botanical painting holiday in greece
TRANSCRIPT
1 13 – 20 May 201609 – 16 September 2016
BOTANICAL PAINTING HOLIDAY “Mediterranean plants from the hills and shores of
South Pelion, Greece”
COURSE TUTOR MAGGIE NIAGASSAS DipAD DipSBA
“The plant world with all its splendid diversity has always been an inspiration for me. Having been brought up inAfrica, I was exposed to the many vivid colours and forms which would have a lasting impression and influence on myartistic career.
My diploma in Art and Design - General illustration was a natural consequence of these experiences which Icompleted in the UK. This encounter with mediterranean nature motivated me to study botanical illustration, andin 2007 I acquired my diploma from the Society of Botanical Illustration.
Since then, I have exhibited several times with the SBA at their annual exhibition which is held in Westminster,London. I have held watercolour painting lessons in Athens and in Limassol, Cyprus. Currently I am living in London,England.”
MAGGIE IS A MEMBER OF THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN SOCIETY
BOTANICAL PAINTING HOLIDAY IN GREECE
“Mediterranean plants from the hills and shores of South Pelion”
PROGRAMMES – 13 – 20 May or 09 – 16 September 2016
All Sessions at Lagou Raxi Country Hotel unless otherwise stated
Friday 13/05 Arrival of participantsFriday 09/09
16:00 - 18:00 Meet & Greet Dinner at the hotel
Saturday 14/05 09:00 - 13:00 Introduction to botanical painting,short history Saturday 10/09 and what is contemporary botanical art
A short description of materials, both painting and plantsExplanation of the painting projectPractice some painting techniques
16:00 - 18:00 Afternoon walk on the kalderimia to collect painting specimens
Evening Join in the village 'panygyri' festival
Sunday 15/05 09:00 - 13:00 Pencil work, continuous tone of chosen plant Sunday 11/09 (leaf, stalk, bud)
Starting a watercolour study16:00 - 18:00 Continue with watercolour work
Monday16/05 09:00 - 16:00 Visit AGIOS ATHANASSIOS (a monastery hidden in Monday 12/09 a green valley, opens only once a year, but we
get the key to go to paint there!) The hotel will prepare for a picnic on the spotPencil work on material found
Tuesday 17/05 09:00 - 13:00 More watercolour painting - flowersTuesday 13/09 16:00 – 18:00 Continue watercolour painting
Wednesday 18/05 09:00 - 16:00 Inspiration from the sea shore (BeachWednesday 14/09 taverna) Pencil studies
Thursday 19/05 09:00 - 13:00 Finishing off workThursday 15/09
16:00 – 18:00 Prepare for exhibition in seminar room of the hotel
18.00 Exhibition and Farewell Dinner
Friday 20/05 Departure of participants, or a rest over the weekendFriday 16/09
*please ask if you would like to stay for extra nights
BOTANICAL PAINTING HOLIDAY IN GREECE
LAGOU RAXI COUNTRY HOTEL ***
Lagou Raxi Country Hotel is situated at the edge of the village Lafkos. It opened in 2014 and was built according to the local traditional architecture. It has a breathtaking view of the Gulf and it's close to the sea (5 km). The British/French owners Sue & Christian, are putting, apart from the Greek, their own cultural and culinary accents, which resultsin a very attractive mix. www.lagouraxi.com
PRICES PAINTING HOLIDAY + ACCOMMODATION
* If you would like to bring family member(s) or friend(s), NOT participating in the painting course please contact the hotel for the prices of different combinations including Double rooms and Suites via [email protected] or call +30 24230 65144
* Coffee machine and kettle available in the painting atelier throughout the day* Transportation to two outside locations included
Flights are NOT included. There are a few lowcost/charter (flight only) companies flying directly to Volos Airport. (see http://www.volosairport.gr/en/flights-en-menu.html). Alternatives are to fly to Athens, Thessaloniki or Skiathos. Transfer airport/hotel can be arranged.
Room rates per person 7 nights accommodationincluding half-board and cooked breakfasts AND 6 days painting course
Single roomTwin double occupancyTriple double occupancy
645€525€595€
BOTANICAL PAINTING HOLIDAY IN GREECE
THE VILLAGE OF LAFKOS
Lafkos is one of the 24 officially 'listed' villages in the region of Pelion, about 45 km fromthe city of Volos. Medieval paths (Kalderimia) stretch around this car-free village and further afield to neighbouring villages and the sea. At the central square several tavernas serve fresh home-made local dishes. You will find a thirst-quenching frappé (icecoffee) at Manolis' cafe, where the village elders gather to discuss politics and change the world. Next to the church, sculptures of Thanasis Fampas are exhibited, they are made of white marble from the Pelion region. His paintings can be admired at the small museum.
The smell of freshly baked bread in a wood-fired oven draws you to the bakery shop. Thevillage has three small 'mini-markets', a craftsman jeweller, home made soaps and a small gift shop. There is also a fascinating museum of old radios. A lovely 10-minute walk brings you from the hotel to the centre of the village.
Pelion is the Greece you thought no longer existed: relaxing and countrified(Travel Telegraph)
Dangling in the Aegean, north of Athens and East of Volos, Pelion has idyllic landscapes,enchanting beaches and an artistic heritage as delightful as it is unique
(Sunday Times)
The hook-like peninsula of Pelion lies in the warm waters of the Pagasitic Gulf, innorth-eastern Greece and is perhaps one of the most unexploited, unspoilt and
naturally beautiful areas of the country(The Independent)
There is no other blend of culture and beauty anywhere else in the country quite likethis mountainous peninsula (Pelion) in central Greece
(The Guardian)
http://www.southpelion.com/index.html
13 – 20 May or 09 – 16 September 2016
BOTANICAL PAINTING HOLIDAY “Mediterranean plants from the hills and shores of
South Pelion, Greece”
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
* Lessons are provided by an experienced art teacher * Suitable for beginners and intermediate * The technique used is aquarelle/watercolour and pencil work * We will focus on detailed pencil and watercolour work most suited to botanical art * All materials will be provided, but you may bring your own watercolours * A sketchbook would be useful to bring with you
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION [email protected] or for more information call +30 2423065144
Paintings courtesy of Maggie Niagassas and Sabrina (from the first course in May 2015)
LAGOU RAXI A.E. Lafkos 37006 – South Pelion, Magnesia, GreeceΛΑΓΟΥ ΡΑΧΗ A.E. Λαύκος 37006 – Δήμος Ν. Πηλίου, Μαγνησία
Τηλ: +(30) 24230 65144 Εmail: [email protected]