Brian Stewart - Plein Air Landscape Spring in the Val D'Orcia
Tuscany Italy
April 8-15, 2011
$2650/Single Occupancy
Private Bath
$2250/Double Occupancy*
$800/Non-painting guest
of Artist
*Double occupancy is only offered for 2 artists who request to room together.
September Discount-Register during September, 2010 and take 5% off the Artist Fee!
Please note that workshop must have a minimum of 6 participants by November 1, 2010 in order to take place as scheduled. If you are interested in this opportunity please do not delay in your registration.
Workshop is open to only 8 participants.
All opaque mediums are welcome. Twenty years ago Brian Stewart left a successful career in advertising to become a painter. He has never looked back! The journey has given him a lifetime of experiences, travel and memories, not to mention many accolades and much recognition along the way. Brian received his early training at The Art Center in Los Angeles, and later at Atelier LeSueur in Minneapolis where he learned the classic, academic fundamentals as they were taught in Paris a century ago. Brian thoroughly enjoys sharing and passing on these fundamentals through teaching workshops. Brian Stewart's work has been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur, Southwest Art, and the Artist Magazine among other publications. He has received many awards for his plein air work and most recently an ARC International Salon award. He is a signature member of the grand daddy of all plein air groups, the exclusive Plein Air Painters of America. A visual raconteur, he is know and collected for his paintings of funk, junk and antiquity. This native Californian, who now makes his home in Minnesota, can be found playing the banjo when not painting. You can see Brian's work at www.stew-art.com .
Workshop Description
Spend a week painting, living, and relaxing in the rolling hills of the Val D'Orcia region of Tuscany. Brian Stewart will be teaching and mentoring. This workshop will take advantage of all the wonderful sights, color and atmosphere that Tuscany has to offer. Brian will take the sometimes daunting process of outdoor painting and break it down into small, attainable steps. Each day will build on the previous day's accomplishments, making the process fun and rewarding. We will paint at different locations daily in order to keep a fresh eye. Time honored fundamentals, like good drawing, color temperature, recession and values will be emphasized. There will be one on one help, demos, and sharing. Brian will not only cover outdoor painting, but all aspects of the Artlife: marketing, equipment, galleries, shows, clubs, internet and the emotional roller coaster ride of being an artist.
The workshop is open to all opaque mediums, including oil, acrylic, water-based oil, and gouache. There will be three days of active, intense instruction and two mentoring days. On the mentoriing days you will have opportunity to observe Brian at work and to paint along with him on location. Those days will also include guidance, critiques, and feedback. There will be one free day mid-week. On the free day, there will be an optional excursion to Siena. Siena is a beautiful city with a duomo that is among the most amazingly beautiful in all of Italy. Siena also boasts fabulous shopping. If you choose not to take the excursion, you might want to enjoy a day at the hot springs spa in Montepulciano. The choices are many.
Spring is a wonderful time in Tuscany. The fields are beautiful shades of green and the grape vineyards are putting out new growth!
Accommodations and Meals
Accommodations will be in a lovely hotel in Pienza. This hotel has a wonderful view of the Val D'Orcia and is steps away from the old city itself! You can walk out of the hotel with your easel, set up and paint to your hearts content. All accommodations are single occupancy with private baths for artists. All rooms are double rooms, so they are not cramped. For a small supplement, you can reserve a room with a balcony overlooking the unrivaled beauty of the Val D'Orcia. If you choose to bring a spouse or a guest, there is only a small extra fee for this. And, there is much to see and do in this area, whether you are a painter or not! Please also note that there is a special price for two artist spouses or friends who want to share a room and bath.
Buffet breakfast will be provided daily. Three wonderful Tuscan dinners (with wine) are also included in the price. For nights that dinner is not provided, many great restaurants abound within a 5 minute walk of our hotel. There is not a single restaurant in Pienza that does not boast delicious food typical to this region.
Pienza is as lovely, friendly village. From the old city wall the views are expansive and wonderful. And...the street scenes are charming! Close by are many hilltowns including Montalcino (home of the famous Brunello wine), Montepulciano (also famous for it's wine), San Quirico D'Orcia, Montichiello and Bagno Vignoni (well known for it's thermal baths and spas)...just to name a few. The group will paint at many of these locations!
Included:
7 nights accommodations - single occupancy/private bath
Daily breakfast
Three dinners typical to the region (including wine)
Instruction
Transfers from Rome Fiumicino Aiport
(pick up is approximately 11 am...plan flights accordingly)
Transportation of artists to painting sights as needed*
Taxes and tips
*Please note that if bringing a guest, they will need their own means of transportation. Rental cars are easy and affordable at www.kemwel.com .
Not included:
Airfare
Fee per Artist $2650/single occupancy
private bath
$2250/dougle occupancy
(2 artist friends or
spouses together)
Non-painting guest $800
sharing same room
with painter
Please note that double rooms with balcony overlooking the rolling hills of the Val D'Orcia are available for an additional $350 (as available).
A deposit of $600 will hold your place in the workshop. Deposit is refundable until 6 months prior to date of workshop start. After this date, deposit will be refunded to the participant ONLY if his or her place can be filled in the workshop. Every effort will be made to fill the vacancy. Refunds will be less a $100 administrative fee.
Second payment of $800 is due October 8, 2010. Balance is due January 8, 2011.
Payments may be made by check payable to:
Open Air Italy, LLC
Mail checks to:
Open Air Italy
107 Lansing Island Drive
Indian Harbor Beach, FL 32937
Payments may also be made by credit card using PayPal. PayPal payments must include a 3% surcharge at time of payment.
If you choose this option, please let me know and I will help you with that.
It is strongly advised that the participant purchase travel insurance at www.insuremytrip.com .
Open Air Italy reserves the right to cancel the workshop if class does not have a minimum of 6 participants 6 months prior to class commencement. In the event of cancellation of the workshop by Open Air Italy, full refunds will be given. In the unlikelyevent of teacher cancellation, he or she will be replaced with the best and most highly qualified substitute available and participants will be notified of the change.
For more information, questions, or registration, please contact Susan Truitt via email at stop@cfl.rr.com or by phone at 1-321-777-3964.
