Creator and Leader En Plein Air with Virginia Fergus

My name is Virginia Fergus, AKA Ginny, and I have been traveling to paint en plein air for 28 years!

It has formed and informed my life in innumerable ways and in ways I could never have anticipated. I am so gratified to share these possibilities and experiences with other searchers.

It is an honor to have recently become a part of Slow Travel Tours and I look forward to learning from others in this particular and creative group.

Beauty Everywhere!

En Plein Air with Virginia Fergus offers week long Plein air painting workshops in Italy and France. Each weeks stands alone or may be attended in tandem with an adjoining workshop for a superlative in depth en plein air painting experience.

“Authentic, Intimate, Beautiful”

is my motto and the guiding principles behind each and every experience that makes these weeks transformative, exceptional, and fun!

As the workshop creator, leader, and teacher, every aspect of our days is with this focus in mind.

Path in Painter’s Paradise

Painting is a physical, mental, and emotional experience and one that is new every time. All aspects of the workshop are planned with opportunity, safety, comfort, and inspiration for painting in mind. It is a beautiful and transformative puzzle that comes together and stays with you forever.

These are not classes, but instead personal and individual opportunities to be creative, experience painting starting at your point of experience, and be inspired by the natural and cultural world of Italy and France.

Two questions are frequently asked about the workshops.

#1, “ Do you actually paint while you are there?”

And #2, “Can I go on the trip if I don’t know how to paint.”

The answer to both is a resounding “Yes!”

Getting Started

The focus of the workshops is plein air painting, in other words, painting in the open air. We are immersed in the environment with its colors, shapes, smells, sounds, and textures.

It will evoke wonderful responses and will require immediate action.

Happy Artist!

 Participants may be complete novices or professional artists.

The progression of our painting sessions is very individually oriented and my teaching style will observe and meet you where you are on your painting journey. If you are an absolute beginner I will help you jump right in without getting hung up on “shoulds” and “can’ts” and pre-conceived ideas that can hold you back and limit your experience.

The only requirements are

the willingness to try, to persist, and to withhold judgement.

Our Home Away from Home

One day in our Fiesole – Florence Week coming up in a few weeks will be a great example of a day in one of my workshops.

We begin every day with a lovely breakfast which is always such a treat!

With gear in tow, we travel by shared taxis up the hill from our hotel, to Villa Medici. By prior arrangement with the owner, we are received for the morning to explore and paint the incredible vista and grounds.

Each person finds their spot, sets up, and gets going, painting en plein air.

Paint at Villa Medici!

I will be painting and some folks choose to watch and ask questions.

Painting Demonstration at Every Painting Session

At a stopping point I will make the circuit and see where each person is, observing and reflecting, advising and directing, trouble shooting and answering any particular questions that arise.

There is time and room for exploration, experimentation, personal conversation, growth, and progress.

Vilma!

At lunch time we will pack up and enjoy a picnic catered by my friend Vilma.

Later we will ride the bus down the hill into Florence and enjoy a walk through the very center of the city keeping art at the forefront of our minds. We will dip into several places to see some incredible frescoes and paintings in situ. We will be soaking up the feel of the place.

Piazza Santa Trinita

One stop much loved by all is Florence’s premier art supply store, Zecchi. We will have time to do some shopping there for items unavailable at home.

Art Supply Store with its Own Freco!

Our Restaurant View

We will end our walk near the River Arno at a lovely rooftop restaurant featuring Tuscan specialties and an incredible view.

Delicious!

Everything is Beautiful in Italy

The day just can’t be much better than this one!

”Authentic, Intimate, Beautiful”

For more detailed information about my en Plein air painting workshops please visit www.enpleinairwithvirginiafergus.comwww.enpleinairwithvirginiafergus.com

“Tuscan Dreamscape” painted on location by V. S. Fergus at Villa Medici

Virginia Fergus leads small group Plein Air Painting Workshops in Italy and France that are unique opportunities for creative immersion and personal transformation. Each workshop includes plein air painting experiences in curated locations, sensitive and personal instruction, experienced and empathetic guidance, artistic immersion, beautiful accommodations and delicious meals in authentic and particular locations, and new friends for the journey. Ginny's personal motto is “Authentic, Intimate, Beautiful” and is the creative and experiential goal of each workshop. To learn more, visit www.enpleinairwithverginiafergus.com Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.