“She believed she could and so she did”

-R.S. Grey

Jetlag is a bummer, but my trip to Tuscany was awesome! I ate more cheese and ham and bread and drank more wine in one week than I have all year. So worth it.  At one point I found myself standing in the middle of a street in Cortona working on a watercolor while Italian music was playing and the wind was blowing and people walked by yelling “Ciao Bella!” and I teared up a little bit. Because I made it happen. I have always wanted to go to Tuscany. I wanted to do it and I believed I could do it and so I did. Our host and his staff took great care of us and we painted at the villa as well. Having been restored over 20 years the 15-bedroom villa became home-base for 9 days while we painted at the villa and at the surrounding towns of Montechiello and Montepulchiano and Cortona. My students had an amazing time. We took a wine tour of the Nobile Winery, even painted at an abandoned castle. And the food! It was Italy so it was amazing. 

I sold a few demos (and hit the cashmere shop in Montepulchiano) and shipped some wine back home.

And now I will be traveling more. Places I have always wanted to go to that I wasn’t able to because my kids were little, or I just couldn’t make it a priority for one reason or another… and time flew by. Our host in Italy was amazing and since he plans out trips in different locations I have booked with him again for Cornwall, England in June 2027. I also have plans in the works for artist retreats in Ireland, Dominica in the Caribbean, and of course, this March I am in Sedona (still room for you!)

And I feel a little proud. Guess at my age I am entitled to it. With my son now off at college and being an empty nester I am embracing my freedom and the wide-open world. So I will teach my way across the globe with a pastel stick in my hand.

Here are some photos from the trip. Oh! and dont forget-  I am in Asheville this October 10-13th to paint out in the Blue Ridge Mountains and there is still a few rooms left at the stunning bed and breakfast we stayed at last time.  Join me! Seriously! You can do it too!

Until then, I have the watercolors out and I am painting a few amazing faces and places I saw in Tuscany. Wish me luck!