Workshop is limited to only 8 participants.

2/08/10   Currently, there are 3 open places for registration.
               Deadline for registration is March 15, 2010.

Workshop will be instructed in Oils, but is open to all mediums.

     Kenn Backhaus was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconson.  He graduated from Layton School of Art in Wilwaukee, Wisconsin.  As a commercial designer and illustrator Kenn received many awards at both local and national levels.  Although Kenn took pride in his commercial successes, his heart always belonged to the fine art of outdoor painting.  In 1984, Kenn decided to devote more time to his passion for painting and the love of the outdoors.  He found that capturing true color, value, atmosphere and the mood of a subject was best done on location or through direct observation.  He has also discovered the importance of his studio time in union with his outdoor experiences and enjoys the challenges of both.  His subject matter includes not only landscape, but also figure, portrait and still life.
     Kenn's works have been included in many juried shows and have won numerous awards.  He is a Signature Member of both the Oil Painters of America and the Plein-Air Painters of America.  You may view Kenn's work and full biography at www.kennbackhaus.com .

       

Workshop Description

     Spend a week painting, living and relaxing in the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley of Switzerland.  This is the place where "The Sound of Music" SHOULD have been filmed.  Picturesque villages, sheep and cows at pasture, a green glacial valley surrounded by three monumental peaks, Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch.  This is everything that you would imagine Switzerland to be!  You can walk down the street from the accommodation and paint Staubbach Falls.  Actually, the Lauterbrunnen Valley is often referred to as The Land of 1000 Waterfalls.
     Kenn Backhaus will be teaching with a focus on the difficulty of freezing "that moment of light".  The workshop will concentrate on developing the ability to get the proper information quickly down on the canvas.  Also addressed will be the use of sound fundamentals and principles, which are essential to the development of plein air painting.
     The workshop will include three full days of instruction, two mentoring days, and one day free for exploration or painting on your own.  On the mentoring days, the participant can observe Kenn as an artist at work.  On these days, the participant can paint on location with Kenn, or at another location of their choosing.  These special days will include an early evening critique to review the day's work.  Painting sights will include charming villages, lush green pastures, and of course...the majesty of the Alps.
Taking small trainsand gondolas, we will visit beautiful mountain and quaint village locations.  There are hiking trails to explore, either with the group or on your own.  There are even great painting sights a short walk away.  Ground transportation of artists to group painting sights will be provided as needed.
     Accommodations will be in a charming Swiss hotel.  Participants will enjoy in-suite private rooms.  Breakfast and dinner will be taken together as a group in the hotel restaurant...and the food is good!  The hotel is conveniently located about a 5 minute walk from the train station.  We will be taking trains and gondolas to many of our locations, otherwise unreachable by car.  Just a quick walk down the road is a walking trail along a beautiful, roaring creek.  Occasionally, you will see a shepherd taking his sheep to pasture right through the middle of town.  This is a quiet, peaceful and enchanting location...definitely inspirational to any artist.

Included:
Instruction
7 nights accommodations
      single occupancy/private bath
Breakfasts
Dinners (exclusive of beverage)
Ground transportation of artists to
   painting sights as needed
Taxes and tips

Not included:
Airfare
Airport transfers*

*Lauterbrunnen is easily accessible from the Zurich airport by train.  Upon request, private or group transfer can be arranged to and from the Zurich airport for an additional fee.

Fees, Payments and Conditions

Artist Fee     $2650/single occupancy
                              private bath
Guest             $800/inclusive of breakfasts
                              and dinners

A deposit of $600 will hold your place in the workshop.  Deposit is refundable until 6 months prior to workshop commencement.  After that time, money 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 this vacancy.  Refunds will be less a $100 administrative fee.

Balance of workshop fees is due by March 15, 2010.

Payments should be made by check payable to:
            Susan Truitt Fine Art
Mail payments and registration to:
            Open Air Italy/Susan Truitt Fine Art
            107 Lansing Island Drive
            Indian Harbour Beach, FL    32937

Payments may also be made by credit card using PayPal.
PayPal payments must include a 2.8% surcharge at time of payment.

It is strongly advised that participants purchase travel insurance at www.insuremytrip.com .

In the event of cancellation of the workshop by Open Air Italy, full refunds of workshop fees will be given.  Class must have a minimum of 6 participants 4 months prior to class commencement in order to proceed as scheduled.  In the unlikely event of cancellation by the named teacher, he or she will be replaced with the most qualified substitute available and participants will be notified of the change.

For more information or registration, please contact Susan Truitt via email at stop@cfl.rr.com or by phone at 1-321-777-3964.