SPIRIT OF TUSCANY
Ah… the spirit of Tuscany. Travel, art, home-cooked local sun-ripened food, wine to savour and share, and the most heartwarming company you could ever wish for…
in August, for the second year running, I spent 10 days at the Verrocchio Art Centre, Casole d’Elsa, deep in the burnt umber and dry ochre of the Tuscan countryside.
The centre is run by the genial and slightly eccentric Nigel Konstan, artist, sculptor, academic, host. His figures watch over us from all angles.
The recognisable colours and motifs of the landscape and the village found their way into sketches and paintings.
Conversation flows; plenty of time to relax and absorb the atmosphere.
I can’t tell you how much these warm, funny, beautiful women added to my whole experience. I wish I could bottle that feeling and bring it home ????
This is Liz Hough, one of the best artists of our generation, and our tutor, whose passion for Italy is superseded only by her love of painting, teaching. She is a gem! Liz hosts the retreat on behalf of the St Ives School of Painting. My painting colleagues have included seasoned artists and newbies alike, and everyone brings something to the table, and everyone is willing to have a go and learn from each other, in a supportive and relaxed environment.
The boundaries between work, play, and relaxation are blurred; it’s just an immersive, creative, cultural sociable bubble.
Such beauty, even when it rains.
It’s a cliche, but there really is inspiration everywhere you look.
And then it’s over, for another year…
Ciao, Verrocchio. Alla prossima!
