It Was One of Mine!

This week I woke up to see an email from my former student Kirsten who is now visiting Cortona, Italy with her family this week.  See the rest of what she wrote me:

Hi Claire,

Guess what is hanging in the WC at the villa we are renting!  I was coveting this painting and took a closer look, and now I know why :-). I am really missing my painting class now!  We just arrived in Cortona yesterday and will head into town today with the kids.  It's Jack's birthday and we'll load up with food for a feast and art supplies for everyone.  Also, could you please tell me what the music is on your Tuscany web page?   Want to get it!  Thanks much.  Xox Kirsten

I painted this little window painting after being in Cortona with the University of Georgia's Studies Abroad in Art.  These windows were on the old convent where part of our group stayed.  We hand washed our clothes that summer, and these were "intimates" of the gal's room hanging from the window to dry.  Made for a great painting that was later purchased by a lady in St. Paul who happens to own the villa where Kirsten is staying.  This email and pics MADE MY DAY!

This gave me energy and inspiration to get started painting for my upcoming show in October!  You may find more paintings and info on my site!

Thanks, Kirsten!

PAINT IN TUSCANY!

My twin sister, Carole Foret and I, have just announced our 2012 Tuscan Painting Journey!

  See all the details and links here!

Check out our 2011 slideshow!

This Is How It All Started!

This is how it all started for me 16 years ago when I went to Cortona, Italy with the University of Georgia's studies abroad program in art!  That summer changed me forever!  To me, Cortona is a most enchanting place in it's own rite - dates back to 500 BC, amazing views of the countyside, friendly towns people, being inspired and creative, eating the finest food and wine available to man!  The program is now 41 years old, and I was lucky to have done it in 1994, their 25th year in which we celebrated that year's anniversary with a beautiful Carrera marble (indigenous to Italy and Michelangelo's marble of choice) sculpture created by the program's founder Jack Kehoe.  I could go on and on about this program, but rather you may watch this 15 minute video about the program.  It's both informative and entertaining, and you will see why this program is so very special!

The UGA Cortona Campus Walkthrough from UGA Cortona on Vimeo.

 The rest of these images were ones I took just a month ago during C&C's Tuscan Painting Journey!  Carole Foret (my twin sister) and I (Claire Kayser) take groups of painters to Cortona in September for a week's worth of painting in Cortona!  See all the details on our C&C site!  CHECK OUT THIS SLIDESHOW!
Details of the 2011 journey coming soon, so stay tuned to reserve YOUR spot.  Spots fill fast!