Ten glorious days in Tuscany
What better venue could an artist have than enchanting Tuscany with inspiration at every bend in the road or cobblestone walk! For the second time I am partnering with Dick Helland and lead the group for the Tuscan sojourn. The estate of Selva about 20 minutes from Lucca, is your home during the workshop. The rustic country home has been lovingly restored yet retains all the charm of its origins.  Our agenda includes painting sketching, some journaling and traveling. Food fun and wine are in abundance with unforgettable home cooking meals by wonderful Selva chef. Yes, you will also participate and don't be shy about it. We have all done it! We will divide the time between casual journaling, sketching and painting and leave enough time to relax and enjoy the ambiance. Imagine stepping outside your room in the morning with views of rolling vineyards, majestic chestnut forests, olive groves and quaint farmhouses with terra cotta tiled roofs. Wander around a bit and you'll find walls of tumbling roses, rosemary and bay hedges, iconic cypress and colorful pots of flowers and lemon trees. Excursions away from your home include the walled city of Lucca, Porto Venere and Bagni di Lucca, and winery visits and more. Each day includes instruction and personal guidance from both instructors as well as ample time to share and discuss. Price of this is incredible 2490 Euros. The price includes everything from the time you are picked up at Lucca airport or train station until you are returned there. Instructions and guidance, meals (excluded are three lunches during excursions away from Selva), wine, off-site excursions with guides, an evening's cooking course and accommodations are all part of the base fee. Airfare is not included. Complete course descriptions, details and booking forms at www.abbodanzatoscana.com or contact [email protected]

Every artist paints with some personal convictions and philosophy .A painting is a personal reality. Through my teachings I attempt to emphasize some simple truths . Some of these are:

• there is life beyond perspective. Cézanne didn't care much about it. Accurate drawing does not necessarily make winning watercolors.
• you do not have to stay within lines. It discourages the inherent fluid and dynamic characteristics of watercolor as a medium.
• limited palette can produce beautiful paintings .
• if you relinquish some control watercolor can do wonderful things for you.
• to make changes is not as difficult as everyone tells you although there are limitations
  stretching paper is an unnecessary step and you don't have to use 200, or 300 pound paper
  sky does not always have to be blue.
• photographs don't tell lies, they just don't tell the truth.