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Imagine yourself in Tuscany in Spring 2012, in a restored medieval village, drawing or painting the seasonal displays of flowers such as red poppies, azaleas, wisteria or the native blue iris. Or if you prefer, depicting the local fruit and vegetable offerings such as asparagus, strawberries, fennel or peas found in the market place.
Imagine also your artistic endeavors being guided by a renowned teacher in a stunning historical indoor/outdoor studio setting. Join Margaret Best, botanical artist and teacher, and an expert Italian-speaking cultural guide, on a memorable 8-night visit to Italy.
Outside the studio you will visit an organic kitchen garden and join the owner for a sumptuous gourmet meal. And there is more…you will be able to experience truly authentic Chianti region by mingling with the local residents and visiting a boutique wine estate to sip their vintages. You will also savor the culture of Rome and Siena.
Your Instructor
Margaret Best is an internationally recognized botanical artist and teacher offering tuition in graphite, color pencil and watercolor. She has taught workshops to all levels of experience from rank beginners, intermediates to advanced levels in Canada, UK, USA and Bermuda. These workshop venues include respected botanical gardens and institutions such as The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, CA; Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens; San Diego Natural History Museum; Filoli, San Francisco, CA; Dow Learning Center, Calgary Zoo Conservatory, Calgary; Bermuda Art Center, Hamilton, Bermuda.
Margaret’s watercolors have been exhibited globally in New York; Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis; Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh; Los Angeles, Denver, Bermuda, Toronto, and San Francisco. Her work is found in many private and corporate collections around the globe. Recently the Royal Canadian Mint released a wild rose coin designed by Margaret.
For the past six 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. She has also completed master classes with Katie Lee, Lizzie Sanders and Anne Marie Evans.
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. This is what her students have to say:
That was a wonderful, wonderful workshop. Margaret creates a level playing ground where everyone could learn regardless of their skills. Thank you for helping to get me launched and I look forward to another workshop.”
Diana Platt, Santa Barbara, USA
Not only does Margaret have her own amazing works of art and technical skill beyond anything I have ever experienced, she is also an inspiration. Her classes are always supportive, informative, challenging, and stimulating. Margaret holds nothing back and shares her skills and life experiences freely. By the end of each class Margaret has successfully instilled the desire and provided the tools to create, not only art, but to become our best selves. I aim to take as many classes from Margaret that I am able and would recommend to anybody that she offers an opportunity that should not be missed.
Nancy Berreth, Calgary,Canada
Painting Tour of Italy with Margaret Best
April 26 – May 4, 2012
Cost: Euro 3,190 (convert currency)
Please direct all travel questions to Quench Travel Design, Ltd., a Toronto-based travel design group.
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