Travel with fellow artists, family & friends! In addition to Non-participating guest options, did you know that other workshops are offered this same week! Enjoy the experience together while immersed in different topics! View calendar for details!
A Digital Stretch in Tuscany with instructor Mary Ann Rolfe Cortona, Italy September 17-24, 2011
A workshop to stretch your thinking and learn alternative techniques to create exciting, innovative digital and mixed media art and embellishment.
During this workshop students will learn techniques to produce Digital Glass, Translucent Window Panels, Digital Tiles, Digital Jewelry & embellishments along with material choices, transfer techniques, printing tips for these techniques, generating ideas, a variety of professional assembling and finishing techniques, problem solving, workflow methods for overcoming blockages, mental and physical tips for stimulating and maintaining creativity. Exploring Digital candles, boxes, textiles and using the student’s digital camera files to generate images will be explored as time permits. The power of the computer will be demonstrated although this workshop is also suitable for students who don’t use the computer. It is more about what to do with images than creating the images. Alternative image sources will also be completely explored. There should be ample time for those who want additional instruction on using various software programs to achieve specific results. The power of the computer will be demonstrated although this workshop is also suitable for students who don’t use the computer. It is more about what to do with images than creating the images. Those students who want to bring a laptop can do so, but it isn’t necessary. The instructor will have her laptop. Read more about this workshop below… 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 Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels. Experience... the joy of learning digital, finishing and embellishment techniques in a relaxed and and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a nationally know artist and instructor and the camaraderie of a small group of learners. Enjoy... great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona September 17, 2011**** Instruction in the classroom and on location Seven nights 3-star accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Tuscan cooking class and dinner Daily wine tasting opportunities Day trip to Florence with Uffizi Gallery visit A farewell wine tasting dinner **Included with "Hotel Italia" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time from Florence airport only; time to be announced, return train ticket to Florence provided (not escorted) *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans A, C, E, G only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Hotel Italia proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops since 2003
About Cortona...
Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns.” Cortona, which is often called the “City of Art,” has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman times with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed. An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with music & art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine mountains.
About "A Digital Stretch in Tuscany"...
Take advantage of today's technologies combined with totally new techniques developed by digital artist Mary Ann Rolfe to create exciting art forms and projects in a wide variety of media. We'll concentrate on what to do with your photos and graphics rather than on creating the graphics. Whether you are using your digital photos, scanned images, clipart or images from the wide variety available today, you will learn some exciting new techniques to utilize these images in a variety of art/craft disciplines.
The techniques you will learn were developed over several years by Mary Ann as she experimented to find new ways to add interest and excitement to her own designs. She'll share these new techniques along with combinations from other craft disciplines applied to the digital print and mixed media world. We’ll explore Digital Glass, Translucent Window Panels, Embellishment Techniques, a variety of transfer techniques, Digital Tiles and more. See A Digital Stretch website at www.digitalstretch.com for more details on these methods.
During these busy days you will learn many processes. Rather than focusing on completing projects , we’ll have the luxury of time for learning, testing, creating, practicing, exploring and producing. You will be provided with techniques, resources and inspiration so you will go home energized, motivated and confident to create your own projects. During one of our sessions we will review images and memorabilia from our visit to Tuscany and design a step by step plan for you to use once you’ve returned home to create a project using the new skills you have learned. Overcoming roadblocks and reducing frustration are also skills you will learn.
Although the examples shown utilize art created on the computer, this workshop is not just for digital artists. If you are computer savvy, you'll learn many new tricks and tips. If not, you can scan and/or photocopy your images. Images will be provided for you or you can bring your own. Traditional artists, scrappers, mixed media, collage, book artists and crafts persons of all types will learn a variety of stand alone, transfer and embellishment techniques to create exciting, PROFESSIONAL projects. All skill levels are welcome.
If you have a laptop, you may want to bring it to try out image techniques that will be introduced. If you are not currently using the computer as an art tool, there will be a laptop available so that you can spend some time seeing what's involved in learning these skills and deciding whether or not that's a direction you'd like to pursue. There will be ample time for individual help.
Your designs will become even more adventurous as you are inspired to learn more graphic and computer skills.
If you have questions about what you will learn or if this workshop is
appropriate for you please contact Mary Ann at mrolfe1@cox.net
Day 1
-session 1 Introduction to transfer techniques-produce a Digital Candle and/or box.
-session 1-Inspiration, Internet resources, integrating Tuscany experiences exercise, computer skills
-session 2-Embellishment techniques using Resin, wire, beads, etc. Intro to the computer as a creative tool. This will be tailored to the skills and knowledge and desire of the students.
Day 3
-session 1-Studio time to practice skills learned with emphasis on designing and creating a project and overcoming inevitable roadblocks to creating finished, professional projects. Individual help with computer graphic skills for those who desire it.
-session2-Digital Tiles skills-sample project.
Day 4
-session 1-Digital Glass skills-sample project.
-session 2-work on projects incorporating skills we've learned. I provide a large variety of raw materials.
Day 5
-session 1-Project planning using photos from trip, materials I provide. Plan projects for when they return home. How to accomplish those so they will have a guide and less frustration at home.
-session 2-Studio time for individual help, questions and to finish up projects started.
Although the examples shown utilize art created on the computer, this workshop is not just for digital artists. If you are computer savvy, you'll learn many new tricks and tips. If not,you can scan and/or photocopy your images. Traditional artists, scrappers, mixed media, collage, book artists and crafts persons of all types will learn a variety of stand alone, transfer and embellishment techniques to create exciting, PROFESSIONAL projects. All skill levels are welcome.
Note: Itinerary subject to change Saturday – Arrival in Cortona -Arrival and Check-in in Cortona -7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta. -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto Sunday - Cortona -9:00a-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch at Hotel Oasi -3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at Trattoria Toscana Monday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch Trattoria Etrusca -3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at La Grotta Tuesday - Florence -8:00a Taxi to Camucia station -8:29a Depart Camucia -Uffizi Gallery visit -4:09p Depart Florence -5:30p Taxi to Hotel Oasi -7:30p Wine tasting at Hotel Oasi -8:00p Dinner at Hotel Oasi
Wednesday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch Fufluns -3:00-5:30p Afternoon Session -6:00p Tuscan Cooking Class Thursday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch La Saletta -3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting La Saletta -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at Pane e Vino Friday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto -3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session -8:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona at Osteria del Teatro Saturday – Departure -Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay!
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate
Participant Supply List
All special supply's needed to produce the intended projects will be supplied in Cortona by the instructor. There is a $35 supply fee-payable to the instructor in Cortona.
A laptop is not necessary, but bring one if you have it.
