Wednesday, August 26, 2015

August ends

The end of August is almost here....yeah...I'm not a summer heat type of gal. 

News for this week.....

Rancho Bellota is sold out! If you would like be put on the waiting list please do so.... here is a wonderful video from last year...

Virginia Beach Art and Soul  is happening next month. I can't wait to jump in the Atlantic Ocean and ....oh yeah...I'm teaching some wonderful workshops there! It's the only time I'll be teaching on the east coast this year....tell your art friends! 

now....back to Amsterdam...here are some more images...textures and shapes and just great views! 



























Sunday, August 9, 2015

Rancho Bellota Retreat

I'm interrupting my Amsterdam post series to bring you a fantastic and amazing adventure coming up next month. Come with me to Baja and stay at an authentic Horse Ranch in the heart of the Guadalupe Valley... know for its beautiful landscapes and most importantly Wine! 

You can sign up here for a trip of a lifetime......please join me....

Here are my thoughts from my first visit last December to Rancho Bellota....


Rancho la Bellota in Baja is like no other adventure I’ve been on. It’s a place where you can get back to breathing fresh air and view the clear star filled night skies and shooting stars. After driving on a fun bumpy dirt road for miles Ellen Parry (Baja Rancho Art Director) and I arrived at the top of the hill overlooking the beautiful ranch nestled in the Baja green deep valley. Rancho La Bellota hosts, Raul and Caroline Aguiar with good cheer and greetings, welcomed us. They are very generous, kind, and gracious people who clearly live the good life at the ranch.

 The ranch is filled with sounds and sites of a full working ranch with horses, sheep, cows and free-range chickens and most likely other assorted creatures in the hills. There are hiking trails and horse rides and wondrous places to sit and paint or draw. In the main casa there is usually something delicious being cooked and prepared by the chief…not to mention the yummy drinks!


 The cute cabins are spacious and homespun with the feel of simpler times. The ranch is off grid, which in my opinion feeds a peaceful feeling of contentment.

My favorite part of the weekend trip was exploring…. the native plants, the beautiful creek with morteros (impressions in granite rock used for grinding foods by ancient native people), the natural spring, the incredible shapes of the sycamores and oaks in the valley. I can’t wait to return and create, paint and draw on location, unwind, and just breathe.





Monday, August 3, 2015

Artists in Amsterdam

Just returned home from Amsterdam...land of art, bikes, trolleys, amazing food and cappuccinos, canals, canal boats,and flowers. 
Our tour was led by my niece Amberley, who led us like a great mother hen around the city and museums....I learned so much more with her insight about the architecture, art and history. 

Amsterdam is a place where forward thinkers, artists, and innovators thrive. It has such a rich and amazing history...perhaps you'd like to go with us next year? Amberley and I are considering a tour next July....let us know if you are interested! 
I'll post more images soon...much more to see....


 Amberley and the Captain of our personal antique canal boat
 Toni admiring the canals
Our boat.... the Stern, built in 1920 by order of the board of the Royal Dutch Steamboat Company  


Day 2....tour of the Rijks Museum....so much to see....so much beauty to behold.