Colorado artist Vivian George finds her inspiration in nature. "Nature has all the components that are in painting - rhythm, color and harmony. Individually and together plant forms show energy and light, texture and pattern, repetition and color; and when confined to the flat, square format, their geometry is revealed," she explains. In this workshop, Vivian works with each participant individually to find his or her vision. The colors of the late afternoon sun on the olive grove, the repeating patterns of a hillside vineyard or the symmetry of a narrow drive bordered by native cypress . . . each person's view is different and leads to a unique interpretation.

Vivian received an MFA from Yale University School of Art and a BFA from the California College of the Arts, Oakland. She attended the School of The Art Institute of Chicago, MFA program. Vivian has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, Yale School of Art and is currently teaching in the College of Arts and Media, University of Colorado, Denver.

Her works are in the permanent collections of Yale University Art Museum; Livingston College, Rutgers University; Artist Union Collection, Moscow, Russia plus other private collections in the U.S. and abroad. To learn more about Vivian and to see more of her work visit www.viviangeorge.net.

The Inspiration of Tuscany

Vivian delights in teaching and in helping each student refine his or her vision. Mastering technique is always part of the process but only as it enhances individual expression. After defining personal objectives at the workshop start, Vivian will provide one-on-one guidance for fulfilling those objectives.

In addition to the incomparable painting opportunities, you will enjoy wine tours and tastings, cooking courses, visits to Renaissance and Baroque gardens, excursions to markets, the jewel town of Lucca, a Puccini concert, watching the shepherdess make pecorino cheese and ricotta and more. After a beautiful day of painting, we think you should be rewarded with an opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine while relaxing in a lawn chair contemplating the majesty of a cypress tree or choose a book to read from our library.

Most days will include time to review your work with Vivian and your companion artists. The week ends with an informal "show and share" of sketches and paintings created during your time together, just before enjoying the final night’s pizza from the wood-fired oven.

Your days will be a mixture of at home, painting around the farmhouse and the estate, and away days, on excursions to hilltowns, gardens, the architectural wonder of Lucca and a special trip to the stunning Cinque Terre coastal region.

“At Home”

The farmhouse Selva, your home for ten days, is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and forests, with buildings that go back hundreds of years in various phases of refurbishing. The rose garden, wildflowers, lemon trees in terra cotta pots, bits of mortar crumbling away in a nook, majestic cypress trees . . . all offer inspiration for your creative muse. On your walks, you’ll see the local shepherd grazing his flock, perhaps startle a wild pheasant or watch the doves playing in the valley.

“Away”

We’ve chosen for your excursions expansive landscapes, quiet corners and places where you can explore your personal interpretation of "the inspiration of Tuscany." A few highlights: