A Watercolor Workshop in Italy – Eric's Perspective

As I write this, I am in the last minute struggle of chaos in preparation for my trip to Italy. Fortunately my wife Ann will be able to attend this 2-1/2 week workshop and share the splendor of Lago di Garda in northern Italy. I understand this is a beautiful part of Italy, near the Dolomite range with beautiful turquoise lakes at the foothills.

I thought I would share with you a little of what happens, from my perspective, at a workshop overseas. In the first place, my students are from the US and most likely have taken a domestic workshop with me before or are familiar with may painting through articles, books, or other forms of promotion.

Our first day is just a get-acquainted day and a chance to shake off some jet lag. The next day off we go on our tour bus to a picturesque location which can include a town with narrow streets, a harbor filled with brightly colored wooden work boats, or a peaceful vineyard. Wherever we go, upon disembarking from the bus I announce, with a not infrequent feigned confidence “meet me back here in 20 minutes and I’ll tell you what I am going to demonstrate.” And yet, I sometimes don’t have a clue as to what I’m going to paint as I haven’t previously scouted out the possibilities. However, I do enjoy having a time limit on picking my motif and the challenge of doing a credible demonstration. Sometimes I have to choose a spot that does not have an ideal motif for me: maybe it’s the most comfortable for my students to watch. It is a good time to illustrate that anything is paintable- we don’t have to spend all day looking for the perfect spot if one has the eyes to unfold its beauty. (continued below)

New watercolors have been added to the website, including Cherry Blossoms, above, Astoria Freighter, left, and Porch, below. Visit Eric's watercolor page to see the rest!

Workshops are now posted through 2009.

Eric's Perspective (continued)

Around noon we break for lunch and I set the students free to paint the rest of the afternoon as I help them. Then comes evening, a delightful time of exquisite cuisine and fellowship. Late into the evening the banter of growing relationships holds promise to future ties. We all stay in one location for the duration of the workshop to keep the fatigue factor down. I also have five days (including one at the beginning and one at the end of the workshop) that are unscheduled days. This is a chance to relax and rejuvenate as painting can be tiring.

With none of the distractions we find at home like phones, meal preparation, paperwork, etc. and surrounded by the beauty of God’s splendor in northern Italy, I am sure this will be a rewarding and memorable time for painting, sight-seeing, and exploring culinary delights.

By the way, non-painters have always been welcome on these trips too- many times they have organized their own daily mini-excursions and referred at dinnertime with bubbly enthusiasm.

I hope you have the chance to stop by Wiegardt Studio Gallery this summer so I can share the paintings I’ve brought back.

Ciao, Eric