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It was 1996, during an intense period of my law practice when I was painting only on weekends and vacations. My artist friend, Till, saw my paintings and said I had to get to Provincetown to study with Lois Griffel. I jumped on that idea. Now, about twenty-five years later, I'm a full time artist.  

That first workshop with Lois was a turning point in my life's path. This would be my first week-long art workshop, and the beginning of learning and practicing impressionist methods passed down through the generations of painters who taught and studied at the Cape Cod School of Art.

When I first went to Cape Cod in '96, Lois had been director of the school for about 10 years. She acquired it from Henry Hensche (one of her teachers) who had in turn acquired the school from Charles Hawthorne who started it in 1899 after studying under William Merritt Chase. 

Lois is a fabulous teacher and painter with a large and devoted following. She has received the highest status in the world of contemporary impressionist painting as a Master Signature Artist of the American Impressionist Society.

Griffel was interviewed by Eric Rhoads, publisher of Plein Air Magazine in early 2020. You can read and listen to the interview at this link. Also, here is the link to Griffel's website.

Returning to day one of the workshop:  We were outdoors on a beautiful late August morning watching Lois do a painting demonstration.  Using a palette knife, layering colors, describing the light by its effect on objects - these techniques were eye-opening to me. I was completely hooked on the method of painting she showed us.

After two days of block studies (the school's signature method of teaching light and color) Lois took us to a marshy area at the end of town for our first plein air experience. I set up my new Julian half-box easel and then time stood still. Although I was standing in the sand when I started, I was knee deep in salt water as I finished. It would have taken a tidal wave to distract me from painting on that afternoon.

Here is that first plein air painting with a palette knife:

Incoming Tide, oil painting by Simonne Roy (NFS, private collection, early work)

It is fitting that my turning point would take place at Provincetown, at the tip of Cape Cod - a place of change, with its constantly moving water and sand dunes, and beautiful light. (I have always been inspired by coastal environments having visited the New Jersey beaches since childhood.) 

Throughout the week, and during subsequent workshops, Lois patiently and expertly gave me the tools and techniques I needed to express myself in the impressionist method. I have studied with Lois on memorable workshop trips to Aix-en-Provence, France, Cortona, Italy, Texas hill country, and most recently, Stockton, New Jersey. Over the years I have modified some techniques and learned others, but her lessons remain my fundamentals.  I rarely start a painting without thinking of Lois and will forever be grateful to her for giving me such a good start on the path of impressionist painting.

If you'd like to learn more, I recommend her book, Painting the Impressionist Landscape.

Although the Cape Cod School of Art no longer exists, Lois teaches in various locations around the country. You really should attend one of her workshops. If you do, it just might change your life!

That's me, painting in Provincetown, August 1996.