IMAGINE!
9 INSPIRING days of having fun painting in THE EASTERN ALGARVE, PORTUGAL!
Ola! Join kindred spirits next winter in Tavira, Portugal who are interested in painting, art fundamentals, sketching and collage. Tavira ART HOLIDAYS offers personal creative exploration in a fun, relaxed environment.
JOIN ME whether you are a total beginner or wishing to improve your existing art skills.
There’s room for non-painting partners too!
2025 DATES
Tuesday MARCH 4 to Wednesday MARCH 12
or
Tuesday MARCH 18 to Wednesday MARCH 26
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
• acrylic painting basics and tips
• colour mixing and art fundamentals – line, shape, value, texture
• problem solving and composition pitfalls
• exploring tools/brushes to make bolder paintings and abstract markmaking
• how to start an abstract or representational painting
• how to create a landscape painting
• portrait painting 101
• how to create a personal sketchbook using paint, mixed media and collage elements
• constructive feedback about your work, along with general art discussions and Q&A
• you will take home a few finished paintings – landscape, interior and portrait
• one-to-one feedback regardless of your level
Classes will take place upstairs at ARTINA, the art store in Tavira – located at Campo Martires da República. It is a bright and quiet space, close to the library, market and a few cafes.
You are encouraged to bring ideas/photos of subjects and ideas that inspire you. We will also help kick-start ideas.
Classes will take place upstairs at ARTINA, the art store in Tavira – located at Campo Martires da República. It is a bright and quiet space, close to the library, the market and a few cafes.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• over 40 hours of art instruction & demos with artists Kato Wake / Laurie Gruer
• most materials including acrylic paint, brushes, canvas boards
• one sketchbook
• printed handouts and take away exercises to help you explore different styles and techniques
• access to Kato’s online school Get Creative with Kato! $395 value
• a traditional Portuguese cooking class at an organic farm
• opening and closing dinners with wine
NOT INCLUDED
• flights
• medical/travel insurance
• accommodation (we can provide a list of recommended places in all price ranges)
• meals not listed
• additional art supplies that you might want – easy to buy at our location, Artina
• transportation to and from the airport
COST
• $1,495 Canadian dollars including all taxes
• Non-painting partners and friends are welcome to attend the opening and closing dinners and the farm to table cooking class for $395
SIGN UP!
Email KATO: katowake@gmail.com and LAURIE: lguer@chestnutpark.com
Etransfer LAURIE or email to discuss options.
Payment due by December 15, 2024.
Class sign limited to 10. Guarantee your spot but paying early.
CANCELLATION POLICY
A full refund will be given prior to 90 days from your starting date.
Cancel less than 90 days but less than 30 days from your starting date, we will refund you 50%.
Cancel less than 30 days from your starting date there is no refund
By far THE best art guidance and technique instruction I have ever had – with the most interesting, inspirational, and fun instructors! It exceeded every expectation – the instruction, experiences, food – a fabulous holiday!
The course load was just right, with a perfect balance of instruction time and painting and practice time. This week was a perfect combination of a Portuguese holiday with art education and practice. Great to have 2 instructors with 2 different approaches.
A very special experience. Beautifully organized and balanced. Great teachers!
Excellent art studio workspace with lots of space and light. Tavira is a greal locale. Great value for money. Wonderful blend of classes and social activities.
ABOUT KATO WAKE Award winning Canadian-born painter Kato Wake enjoys painting in both realistic and abstract styles. A former instructor for graphic design, she understands composition and what makes a painting work. She loves teaching colour, technique and art fundamentals. Most of all, Kato is a natural teacher – she inspires her students and makes learning fun. She moved to Tavira in November 2021.
Kato’s classes will follow her teaching formula of SHOW, TELL and PLAY. Using acrylic and mixed media you’ll explore your own style. Working at your own speed, you’ll get constructive one-to-one feedback. Colour theory, technique and art fundamentals – line, shape, value, composition, pattern and texture – will be explored and discussed in every class.
Testimonials from Kato’s previous art holidays in the Algarve
“An Amazing Week! Being inspired by you has been a life changing experience of which I’ll forever be grateful.”
“Your patience, advice and caring personality was above and beyond of what I expected.”
“The best experience ever! A perfect combination of learning and playing!”
ABOUT LAURIE GRUER www.lauriegruerart.com
Laurie is an accomplished painter in acrylics and is represented by 2Gallery in Picton, Ontario. He hails from Quebec and has lived in Toronto and Prince Edward County. Although he has enjoyed successful careers teaching art in a private school and being a real estate broker for Chestnut Park, painting and art has been Laurie’s life passion.
“For many years I painted interiors, but recently I have been painting people as simplified forms in simplified settings. I am trying to capture a moment in time or to evoke a memory of a particular person. I care less about a detailed resemblance than I do about the reaction you get from the form. I hope you will be moved in some way.”
Laurie’s classes will kick start, or improve, your drawing skills. Using markers, pencils, water-
colour and collage, there will be no shortage of inspiration as you work in your provided sketchbook. Laurie’s wonderful painting demos are the perfect practical follow-up to support Kato’s theory instruction.
ABOUT TAVIRA
Tavira is a charming, historic town in the Eastern Algarve, about 30km from the Spanish border. In the 8C Moors occupied Tavira and built a castle – probably on the site of a Roman fortress. In 1242 Portugual’s Dom Paio Peres Correia reconquered Tavira. Because its port was closest to the Moroccan coast, Tavira became important during the “Age of Discoveries” from 15C to 18C, and was the base for Portuguese expeditions to North Africa. By 1520 it had become Algarve’s most populated settlement.
The Gilão River, which runs through the town, reaches the sea through the inlets and lagoons of Ria Formosa Natural Park. Tavira Island (Ilha da Tavira) has a long, sandy beach, and its salt pan flats attracts birds including flamingos. It has 37 churches, an great Irish bar called the Black Anchor, a “Roman Bridge”, fantastic restaurants and parks, an Islamic museum and castle ruins. Tavira is now home to Billy and Kato – who hope you love it as much as they do.
TRAVEL
Flying in and out of Faro with Air Transat’s direct flights is ideal. Flying in and out of Lisbon is also an option (and cheaper). Arriving to Tavira from Lisbon by train is economical and straightforward. Kato will be happy to help you. Faro airport is about a 40 minute taxi or car ride from Tavira.
ADD-ONS
Before or after your painting holiday you could explore Seville in Spain (1.5 hours away) or Lisbon (about 3 hours away) – or more of the Algarve.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO PAINTING WITH YOU in TAVIRA!
We are happy to answer all questions.