by Quench Travel, posted by Deb Shaw
Quench has put together a new eight-night botanical painting workshop with Margaret Best in Puglia, April 12 – 20, 2015.
Puglia is absolutely dreamy, in part because somehow it remains relatively undiscovered. Its staggeringly rugged coastline stretches along the Adriatic Sea with deserted beaches, rocky coves and crystal water. White-washed towns dot the shores with a smattering of colourful marinas and the bustle of fishing boat traffic. The landscape rolls up from the water in waves of green; centuries-old olive groves as far as the eye can see are interrupted occasionally by world-class vineyards and in April, a blanket of poppies. Flowering fruit and almond trees scent the air with a heavenly aroma. Join renowned artist and teacher Margaret Best here in this idyllic setting for an 8-day Botanical Painting Workshop. Under her expert guidance you can make meticulous study the local flora, spending your days painting in the airy garden studio that overlooks the sea. Visit the nearby Baroque towns and feel a part of this warm and welcoming Puglian culture.
An overview of the itinerary:
April 12: Arrive into Monopoli and check-in at Palazzo Indelli in the historical centre. Welcome cocktail and dinner in the evening.
April 13: Morning visit to the Botanical Gardens in Monopoli with picnic lunch. Transfer to Masseria Montenapoleone and explore gardens. Afternoon to pick your specimen and set up in studio. Welcome dinner at the Masseria.
April 14: Full day in studio. Light lunch in studio. Return shuttle to Polignano a Mare for dinner at leisure.
April 15: Full day in studio. Light lunch in studio. Return shuttle to Ostuni for dinner at leisure.
April 16: Morning visit to the private Giardini Pomona with the owner. Lunch at leisure in Locorotondo followed by a half day in studio. Dinner at the Masseria.
April 17: Explore the local markets before visiting a local home and enjoying a Cooking class and lunch. Return for studio time in the afternoon. Dinner independently at Masseria.
April 18: Full day in studio. Light lunch in studio. Return shuttle to Cisternino for dinner at leisure.
April 19: Full day in studio. Light lunch in studio. Gala evening exhibition with buffet meal.
April 20: Independent departures.
Costs start from €3,555. There is an early booking discount of €125 for bookings confirmed before October 10, 2014.
Margaret Best is an internationally recognized botanical artist and teacher offering tuition in graphite, colour pencil and watercolour. She has taught workshops to all levels of experience from rank beginners, intermediates to advanced levels in Canada, UK, Italy, USA and Bermuda. These workshop venues include respected botanical gardens and institutions such as Huntington Gardens, Pasadena; Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens; San Diego Natural History Museum; Filoli near San Francisco; Dow Learning Center in Zoo Conservatory, Calgary; Bermuda Art Center, Hamilton Bermuda. Margaret’s watercolours have been widely exhibited – New York; Weisman Museum, Minneapolis; Hunt institute of Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh; Los Angeles, Denver, Bermuda, Toronto, San Francisco and her work is found in numerous private and corporate collections around the globe. Margaret has designed six coins with botanical themes for the Royal Canadian Mint, with 2 to be released in 2015. For the past 6 years Margaret has painted regularly with her mentor Pandora Sellars who is widely regarded by experts as the leading contemporary botanical artist of our time. A professionally qualified art teacher, Margaret is known for her nurturing style and her ability to readily identify student skill level in order to steer advancement.
Download the PDF flyer Quench_Itinerary_Puglia to read more about the trip, or contact Quench at 416.366.2777 or email tripdesign@quenchtravel.com.