feb18newsletter

Even though we have been thoroughly immersed in hosting art retreats for the last three years, the word retreat still conjures up memories of the Run Away scene in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." While the expression retreat comes from the same root, the reason we give for an art retreat is not based in fear or danger like when we think of it in a military sense.

If being an artist wasn't hard enough. As artists we are constantly working a high wire act, testing limits, pushing the boundaries, all while doing our best to pay rent, bills, do right by our family and friends. It is a lot of work to keep those creative wheels on the road.

Truth is there is good reason to consider what an art retreat might do for you. Whether you are an artist that spends each waking hour in your studio or if you are an artist that only gets out your art supplies and materials when the urge strikes you, all of those afforementioned distractions of rent, bills, etc. apply to each of us. An art retreat is something you can actually do on your own. It is a good idea to take sometime at least every week to get out and look at something new. We all strive to make our studios an awesome lair of creativity whether it is a huge loft space or if it is your bedroom. As pumped as you might get in your studio there are those times when you just need to go somewhere else, a museum, the beach, you name it. These little breaks can be thought of as little retreats and do a lot to reconstitute your creative self.

Before we even got to the end our week in Néot Semadar to “Paint in the Desert" in 2017, we knew that we would be back again in 2018. The ever changing colors and textures on the contours of the landscape of this magical part of the world is a painterly challenge that will not allow you to feel the same about any other landscape again. There is still time to get in on this retreat. We recommend that not miss this opportunity to escape in a way that you didn't think possible. We should also mentioned that the food is ridiculously good here too. [Click Here] for all the details and registration.

This is a new retreat that is based on the last ten years that we, Tali and Royce, have been working together on art projects around the world. "Finding Expressionism" is going to be three action packed days and nights of flexing our creative muscles. If you want to be more open to inspiration and to be able to infuse more a more expressive spirit into your work, this experience will have you digging deep to reach places that you didn't know existed. We are really pleased that this retreat is going to be held in the fabulous Orly Dvir Gallery located in the Jaffa Port in Jaffa/Tel Aviv, Israel. Come prepared to paint a lot! The end of the final day there will be a very special reception and showing of the work we did in the gallery. [Click Here] for more information and registration. It is possible to register for single days for this workshop.

"Art of Rehabilitation & Healing" is a very special retreat that is designed specifically for those under-served members of our community that have certain disabilities. Through the years we have realized over and over again the healing power that art found in the arts. Just looking and visiting a gallery or museum can lift your spirits, but when you create your own art and explore the possibilities the results are miraculous. [Click Here] to visit our web page to see how you might join us in Kfar Hess, Israel for this experience.

This retreat is full. This retreat that visits so many of the spots where Vincent Van Gogh painted in Arles and St. Remy has become our most popular adventure. We have found that love for this man and his work is not unwarranted. Painting where he painted is really the experience of a lifetime. We will start in the south of France where Vincent painted so many of his masterpieces. Your head will spin as you stand in the very places the he stood at his easel. Then we will travel to Auvers, which is just northwest of Paris. This is where Vincent met his tragic end after only being there for 6 weeks. This amazing place is filled with emotion and inspiration. If you really need a Vincent fix this year, you are in luck since in May we have a retreat that will combine Van Gogh and Cézanne [Click Here] to see what it is all about !

DRAWING DAYS

(TEKEN DAGEN)

Zwolle, Netherlands

02, 03 & 18 May 2018

(Registration for individual days available.)

Zwolle is a city that is full of old world charm that is just begging to be the subject of your next drawing or painting. From the classic Dutch architecture, the narrow cobble stone streets in the city center to its lush green spaces that line the canals surrounding it, you will have no shortage of material to work from. This experience will be an expanded version of our Drawing Safari and will give many opportunities to find new and interesting places to paint and draw, even if you are familiar with Zwolle. We will meet each morning at Tali's 23 Proubstraat studio before heading out on a different adventure each day. Lunch is provided and you can sign up for individual days if you like. [Click Here] to get more information and to register.

MODEL IN THE LANDSCAPE

(MODEL IN HET LANDSCHAP)

Zwolle, Netherlands

11 to 13 May 2018

(Registration for individual days available.)

Last fall we held a retreat out of Royce's Michigan studio where we took the model outdoors and into the landscape. It was met with such a favorable response, when we saw that we were able to put on a similar experience in Zwolle, we jumped at the chance. Working from the live model is well understood by artists from the beginning of time as a good way to sharpen the skills of observation and drawing. When the model is taken outdoors, wonderful things begin to unfold as is shown clearly in the work of Matisse, Manet, Renior and Gauguin to name only a few. This will be a rare chance to work in this very special way. You can register for individual days if you like, and lunch will be provided. [Click Here] to get more information and to register.

The Provence is special part of France and is filled with a light that has captivated artists from around the world for years and it will captivate you too. Two of the most notable residents of the region were Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. Vincent took up residency in Arles and St. Remy and Cézanne was born and raised in Aix-en-Provence and then came back from Paris to paint there the rest of his life. We will visit and paint in many of the locations where Vincent worked. Then we will go east and visit Cézanne's studio, and switch our focus to getting out in the field to paint the landscape around Mont Sainte-Victoire that inspired so many of Cézanne's paintings. [Click Here] for more information and registration.

ART IN TUSCANY

Cortona, Italy

30 May to 06 June 2018

This is actually not one of our retreats at all. We, Tali and Royce were invited to participate in a special workshop/retreat put on by Irit Sheked from Israel. Among other things, Irit organizes trips from Tel Aviv to Europe especially for women. Her program is a really creative approach to travel and seeing the world. The trips go to many beautiful parts of the world, and then she adds a cultural aspect that gets all of her participants painting. We are honored to be asked to bring our ArtisTTable method of teaching to this retreat in Cortona. There are still a few places left, so if you would like to be part of this trip, you will need to register through Irit's website. [Click Here] to get to her website. Read our blog post about this retreat in [English] [Ivrit]