Plein Air in Tuscany

with

Amery Bohling and Dave Santillanes

September 27th – October 4th 2014

There is no better place to paint in plein air than in the Italian countryside. This is a 5 day workshop that will

include visits to Certaldo Alto to see Giovanni Boccaccio museum, wine tasting at la Spinosa winery, and

painting outdoors in the village San Gimignano. It will be a truly amazing growth opportunity for everyone

involved. This is a class devoted to the love of art. Not just by painting around the clock, but blending your

learning experiences with the rich culture Italy has to offer. Our primary interest is in you learning and

enjoying the process. Amery Bohling and Dave Santillanes are experienced plein are painters who have much

to share about critical skills and tricks of the trade to give you an edge.

Amery Bohling obtained a degree in fine art from the University of

Arizona. She also studied at the Marchutz School of Art in Aix en Provence,

France, where she studied plein air landscape painting in the tradition of

French impressionists. Currently Amery is involved with the California Art

Club and the Grand Canyon 7. She teaches regularly at the Scottsdale Artists

School in Arizona. Her work is represented in her own gallery, Amery Bohling

Fine Art in Scottsdale AZ. She also shows at Mountain Trails Gallery in Sedona

AZ, and in Denver, Colorado at Abend Gallery. Her work has been featured in

several magazines: Western Art Collector, American Artists, American Art

Collector, and Southwest Art.

Mostly self-taught, Dave Santillanes' work shows a strong impressionist influence

characterized by a realistic rendering of color, light and atmosphere. He has painted

outdoors extensively and is a member of the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters as well as a

signature member of the Oil Painters of America. He's won numerous awards for his work

including an the Bronze Medal Award at the 2010 Oil Painters of America National Show and

the Award of Excellence at the 2012 Oil Painters of America National Show. His work was

also featured in the December 2011 issue of Southwest Art Magazine and will be featured in

the upcoming book "Art of the National Parks: Historic Connections, Contemporary

Interpretations" published by Fresco

Fine Art Publications (May 2013).

Conditions

Cost for student in double room: € 1600 = $2064 Cost for student in single room: € 2000 = $2580 (price in dollars is an estimate due to conversion rate) Spouse/Partner program: Spouses/partners and non-painting participants are welcome. They will

participate in all services and outings, a wonderful environment and have attention from the staff. Non painting participants can attend at a price reduced by 15%. Optional add on activities (cooking classes, side trips) will be available.

Services included: Accommodation in double room, single room on request with supplement

Breakfast Freshly prepared Tuscan Gourmet dinners

Wine and Olive oil tasting Field trips to S. Gimignano, Certaldo alto, Chianti area Airport pick up and drop off at agreed time Ground transportation while at Villa Easels and stools

Not included: Lunches Any personal expenses Painting materials

Insurance Airfare

Booking: The program is organized in conjunction with Art Travel Italy, an Italian Non-Profit

Organization dedicated to the Arts. For sign up and travel advice please contact italy@artravelitaly.it To confirm your registration a 400 Euro deposit will be requested.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations will have seventy per cent of the deposit refunded, provided that they are made 30 days before the start of the workshop. No refunds of deposit after 30 days deadline. Please note that cancellations may occur due to events beyond our control (e.g. medical or family issues, insufficient numbers for the workshop). When booking your airplane ticket, cancellation insurance is therefore highly recommended. Insurance can often be purchased at the same time you buy your tickets or from a travel agent. If you have questions or comments please call us at +39 0571660084 or write to italy@artravelitaly.it

Program Details

Day 1 Sept 27 Saturday: Arrival .

Pick up at from either airport in Florence or Pisa at agreed time and for those travelling by train from the station in Certaldo. Settle in rooms at Fattoria Bacìo www.fattoriabacio.com 7:00 pm Meet with instructor and staff . Introduction to the programme , the tours and visits planned for the week. 8:00 pm Three course welcome dinner at Villa.

Day 2 Sept 28 Sunday at the Farm – Wine and chocolate tasting in Barberino

8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast 9:15 am – 12:00 pm Painting at Villa 12:30 pm Lunch 2:30 – 4:30 pm Painting at Villa 6:00 pm An utterly panoramic ride with stops for beautiful vistas will take

us to the medieval hamlet of Barberino where Danila, passionate owner of Enoteca di Baccio will introduce us to the price winning organic wines of La Spinosa. Accompanied by delicious cheese, salami, olives, finishing with a chocolate tasting for a delicious light dinner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btLAv8Ip2nM

Day 3 Sept 29 Monday: Painting in Certaldo alto .

8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am Leave for Certaldo alto. Painting in Certaldo alto. This traffic free town atop of a hill still

retains its authenticity as a true medieval settlement and offers beautiful vistas. Cafés for cappuccinos, a wines hop, artisans and the museum of Giovanni Boccaccio will demand for some attention. Lunch on own, in one of the lovely restaurants or wine bars of Certaldo.

4:00 pm – 5.00 pm Shopping for personal needs at the local supermarket 5.00 pm Return to Villa, free time to relax, swim or paint. 8:00 pm Dinner at Villa

Day 4 Sept 30 Tuesday: San Gimignano and Poggio Alloro .

8:00 am – 8:45 am Breakfast 9:15 am – 12:00 pm Paint at Villa 12:30 pm Lunch 2:00 pm Leave for S. Gimignano. An essential feature of any visit to

central Tuscany, not only on account of its remarkable towers but also the fabulous frescoes and other art works to be seen here.

2:45 am –6:00 pm Visit, free time and painting in S. Gimignano. Short ride to Poggio Alloro organic farm with great vistas. http://www.fattoriapoggioalloro.com/eng/gallery/madia/madia.htm

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Organic Wine and Saffron production farm: Guided tour with visit to the cellar. 7:30 pm Dinner with the fresh products of the farm.

Day 5 Oct 1 Wednesday: Painting at Villa and Siena .

8:00 am – 8:45 am Breakfast 9:00 am - 12.00 am Paint at Villa 12:30 am Lunch 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm Independent trip to Siena or stay at Villa to rest and paint.

Siena’s medieval centre bristles with majestic buildings. Its profusion of churches and small museums harbor a wealth of artwork, though equally your day can be effectively filled by simply wandering the snarled lanes of the historic centre, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

8:00 pm Dinner at Villa

Day 6 Oct 2 Thursday: La Meridiana

8:00 am – 8:45 am Breakfast 9:00 am - 12.00 am Painting

12:30 am Lunch 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Painting 5:30 pm Leave for La Meridiana an internationally recognised center for modern ceramics. www.lameridiana.fi.it Meet ceramic artists while enjoying an aperitif on the sunset terrace, then on to the nearby country trattoria Wilma. 8:00 pm Dinner, tasting the true Florentine specialty: Bistecca alla fiorentina, in the flavourful version of “tagliata”. Vegetarians will be happy with the grilled vegetables.

Day 7 Oct 3 Friday: Wrap up and final dinner

8:00 am – 8:45 am Breakfast

9:00 am - 12.00 am Painting 12:30 am Lunch. 2:30 – 4.30 pm Wrap up, packing for shipping last little shopping trip to Certaldo if needed. 8:00 pm Final Dinner at Villa

Day 8 Oct 4 Saturday: Departure .

7:30 am – 8:30 am Breakfast. Departure by 11 am. Shuttle to airport or train station at agreed time or taxi service on demand.

This program is organized in conjunction with Art Travel Italy, an Italian Non-Profit Organization dedicated to

the Arts. For sign up contact italy@artravelitaly.it

You may also contact Amery Bohling at amerybohling@cox.net

Artravelitaly – Loc. Bagnano, 135 – 50052 Certaldo (Firenze) – Italy italy@artravelitaly.it - www.artravelitaly.it –Tel& Fax: +39 0571 660084