Tuscany Gourmet Watercolor Workshop

With Evelyne Boren

Monday, May 20^th to Thursday, May 30^th 2024

Hello My Fellow Artists,

It will be wonderful to return to Tuscany in 2024 for another watercolor workshop, which is scheduled for arrival Monday, May 20^th to Thursday, May 30^th departure.

Our June 2023 class was great. We were lucky as the weather was unusually cool. Fortunately we only experienced some rain in the afternoons, which did not interfere with our morning plein air painting. Normally the weather is perfect in Tuscany during May and June, and in 2022, we had lots of sun and unusually warm afternoons. Certainly, there are no guaranties with the weather worldwide, especially these days. We are very lucky to have a covered terrasse, so we are prepared no matter what the weather.

Now we are heading into 2024 and I so look forward to another get together at Villa San Filippo in Tuscany (www.villasanfilippo.com) because this apartment hotel has been so popular with my last classes. The hotel is located between Florence and Sienna, close to a little village called Barberino.

The Villa has amazing views, nice big rooms, three swimming pools, and our own restaurant where we can dine leisurely after a wonderful excursion to different painting sites every day.

We will travel in our private air-conditioned bus for six days out and three days at the hotel. We will paint all morning and then, close to our painting location, delight in a special gourmet luncheon, including some delicious Italian wines and dessert. There may be days when we feel like doing another sketch or small watercolor on our way home. We will play it by ear.

Around 2:30 PM, we return to the hotel where you can relax in your air-conditioned room or swim in one of the three pools or paint on our covered patio with a cool breeze caressing you—your choice!

At 6 PM, we will meet for cocktails and critique on the terrasse with amazing views and dramatic sunsets. About 7 PM, we will start our light evening meal prepared by the in-house catering company at the hotel. Villa San Filippo also serves a very nice breakfast starting at 7:30 AM, early enough for everybody to be ready to board our air-conditioned bus by 9 AM.

I will be teaching on watercolor paper or on Ampersand Aquabord. I will bring some acrylics that can also be painted on Aquabord or Claybord. You are welcome to use either medium. (Once you sign up, I will send you a list of supplies.)

Unfortunately, Villa San Filippo had to raise their prices for both rooms and the restaurant by 30%. Also, this year I was very surprised to find my favorite restaurants had almost doubled their luncheon prices since my last visit to Tuscany. Guess there is inflation everywhere.

For 2024, the price for all your meals with wine and a one-bedroom double occupancy apartment will be US $6,500 per person for the 10 days. Non-painters can deduct $1,000, which includes all meals and if need be the bus. Should you want a single room, please add $500.

A deposit of $1000 will hold your space. The deposit is refundable should you have to cancel no later than March 31, 2024. To join us, please fill out the attached application form and the deposit of $1,000 check and send both to:

Evelyne Boren, 141 Cantera Circle. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.

The first payment of $2,500 will be due by January 25 and the final payment of $3,000 will be due by March 25. After April 1^st, no money will be reimbursed for cancelations, unless your place can be filled. Should there be a travel restriction causing us to have to cancel the class, I will refund all the monies paid except for a 10% administration fee.

On Monday, May 20, at 1 PM, our private air-conditioned bus will pick you up at the Pisa or Florence airport to take you to the hotel. This transportation is not included and will cost approximately 30 to 50 Euros, depending on how many people are sharing the bus. Following the end of the workshop, the bus will return to the airport on Thursday, May 30.

Should your flight arrive later in the day on May 20, we recommend that you spend your arrival night close to the airport and in the morning take a taxi to the arrival hall at the airport, where we will pick you up. Both Pisa and Florence will not let buses into the city to pick up people; however, we can pick you up at your hotel as long as it is close to the airport.

Not included in the $6,500 are your art supplies, your airfare, and your ground transportation to and from the hotel in Italy.

I have used a wonderful travel agent who can help you put your trip together. Her name is Barbara Allen (928-583-9490, barbara@wtpdx.com). I recently had lunch with her and she said Italy is hot!!! Flights are being booked now and are selling out fast for next spring and summer.

This year’s opening at Acosta Strong, 200 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, will be Friday, September 15, from 5-7 PM. You are all invited. To see some of my new work, please go to www.acostastrong.com. Many of my new paintings were inspired by my visit to Tuscany this year.

Looking forward to hearing from you, Evelyne