ways of seeing II
creative circle
Painting, Photography and Writing
Master Class Retreat 2024
June 23-29 with Nathan Florence,
Elizabeth Ashdown, and Scott Stewart
Building on our amazing 2023 experience in Scotland, in 2024 we are heading to the outskirts of Florence, Italy, the birthplace of The Renaissance
Join us for an immersive week of creative growth in Tuscany. The location is a hilltop organic farm between Florence and Pisa which includes heirloom vineyards and olive orchards. The golden light of this region has been immortalized in art for centuries. The farm cafe will provide daily breakfast and dinner included.
This retreat is about discovering and telling stories with your art, capturing a sense of place, and communicating your experience in the medium of your choice. Presentations and workshops will be in photography, and writing as well as drawing and plein air oil painting. Not only that, but the pool is perfect for refreshing dips and the farm offers cooking workshops in their teaching kitchen and wine tastings in their cellars which are available to workshop participants and their companions!
We have gathered a group of instructors who share a passion for their craft and understand the balance of independent work and the synergy of a creative community.
La Pineta, Tuscany
June 23-29, 2024
Price: $2950 ($2500 if you register before Dec 31) based on double occupancy. Limited single rooms and family apartments available at various prices. Partner options below.
Includes: 5 days tuition, 6 nights accommodation, two meals per day. Transfer from Florence and optional local day-trip travel can be arranged.
Age: 18+ with exceptions for 15+ accompanied by parent.
Location: Agriturismo La Pineta, Fucecchio, Italy
Courses of study: Oil painting, drawing, photography and writing. Participants can focus on one of these areas or combine as interested.
Workshop size: 10 per specialty. 33 people total
Experience: All levels welcome
About the Experience
The stunning, off-the-grid location is ideal for an immersive, creative experience like no other. Painters will learn about narrative painting, the landscape, and how to think about composition and the use of color in your work. Photographers will learn about pursuing a personal vision and visual story-telling and writers will work on a narrative voice and structuring their work. We will be working alongside other artists and getting feedback in nightly group discussions as well as one on one instruction with the opportunity to discuss personal goals and direction in your work.
Artists will be able to choose between workshops during the day and participate in joint presentations/critiques/discussions in the evenings. Together we will explore ways of seeing, of creating, and the power of telling a story through our art.
The farm-run cafe is perfect for sharing our experiences in the evening. Over plates of local favorites and a glass of the house wine, it is a place to pin up drawings and paintings, hear an impromptu performance of a new song, poetry or story reading, etc. This is the creative circle; where the air crackles with passionate conversation!
Two home cooked meals will be provided (veggie and GF options available), a breakfast spread and dinner on the terrace. In free time, participants will have use of the grounds to explore, including the vineyards and a beautiful fishing lake. During the week you can participate in cooking classes, wine tastings, and much more.
Did we mention the pool?
The focus of the workshop is the creative community and working where we are, so we recommend adding a few days after the workshop to explore Florence and the rest of Italy. That said, Florence is nearby and can be arranged as a day trip.
Proposed Schedule
Instruction: Monday through Friday, morning daily drawing sessions, presentations and evening group critiques/discussions are available to all participating artists. The different workshops will be led by their instructors in locations around the farm that best suit their day’s objectives.
Daily Local Destinations: We will begin by exploring our immediate environs of the La Pineta Farm and its sublime views. We will paint/photograph in the afternoon and then enjoy an early supper to take advantage of the long evening light for an evening painting/photo session.
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Nathan Florence
PAINTING/DRAWING
I see everything around me in terms of how I would paint it. Everything can be used to make something out of and almost anything can be hacked to make it better.
I have been teaching people to see, draw, paint and create for over 20 years. Art is about communicating, and learning how to do that better makes life richer.
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Elizabeth Ashdown
PHOTOGRAPHY
I was younger than I can remember when I started noticing light and how it plays through space, reflecting life. With photographer parents who had an in-home darkroom, creating images feels part of my DNA and after studying traditional, fine-art photography in Oxford as a high school student, I was hooked; mesmerized by people, their story as art and my camera my pen, becoming my ticket into the lives and hearts of people. See my work here.
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Scott Stewart
In On Writing, Stephen King shares, "Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life." It's as if we're all trapped in the matrix, and writing is the way we find our way out—the path to who we are. I've always liked that idea. Over the past 20+ years, I've taught literature, writing, debate, coached soccer and recreational skiing (yes, a real class and possibly my favorite), and a slew of other classes to students in private schools, charter schools and at the university level. I've seen how writing leads to understanding and insight. I've felt how it shapes and clarifies thinking.
But to write, we need time, and we need a creative space to work. We also need some practical tools to help us start ... A week in Florence— time: ☑️, an unmatched creative space: ☑️. I hope you will come join us. I'll bring the tool bag!
FAQ and stuff.
What's included?
5 days tuition - 6 nights accommodation
2 meals per day - Tea, coffee - Wine tasting - Extra activities - Solvents for painting
Prices
$2950-participating artist-shared accommodations
$2450-Participating Partner (or parent of 15+ yo.)
$1950-Bring a non-participating partner or friend
You are welcome to bring along a travel companion with you who will not be participating in the workshop. Partners can join all of our meals and activities and become a part of our group. Double rooms with Queen beds are available.
The location is outside of town so any activities away from the group need to be self-supported. You may want to consider renting your own vehicle in this situation, but we are happy to advise.
The Food
Breakfast and any other meals at La Pineta Farm will be delicious, home-cooked Italian cuisine, and will take place in the cafe or outside when the weather is nice. Vegetarian and gluten free options will be available; please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements (dietary needs rather than preferences). 6 breakfasts and 6 dinners are provided; other meals are available wherever we are working and is the choice of the artist. Local restaurants are varied and delicious!
+$75 Wine/cocktails with meals at the farm
Materials list, itinerary & more information
Participants are responsible for their own equipment according to course of study.
Materials list for painters is here.
Transfer Information
Artists and Photographers are responsible for getting to La Pineta Farm from the airport and back, but we are happy to help figure out the best way ….
Booking information
Click here to confirm your place on this retreat. You will be connected to a Google form and we will contact regarding best payment information for you. $750 deposit or the full workshop fee are required for reservation. Terms and conditions can be found on the booking page.