San Fedele-Russell

Il Chiostro at San Fedele in Tuscany

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Il Chiostro
241 W. 97th St., 13N
NY, NY 10025
800-990-3506
fax: 858-712-3329

Painting in Tuscany with Vicky Russell
June 21-28, 2008
Price: $2,695
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San Fedele nestled in the Chianti hills

Your home in Tuscany is San Fedele, a medieval monastery artfully renovated into deluxe accommodations, preserving the spirit and architectural detail of the historic structure.

Program Description:

Plein air painting is experiencing all the senses. Looking at your paintings done on site brings back all the sounds, visual flavors and essence of a place in time to be savored and remembered all over again. This watercolor workshop will create lasting memories of time spent painting in the beautiful location of San Fedele set in the heart of the Tuscan countryside.

Beginners as well as experienced students have the opportunity to form an intimate creative experience with the landscape. They will understand what it means to ‘see with an artist’s eye”. Students learn to quickly capture this essence of the landscape by taking advantage of the early morning light and shadows. Clear, concise instruction is infused with basic traditional methods and frequent, step by step demonstrations, As students are working, each will be offered individual critique and specific guidance as their paintings progress. I will talk and answer questions through the process as I demonstrate. Students enjoy and learn a great deal from this combined instruction technique as our paintings come together. A comfortable, fun working atmosphere allows students to take chances and learn simple techniques for correcting mistakes. Any painting can be rescued!

We will start each morning at a specific site and work as long as we are comfortable. If necessary continuing inside working from reference photos to complete at least one finished painting in a daily session as well as several value and color studies. At the end of the daily session, we will visit the next day’s location and reflect on our day with a glass of wine. This sets a visual image for us to contemplate for the next morning’s new painting session. Each student will be given a portfolio with an outline of the week’s activities and information covered. This portfolio also provides storage for finished paintings and a transport for getting artwork back home safely.

Vicky will supply all painting materials for those who would like this option. This eliminates another bag to have to deal with while traveling. Students will become familiar with quality art materials and how important these choices are for creating successful paintings.

Vineyards in the mist, photo by Michael Ferris

About the Instructor:

Vicky Russell - has been painting in watercolor and pastel for 30 years and has been involved in teaching art at all levels for over 20 years. Vicky earned her BFA degree in Fine Arts from Colorado State University with post-graduate work from University of Northern Colorado. She currently lives and teaches studio and plein air workshops and weekly classes at her home and studio in Loveland, Colorado. She is on summer staff as an art instructor at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass, Colorado.

Vicky’s vivid watercolors and pastels have been featured in numerous juried, solo and group shows locally and nationally. Inspiration for her plein air paintings has come from her experiences traveling in Europe, sketching and journaling Italian scenes and other locations. Living in the western states, Colorado mountains, New Mexico vistas, Wyoming skies, reflect Vicky’s passion to experience nature through her paintings. Another favorite theme, drawing from her past and family background, is her Victorian porch series bringing back fond memories of simpler times. Vicky’s use of light and color create a welcoming path that invites the viewer into her paintings.

Click here to visit Vicky's web site...

Activities:

Our exploration of Tuscany for the week will include some of these highlights:

Daily painting classes with Vicky
Authentic Tuscan breakfast and dinners prepared at home, using only local and traditional products-wine included (independent lunch)
Visits to local hilltowns like Radda, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, etc.
Excursion to the Medieval city of Siena
Wine tour and tasting at a local vineyard
Optional morning hikes through the Chianti hills and fields surrounding the complex
Selected evening activities such as art history lecture, concerts, olive oil tasting, etc .

Accommodations:

San Fedele is an historic monastery dating back to the 13th century, painstakingly renovated in 2005-07. Every room is deluxe with modern amenities: heating/air conditioning, modern bathrooms,mini-fridge, internet access, TV, etc. This beautiful facility also has several efficient common spaces for classrooms and social gathering. For full details about San Fedele and photos of the restored rooms, please click on the Settings and Accommodations link.

Exploring the Area:

In addition to your workshop, optional activities offered with this program will focus on the cultural, gastronomic, historical and artistic heritage of Tuscany. This area has been an inspiration to countless people for centuries. What Tuscany offers its visitors is truly astounding:

Art - San Fedele is located conveniently between the cities of Medieval Siena and Renaissance Florence packed with some of the most famous masterpieces in the world.
Wine -You are in the heart of the Chianti region, synonomous with the most famous wine that Italy produces. But the innovative Tuscan vintners are also producing Super Tuscans, red varietals that are quickly ascending the ranks of world-class wine.
History - this area was settled by the Etruscans centuries before the Romans were a civilized society. Their necropoli dot the fields throughout the area. Nearby towns like Radda, Vagliagli and Castellina date from the early Middle Ages. Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. San Fedele witnessed most of this from its panoramic perch atop the hillside.
Food - cucina povera is the typical Tuscan cuisine that has become popular around the world. The recipes are simple, emphasizing local and seasonal products: porcini mushrooms, salumi, legumes, vegetables, pasta, bread and game meats. Visiting the outdoor food markets, you will understand the wisdom of this very healthy cuisine.
Crafts - perhaps the harmony of the landscape has been the inspiration for many local craftsmen. Exquisite hand-painted ceramics are the prime example, closely followed by mosaics, leather, woodworking, and textiles.

About Your Il Chiostro Hosts: Linda and Michael, who will be hosting your San Fedele program, have been organizing workshops in Italy since 1995. Please read more about them by following the About Il Chiostro link. The owners of San Fedele, Nicolo and Renata, live on site. They will be available throughout the program to talk about the history of the monastery, the renovation and this area of Tuscany they call home.

Getting There: Florence will be our meeting point on the first day of the workshop. For suggestions about getting to Florence, accommodations or other logistics, please consult our Travel to Italy link. Renting a car from all the major rental agencies is possible if you prefer to be more independent during the week.

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Price and Registration: $2,695 p/p
Jr. Suite Supplement - $150 p/p
Suite Supplement - $300 p/p
Single Supplement - $500 (limited availability)

Includes:

7 nights in the restored monastery San Fedele
Daily painting classes with critiques
Authentic Tuscan breakfast and dinners prepared at the house, including wine (independent lunch)
Excursions to Siena and selected hilltowns
All local transportation
Pick up in Florence on first day of workshop
Optional activities and excursions

Does Not Include:

Airfare
Lunch
Workshop supplies
Independent meals and sight-seeing

To Register:

Download Registration Form by clicking button at left
Print, fill out and sign Registration Form
Mail or fax it to Il Chiostro with a non-refundable deposit of $500 (address and fax number are on the Registration Form)
You will receive a registration confirmation and subsequently, relevant information about your workshop, travel to Italy, arrivals, suggested supplies, etc.
Or call us at 800-990-3506 to register by phone