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If you missed part 1 about my journey retreats 2023, you can read about it here.

 

The Beautiful Village of Barga

 

 

 

Day 4:

 

On my retreats, some days are for painting, some are for excursions to gather more inspiration, and on some days we paint and tour!

Barga is known for being one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It's a very small village with not a lot of tourists. There are opportunities for paintings around every corner. It's also one of the most "Scottish" towns in Italy. There are many Scottish settlers there.

 

 

 

After walking around the town, we gathered in the main square where our lunch reservations were. As we were waiting, I popped into a local art gallery and met Alice, a sweet girl who worked in the gallery. I don't speak Italian, and she didn't speak English, but we had a nice conversation about art by playing charades. One of my favorite things about visiting other countries is interacting with the locals and learning about their culture.

 

 

 

For lunch, we enjoyed charcuterie, pasta, and a refreshing sorbet for dessert. (That was dessert number 1...)

 

 

We made our way to the bottom of the hill, where we couldn't resist the call of the Gelato shop. (Dessert # 2...you can never have too many desserts, right?)

 

 

 

Our group in Barga

 

 

Back at Casa Berti, there is also no lack of inspiration. We painted this rose from the Casa Berti gardens.

 

 

 

(This one sold at my retreat in France the next week)

 

 

 

After a full day, we relaxed around Casa Berti chatting and swimming. Just look at this view!

 

 

 

We had just learned of Tina Turner's passing, so we decided to watch the Tina Turner documentary in the Casa Berti movie room...a nice way to end the day before getting a good nights sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5:

 

Full studio day! With lots of inspiration from Barga's excursion, it was time to put it to good use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(This one sold at the retreat!)

 

 

 

 

My assistant, Risa (who also happens to be a phenomenal photographer) gave everyone a lesson on how to take the best photos to paint from.

 

 

 

 

 

The following 4 photos are some examples of Risa's photos from around Casa Berti

(Please note...all photos on this website are copyrighted!)

 

You can find Risa on instagram @inadverdent_art

 

The beautiful Casa Berti

 

 

 

View from Casa Berti at sunrise

 

 

 

 

Casa Berti Italian Kitchen

 

 

 

 

Upper level living area

 

 

 

 

Our chef, Fabrizio, cooked up an amazing 5 course dinner that we ate out on the terrace, overlooking the valley.

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for my next blog...we venture out to a seaside village on the Ligurian sea!

 

 

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This blog will be broken up into several parts, and I'll take you with me on our artist retreat journey. I hope you enjoy!

I arrived a couple days before my students to help set up for the retreat, and to spend some time with the owners of Casa Berti (Ben and Nicole) who've become dear friends of mine over the years.

-Flying into Pisa-

We begin in Tuscany, at the Villa Casa Berti. (My 5th retreat there)! This is the welcome I received as I landed in Pisa. Tuscany never disappoints!

 

 

Day 1:

The day everyone arrived, Martina (one of our Italian chefs) cooked up a wonderful Risotto with a Panna Cotta dessert sprinkled with flowers for our first meal! It was fragrant and delicious. We had an amazing group of artists who hit it off from the beginning!

 

 

Day 2:

We started our first full day in the beautiful Tuscan studio, painting olive groves and cypress trees, a scene just outside the studio window. I also gave some tips on painting en Plein Air.

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was so perfect the entire time we were there, so our lunches took place on the beautiful terrace overlooking this view. It never gets old!

 

 

After a great day of painting, we had an amazing yoga session out on the lawn, overlooking the valley.

 

 

We eased into the evening with a local Tuscan wine presentation and aperitivis. Saverio, the vigneron, brought his wolf with him, and gave a very informative presentation on the wines of the area, and had us taste several of the ones he and his girlfriend produces.

My personal favorite was this one with the Salvador Dali label! Go figure.

 

 

 

Drago, the Wolf

 

 

Day 3:

The next day was another full day of painting and instruction. We discussed what makes a great composition, and I gave tips on making a watercolor travel journal...something that's encouraged during free time and on excursions. When I look at mine, it takes me right back to the moments and place it was created. It's a great "souvenir" to take home!

 

 

For dinner, we went to the local Pizza joint in the next town over (Mastiano...population of about 25!). This is one of my favorite experiences during these Tuscan retreats. It's owned by mom and pop, no English is spoken. They make their pizzas in a big brick oven, and one flavor after another just keeps coming until you just can't eat another bite (well, then one or 2 more come out!!!)

 

 

 

 

The next day we head out on an excursion to the hilltop town of Barga...named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and known for being the most "Scottish" town in Italy! 

Stay tuned!

 

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