The Italian Job!
Creativity, culture & cameraderie!
Five go on an art adventure!
My big birthday bash in Bassano del Grappa
A big ‘0’ birthday is a milestone worthy of a grand celebration, and what better way to mark this occasion than with an art retreat in the enchanting landscapes of Italy?
Last month, I had the pleasure of immersing myself in a week-long artistic adventure that not only invigorated my creativity but also allowed me to experience the rich cultural tapestry of Italy in ways I had never imagined. Joined by five other passionate artists, including our leader Lynette Reed, our retreat was a symphony of creativity, culture, and camaraderie.
A Creative Haven: Our Studio for the week
The beating heart of our retreat was Lynette’s fabulous big studio located on one of the old cobbled streets of Bassano del Grappa. The walls were filled with inspirational art by Lynette – the perfect environment to get the creative juices flowing.
Each day was something new to experience as well as painting. We went out on the streets taking ‘rubbings’ of interesting textures to use in our art, we stood on the famous bridge in the town and did quick blind drawings or non-dominant hand drawings before bringing our inspirations back into the studio and getting to work!
Prosecco, Prosecco and more Prosecco
Beyond the studio, our retreat organisers “Live Like a Local Italy” – run by Phil, (an affable and knowledgeable Irishman) curated a series of unforgettable excursions that introduced us to the lesser-known delights of Italy.
We ventured off the beaten track to visit local artisan wineries, where we sipped on exquisite Prosecco (the wine of the region) and learned about the meticulous processes that make them so special.
Seems there’s always an occasion to break into another bottle!
Cheese… I LOVE cheese!
One of the highlights was our trip to another artisan producer, this time, a cheese maker's farm. Here, we got a the story of Italian cheese making on a small scale, from the milking of his cows to the aging of wheels in his specially built cool cellars. The flavours we tasted were creamy and delicious. Shame we were not able to bring some home.
Yes… alpacas too!
Adding a touch of whimsy to our adventures was a day spent walking with alpacas. These gentle, curious creatures led us through the vineyards and provided plenty of laughter and photo opportunities. It was a unique experience I must say.
Not sure my hubby was quite on board with it though LOL.
A Venetian Highlight
The crowning jewel of our retreat was an unforgettable day in Venice.
Rather than exploring the bustling streets on foot, we embarked on a private boat journey that took us down the hidden canals and lesser-known waterways of this iconic city.
It afforded us a way to discover a side of Venice that many tourists never see – quiet, intimate, and incredibly beautiful.
A ‘community’ painting
One of the most fun and collaborative activities was the creation of this ‘community’ painting on a big 1mt canvas. We all added brush marks and flourishes willy-nilly all week long with no thought for the composition or end result. It was such a hot mess at one point!
Enter Lynette with her curating hand and ta-da! A vibrant and eclectic masterpiece that represents the collective spirit of our group. Can’t wait to see our prints of it!
So much joy and laughter
Especially the evening of my birthday, when we ate at a stunning restaurant set high up in the hills on a beautiful vineyard. Complete with balloons and a birthday cake, it was magical and absolutely unforgettable.
Move over Banksy :)
Couldn’t resist this photo
opportunity on the way back
from my birthday meal.
Reflecting on the Journey
The chance to take this extraordinary adventure has filled me with gratitude for the experiences and connections made. Celebrating my big birthday in Bassano with this fabulous group of people was the best gift I could have given myself.
… and new art to come!
The time spent in the studio gave me new courage to create my own way.
Left and above are two of my latest Italy-inspired works – soon to be available as prints on canvas!
Here’s to many more adventures and the continued pursuit of creativity at any age.
For more info on how to enjoy Bassano, Venice and the region in true Italian style, contact Phil at https://www.livelikealocalitaly.com And I know that https://www.lynettereedart.com would love to hear from you if you fancy taking your own ‘art retreat’ – I can’t recommend them highly enough!