MAY 29, 2010 TO JUNE 12, 2010
TWO WEEKS IN TUSCANY, ITALY                             with  ARTIST
JOE MAC KECHNIE
Joe Mac Kechnie
P A I N T I N G S   B Y   J O E   M A C  K E C H N I E
                                        
                                   

Original Fine Art by Joe Mac Kechnie

  "Over the past few years my advancement in fine art has been greatly influenced by developing my skills in drawing.  For me art has become a new language through  which I can express my creativity and feelings.  My greatest goal is to continue to expand my understanding of artistic techniques so they become the natural tools for expressing my ideas and emotions.

    The world probides me with an infinite canvas.  Everything I see becomes subject for my art
through the medias of graphite, ink, pastel or paint.  My purpose is to isolate, depict and capture the essence of a subject.  I seek qualitites that are elusive, difficult to discover and portray.  Painting for me is about sharing my view as I witness and savor the visual moment."

    Joe grew up in the Pacific Northwest and, as an engineering graduate of the University of Washington, has worked as a computer network design engineer in the Seattle area for many years.
Following retirement, Joe has been pursuing a career in fine art.  He continues to develop his skills, techniques and style in all mediums and has received many awards for his work.

    Joe is a signature member of the NW Watercolor Society.  He also is a member of the Cottage Lake Artist Guild, the Portrait Society of America, the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters, and is the past president of the Eastside Association of Fine Arts.  Joe teaches workshops with Dan Riley on Portrait and figure drawing and painting and Composition and Style.  In addition, he has provided many demos at various art associations and art stores.



    This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the true Tuscany region of Italy.  You will stay in a clean, comfortable and attractive villa just a few kilometers from the small historical village of Seggiano.....which in turn is but 60 kilometers south of Siena.
    Spend 2 weeks with our instructor, JOE MAC KECHNIE, and bring home your memories in sketches of watercolor, acrylic  and/or  paste; paintings.  He will dazzel you with a talent for instruction that represents years of experience and know-how.  He will take each of you under his wing and spend valuable time in assisting you with your plein aire project.

                                                                                 ACCOMMODATIONS

    Our facility, LE CASACCE, is sourronded by rolling hills, olive trees and a wonderful panoramic view.  It is made up of a restaurant which facilitates both in-door and out-door eating arrangements.  All rooms are located in several buildings that are convenient and close to the restaurant..  Each apartment has a common area complete with fire place,  T.V., telephone (out going calls only), European VCR, couch, table & chairs, bureaus, refrigerator, micro-wave oven, regular oven, sink and complete set of utensils.  Off the common areas you will find 2 bedrooms with two single beds each, hanging facilities along with a bathroom that will have either a shower or tub/shower set up.  All units are modern but retain the look of antiquity.  Floors are tiled and ceilings have typical wood beams....adding authenticity to your surroundings.  There is a large swimming pool, biking facilities and possible horse back riding.
Clean sheets are provided upon your arrival and one week into your stay.  We advise bringing  your own bar soap and face cloth.  There are no laundry facilities but arrangements can be made to have the service staff do your personal belongings at a Euro charge.   Our continental breakfast will include sliced meats, scrambled eggs,
sweet rolls, dry cereals, milk, assorted fruits, yogert, coffe, tea, home made bread, jams and sweet cakes.  Our "box lunch" will be a typical Italian sandwich, a piece of fruit and a small bottled water,  Dinner will reflect "heaven"........
a variety of excellent Italian cuisine created by Enrico Casini, owner, chef and operator of Le Casacce.  His talents will include traditional gourmet soups, salads, a variety of entres, fruits, cheese and desserts.  Local wine, bottled water and special Italian coffee are NOT included but can be purchased as desired.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS PACKAGED WORKSHOP


                    
                 
                               
                                                                                                             



PACKAGE INCLUDES
*14 Nites Accommodations
*14 Breakfasts, Lunch and Dinners
*Pick up at Rome Airport by bus
*Bus transportation to various Tuscany   Hill Top towns by bus
*Professional Guide Service
*Two full excursion days to Florence and Assisi
*Instruction by Joe Mac Kechnie


WORKSHOP COST INFORMATION 
*WHEN:  May 29, 2010 to June 12, 2010
*COST:  $ 3,100 per person - dbl occupancy
   Sgl occupancy ( if available) - $3,500. pp
*DEPOSIT:  Due Nov 30, 2009 - $500.
*FULL PAYMENT: Due Jan. 1,  2010
*PREFERRED PAYMENT:  Check or Money
Order.....No credit cards, please.
Pickup at Rome airport at 1:00 p.m. on first day of workshop.



NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE.
*  Air Fare to Rome airport
*  Art supplies
*  Gratuities to bus driver, tour guide and service personnel

ROOM MATES
If you wish to have a room mate but do not know anyone else on the trip, we will do our best to assign a roommate of the same gender.  If this is not possible, you must be prepared to pay a single supplement chrarge.
     Chef
Enrico Casini
        
              This package has an exceptional price for the services rendered.  Your stay is for two weeks
       with all meals that are definatly Italian gourmet in quality and service.  The facility is clean
       with a bit of antiquity thrown in !!  The surrounding area is Tuscany personified....in all its
       glory !!       Our selection of bus transportation is comfortable and safe ......our drivers  cogni-
       zant of your every comfort and need.

             Even in these economic times ....the opportunity to see Italy at the offered prices for the
        art and/or cooking programs is not to be missed.   We strongly suggest that you give strong
        consideration for these programs.  We simply guarantee a most wonderful and educational
        experience in the heartland of Italy.         

We strongly recommend
you click on our

This excellent workshop with Joe MacKechnie has come and gone......having taken place on May 29, 2010 for two weeks.

We had a group of 13 people that were extremely enjoyable.  They had safe transportation to many hill top towns......they witnessed poetry in motion by the wonderful fare created by Enrico Casini.....
they learned the technics of excellent art working with Mr. MacKechnie and were exposed to various degrees of weather.

We are currently working on arrangements for art, photography and cooking workshops in both France and Italy.  Our final destinations or dates have not yet been determined .......but this information will be available in the not too distant future.

We encourage you to return to this web site periodically for up dates.  This posting is on August 1, 2010

In the meantime....go to our VIDEO page reflecting Le Casacce and surrounding hills of Tuscany