Participants of all levels of experience are invited to participate
Celebrate the essence of Costa Rica with flowing watercolor. This is the perfect medium to express the beauty of magnificent skies, Costa Rican vistas, waterfalls and rain forests. This workshop is based on Laird’s inspiring premise about “Informed Intuitive” painting. Become more spontaneous without being out of control!
Robbie will share unique techniques for controlling large flowing wet into wet areas as well as a variety of other water media effects. She will share how she extends her personal vision by exploring a subject, then experimenting with effects by layering various media such as gouache, watercolor crayons and acrylic mediums. Layering and combining effects enables her to have more control while remaining spontaneous. She will demonstrate how she uses the strength of design as well as information gathered, to allow the most freedom while painting.
Each painter will be encouraged to identify and capitalize on painting strengths, and may use watercolor alone or a variety of watermedia. Realistic painting and abstract painting are equally encouraged. Individual critiques and assistance will be given each day. Robbie has a reputation for encouraging painters, whatever their level of accomplishment, to breakthrough to new levels of freedom and confidence in painting. Go to www.RobbieLairdArtStudio.com to learn more about Robbie and her work.
Join Robbie on a journey into the spirit of natural connections and heartfelt expression in a setting surrounded by primary and secondary forest, warm Pacific Ocean waves, monkeys, toucans, and a host of magical critters and beings. Immerse yourself in one of the most pristine places in Costa Rica as you experience the beauty all around you and within you.Stay at a spectacular eco-lodge nestled in the rainforest on the southwestern shores of Costa Rica.Embark on a magical adventure through the brilliant colors of this tropical paradise. Enjoy the freedom of playing on the beach, boogie boarding or even surfing. Hike in the jungle and explore magnificent waterfalls as you take a marvelous horseback ride into the heart of this magical country.
Your Studio
in
Costa Rica
This large covered and protected terrace is your studio during this workshop. It has open portals allowing a 200 degree view of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding rainforest. As you are creating your work, you are encapsulated by tropical beauty and the astonishing harmony of nature.
You also have several opportunities to explore other magnificent areas that are within walking distance and you will be thrilled at the experiences that are available beyond this verdant paradise. Here are other experiences that await you:
Horseback Riding and Waterfalls -This is a wonderful painting opportunity as you go on a splendid horseback ride to some amazing waterfalls. The horseback ride is perfect for beginners and they also have spirited horses for the more advanced riders. You experience a variety of forest environments as you ride through this large “finca”. Halfway through the ride you arrive at the home of the owner where you are served a delicious home-cooked breakfast.
At the breakfast site there are some domesticated macaws that are free to fly around. They stay in the area and you may photograph or sketch these magnificent beings.
After your meal you continue your ride and arrive at some incredible waterfalls. At the base of the falls is a refreshing lagoon in which to swim and a chance for the more daring to climb the falls and dive from the rock ledges...a great opening for photos and sketches. After ample time for swimming, playing and capturing the spectacular views, ride back to the ranch house for an appetizing lunch. After a satisfying meal, ride back, returning to the eco-lodge.
Flight of the Toucan... One morning after breakfast you continue your day by visiting an 800 acre protected reserve with over 300 bird species, more than 50 types of animals, mangroves and marvelous primary and secondary rainforest. You have a unique opportunity to experience the rainforest from the perception of a bird. In the “Flight of the Toucan” you are harnessed and connected to a safety-inspected cable by a qualified guide and you gently glide, experiencing the canopy of the forest much like a toucan would, flying from tree to tree. You get to “fly” with this secure system to eight different stations encountering a variety of trees and plants.
Here are some comments from our last watercolor workshop in Costa Rica with Robbie:
Costa Rica was a wonderful adventure that I will always remember with fondness for the people involved and the natural beauty of La Cusinga.
You two were very caring and understanding guides, letting each of us choose which activities we felt comfortable with, and your joy and love for the land was infectious. Robbie is an inspiring instructor who brings her love of painting everywhere she goes. As a relative beginner, I love every opportunity to learn new techniques and I have been practicing wet in wet since I got home.
Robbie is an awesome teacher. She has this amazing ability to transfer her phenomenal knowledge of painting to us in a way that we are able to understand it, and it also is beginning to show up in my work. She is such a dear and I always felt acknowledged with everything I tried. Robbie is truly a blessing to the art world and a compassionate human being.
As for accommodations, La Cusinga met all of my expectations and then some. I felt comfortably close to nature without having to sleep on the ground. The rooms were clean and met all our needs. I loved studying the various colors of the wood in the ceiling. The view form the porch was spectacular and I loved waking early each morning to the sounds of the monkeys and birds and our resident gecko. The open spaces of the meeting and eating areas enhanced the feeling of being one with nature.
We thoroughly enjoyed being with Robbie and the gang. We appreciated everyone's friendliness, flexibility, patience, good heartedness, wonderful sense of humor, and mostly the genuiness that we felt from everyone. We had such a great time, learned a lot, and enjoyed seeing everyone's excitement as new things unfolded. Meals - the meals were good everywhere we went, but the meals at La Cusinga were exceptional. The freshness of the fish and vegetables, combined with the fresh garlic and spices awakened my taste buds to new delicious flavors every day. And the fresh fruit every day, some I had never heard o before, was such a treat. Many thanks to Kay for lovingly preparing her special dishes for us, and to Rita and her staff for the wonderful job they did. I was very happy with the variety of the schedule and I thoroughly enjoyed every activity that was planned and unplanned. I think if we had spent the whole time painting, we would have missed out on so much that was the essence of where we were. Thank you both for a very memorable adventure.
The staff at La Cusinga was superb! They were caring, kind, and paid attention to every detail. Roger, our bus driver, is wonderful and made all the trips easy, by being such a considerate person, and a safe driver.
What a wonderful time we had in Costa Rica
. Everything about the trip was beyond our expectations andthe workshop went really well.
Painting Kits Available
The painting kit has all the basic supplies needed for the workshop. Included is:
a heavy duty plastic travel palette with removable trays and a lid
17 large tubes of professional Watercolor
5-6 tubes of gouache
4 professional brushes (2 large and 2 small)
a pad of heavy 140 lb watercolor paper
a sketchbook
The cost of this painting kit is $275. It has a retail value over $400. The kit is compact enough to fit into a suitcase. If you wish to order one, please let us know when you register.
To register, or for more information, contact:
Global Journeys
You may call 516 343-3210 to register with your credit card or to get more information ...or you may click on "Registration" or Contact Us
"Immersion in Color"
A Watercolor Workshop in Costa Rica
with
Robbie Laird
Cost: $1950 (general accomodations, see below)
Includes
Transportation from and to San Jose airport
All internal transportation
Accommodations at eco-lodge
(various room configurations are available from doubles to dorm-style
as you register, you get choices of what is available)
All meals while in Costa Rica
All sessions and classes with Robbie
All activities and excursions
If someone wishes to accompany a participant who will be in the workshop and chooses to not be involved in the watercolor sessions, they are welcome to join us. The cost for that individual is $1750...all inclusive except for Robbie's sessions.
Does not include...Airfare or flight related expenses, (tips are voluntary)
Payments and Deposits:A $500 deposit will hold your place. Half of the remaining balance is due 60 days prior to departure, and the final balance is due 45 days prior to departure.Please note:If paying by credit card, a one time processing fee of $ 50.00 will be charged to your card.
Accommodations:General accommodations are available in a beautiful setting. There are two large rooms, one for men and one for women, in a bunkbed arrangement, each room has access to a deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Shared bathrooms are available for each of the rooms as well as two extra bathrooms and showers in the downstairs area.
If you prefer, on a first come first serve basis, there are beautiful bungalows with splendid views that are available for single, double and triple occupancy with private bathrooms. There is an additional cost of $150 per person for double, and triple occupancy and $400 for single occupancy for the entire stay.
Airfare Support:If you would like assistance with booking an air fare, call
Global Journeys @ 516 343 3210 and we will be happy to assist in any way we can.
Dates:Immersion in Color... depart on January 23 and return on January 31, 2010
Cancellations and Refunds:
A minimum of $300 per person cancellation fee will be assessed for cancellations. After half of remaining balance payment is made, a 50% cancellation fee will be assessed for cancellations received between 45 - 59 days prior to departure, A 100% cancellation fee will be assessed for cancellations received 44 or fewer days prior to departure.
Travel Package:Upon registration you will be mailed a travel package including information on: a suggested packing list, art supplies, baggage allowance, credit cards, customs, passport information and other details.
Travel Insurance:If you choose to purchase travel insurance, you must do so on your own. We have been recommending Travel Guard International at 800 826-1300, and have received positive feedback.
Continue scrolling down for more information
Accommodations
While involved in the “Immersion in Color” workshop, you will stay at a splendid eco-lodge nestled in primary virgin rain forest on the Southern Pacific coast. The lodge is located in Ballena Parque Nacional where commercial fishing is not allowed and is an area that has been designated as a safe-haven for hump back whales and dolphins. The lodge is situated in an area where the Pacific and the rainforest meet at the water’s edge. Everywhere you look, you will be surrounded by colorful painting opportunities. You will have access to a tranquil, private beach, a variety of hiking trails with magnificent trees and plants, a cool stream with a swimming hole, a diversity of mammals and birds, howler monkeys that will provide your wake up calls in the morning, splendid vegetation, and much more. For those of you that love to play in the ocean you will appreciate the warm Pacific water, the playful waves, and you can practice your surfing and boogie-boarding skills.
The owner has lived there for over thirty years and has been very active in supporting ecological projects. His work with whales and other cetaceans has earned him international acclaim as well as local admiration. He and his family are all wonderful people…everyone that visits is moved by their kindness and tending spirit and all appreciate the gratifying and delicious food and caring they provide.
General accommodations are available in a beautiful setting. There are two large rooms, one for men and one for women, in a bunk bed arrangement, each room has access to a deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Shared bathrooms are available for each of the rooms as well as two extra bathrooms and showers in the downstairs area. If you prefer, on a first come first serve basis, there are beautiful cottages with splendid views that are available for single, double and triple occupancy with private bathrooms. There is an additional cost of $150 per person for double and triple occupancy and $400 for single occupancy for the entire stay.
Your Hosts
This event is being sponsored by Global Journeys, an organization dedicated to creating possibilities for individuals to experience magnificence in their life. These events are created with a vision of global acceptance and understanding, and offer a wonderful opportunity for all involved to celebrate their uniqueness and connectedness. Franco Marini and Kay LatchmanSingh are the owners/directors of Global Journeys, and have been traveling to Costa Rica for over 20 years. They are committed to providing impeccable service and are dedicated to creating powerful, satisfying and joyful opportunities for each participant on this trip. Franco, Kay, and local guides will accompany you on every step of your journey to assure your satisfaction.
Dining
All meals are included while in Costa Rica. “I loved the meals, this was one of my favorite parts of the trip” and “The food was fabulous, every meal was a delight”, are often repeated comments. The cooks at the lodge lovingly prepare a variety of fresh and delicious food and the dining area has inspiring views.Special diets and particular requests are caringly honored.
"Immersion in Color"
A Watercolor Workshop in Costa Rica
with
Robbie Laird
To register, or for more information, contact:
Global Journeys
You may call 516 343-3210 to register with your credit card or to get more information, e-mail us at franco@globalj.org ...or go to the Registration form below
Global Journeys Inc. 516 343-3210 www.globalj.org info@globalj.org
