Painting Light

Instructors: Jean Brinton Jaecks and Harry Lloyd Jaecks

Session I: July 1 - July 13, 2012

The Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival offers a unique opportunity to blend the visual and the ethereal world of music. The beautiful village of Vietri sul Mare with its dramatic views of the Bay of Salerno is a short walk from the hotel. The terraced gardens and high cliffs provide artists’ with a wide range of subjects, from Mediterranean vistas to exquisite intimate gardens, cafes and villages streets. The course will focus on plein air techniques as well as personal expression and interpretation of the unique Amalfi Coast light.

Each morning Jean or Harry will begin with a demonstration in watercolor or graphite. Artists are welcome to work in any medium including watercolor, oil, acrylic or pastel. There will be discussions on color, light, plein air techniques and composition. Participants will receive personal assistance in developing the artist within as well as group critiques. Excursions to Capri, Pompeii, and Ravello will be included. Your paintings will be filled with the memories of your experience on the Amalfi Coast.

Mixed Media: The Art of The Reliquary
rel•i•quar•y: a container or shrine where relics or other precious objects are kept
Instructor: Novie Trump

Session II:  July 14 -  July 26, 2012

Italy is the birthplace of the reliquary, a container or shrine where relics and other precious objects are kept. With the Amalfi Coast as our backdrop we will use the architecture, ruins, colors, textures and light of the Italian coast as inspiration in creating a series of small box shrines.

In this expansive workshop, we will begin the first day with an illustrated talk on the history of reliquaries from ancient times to today. We will then visit local churches and museums to view these magnificent shrines in person. Gathering inspiration from these ancient artifacts, we will utilize found objects, text, paint, wax, glass, wire and thread to create our own reliquaries using shadow boxes. Niches, doorways and windows will be used to alternately hide and reveal inner treasures.

This will be a lively fun-filled workshop. We will explore the surrounding area, including fields, beaches, antique shops, and hardware stores, to photograph, draw, sketch, write and collect found objects. Studio sessions will begin with exciting, informative demonstrations followed by time to create. A wide variety of techniques will be shared, including: mixed media collage, mono-printing, image transfer techniques, cold wax medium, shadow box construction, glass etching and engraving, and found-object collage.

Bring with you a sense of adventure and a willingness to explore!

Landscape Painting: The Quick Study
Instructors: Josette Urso and Peter Schroth

Session II:  July 14 -  July 26, 2012

This course is open to painters working in oil, acrylic and watercolor. It is organized around the practice of the rapid study, where participants will produce numerous works each day. A method of approach with significant historical precedent, it is a fundamental exercise and vital tool for artists at all levels, serving to advance one’s understanding of both subject and medium and keeping fresh one’s approach. It is especially well suited to capturing the complex and elusive qualities of shape, light and color contained in the landscape. This very pure and direct approach heightens all of the painter’s senses, helps maintain a freshness of handling and reminds the artist that “seeing” is a function of the mind, hand and eye.