Steve McKenzie's Abstract Painting Workshop at La Fortezza + Artist in residence announcement.
Ciao all! by now you know we have been trying out a few different workshops and retreats here at La Fortezza. A few weeks ago, I had my dear friend and amazing artist Steve McKenzie here with students painting all over the place. Of course like with all workshops, we served local food and our own wine. It was 5 days of pure creative bliss. Our newly renovated out building, known as the "dependence," worked perfectly and all guests were comfy and cozy.Our farewell pizza party was a huge hit and visiting a local castle owned by artists was a big thrill. Thank you to Steve for making every minute count and every lesson so valuable. I even stopped my duties here to paint one morning, and it was divine. Steve is an amazing teacher. Oh and we picked a few grapes with our handsome vintner Manolo since our grape harvest was in full swing! The looks on their faces tells the story. They were all so happy!
We also had a cooking lesson, as we do with every workshop, with retreat chef, Teri. Homemade pasta was so fun to make.
This season we have been thinking about how to come up with a way to offer a more flexible workshop experience to folks. I have people that email us all the time asking if they can come during a visit to Italy, but we were bound to our workshop calendar. I think we have come up with the perfect solution. We have a new and exciting addition to our 2019 summer retreat roster. We will be starting a new creatives program, an "Artist in Residence" program here at La Fortezza the entire month of July.
Steve will be the very first artist to spend a month here creating under the Tuscan sun. He will be starting here the 1st of July. If you are in Italy during the month of July, or planning a trip here in July, here's how it will work:You will be able to book as many days as you like based availability to assist or create art with Steve. He will be working on a collection that will be hung here end of July. He will have an opening exhibition party here at La Fortezza which will be another opportunity for you to come join us at his opening the last weekend of July. More details about Steve's art opening to come.Your stay at La Fortezza will include:
- Accommodations
- All Breakfasts
- Some Lunches
- Some Dinners
- Aperitivo-( Italian Cocktail hour) with me, author of Cocktail Italiano
- Excursions with Steve
- Lessons with Steve
- All Art Supplies
If you're not a painter but want a creative experience, you will be able to assist and apprentice with Steve. This retreat is open to all levels. The rate will be $500 per day. We have 5 rooms available, so if you are coming to Italy in July, please sign up early as this experience will be first come, first serve.There will be more information on the website mid-November when we plan to announce all the spring and summer creative workshops. So if you've always wanted to live in the Italian countryside, paint and co create with other artists, this opportunity might just be for you. As always feel free to email me at annette@annettejosephstyle.com for more information about July's Artist in Residence Program with Steve McKenzie.
Have a peek at Steve's instagram to see the whole story of his week here teaching abstract painting to our great group!xx Annette