school following the French Revolution. This historic setting, in a village that has attracted artists including Van Gogh, creates an ideal backdrop for exploration and artistic discovery.

As a fine art photographer, digital artist, and bookmaker based in Coconut Grove, Miami, my creative journey has been shaped by a lifelong passion for photography. From mastering darkroom techniques in high school and university to embracing digital photography in the mid-2000s, I have continually sought to refine my craft. My work has evolved from fashion and model photography to focus more on travel, nature, architecture, and surreal images that express deeply felt experiences. Notable series include the “Oceana Series,” featuring surreal architectural night scenes of Miami Beach, and the panoramic “Windows to the World Collection.” Recent travels to Rajasthan and Southeast Asia have reignited my interest in people photography, which I am eager to develop further during this residency.

My Residency

My plans for this residency are centered on deeply immersing myself in the local culture and daily life of the village. I intend to blend in with the locals to gain authentic access to their stories, lifestyles, and environment. My goal is to create intimate portraits of the people I meet, photograph the village’s historic architecture, and capture the stunning countryside, particularly during the peak of the lavender and sunflower bloom. I am especially excited by the prospect of photographing during the golden and blue hours—sunrises and sunsets—and, if conditions allow, even experimenting with astrophotography to capture the night sky away from city light pollution. During my time at La Maison de Beaumont, I am excited to foster relationships with other resident artists. While I have no specific collaborative projects planned, I anticipate that mutual inspiration will arise naturally, enhancing creativity on both sides. I also hope to establish connections that may lead to exhibiting my work in the future.

Throughout my residency, I plan to develop a pictorial narrative that documents my experience in this enchanting place. This narrative, combined with reflective writings during my stay, will form the foundation of a fine art photography book. While I do not have a fixed theme, the project will naturally be woven together by the experience itself. I believe that allowing some time after the residency to curate and reflect on the images leads to stronger storytelling. Past projects such as “Scotland: Faith and Fortitude,” a somber black and white exploration of Scotland’s history, “Eyes on Italy,” a conceptual visual story spanning four Italian regions, and “Orient Expression,” a travel book addressing complex cultural themes in Southeast Asia, demonstrate how my books are born from experience and thoughtful curation. Copies of these works are available on my website.

To share this special journey, I plan to post images and updates on Instagram and other social media platforms throughout the residency. Afterward, several copies of the photography book born from this experience will be left at La Maison de Beaumont for future residents to discover and find inspiration.

Ultimately, I hope that my followers and visitors to my work will view this residency as a meaningful commitment to my art, reflecting my dedication to growth, cultural exploration, and creative expression. Living in a charming 18th-century village and capturing the vibrant lavender fields of Provence during their peak bloom excites me immensely, and I look forward to sharing the magic of this experience with all of you.

Thank you for joining me on this new chapter. Stay tuned for updates as the residency approaches and while I am in France.

About Le Maison de Beaumont Artist Residency

The Art Residency Program is a gateway to an immersive and transformative creative experience. It offers an enriching opportunity to embrace the Provençal lifestyle, the essence of which is beauty, simplicity, quality, and tranquility. Offering an authentic Provençal experience, La Maison de Beaumont promises a journey through the heart of Luberon, where artists can savor the region’s essence, culture, and history. The 18th-century village house was renovated with respect for local traditions, using historical materials, ochre colors, and lavender scents. Throughout their stay, artists reconnect with tradition, rejuvenate their creative spirit and simply slow down to enjoy peaceful moments amid the beauty of the vineyards and lavender fields.