Nothing could be more idyllic, more inspiring, more Italian...than painting on-site amongst the columned cypress trees and sloping hillside towns of the Tuscan countryside. Experience firsthand why this fabled region has produced some of history's most celebrated artists...and count yourself among them!
Join Michael and a handful of fellow painting enthusiasts for a cultural expedition and gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the natural world around you.
After a week of observation, supportive instruction and creative exploration, return home with more than snapshots and postcards. Return with a body of original art that captures "la dolce vita" as experienced and created by only you!
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 book arts and poetry writing in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a nationally know artist/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.
Ciao Mi Amici!
This workshop is for anyone who has a genuine appreciation for the outdoors and a desire to capture it's beauty by means of oil painting!
I like to begin each morning before painting with five or ten minutes of mild stretching & breathing exercises. Painting can be a real workout, my friends, and to paint with ease it helps to feel at ease... just to loosen things up and get the creative juices flowing.
Next, I like to have a little chat. Topics like, "Artists, I'd like you to meet your brushes." and "Hello Color!" are easy introductions to comprehend and will help you get comfortable with the tools and medium. While I truly do enjoy offering professional guidance to my students, I prefer to engage in a "dialogue with" over "lecturing to." Remember, this workshop is all about Passionate Painting of the Tuscan Landscape and if you'd like my help, I'd like to know a little about you and your passions. Following the exercises & discussion, we'll get straight to the fun part, the reason you came to Cortona...TO PAINT!
Over the course of the day, while we are all at our easels, I'll visit with each of you individually to discuss your work and offer encouragement. I am always fascinated to see what a student is seeing and to understand where he/she is coming from and what they want to convey. While we will discuss formal principals of landscape painting such as composition, depth (foreground relationship to background), light and shadow, color and so on, we will also acknowledge the intuitive aspect of painting...that is what you are FEELING from the landscape in front of you.
As the workshop day draws to a close, I like to gather around, share our work, have a discussion and exchange constructive input. This element of the workshop, the collective sharing of views, can have a profound impact! I guarantee, if you are open to it, that through a daily practice of observant painting, you will see a whole new world, one of abundant beauty, around you!
Itinerary
Day 1 - 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
Day 2 - Cortona -10:00a-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch -2:00-5:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona Day 3 - Cortona -9:00-12:00p Morning Session -12:00p Lunch -1:00-5:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona Day 4 - Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore -Day trip -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Dinner at hotel
Day 5 - Cortona -9:00-12:00p Morning Session -12:00p Lunch -1:00-5:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona Day 6 - Assisi -Day trip -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Day 7 - Cortona -9:00-12:00p Morning Session -12:00p Lunch -1:00-5:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona Day 8 – Cortona -Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona -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. Note: Transfers are provided only for programmed meals and activities away from the hotel. Note: All guests are responsible for handling their own luggage/baggage....we suggest to pack light. Note: No refunds are given for any unused aspects of the itinerary or for any activities outside the above itinerary.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona May 26, 2012**** 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 Assisi Open-air market in Camucia Day trip to Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore A farewell wine tasting dinner **Included with "Casa Santa Margherita" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. Italian breakfast is simply coffees, brioche, toast, cheese, juice. ****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 only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
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.
"For many years I have always wanted to learn to paint but never had the encouragement or confidence. After a friend told me about his painting lesson with Michael Letzig I thought I had nothing to lose. Michael has been a most patient, talented and understanding teacher in the field of landscape painting. More importantly, he has taught me that it is OK to make mistakes or rather, "there are no mistakes. Only happy accidents." Thanks to Michael's guidance, I have finally taken up an activity that brings me great joy and pleasure."
D. Soto
"As Landscape Architect for the City of New York, I have the opportunity to meet many creative people from all walks of life. My career affords me to come into contact with visionaries and intrepid designers & thinkers and I believe Michael Letzig to be among them. Over the years I have acquired a few landscape paintings by Michael and as time has passed I have grown more and more fond of them. After realizing that Michael offered personal instruction in his medium, I couldn't resist jumping on board. In recent months Michael has worked closely with me and my partner, teaching us how to observe with an painters' eye. He exhibits great passion and enthusiasm, yet it is calm and tempered. Never over the top. My own work tends to be very stressful, but thanks to Michael's lessons I have found a healthy way to relax."
G. Vellonakis
"Michael Letzig has been a wonderful tutor in landscape painting. He has shown me how to see colors and light and to really appreciate the landscape. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in painting to work with Michael. He is very talented and especially good with people."
D. Evan
"Due to the downturn in economic activity last summer, I found myself with a few months of free time. I have always enjoyed looking at art but never really tried my hand at it. So I thought it would be a good time to try it out. I was referred to Michael Letzig by a friend of mine that was familiar with his work and shortly thereafter began my introduction to landscape painting. I knew by his own work that Michael was talented, however I was most impressed with his patience and how well he articulated his points. I was a bit nervous at first but his relaxed character helped me ease into it. Thanks to Michael I now see the world in a whole new way and thoroughly enjoy painting."
M. Marron
Travel with fellow artists, family & friends! In addition to Non-participating guest options, did you know that other workshops are offered this same week! Enjoy the experience together while immersed in different topics! View calendar for details!
Meet your hosts in Tuscany...
Angela Lucani was born and raised in Cortona and never tires of living within the walls of this vibrant Tuscan hilltown! She trained as an elementary school teacher and taught in various locals within Cortona from its mountain villages to the growing post-war part of Cortona known as Camucia. Angela has always been passionate about Tuscan cooking, which she began to learn at an early age aiding her mother in the kitchen. She maintains respect for local cooking traditions and recipes and shares that with Italians and foreign visitors through cooking classes conducted both in Italy and in America. She has extensive knowledge of Cortona's various areas, from the mountains to the fertile Val di Chiana, and continues to learn about its long and colorful history. She is also passionate about travel and enjoys learning about and experiencing customs, traditions and characteristics of other countries, cultures & people. Her travels destinations have included the United States, England, Egypt, South America, France, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Greece. She enjoys serving as a bridge between visitors to Tuscany and the local culture.
Patrick Mahoney (Miami University BA'80, MA'82) lives in Cortona where he continues a thirty-year career in the field of Arts & Entertainment producing events, workshops and tours and providing opportunities to share the Italy experience with travelers, artists and people who share his interests for foods, wine, art, culture. Patrick's passion is to conceive and realize various ways in which the human spirit can express and demonstrate its capacity to create. His ability to fearlessly think, conceive, and work "out of the box" has earned him the attention of artists & musicians, colleges & universities, public & private organizations, and business and industry. Patrick brings integrity and a unique vision to Toscana Americana and he is committed to realizing the opportunity for participants to create in an atmosphere of peace, joy, respect and mutual support. As a "slow traveler" and a supporter of "slow food" Mr. Mahoney rides trains, walks, lingers over lunch, dinner or a cup of espresso, stops to smell the roses and savors the sensory feast wherever he is!
