For a tiny community in Tuscany Montisi has more than its share of artists. Elizabeth Cochrane is one of the many talented artists who call this area home. Professionaly trained in the UK, Liz started to run painting classes in the area, fell in love with Montisi and moved there. The UK's loss was to be to our benefit!
One of the many unique features of a week with Gail Hecko is a chance to paint with Liz. Gail advises the participants to bring along the necessary supplies and they all get to spend half a day receiving instruction from the incredibly talented and personable Liz. Normally 'painting day' is Tuesday. This was also our ballooning day so while we were floating above the fields and forests of the Crete Senesi the rest of the group painted. When we returned to the villa it was too hot to paint outdoors so Liz agreed to come back on Thursday to provide a lesson for 'the ballooners'.
She arrived bright and early on Thursday morning. She set up on the terrace where the light would be better. Paul was apprehensive about painting but I was keen to give it a go. Liz was a wonderful instructor; providing excellent advice on brushwork techniques, paint mixing, drawing, and whatever tidbits she thought that we would need to produce our 'masterpiece'.
We were a small group of painters, which was good because we needed lots of help! Liz explained that it would be too difficult to paint something from sight so she provided photographs of olive trees to help us paint our first picture. This would ensure that we would be able to paint without our mind being 'cluttered' with too much detail - the mind always wanders - you can't mistake the scene in a photograph!
We each selected a photograph which interested us and then started to draw it. Once we were pleased with our sketch Liz showed us how to do a wash and then apply paint to the paper. It was fascinating watching how the layers of paint gradually came together to form a painting.
Now I should clarify something. I said that we neeed lots of assistance - this did not apply to Sandi or her wonderful sister Holly as they are both very talented artists. They took off doing their own thing and produced amazing works of art.
Later it started to rain so we had to move things inside to the sitting room. It was here where we were to finish our paintings. The final stage was to add the shadowing. This is where Liz asked us if we minded if she added a bit of colour. Of course we jumped out of our seats and let her do her stuff! It was amazing how much impact she made on the picture with just a few well-chosen strokes of the brush. This is what separates the talented artist well apart from the amateurs!
We finished up at noon and both Paul and I were pleased with 'our' paintings (I say that giving full credit to Liz who really helped them come along).
We bought a 'real' Liz Cochrane painting and she packed it up for us to take home with our own paintings tucked inside the package. I carefully carted them to Florence and later through airports, on and off of planes, to Toronto. Happily I avoided the disaster that Sandy experienced when her bottle of Pimms exploded in her luggage adding a new 'Pimms' shading' to her paintings! OUCH
Later, when we showed mom our paintings, she thought we were joking and that someone else had done them. We assured that we hadn't bought some street art and were attempting to pass it off as our own. Hmm
Last week I was struggling with a gift idea for Paul's birthday. Technically the ballooning adventure in Montisi was his birthday gift but I felt badly not having something for him to unwrap on his special day. I decided to take our paintings to my favourite framer and have them framed. This became his birthday gift.
They did a great job!
We ended up hanging the two pictures in the guest bathroom.
Jerry,
The framers only enhanced the great jobs you did on your paintings! Both pieces look awesome!
Had I been there at the same art class, mine would look like a kindergartener did it! Sad but true .. my attempts at art always look pathetic.
Yours look so very professional. Congratulations on your pieces!
Posted by: Eden | July 07, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Violation of Blogging Rule#1 ~
Bad photo posted!
Your artworks looks great though!
Posted by: sandi @ the whistlestop cafe | July 08, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Well Eden - I won't tell you who said our paintings were elementary (and it was not meant as a compliment! LOL), well, I will say that it was NOT Liz! It was fun to play around with the paint - nice to create something.
A bad photo Sandi? I don't see a bad photo (I thought it was a lovely pic of you with the exception of the ballcap at 6 am hair from ballooning!)
When will we see the Pimms art?
Posted by: Jerry | July 08, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Jerry, I think your paintings are really well done -- you and Paul should be proud. And what a fantastic souvenir to remind you of your time in Tuscany....
BTW, I'd kill to have a "sitting room" similar to the one shown in your photo. That must have been a gorgeous place to stay!
Posted by: sandrac | July 08, 2008 at 07:27 PM
You and Paul did a great job on the paitings. Layered with depth and the shading makes them pop.
Now you have instant memories that takes you back to Montisi, Italy every time you see it.
Posted by: Ice Tea For Me | July 08, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Our paintings are a wonderful memory of our time in Montisi to be sure! The credit goes to Liz who is a talented artist and a wonderful person!
The villa was truly gorgeous. I just realized that I have not done a post on that. I really should.
Posted by: Jerry | July 08, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Jerry, you and Paul did a super job on your paintings. When Liz "Lizinates" a painting, she is just enhancing what is already there. She is an excellent teacher, and her sessions are an experience!
I'm glad you enjoyed this part of your week with us!
Posted by: gail hecko | July 10, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Gail every part of a week with you is an experience not to be missed!
Posted by: Jerry | July 10, 2008 at 10:01 AM
How much fun is this to say you painted in the Italian countryside? Such a great thing to do and remember...and the art resulting from such just makes it even more special. Framing them for a gift was a great idea. Gotta love "Mom's" comment...LOL...Moms are always our biggest cheerleaders and our sternest critics! Gotta love that about Moms.
Posted by: Kayte | July 12, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Oh, and the painting of Liz's that you bought...what was that? Are you allowed to photo it and show it on your blog? I would love to see what you chose from her collection.
Posted by: Kayte | July 12, 2008 at 08:22 AM
It certainly was a great travel experience. I will post a picture of the 'real' Elizabeth Cochrane shortly - it still needs framing. It is a beautiful scene of Montisi from afar.
Posted by: Jerry | July 12, 2008 at 04:51 PM