Traveling with a group of artists is different than taking a typical tour. We move at a more leisurely pace so we can see, photograph, paint and absorb everything around us. We seek out the culture, the art, the history and the people that make a place special.

The paintings we create are little gems because we take the time to really study our subject and get to know it, as opposed to taking a picture and moving on. We bring our small paintings, our photographs and our memories home with us and create larger paintings in our studios.

I hope you will join me on a painting trip in the future.


2008 Painting Trips

French Escapade
   
 
 

“French Escapade”
Rural France, May 28 – June 05, 2008
Trip is all booked but . . . . . taking waiting list names:

This painting trip is limited to 6 painters, so please contact me to learn if there is space available, Sandy Delehanty.

“Don’t be a tourist, be our guest…French Escapade.”

That is the slogan of French Escapade, a delightfully different tour company that delivers what it promises. Jac is the guide, Valerie is the chef and together they really made my students and I feel like their guests in May of 2006.  We had so much fun discovering rural France, and painting plein air we are going again. 

The best way I know to explain this trip is to describe our French Escapade trip in 2006:

We stayed in a lovingly restored 200-year-old guesthouse on a farm in rural France near Lyon. We were met at Lyon airport and driven to “our home” by Jac.  We settled in and joined Jac in our living room for an aperitif as she told us the history and geography of the village we would visit the next day. Chef Valerie served a delicious 4-course dinner explaining the origin of each dish.  As I crawled into my comfy bed that night I already felt like a guest in the home of friends, not a tourist.

Each day we shared a fresh French breakfast and coffee prepared by Valerie, then picked up our sack lunches and painting gear, and jumped in the van off to discover another wonderful painting site with Jac.  Painting sites included several   tiny and oh-so-charming French villages (my personal favorites), a chateau, and the Alps.  I worked with each student individually as with only 6 students I can tailor my teaching to the needs of each student.

Jac also took us touring; we saw beautiful caves, went inside a glacier, shopped at a market and learned how the French make chocolate. 

When we arrived back home, Valerie had aperitifs ready for us.  Dinner each evening was 4 yummy courses based on the village or area we visited that day.  Valerie served each course and explained the ingredients and food traditions.  Deliciously educational!

After dinner we shared our paintings and had a little critique.  It was such fun seeing how each student interpreted the day’s views.

The itinerary for 2008 will be similar to the trip we took, but with some new sites to see.  The cost of this wonderful French Escapade is US $2,590.00 double occupancy.

For details visit www.frenchescapade.com
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Italian doorway

“Creating Watercolor Memories of Tuscany”
Cortona, Italy September 6 – 13, 2008

This painting trip is limited to 8 – 12 painters, so please contact me to learn if there is space available,  Sandy Delehanty.

Picture yourself…
painting among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany:  olive groves, vineyards, centuries old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.

Feel yourself…
in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Estruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany’s jewels.

Experience…
the joy of painting en plein air in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with me there to help you create your masterpiece.  And experience the camaraderie of a small group of fellow painters.

Enjoy…
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona

Learn…
to capture your memories of Tuscany in lovely small format paintings, or in a Watercolor Travel Journal with demos, one on one help during painting sessions and critiques.

All-inclusive tuition, meals & accommodations start at US $2,749.00pp single occ!  Read about pricing plans and options, itinerary & enrollment online at www.ToscanaAmericana.com

http://hometown.aol.com/infotuscany/CreatingWatercolorMemoriesHome.html

All-inclusive enrollment includes: 
Instruction in the classroom and on location
7 nights three-star accommodations in historic Cortona
all meals (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Daily wine tasting opportunities
Tuscan Cooking Class & Dinner
Day trip to Florence with Uffizi Gallery visit
Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano
A farewell wine tasting dinner
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  In the planning stages for 2009,
 
"Creating Watercolor Memories of Santorini, 
Greece" September 26 - October 3, 2009

"In the Footsteps of French Riviera Artists",
 October 5 - 17, 2009 .