TUSCAN ART & WINE TRIP 2011
Plein Air Painting in the Tuscan Countryside
. . . and you don't need to know how to paint to embark!
October 1 - 10, 2011
$4145*
$3560* (special non-painter price)
Recognized NW artist Julia O'Reilly will lead this trip to Tuscany for inspiring landscapes, Tuscany's reputed wines, and fresh, delicious food prepared by our own 5-star chef in the manner of Tuscan cuisine.
Registration begins July 25.
Deposit: $725. for Travel Bookings, due August 12
Balance: for Travel Bookings, due August 22
Balance: for Trip and Workshop Fees, due August 22
Registration
- Deposit for Travel Bookings
- Travel Bookings - Final Payment
- Trip and Workshop Fees & Registration Form completion
Travel Bookings, Flight information, Deposit:
Lora Blanchard
541-431-0716
Trip and Workshop Fees:
Julia O'Reilly
541-689-7938
THE TRIP
Journey to Tuscany for inspiring landscapes, delightful accommodations, Tuscany's internationally reputed wines, and fresh, delicious food prepared by our very own chef in the manner of Tuscan cuisine. We'll be staying in our very own villa, the Fattoria La Loggia for the workshop portion of our trip.
Included:
Transportation directly to the villa from Florence airport
Return transportation to Florence from the villa
All lodgings, including 4-star hotel in Florence (all breakfasts included)
Lunches and dinners including wine and gratuity, during our stay at the villa
All local transportation (except locally in Cinque Terre towns)
1-day trip to Cinque Terre
1-day guided tour to Chianti region, including lunch, and wine and olive tastings
All art materials and supplies
Painting instruction and consultation
Transportation directly to the airport from hotel in Florence
Not included:
Meals or beverages on day trip to Cinque Terre
Local transportation in Cinque Terre
Extra wine or beverages
Lunch or dinner in Florence
Trip insurance (trip insurance is available through Lora Blanchard, Eugene Tour and Travel)
Policies
Click here to download a pdf containing trip policies and details.
About Painting
Think you don't know how to paint and can't learn? Check out the success of a former novice workshop participant. If you can write, you really can learn to paint and draw, with your own voice and heart.
But not everyone wants to paint. If you would prefer to come along for the sake of the company and the place and the experience, there is a special non-participant (non-painter) price just for you.
We'll travel by car for a day trip to the Cinque Terre region on the upper coast, for photographing or sketching this picturesque area, and enjoying local food and wine offerings, with Chef Kendra as our wine guide and consult.
Trip also includes a wine tour of the Chianti, visiting various wineries, a lunch at a fabulous little Tuscan restaurant, with some olive oil tasting as well as a chance to scout the area for great painting opportunities.
We'll wrap up our trip in Florence to explore the charm of the city. Overnight accommodations in Florence are the 4 star Hotel Adler Cavalier.
About THE WORKSHOP
This is a real plein air art painting workshop in the heart of
Tuscany, land of olives, grapes, passion, slow food, sunlight and amazing vistas and architecture. Absolutely no former
experience is required, all levels of experience are welcome.
Open Air Fundamentals
How to take paints outdoors and catch the movement of light
Elements of Landscape
How to see the land and the architecture in it as a painter sees
Color and the Art of Place
We'll explore why color does what it does, and how we can paint the light and the things we see, using the power and delight of color.
The Days
Workshop devotes 5 mornings of fun, easy to follow instruction for beginners, and advanced discussions of light, color and color theory, composition and finding the power of your subject, for the experienced painter.
We'll have time and transportation of our own for finding the perfect painting spots in the afternoons.
Julia will be available for evening painting discussion or simply pleasant conversation after dinner at the villa.
All Art Materials and Supplies Included
We'll be using gouache (like watercolor only easier!) to create a visual journal of our trip.
Julia's fun, easy to follow instruction will ensure that you come home with a painting you love, no matter what level of experience you come with.
What To Bring
Walking/hiking shoes
Water bottle
Camera
Brimmed hat
Daypack
Sunscreen
Swimsuit
Raingear
Your selection of clothing for the trip should be based on thoughts of comfort for walking and painting. You will want lightweight hiking boots or very sturdy shoes for some of the walks, and you should be prepared for rain with a waterproof jacket. Temperatures can vary from 55 to 90 degrees fahrenheit, although they are most likely to be in the 70s to 80s.
Laundry facilities are available on site. Please bring a day pack for carrying water and your art supplies on the walks. Sunscreen is highly recommended.
ABOUT OUR CHEF
Chef Kendra Howard has dedicated her entire working life to food and the kitchen, and has a background in herbal medicine.
She spent six years at Marché, Eugene, Oregon's finest French NW Bistro where utilizing local, seasonal ingredients is a core philosophy.
"Conscious acknowledgement of where the food I cook comes from and into whose mouths it is going has been an ongoing practice for me. I like to know my farmer; I like to know who I am cooking for and what they expect from their meal."
Kendra spent a year at Apicius Culinary Academy in Florence, Italy, studying regional cuisine and wine. She looks forward to working with the essential flavors of Italy once again!
Some paintings from a former workshop participant
These paintings were made in a workshop we did on the Oregon coast, by a participant who had little experience with painting.
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To see more of Julia's paintings,
click here
