Sunday, February 24, 2019

Art in Tuscany May 2019 with Artist Trudi Doyle Thurs 16th to Thurs 23rd May


Maybe this is your year to experience this wonderfully relaxing break in Tuscany where everything is laid on and all trips  included !

LATE OFFER €55 OFF 
  YOU PAY €830 if you 
BOOK before  APRIL 30th 
REDUCTION also for non painting partners/ friends / family /artists not availing of tuition-€35 off - pay €795 only






When I touch  down in Tuscany each year for my painting holiday and  drive into the countryside through  historic villages making  way for vineyards of gnarled grapevines and olive groves, for fields of sunflowers, herbs and lavender, the  planet instantly seems a lot more beautiful.
 Old world atmosphere blends with modern Italian sophistication and I relax into a worry free week. .  My senses  are  heightened by the heat of the sun, the scents of  flowers and  herbs,  of coffee, gelato, figs,  wine.  The spectacular Tuscan Apennine mountain range fades to fragile pale blue  in the heat haze, the sky is a constant  azure dome above warm terracotta hues of homes and ancient architecture.

One week -Thursday  16th to Thursday 23rd May 2019

FLY TO PISA and I will organise the rest - Hotel - airport transfers, food, wine, painting excursions visits to Florence and the Uffizi Gallery and much more - Italy will charm you! 


La Pia Hotel 

  Visit quiet medieval villages and  experience the beauty and mystique of  the Tuscan countryside  at a leisurely pace.  
 Bask in the Tuscan sunshine. visit FLORENCE   for  spectacular art and architecture
Enjoy dining on delicious freshly cooked dishes at a friendly Italian family run  hotel 
An all inclusive holiday with like minded people in La Pia hotel Montecatini.  Relax and do a little  sketching and painting with  expert tuition and helpful advice in a friendly non competitive  atmosphere 
What is included -
1.Seven nights  stay at Hotel La Pia   Montecatini - 7 breakfast buffets and 7 delicious four course dinners with wine included  . single room or  double rooms for sharing if required. All rooms with bathrooms ensuite. 
 2. Transfers to/from Pisa airport  are included -( flights are not included)
3. Half day guided tour of Montecatini historical Spa and complimentary drinks and snack.. 
4.Two full day mini bus excursions to paint/explore in medieval villages including the charming  and historic fortress town of Montecarlo.
Botticelli's "Birth of Venus"
5. Train trip to Florence  with guided city tour  and tour of the Uffizi Gallery one of the most famous Art Galleries in the world (Pre-booked  Tickets  -to skip the queue included ) and free time to explore and shop in  this historic and beautiful city.
 6. Professional guidance , lessons and tuition to suit your requirements  from artist Trudi Doyle  with demonstrations.
7. Free  days with options to visit Lucca by train / avail of Spa treatments and a swim or  travel a short distance  via cable car to Montecatini Alto hill town- a place not to be missed.
Fee €885 per person 

LATE OFFER €55 OFF 
  
YOU PAY €830 BOOK BEFORE APRIL 30th 


(No Single payment supplement applies to all bookings = everyone has  their own room with bathroom )
REDUCTION also for non painting partners/ friends / family artists who do not avail of tuition- €35 off  
   You don't need to be a painter to enjoy this lovely relaxing holiday in Tuscany -all comers are welcome - join  us in the trips and do your own thing   
Contact trudiart@eircom.net  to secure a place  or simply to make  inquiries. 

  To Book online   with Credit card  contact trudiart@eircom.net   Trudi will    invoice you via Paypal   (€400 deposit secures a place-  full fee required by 30th April  ) . or Send a cheque by post payable to Trudi Doyle  to Trudi Doyle Ballyconnell, Tullow, Co Carlow R93R123


PLEASE NOTE -
Flights are NOT included.  -Ryanair have  flights at convenient times Dublin  to Pisa on the 16th and  Pisa to Dublin on 23rd and transfers to and from the airport and hotel ARE provided. 
Ryanair flights from Dublin return to Pisa on the appropriate dates  are currently  €53 return inc. taxes and charges ( as checked  on April 19th  2019 )  
 If travelling from the UK or  elsewhere please let me know as I will arrange transfers ( which are included ) from Pisa airport for you to the hotel. 

Balance of fee payable on or before 30th April 2019




TUITION Over the week I will provide some basic lessons in painting outdoors using watercolour - the principles also apply to other mediums ...Pastels Acrylics as well as watercolours. The amount of time you spend painting is largely up to you as there are many trips and excursions. Sketching on the go using pencils / pen and ink / water soluble crayons, Watercolours etc. etc. is the norm - Pieces can be competed back at the hotel or later at your leisure

N.B.Oil Paints are NOT allowed on flights. even in checked luggage,-They are considered as flammable liquid in the dangerous goods regulations.Breaching the regulation carries serious penalties!

When you book this holiday I will provide a short  list and suggestions /advice on basic painting equipment suitable for travelling and for working outdoors.)

                                                                      ------------------------------------

REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK
 Comment from a happy painter 2018    "I am looking forward to joining Trudi Doyle on her Art Holiday to Tuscany - my third time in 7 years. It's a wonderful experience each time. I find inspiration in watching Trudi produce exquisite paintings "en plein air" and in the variety of the Tuscan scenery, mountains and villages with their timeless charm.     Trudi adapts her tuition and coaching to meet the needs of each student. The pace is relaxed and outings are well organised. The locals are friendly and welcoming. A nice camaraderie develops in the group, enhanced by sharing the gorgeous food provided for the evening meal by Maria in Hotel La Pia."  Pauline Jones, Ireland 

"I had a wonderful art holiday in Tuscany with Trudi -it  was fab -- well recommend to anybody interested in going". Susan M. Ireland 
"I have been with Trudi at La Pia Hotel  Tuscany on four trips so far and have enjoyed every minute - would return in a heartbeat -  Fabulous food -  - great company - a relaxed and efficient ( not a contradiction ! )  approach from both Maria at La Pia Hotel and Trudi"   . J.B.D. Ireland 

"Don't hesitate to book - I had a stimulating and fun week  in Tuscany  with Trudi - food, trips, Hotel la Pia, company  and wine -all superb. Thank you Maria La Pia and Trudi ." J,E California .USA
                                                  ................................................................
Cafe life in Montecatini Alto
Tiny Chapel in Montecatini Alto








Photos from previous trips to Tuscany

Out to lunch in Montecatini Alto

Painting day 
Buggiani 


Painting the view 
Painting day 

At La Pia Hotel 

Lunch outdoors at Montecarlo Fortress town  



The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel
segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, 

Famous brick Dome by
Filippo Brunelleschi
  Cathedral of
Santa Maria del Fiore Florence 
 FLORENCE  Cathedral of
Santa Maria del Fiore 
With my brother Jody in Florence
statue of David by Michelangelo 


Hand crafted mask shop in 
 Via Faenza 72 Florence


Montecatini Alto - watercolour 

Olive Grove  watercolour 

Montecatini Spa 

painting at Le Pia hotel

Montecatini Spa 





Saturday, February 23, 2019

Eulogy for a Hawthorn


"Hawthorn in Summer "ink and watercolour 




"Hawthorn tree "ink and watercolour 







"Sunset threough the Hawthorn " ink and watercolour 








Eurogy for a Hawthorn'
Daily we walked , my dog and I on the lane to the  mountain
blue, purple, pink, grey, shrouded, misty, snow covered
the seasons rolled by.
On the way
the thorn tree
silhouetted against Kadeen
stark gnarled spiky in winter, bird bedecked 
soft green, white buds, scented  blossom in spring, bird nesting
in summer a twittering dome of sparkling jade
by autumn ripe berried shiny red,  russet leaves
dark, stoic once again by Christmas
"my pet tree" I named it
a comforting constant , an ancient friend
( little people dwelt deep in the roots )
In July a spiky branch
 scratched a passing tractor
 dark trunk was gripped, wrenched, toppled  
"Hawthorn at Sunrise "ink and watercolour






 from soil,
roots bare, exposed, broken .
there it lies
no blossoms
no leaves
no berries
A decaying skeleton.
Does it feel the sun and rain ?


by Gertrude Doyle  January 2019




Hawthorn through many weathers