Tuscany, Italy, Painting workshop /Retreat In Review
YES, WERE DOING IT AGAIN – JOIN ME IN 2027!!!
ONLY 3 PLACES REMAINING!!!
What can I even say… Ive been home for a month now, but I am still on a high from our 8 day Tuscany painting retreat experience. What an extraordinary, wonderful, magical time it was, like a fairy tale dream with a creative thread and focus throughout. Amongst the many incredible moments of my life – this was a truly a highlight.
Flying in to Rome, I took the stunning views of the landscape through to Tuscany, taking the coast road before pit stopping in at the hot mineral springs en route for a refresh, a reset, a dip in the warm waters of the thermal springs of Saturnia. It was a perfect start to what would be a perfect trip and painting workshop. Cutting across the landscape, the rolling hills ablaze with golden broom, roadsides of wildflowers, butterflies and bees, we made more than a few stops to soak it up.
Wildness turned to a new tale, edging our way into Tuscany, where the rolling hills turned to the vineyards of Montepulcianos surrounds. Meadows, hay bales, open skies, stony homes, olive groves and patches awash with the intense red of the poppies in bloom, en masse. It bucket list stuff for me, a dream come true and I was so thrilled to be back in this precious place. Finally we arrived, settled in to our Tuscan home, and started exploring our surroundings.
The 13th century building, the stone tower with sweeping views over the landscape far and wide, the medieval, hilltop village unfolding below us was a sight to behold… and we had nothing to do but revel in this incredible place. Weaving the streets, winding up and down the tower staircase, drifting through the orchards, trees abundant with blooms, fruit, cherry trees laden, the soft blue and sage hillsides around us – we left no nook or crannie untouched.
On one side of our room rested the tranquility of the private courtyard gardens, an oasis of elegance, simplicity and history in one captivating space, our 700 year old chapel studio nestled in to the garden unchanged in time. On the other side opened up to the town, peering down on the world going round from above. We had 10 days here, painting, celebrating, the Maggiolata Flower Festival preparations murmuring away around us.
The full swing of this celebration soon found us and boy it was fantastic, a never ending celebration that almost never lulled throughout our time there. Flowers, gelato, music, food galore, spritz on demand, we ducked in and out of the festivities throughout the days and nights together, painting to our hearts content between!
I made a big home cooked pasta dinner for all, enjoying the great company from home as we rested, the festival pouring in and around us on the streets below. My group were wonderful, just a really special time in every way, and we had the best damn time together from start to end.
Our full day trip took us beyond Tuscany to explore Umbria, and we soaked up the new spaces, places, magic and moments, pulling in to the poppy and wheat fields on the way back home. What a magical day this was alone! Never have I felt so connected and complete, whole… and I never wanted to leave. Even now, I long to return more moments than one should. Like I said, Ive traveled many places, seen a lot, but this precious time will stay with me forever.
In the chapel studio we painted nature subjects drawn from our surroundings, from graphite to watercolour painting, we learned about technique, materials, refined our painting skills and knowledge and unwound by the day until stillness came. We watched the sun set from the tower, peaceful as the full moon rose high above us. It was the remedy, the therapy, a good dose of creativity and a true return to balance and self.
How far my students came, all of them creating such beautiful works of art, studies of place, all entwined with the memories of this place. We all hoped to return! So nI have been working on the details since arriving back home, and have just confirmed a 2027 workshop WILL be happening. A new adventure, a new precious passage of time, a timeless memory to create. I hope to share more with you all very soon. Thank you, thank you everyone for being in Italy with me for such a remarkable painting workshop experience.
2027 painting workshop in Tuscany UPDATE
Great news everyone! If you missed out on this years Italian painting workshop, im returning to Tuscany again by popular demand… and YOURE INVITED!!! Thats right, were doing it all again in May 2027 and I cant wait to share this remarkable experience with you. Spots are limited so dont delay. The workshop is now listed on Eventbrite. You can book there or directly through me to avoid platform fees if you prefer. You can watch a longer clip on whats on offer too…. Its time to get excited, start planning, and Ill see you there before you know it!