arts escapes workshop

ARTS ESCAPES WORKSHOP
San Miguel de Allende,
Allende, Mexico
March 20 – 27, 2010
Led by Dory Kanter,
Kanter, author of Art Escapes
PLUS Additional Print Making
Making Workshop
March 16
16 - 20
Enjoy an enchanted week in San Miguel de Allende filled
with inspiring art instruction, culture, cuisine and time to
relax and discover this 400-year old Spanish-colonial jewel.
Nestled in the Sierra Madre mountains four hours north of
Mexico City lies the quaint village of San Miguel de Allende,
designated a national historic monument by the Mexican
government. With narrow cobblestone streets, colorful
markets and fiestas, numerous shops, galleries and fine
restaurants, San Miguel is a favorite destination for artists,
writers and discriminating world travelers. It has the feel of a
European city with the verve of the Mexican culture. A
center for the arts and home to an international community
of artists, San Miguel enjoys Conde Nast Travel Magazine’s
rating as one of the ten most desirable foreign cities in the
world to visit. Indeed, its air of tranquility stimulates the mind
and pleases the soul.
Our home in San Miguel is a beautiful B&B set in a restored
18th century villa with splashing fountains, plant-filled patios,
hacienda walls covered
Travel & Leisure Magazine calls the
with vines. An oasis
Casa Luna B&B “one of the world’s
most fabulous unknown hotels.”
located just a few blocks
from the town square,
each room has a fireplace, private bathroom with tub and
shower and elegant antique decor. For a preview, go to
www.casaluna.com. Our group will be the only occupants of
the Casa Luna during the workshop.
We’ll have our own private, spacious, well-lit workshop
studio with inspiring garden views all around. Painting
opportunities are abundant, ranging from intimate courtyards
and lush gardens, to open air markets and the arid high
plains of Mexico’s central plateau. Enjoy the daily practice
of painting and creating an artistic travel journal. We will
have ample free time to wander through San Miguel’s
exceptional collection of galleries and shops and enjoy its
many restaurants offering international cuisine. San Miguel
boasts a nearly perfect climate. March will have warm and
sunny days in the high 70’s and cool nights that require a
light wrap. San Miguel’s charming cobblestone lanes and
compact central district encourage walking.
Learn to turn your sketches into
memorable watercolor or acrylic
paintings with Dory’s four-step
approach to plein air painting and
triad color technique.
Trip Highlights Include
• Arrival and departure transfers to Leon Bajio Airport (BJX)
• Two group receptions: 6 pm on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday March 21
• 7 nights lodging with private bath
• 7 hearty and delicious breakfasts
• San Miguel 2010 Art Escapes trip book
• A locally designed Mexican-inspired work apron
• Guided orientation walking tour of San Miguel
• Daily workshop instruction in the art of the travel
journal, watercolor and acrylic painting
• Lessons from photographer Bob Cantor to help
you capture San Miguel through your camera lens
• On-site, well-lit, spacious workshop studio available day or night
• A goodie bag of art materials for the workshop,
including Dory’s uniquely designed triad palette
template
• Cooking lesson and lunch featuring gourmet Mexican recipes
• Gala farewell dinner
• Optional activities for non-painters can be privately arranged (for an additional fee), e.g., Spanish tutor,
golf, tennis, massage, history walking tour, horseback riding, hiking, hot springs, nearby haciendas and
villages, and more
Saturday, March 20 A car and driver will meet you at the Leon
(BJX) Airport to drive the 70 miles (1½ hours) to our B&B in San
Miguel. Be sure to arrive in time for our first event, a festive
welcome margarita party at 6 pm where you will receive your
workshop materials.
Sunday, March 21 After a delicious breakfast on the veranda, we
gather in our studio classroom for an introduction to the Mexican
travel journal with innovative ways to chronicle your thoughts and
impressions. Dory will demonstrate how to use her triads in both
watercolor and acrylic pigments. Learn to create luminous mixes
with Watercolor Fusion paintings, an original project designed to
spark your creativity and acquaint you with the expressive power
of Dory’s four color triads. We then go on an orientation walking
tour of San Miguel, ending at the lively open-air market. Relax,
swim or hot tub at our hotel in the afternoon. Join Dory at 6 pm for
Create vibrant still life paintings
inspired by the bounty of the
a rooftop reception and discover the magic of San Miguel sunsets.
garden before our gourmet cooking Monday, March 22 Join Dory as she makes it easy to capture the
lesson during a special day at a
colors of San Miguel using her tried and true color triads in both
luxurious retreat in the serene
countryside outside of San Miguel. watercolor and acrylic. This year’s workshop will focus on all four
triadic combinations of pigments – how to mix them and how to use
them – to capture the sights and scenes of San Miguel. Today’s inspiration comes from an exploration of
symbols and shapes as Dory teaches you how to make brilliant paintings with her original Symbolic
Shapes watercolor project. In the late afternoon, join photographer Bob Cantor for the first of two engaging
lessons designed to help you capture San Miguel through your camera lens. Today’s presentation is
focused on composition and camera fundamentals.
Tuesday, March 23 We begin the workshop today with a lesson in the art of the one-minute sketch. Dory
then shows you how to make Quick Draw Circles as you experiment with a variety of different drawing
tools. Turn a one minute drawing into vibrant and lively Outside the Lines watercolors – another of Dory’s
original projects. In the late afternoon, broaden your photographic skills as you listen to Bob Cantor’s
second presentation focusing on shooting tips, suggestions and post-processing.
Wednesday, March 24 Today’s treat is a day in the country with a visit to a beautiful home just outside of
San Miguel to paint, sketch and learn the secrets of Mexican cuisine. Our chef shows us how to make
some of the delicious favorites we enjoy at the Casa Luna. Enjoy a festive comida (meal) with our host,
Dianne (creator and owner of Casa Luna), at her gracious country home and garden. Learn to create
Lines and Layers paintings, combining delicate oil pastel line drawings with layers of transparent color
washes and subtle surface texture. Our subject matter is inspired by the cornucopia of fresh fruits and
vegetables gathered from the garden for our cooking lesson.
Thursday, March 25
Today Dory teaches her liberating Four Steps to
Plein Air Painting – the key to painting the landscape
freely, intuitively and passionately. Learn how to
progress with ease from quick sketch to a vivid
watercolor painting. Every corner of the Casa Luna
offers wonderful vistas to paint: doorways, arches,
ornate facades, flower gardens and more.
Friday, March 26 Our workshop continues with a
lesson in using the triads with acrylic paint to create
Personal Nicho Shrines – a traditional Mexican art
form sure to ignite your creativity. Create a painted
The beautiful workshop space at the Casa Luna, nicho to frame one of your San Miguel paintings. Dory
surrounded by lush gardens, is available to you provides acrylic paints in all four triad color
day and night.
combinations to
decorate your metal
nicho. Instant visual harmony will appear by using the same triad for
your nicho as you used in your painting. This evening, we celebrate our
artwork with a group exhibition before a gala farewell dinner to share
stories, memories and friendship.
Saturday, March 27 Enjoy one last delicious Casa Luna breakfast and
time to say goodbye to workshop friends before departing by private car
or van for your return flight from the Leon Airport. When you make your
flight arrangements, remember that you need to allow 3 hours before
departure to get to the airport and check-in.
Cost
$1995 per person based on double occupancy. Airfare is not
included. Single supplement is $670. A deposit of $300 is due at the time
the reservation is made. A second non-refundable deposit of $600 is due
October 1, 2009. Final payment is due on January 15, 2010. First
deposit of $300 is refundable prior to October 1, 2009. After October 1,
Personal Nicho Shrine created by
all payments are non-refundable. The itinerary, accommodations, and
Norma Green, 2009 workshop
arrangements are subject to change if necessary. Travel insurance is
participant.
strongly advised. Each participant must evaluate his/her own needs;
however, it is strongly recommended that the participant purchase travel
insurance, covering trip cancellation, baggage loss or damage, travel accident or illness, and medical and
emergency evacuation. It is also strongly advised that the participant review his/her existing medical
insurance to determine the extent of medical coverage while outside your normal coverage area, as well as
the means of making a claim for such coverage.
Workshop offered by Art Escapes, LLC
About Dory
Dory’s book, Art Escapes: Creative Exercises to Enrich Your Life Through
Art, was published in 2003 by North Light Books and continues to appear
on Amazon’s bestseller list. Internationally, her book has found many
readers with Dutch, British and Chinese editions. Her belief in the ability of
the arts to empower each of us informs her commitment to educational
development projects. She has recently written two arts curricula used by
high schools nationwide. Dory has a well-earned reputation for being a
motivating art teacher; her workshops speak to and inspire beginners as
well as experienced professional artists. She has lectured at Yale
University and has been featured in many articles in Somerset Studio,
Artists’ Sketchbook and Watercolor Magic magazines. Visit her website at
www.dorykanter.com.
Comments from past participants
“You instilled in me the confidence to paint again and I can't thank you
enough for doing so. It was such a wonderful release to be able to journal and
then portray in painting what I was feeling. I love the Casa Luna art room and
B&B. Perfect location. Your teaching of the color triads is brilliant and a direct
reflection of all your years of dedication to your craft. Years ago I took a color
class on Johannes Itten and you made it all make sense just using 3 colors at
a time. Wonderful approach and your choice of pigments works perfectly. The
techniques taught were fascinating, as is your book.”
Nancy Dauray, West Palm Beach, Florida
“Thank you for your hard work and excellent soul. You pay attention, teach us to
pay attention. You analyze what you do and translate it into excellent lessons.
You give us tools we can take home to make art. Your expertise, excellent
teaching and enthusiasm help us see a new world full of color. It is one thing to be
an artist, quite another thing to teach art. You do both! Thank you for one of the
best weeks in my life.”
Kathleen Hughes, Tucson, Arizona
“My trip journal is complete and everyone who has seen it is
jealous of the fantastic time I had. I am looking forward to spending a little time
every day drawing and painting. You are a very special lady ... an inspiration to so
many people and to me personally. Thank you for your generous spirit.”
Ricki Golick, Alberta, Canada
“I am still basking in the San Miguel glow. I feel so fortunate to have shared such a
perfect week among such bright, caring, imaginative and humorous people. I have
my memories and photos to remind me of our time in the studio, cooking together,
walking the cobblestones, and sharing our ideas and art.”
Joyce Zobel, Palm Desert, California
OPTIONAL PRINT MAKING WORKSHOP
Taught by artist Hugo Anaya in Guanajuato,
Guanajuato, Mexico
March 16 - 20,
20, 2010
2010
It is with great pleasure that I offer this very
special opportunity to study print making with
master artist and teacher, Hugo Anaya, in the
beautiful nearby town of Guanajuato. This
class is specially designed as a complement
to my San Miguel workshop. Participants will
use the color triads in a new way - to make
prints! You will be generously guided and
assisted through all the steps of the print
making process so that you come away with
newfound skills and brilliantly personal
finished prints.
Workshop Highlights
• 3 days of workshop instruction with Hugo Anaya
• 4 nights double occupancy at the Alma del Sol B&B
• Transportation from Leon (BJX) airport to Casa
Alma del Sol B&B in Guanajuato
• Transportation from Alma del Sol B&B to Casa
Luna B&B in San Miguel for Dory’s workshop
• 4 hearty and delicious breakfasts
• 3 gourmet lunches
Cost
The cost is $825 per person, double occupancy. For
companions not wishing to take the print workshop,
the cost is $500 per person, double occupancy. A
deposit of $300 is due at the time the reservation is
made. Final payment is due on January 15, 2010.
First deposit of $300 is refundable prior to October 1,
2009. After October 1, 2009 all payments are nonrefundable. Please note: this workshop is strictly
limited to just 8 persons to ensure individual
instruction time with Hugo. Be sure to reserve your
spot right away.
Explore charming Guanajuato, filled with inviting
parks, plazas, cafes and restaurants, museums,
and architecture from a rich past and vibrant
present. Guanajuato is a culturally rich small
Colonial city located 1.5 hours drive from San
Miguel. Participants will stay at the charming
and well-appointed Alma del Sol B&B, located in
the historic center of town. Take in the sights
and sounds of this vibrant city from the relaxing
rooftop veranda and lounge. Guanajuato is a
delightful place to walk and wander at your own
pace as you discover its festive local color and
charm.
Workshop Daily Schedule
Tuesday, March 16
Participants are met at the Leon (BJX) airport and are
taken to the Alma del Sol B&B. Settle into your room and
then meet Hugo for a warm welcome and orientation to
beautiful Guanajuato.
Dinner on your own
Wednesday, March 17
9 am: Breakfast at Alma del Sol B&B
10 – 6 pm: Workshop - Your first lesson at Hugo’s delightful
print studio includes a demonstration of the print making
“What an amazing workshop. Hugo was
process. Learn how to mix print inks using the colors in
tireless with his support, enthusiasm and
Dory’s Sun Triad to create the background for your first
help. I loved every moment. I will definitely
print. You will compose your first print using Hugo’s
be back.”
innovative design templates. Learn how to use a registering
Ricki Golick
template to make the print runs easy and fast. Complete
Alberta, Canada
your first print.
2 pm: Lunch served at the studio
Dinner on your own
Thursday, March 18
9 am: Breakfast at Alma del Sol B&B
10 – 6 pm: Workshop - Learn new techniques and
approaches to print making with Hugo’s attentive guidance.
2 pm: Lunch served at the studio
Dinner on your own
Friday, March 19
9 am: Breakfast at Alma del Sol B&B
10 – 6 pm: Workshop – Learn more innovative techniques
and approaches to print making with Hugo’s attentive
guidance.
2 pm: Lunch served at the studio
Dinner on your own
“The workshop was magnificent.
Saturday, March 20
Hugo is a great teacher of art and
9 am: Breakfast at Alma del Sol B&B
Guanajuato culture.”
Afternoon departure to Casa Luna B&B in San Miguel for Dory’s
Barb Greiner
Portland, Oregon
workshop.
For information or to register
E-mail: dory@dorykanter.com
Telephone: 503 224
224 3331
Website: www.dorykanter.com
”The accommodations were charming
and wonderful. Great lunches on site.
We all did so well!”
Wendella Edginton
Portland, Oregon