Italy for Solo Travelers

Do you love to travel?

Is Italy one of your favorite destinations?

Interested in being more than a tourist?

 

Think about joining one of these adventures while traveling in Italy....  meet Kelly Medford, American artist living in Rome.

I met Kelly on my December trip to Rome and she graciously agreed to let me follow her while she painted  in the  streets of Rome.  Thanks to a post by BrowrowsingRome.com http://www.browsingrome.com/    I learned that Kelly was doing a 120 project:   a painting a day.  

Thinking, if she can paint an entire picture in ONE day, I can do a blog a day on my 30 day trip.
Well that didn't happen and I am still writing about the adventures I had on my Solo Christmas trip to Italy.....

Kelly  just sent me a list of all the workshops she will be doing this year.    Reading the list brings out the artist in me even though I only express myself with photos......I think a workshop with Kelly would make a difference.     Below is a brief outline on events a Solo Traveler will enjoy.    One of the BEST talents Kelly possesses is her open mind.   She had never met me before, nor do I think she knew I was twice her age but she treated me as a 'real person' and shared her idea and philosopy on paining in Rome.   She was kind to answer the endless questions a non resident asks without laughing or judgins.     Thank you Kelly.

It shall be difficult to selct which class to take.......

Art of the Painted Sketch: August 21-28, 2013
Umbria, Italy

Join us for a week of sun, wine, Italian home cooking and painting in a in a restored villa tucked away in the wooded hills of Umbria.

In this intimate and relaxed setting you will gain a new ease and confidence in capturing  the light and feel of a place by learning the Art of the Painted Sketch

Your instructor, an American painter who has been living and painting in Italy for the past 9 years, will guide you effortlessly through the process.

Not just for painters, this setting is the perfect getaway for non painting partners.       Complete with swimming pool, 80 acres of grounds and close to several small Italian villages, this is the perfect chance to relax and enjoy an authentic Italian holiday.

 Details:

• Cost for single participant in private room is £985 or $1,530.
• A non-refundable deposit of 25% is required upon registration with full payment due June 26
• All art materials, meals, airport transfers and local transport during the course is included in your tuition/ just bring yourself and be ready to relax and paint!

    *Cancellation policy details can be found by clicking here
To learn more about our hosts at Arte Umbria go to www.arteumbria.com

To learn more about your instructor Kelly Medford click here

To register and join us  click here

The Light and Life of Venice: October 12-20, 2013
Venice, Italy 
Spend 10 days in Italy's most magical and mysterious floating city, Venice. We will stalk the streets, alleys and canals with our easels to capture the most intimate and fleeting views of the city.

Venice is full of light, color, gondolas, open piazzas and intimate hidden places. To capture them in paint is exciting, fun and the chance of a lifetime.

This workshop will be filled with adventure, exploration and give you a new confidence to capture the life around you quickly en plein air.
You will learn to capture fleeting light quickly in paint and have a wide range of completed paintings or studies that you can work from and take back to the studio. This experience, through guided instruction, will grow your speed and confidence no matter your skill level.

With 10 days we will have time to enjoy  the local wine, food and scenery as well as paint in 2 daily sessions with time for breaks. We will also have a day painting in the unique local fisherman's Burano island to capture local life there.

All levels and mediums are encouraged to join us as well as non painting partners. We will be staying as locals in furnished apartments in the heart of the city.

Working as a team, Helen Beacham will be instructing all levels in both drawing and watercolors, while Kelly will be working with painters in oil and acrylics.

Details:

• Cost for a single participant to share a room $1,700 with a deposit paid before May 1. After May 1, total cost is $1,900
• Flexible cancellation policy- 100% refund before August 1. See full policy here
• Tuition includes a single bed in a shared room, continental breakfast, 2 dinners, day trip to Burano island, turps and paper towels for oil painters.
• Bring a non painting partner for just $800 more.

For more details or to register, click here  click here


About Your Instructor:
Kelly Medford is an American who came to Italy 9 years ago to study drawing at The Florence Academy of Art. She has been living and painting en plein air in Italy every since and currently resides in Rome where she teaches painting, sketchbook journaling and shows regularly.

She has traveled all over Europe and the U.S. competeing in plein air competitions and working collaboratively with other painters. She speaks Italian fluently and is a perfect liason for painters visiting Italy.

You can see her work and find out more about her on her website at www.kellymedford.com
or send her an email at paintings@kellymedford.com