“My life’s mission is to be inspired and inspire others. The Tuscan landscape has been a constant inspiration in my work. My work is a feast for the eyes as well as power for the soul.“
Do you want to push the limits on your design and mosaic skills?
Create a personal expression under the watchful eye of award winning mosaic artist, Susan Wechsler, as she gently guides you through your own creative process.
This mosaic dress workshop includes 5 days of instruction, a selection of mosaic glues that Susan uses, all your grouting materials and the EXCLUSIVE dress form that Susan uses for her own signature pieces. This form cannot be found anywhere else, it is designed and made specifically for Susan.
Susan will work individually with every student via email, Facetime or Skype to discuss their vision, inspirations and palette before the workshop to ensure that they bring everything they will need to complete a mosaic dress.
My years as a New York City costume designer taught me how to use colors, patterns and textures to tell compelling stories that evoke different times and places throughout history. What is most unique about my mosaic style is that I honor the integrity and history of each piece of china by carefully cutting and then placing the patterns back together. My true creative desire is to be inspired and to inspire others --Susan Wechsler
NOTE: there is not a generic list of supplies for this workshop because each mosaic dress is unique.
Each student will supply their own palette which will consist of a mixed media collection of discarded treasures, small tiles for trim and stained glass for filler. The only tool you will need to bring is a wheeled glass cutter.
Level: No previous experience necessary, but is helpful.
A Participant kit fee of US$235.00 is required.
Dress by Susanne Lane
Step One
On the first day of class I will tell you my stories about my art journey, where I started and how I got here. And then demonstrate some basic techniques that you will use throughout the workshop. You will layout your plan for your dresses & then I will work individually with each student, designing the direction of your piece.
Dress by Susanne Lane
Step Two
By now, you have begun your journey. Even though we have made a plan for your piece, the magic of mosaics is in the discovery of your palette and how to utilize it best.
Dress by Susanne Lane
Step Three
On the third day your design will be set and you will have a clear vision of where your piece is heading. At this point my job is to keep you on point so that you can complete the mosaic layer of your dress
Dress by Susanne Lane
Step Four
On the last day will be devoted to grouting and finishing. We will discuss and I will show you how to use grout, how I choose my color grout and how to add your more delicate pieces.
You will take home a completed mosaic dress!
Dress by Susanne Lane
Meet Susan Wechsler
As an artist and passionate collector, I adore shop- ping at flea markets and antique malls. It is in that search for the perfect object that my mosaic inspira- tion begins. When I discover a discarded treasure that I can re-work into something beautiful, my spirit soars. My palette is antique china, stained glass, figu- rines, tiles, and gem stones. Growing up on a farm in Ohio I cherished the many hours I spent working in the tool shed. When I combine my woodworking skills with a layering technique inspired by the Tramp
Artists, a unique style is born. My years as a New York City costume designer taught me how to use colors, patterns and textures to tell compelling stories that evoke different times and places throughout history. What is most unique about my mosaic style is that I honor the integrity and history of each piece of china by carefully cutting and then placing the patterns back together. My true creative desire is to inspire through the unique telling of spiritual stories.
Susan Wechsler week program
Workshopp dates in Cortona for 2017 to be announced.
Day 1 - Meet-up at Florence airport and travel to/Arrive to Cortona. Departure form the Florence airport is about noon, and we will be in Cortona about 2:00p.
Day 2 - Sunday will be a full studio day, with two sessions, morning and afternoon. We will be well on our way to creating our vision.
Day 3 - Monday will be a full studio day, with two sessions, morning and afternoon, at this point the designs are well established and the day will be spent executing.
Day 4 - Tuesday would be a full studio day, with two sessions, morning and afternoon.
Day 5 - Wednesday – we will go on a full-day trip to visit the Niki de Saint Phalle's Tarot Garden mosaic sculpture park. Optional evening session (after dinner at hotel).
Day6 - Thursday - studio day (two sessions)
Day7 - Friday, on our final full studio day, with two sessions, morning and afternoon, we will grout our MASTERPIECES!
Day8 - Saturday is departure day. Escorted Group Travel to Florence airport departs at 8:00a.
Niki de Saint Phalle's Tarot Garden
Itinerary
Day1 - Arrival in Cortona -12:00 noon. Escorted Group Travel from Florence airport to Cortona
-Arrival and Check-in in Cortona -6:30p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting
-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
Day2 - Cortona -9:00a Morning session
-1:00p Lunch at hotel -2:00-6:00p Afternoon Session -7:00p Aperitif -7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
Day3 - Cortona -9:00-12:00p Morning Session -12:30p Lunch at hotel -1:30p-5:00p Afternoon Session -7:00p Aperitif -7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
Day4 - Cortona -9:00-12:00p Morning Session -12:30p Lunch at hotel -1:30p-5:00p Afternoon Session -7:00p Aperitif -7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
Day5 - Niki de Saint Phalle's TarotGarden
-Full-day trip -Lunch at Porto Ercole (on the seaside!)
Day8 - Cortona -Morning Check-out -8:00a departure from Cortona
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 travelFlorence airport to Cortona on Day 1**** Group travel Cortona to Florence airport on Day 8**** Instruction in the studio
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 Full-day Visit to Niki de Saint Phalle's
TarotGarden!
A farewell wine tasting dinner US$65.00 Materials kit fee extra. **Included with Hotel 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, Specific departure time from Cortona on departure day only; time to be announced *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.
Villa Santa Margherita
proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops since 2003
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.
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!
