Painting holiday on the Isle of Mull September 7th -12th 2013 A painting holiday in a beautiful and relaxed setting – the perfect opportunity to release your creativity in a small group and friendly, easy-going atmosphere.
Guest Tutor Rosie Villiers-Stuart is a professional painter and experienced teacher. Her formative years as an artist were spent on Orkney and the Isles of Mull, Iona and Erraid, exploring landscapes, skies and wildlife. She now lives and works in Northumberland and in addition to her landscapes, produces sensitive and absorbing studies of wildlife, particularly birds, in their natural surroundings. She exhibits widely in Scotland and England. With her local knowledge of Mull she will take the group to some of the many special places which first inspired her - including Iona with its wonderful light, shorelines, changing seas and beautiful buildings. Look at her work at www.rosievilliers-stuart.co.uk
All levels of painters are welcome and will benefit from plenty of individual tuition as well as the more formal group tuition and painting expeditions. We have a great diversity of landscapes within easy reach of the croft and subject matter can vary according to the passions of the group and of course the weather - but no pressure – this will be a relaxing, as well as a rewarding, holiday. Days will usually start with a short demonstration or talk; wet weather options can include projects close to home - in the vegetable gardens and polytunnel, the wild flowers, poultry and livestock. The guest house, An Tigh Ur, has a spacious light living area where you can continue your studies in your own time. Rosie will concentrate on watercolour techniques and approaches, but there will be a chance to explore other media, including simple monoprinting. Painters who usually work in other media are very welcome to do so during the week. You’ll also have time for walks and exploring – perhaps to some of the beaches of the south coast of Mull, the lovely tidal island of Erraid, or the spectacular cliffs near Carsaig. The 5-day painting course includes all tuition, 5 nights full board and refreshments. Guests should arrive on Saturday any time after 4 p.m. in time for an evening meal at 7p.m. with a brief introduction to the course and local facilities. Painting tuition will be given from Sunday to Thursday. There is also the option to stay for an additional one or two nights self-catering giving you the opportunity to visit other parts of the island or just to carry on painting. The website www.ecocroft.co.uk describes the accommodation at An Tigh Ur in more detail. The house is most often rented out as family self-catering; other interest groups use and adapt it as required. Two rooms with ensuite bathrooms can be used as either twin or double rooms. A further twin/3-bedded room and a single room are available using the shower room downstairs. The painting group will be a maximum of 6. Depending on available spaces, non-painting partners are welcome to share accommodation and meals with a discount in consideration of the painting element of the holiday. As the living and working areas of the accommodation are open plan, it is appreciated that they do not disturb the students and come prepared to listen to a lot of painting talk! The food will be simple, plentiful and delicious, with much of it being grown on the croft (see the page on The Crofters’ Kitchen & Gardens). Breakfasts are a self-service choice of cereals, fruits, yoghurts, juices, fresh baking, home-made jams, coffee, teas. Guests make up their own packed lunches from a buffet choice each day. Three course evening meals, using local and home-grown ingredients where possible are served in a ‘family style’. Please let us know if you have any particular dietary requirements. Biscuits and bakes are available for mid-morning and mid-afternoon refreshments (when not in the field). Savoury snacks and extras can be purchased from the Croft shop. Guests join in with clearing up and looking after the house. Painters should bring their usual equipment, but please contact Rosie if you have any queries about this and she will send a simple list of the basics. She will also have some supplies for sale during the week. Tel: 01434 345359 or lulurosie@hotmail.com You need to make your own travel arrangements but we are happy to collect guests from the bus in Fionnphort if you are coming by public transport. Useful websites: www.travelinescotland.com and www.calmac.co.uk and www.bowmanstours.co.uk Price: £450 per person for 5 nights full board and tuition Extra nights £20/person/night – self-catering Please use the booking form on website www.ecocroft.co.uk or phone 01681700509 for further information.