What Makes Italy, Italy?
A Painting Holiday with Maura McGurk
Enjoy the holiday of a lifetime on the borders of Umbria and Tuscany.
This holiday is arranged by 'Not Just A Painting Holiday Ltd' .
Exclusive holidays for the discerning traveller.
What makes Italy, Italy?
Italy is an absolute feast for the senses; it is an intense explosion of color, texture, and taste. We will explore our surroundings, and truly observe what Italy has to offer. Observing the landscape--beautiful vistas, olive groves, the lake--and the built environment-- the market in Castiglione, arches, shuttered windows, medieval towers, shrines set into walls--will remind us how different Italy is from our home.
You’ll find that the taste of the tomatoes will inform the reds in your canvas. Experiencing the textures of the ancient castle walls will beg you to use more paint in your work. Observing your gorgeous surroundings and living as an artist in Italy will change how you see and move in the world.
With a special emphasis on Italy’s unique colors and textures, we’ll explore and capture what makes Italy, Italy. Your observations about what is inspiring to you among your sights and experiences will allow you to create personally meaningful artwork. You’ll be able to bring a piece of Italy home with you and remember what makes this part of the world so special. With individual attention, this painting class is apprpropriate for first-time and experienced artists.
Field trips include Castiglione for the market and wine tasting, as well as a walk around the Rocca with ancient olive groves.
The Artist. Maura McGurk
Maura McGurk has taught at numerous colleges and universities in the US, as well as in summer programs in Italy. She has experience teaching everyone from teens to senior adults, from those with no art experience to advanced artists. She enjoys giving individual attention to each student, as well as leading discussions and field trips with the group.
Her artwork, including paintings inspired by Italy, has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries throughout the United States, and in Italy. She is known for her thoughtful use of color, texture, and mixed media. Her work is held in public collections at the Museum of Motherhood in New York City and The Brooklyn Art Library.
Ms. McGurk is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. She received grants from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the city of New Bedford Massachusetts, and Vermont Studio Center. She was named one of the “Boston Young Contemporaries” while earning her MFA in painting at the University of Massachusetts.
After living for several years in New York City, she now lives in Seattle.
Your Hotel
The location
"I was so taken by this splendid vision that I never forgot it and it has become the star or, at least, the setting for most of my paintings, my beautiful Trasimeno."
Gerardo Dottori
Softly rolling hills on the borders of Umbria and Tuscany. The marriage of two magnificent regions on the banks of the serene Lago Trasimeno
Your location will be the hill-top village of Castel Rigone nestled in pine-woods and surrounded by rolling hills, Castel Rigone is a beautiful 'working' , hill-top medieval village with winding stepped streets, quaint houses and three lovely original wall-towers. Apart from during the Annual 'Festa dei Barbari' every August it is 'tranquile' and untouched by tourism.
Your accommodation will be in the lovely 4 star 'Relais La Fattoria' originally a 'pardronale' with history dating back to the 17th century, with its open terrace ovelooking the hillside and lake. Breakfast and dinner are included in your package and will be taken in the hotel's 'Hermann's Forest Ristorante' renowned for its excellent service, delicious local specialities and tasteful decor. There will also be an opportunity to taste a real Umbrian pizza in our charming village pizzeria and to eat in family owned restaurants on our days out.
During the afternoons you will be free to continue your painting or enjoy quiet walks, a drink, gelato or snack at our village bar or simply to relax by the pool or in one of the hotel's comfortable lounges. There are several wonderful walks into the open countryside varying in length from 4km to 12km and extensive pine-woods offering shade on sunny days.
Included in your holiday are two excursions . On these days you again have the choice of either painting at these locations or to simply enjoy sightseeing.
Transfer will be from Perugia Airport for UK participents. For those travellng from outside Europe who will be arriving at Rome, we will collect from Passignano railway station.
Details on request.