Bev Birdwell’s

Ink and Watercolor Journaling

October 1-10, 2018

Contignano,Tuscany, Italy

Skip to Registration Here

We are so pleased to announce that artist Bev Birdwell is coming to Tuscany! If you missed her France workshop this year, we invite you to join in the fun.

A bit about Bev...

Bev has called Vancouver, Washington home for the past 32 years.During this time she has had a painting studio, Arts Desire, where she holds and hosts many classes and workshops. For the past 24 years she has been able to have her studio on the same property as her home, allowing her students inspirational access to her beautiful flower garden and pond.

She spent about 13 years as a staff teacher for Susan Scheewe Publications, and in recent years has been teaching painting workshops at various art conventions.

A prolific painter herself, Bev has published two instructional books titled “Garden Collection” and “Garden Collection 2” on painting flowers in acrylic, watercolor and oil.

Bev was also one of the artists featured in the “Northwest Artists” coffee table book featuring artists from the Pacific Northwest.

The Holland America Bulb Farms of Woodland, WA selected Bev’s tulip painting for their 2007 limited edition print.

Bev went to Taiwan representing Martin F Weber /Susan Scheewe acrylics and watercolors on 4 different teaching trips. Each of these 2-3 week-long teaching trips involved daily, all day instruction and were well-received by the participants.

Bev has had the opportunity to paint and study with many special artists such as Dale Gehrman, Brian Davis, Terry Isaac, David Kitler, Robert Warren, Buck Paulson and more.

Photography, a secondary interest of hers, has allowed her to wander the beautiful Pacific NW among other places, collecting reference photos which she then transforms into incredible paintings. She is a world traveler, an energetic teacher, and a wonderful artist. She says, ” If only I could live long enough to paint all the good photos I’ve taken!” (Editor’s note: Sorry, Bev, the invention of the iPhone and iPad means you’ll have to have the longevity of Methuselah…)

About the workshop…

During your 10-day creative holiday, Bev will instruct on the efficiency and joy of creating your own sketchbook journal, a very personal collection of reference sketches that will be a keepsake in and of itself but also a resource you can use as a basis for larger paintings once you return home.

She will share her methods, tips and techniques for recording what you see and experience…a visual shorthand that you can refer to at a later date.

While day-tripping around the beautiful Tuscan countryside with your guide, Lisa and her professional drivers, you will have ample time to sketch and photograph all of the wonders of this tranquil area. Later you will work closely with Bev, fleshing out your sketches in your journal or perhaps creating an entirely new painting of something you have seen and want to remember. The group is kept small (maximum 11) to allow for one-on-one time with Bev.

During your time here, you will visit hilltop villages ancient sites, wineries, castle ruins and more. The  villages (some 600 years old or more) are waiting for you to discover them. Some are within walking distance; some we travel to in clean and comfortable minivans – all are jewels and treasures to be captured in your memories by way of your sketchbook journal and/or camera. You will see gorgeous flowers, incredible vista views of noble fortresses on hilltops, and ancient cities full of historical significance. We’ll tour a local, family-owned winery and sample the Vin Nobile, the renowned wine of the area.

And then there’s the shopping…You will experience the open air markets, as well as the shops and stops in the villages we visit. In Montepulciano and Siena, you can wander to your heart’s content. (I recommend Siena for the Italian leather you will no doubt want to purchase.)

This is an opportunity to study with Bev and see the Olde World, in a way that most tourists never experience. This is a true immersion experience combined with creativity. If this sounds like fun to you, do not wait…these workshops fill quickly.

Click here to reserve your spot.

To see more about Bev, visit her website here.