Toscana Americana

Picture yourself with a paint brush or pencil in hand gazing over a valley full of beautiful colors where hazy mountains meet the sky.  Or sitting in a café sketching colorful characters as they crowd the outdoor markets in the piazza of an ancient Roman town. If this sounds like fun, then Jo Ellen welcomes you to join her as we sketch and paint our way through Tuscany. As a professional artist and instructor Jo Ellen will guide you along with daily demonstrations and one on one instruction. Jo Ellen will show you quick and easy techniques to sketch and paint skies, distant hills, structures, and more. You will learn to simplify form, identify values, and choose the best composition. Your individual style of painting is very important to Jo Ellen. Jo Ellen will give you tips and pointers to help you to further develop and grow your work. You will gain confidence and knowledge through optional late afternoon critiques.  Demonstrations are in watercolor though all media are welcome. This workshop is for all levels from the professional to beginner artist.

Our day trips will include Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano, Orvieto and a half-day painting session in the Val di Chiana!

All-inclusive* workshop includes:
-Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona

September 18, 2019****
-Escorted group travel Cortona to Florence

September 25, 2019****
-Instruction on location
-Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona**

(Private room & bath)
-Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano
-Italian breakfasts, lunches and dinners
-Daily wine tasting opportunities
-Day trip to Pienza (pecorino cheeese tasting)

& Montepulciano (wine cellar visit & tasting)
-Day trip to Siena (Shopping & Sightseeing)

-Day trip to Orvieto

-A farewell wine tasting dinner 
 
**Included with "Hotel Italia" plans only.  
***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only.   
****Specific departure times from Florence airport and Cortona only; time to be announced.
  *All-inclusive plans are Hotel Italia plans only.
Air travel to/from Italy is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.

Hotel Italia Special...

Meet Jo Ellen Reinhart...

Classically trained modern realist, Jo Ellen Reinhardt’s work has been shown in many museums, prestigious galleries, and exhibitions throughout the North East. She is an accomplished still life, portrait, and landscape painter having attained many notable commissions.

Jo Ellen received  her classical training at the New School of Classical Art.  She is a signature member of the renowned Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, the Academic Artists Association, the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, and the Copley Society of Artists. Her work has won numerous awards and has been featured in many publications including The Artists Magazine and American Art Collector.

Following her passion for realistic art, Jo Ellen recently co-founded the New England School of Fine Art, in Worcester, MA, where she is the principle instructor. She also enjoys passing her knowledge onto the next generation via her position as Adjunct Professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and instructor at the Worcester Art Museum.