Start with some watercolor, add a touch of collage and a pinch of print making and you have the perfect recipe for a mixed media masterpiece!
Join Cathy Taylor, award winning mixed media artist and member of the National Collage Society and International Society of Experimental Artists, for an exploration into the limitless world of mixed media. Mixed Media Adventure offers enormous opportunity for creative expression...easy and non-intimidating for the beginner and expansive and challenging for the advanced artist. Topics include found paper collage, collage with mixed media, transfer techniques, found object collage, and monoprinting, along with other exciting techniques. *A special segment will be presented on Cathy’s award winning Anthology Series which was featured in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. Expect a lively, fun filled workshop.Beginners who need a jump start or advanced artists who are stuck or stagnant will enjoy the wide variety of ideas and information designed to allow each person to find their own artistic voice.Loosen up, have fun, and learn lots! Each session will begin with exciting, entertaining demonstrations followed by lots of time to create. Bring a spirit open to endless possibilities, some glue, and lots and lots of stuff and junk! Read more below...
Picture Yourself...
among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany: olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.
Feel Yourself...
in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels.
Experience...
the joy of painting en plein air in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a nationally know artist and instructor and the camaraderie of a small group of learners.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona June 4, 2011**** Instruction in the classroom and on location Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Day trip to Arezzo Antiques Fair Visit to the Camucia open-air market A farewell wine tasting dinner **Included with "Casa Santa Margherita" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time from Florence airport only; time to be announced, return train ticket to Florence provided (not escorted) *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans A, C, E, G and Hostel plans I & K only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Special Casa Santa Margherita* Plans... All-inclusive w/ private room/bath & Group Meal Plan...$2999.00 per person! $2899.00 per person double occupancy w/Group Meal Plan! Special Non-participant rates!
Saturday Arrival and check in. The adventure begins. Wine please!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday AM The one with the most stuff wins! It’s a treasure hunt at the Arezzo Antique Fair, the oldest and largest in Italy with over 500 stalls brimming with artistic goodies. We will start our day with a train trip to the market to browse for collage able collectibles…old books, vintage papers, antique photographs and more. Collect the sights and sounds for inspiration in creating our mixed media masterpieces!
PM Using our old papers, maps, book pages, we will create several interesting and textural backgrounds for our collage creations tomorrow morning. We will use scumbling, color tinting, paper peeling and other fun and messy techniques guaranteed to require little thought or experience. We will work quickly and intuitively, just having fun with the process!
Monday, AM We will start our day with a entertaining demo featuring image transfer. Then it’s off to the races as we add images, ephemera, and memorabilia to our collage backgrounds. We will discover the elements of design that go together to create a truly beautiful piece of artwork.
PM Time for some more prep work! We will spend the afternoon creating our own beautiful archival papers. Using plain white tissue, watercolors, gum erasers, and foam produce trays, we will dye, stamp, marble, and layer papers to our heart’s content. These papers will have all night to dry while we enjoy an evening of wine and fine food and new friends!
Tuesday AM Your day, Your way. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Cortona in the morning. Take some photos, sketch the surroundings, go for a stroll or join me in the studio for more creative time. After all, Cortona is a Tuscan gem to be enjoyed! Inspirational! (Studio open for those who wish to create!)
PM. Open Studio As everyone continues to work on their favorite projects, I will spend "quality time" with each artist on a one to one basis. Bring work or photos for critque, talk about the direction you would like to take with your artwork, ask questions or just visit. This is your time!
Wednesday AM Layered tissue paper collage will be artistic adventure of the day. Using those gorgeous papers that we created and the inspiration of our fabulous surroundings, we will collage scenes or images from our Tuscan experience. Or create an abstract evoking your Italian art experience. No drawing skills required!
PM Capture special little scenes and images using line and wash and create a mini masterpiece. I will demonstrate the simple, lovely technique of combining colorful watercolor washes with a little pen and ink to create small painterly memories. We will work from photos, sketches, or just your imagination. Add colored papers or ephemera if desired!
Thursday AM Field Trip! We will enjoy our morning at the Camucia market where you will find fresh farmer produce, kitchen delights….something for everyone. Bring your camera and sketch pad and enjoy!
PM Anthologies! My collage invention using old books! Rather than altering and decorating a book, we will use old "rescue" books, vintage photos, ephemera, memorabilia, and other pieces of the past, to create fine art frame able collages. These expressive, textural collages are the perfect way to showcase your photos and postcards, trip tickets and brochures, menus and maps etc., while rescuing unwanted books from the junk pile. Feature collectibles from your trip!
Friday AM Let’s add some printmaking to the mix! Using a photo, brochure, magazine image, or print from our Italian experience, we will create a layered, painterly print in an easy step by step process. Even if you are a “new” artist, you will be able to create a realistic rendering!
PM Can’t draw a straight line? Not a problem with this monoprint technique. Using a black and white copy of a photograph, we will create an amazing realistic drawing. Draw portraits, street scenes, animals…pick something from your week in Tuscany! These “Drawings” may be color tinted to add interest. I will bring the special ink needed!!!
Saturday Group hug! Exchange art goods with new friends, take more photos, and have a safe return trip home!
Cathy Taylor
Itinerary
Note: Itinerary subject to change
Saturday – Arrival in Cortona
-Arrival and Check-in in Cortona
-7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta.
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto
Sunday - Cortona
-9:00a-1:00p Morning visit to Arezzo Antiques Fair
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Monday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Tuesday - Florence
-Free morning
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday - Cortona
-9:00-12:00p Morning Session
-12:00p Lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Session
-5:45p Taxi to Tuscan cooking class & dinner
Thursday - Cortona
-9:00-12:00p Morning visit to Camucia Market
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Friday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session
-8:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona
Saturday – Cortona
-Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay!
-Each guest must make taxi/travel requests through the Hotel Oasi front desk.
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate
Cathy Taylor
Cathy Taylor
Kathy,
I was delighted with your class. I keep having more ideas of things to do. It was great working with other people to because their work was so impressive!
I used to try to paint a picture of a holiday but found it quite difficult to select a single image. This is especially true of India, where we spent several months. Your idea of mini collages assembled into a whole is an excellent solution to this. Since there are lots of Indians around here I may even be able to sell some (if you don't mind) not that I know where!
The leaf prints were also excellent and produced so many different images at one time.
I've always been a bit wary of 'altered books' but you did reassure me yours were due for destruction anyway and the pages about England seems destined for me. I'll find a picture of the king and add it to the picture.
Thanks you so much and good luck with your work.
Janet Phillips
About Cortona...
Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns.” Cortona, which is often called the “City of Art,” has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman times with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed. An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with music & art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine mountains.
Casa Santa Margherita proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops Newly remodeled and re-opened after two-year renovations!
What to Bring...
SUPPLYLIST
Watercolor brushes – several various sizes
Watercolor pigment in tubes – primary colors plus your favorites
Watercolor paper – one pad of 140lb. (at least 25 sheets) 11x14 or larger if it will fit in your suitcase!
