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International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture | Residence Program
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Follow Your Passion Vacations - ForbesTraveler.com article
by Emily Brown 2008-04-21
From the terrace outside the art school, Ella Yang took in the same sweeping vistas that have motivated artists since medieval times. Historic buildings hug the mountaintop in Italy that she called home for three weeks after taking a break from her high-powered New York life for a vacation to indulge in her passion: painting. “For once I’m going to do something I’ve always wanted to do,” Yang told herself.
For Yang, that meant a trip to Umbria, Italy, in the countryside between Florence and Rome. For three weeks she painted every day with instruction from the school’s faculty and listened to lectures from professionals. The International School of Painting, Drawing and Sculpture was intense, she says. It had less sightseeing and more instruction than other programs, but that’s just what Yang wanted. “Like any person working full-time and only doing their passion on the weekend, you can only make so much progress,” she says. It was such a rewarding vacation, that after three weeks of painting and months of soul-searching, Yang decided to leave investment consulting behind and open an art studio bearing her name in Brooklyn, N.Y.
“I live more modestly [now],” she says, “but my life is so much richer.”
Beth P. wrote:
Now about the school, there isn't much that I can say to express how wonderful it was, and pretty much nothing I can say in criticism. I really loved that time I spent in Montecastello because of the town, the trips, but most of all my fellow students and our teachers. We had an amazing group that really grew to be like a family. The group was also really talented, which was great in getting me motivated to work and challenge myself. I loved... (the faculty). They all had such different approaches in their artwork that the learning experience was very dynamic. The town was great and it is one of my goals to see it again at some point in my life, even though right now all I want to do is go back! I also really appreciated the trips to other areas in Italy.
Carla P. wrote:
I enjoyed my session (June-July) in Italy so much. I constantly refer to things I learned there. The program was beneficial. The teachers in my session were extremely caring and available, and my studio space was amazing and invaluable!
Arnold L. wrote:
Thank you and all those associated with the School for the wonderful stay in Montecastello. I know everyone else feels the same from the emails I have received. It was a very productive stay for me and I am now busy making larger work from the smaller studies I completed there. My dealer has already sold several small pieces, so it looks like I will be having a show of the Italian paintings.
Ora A. wrote:
thank you for the most wonderful experience in Montecastello. My three weeks were incredible!!! The... (staff) was wonderful, the food was unbelievably good, our teachers were extraordinary, and the time to paint and converse with other artists was an opportunity I will never forget and hope to repeat!!!
Victoria W. wrote:
I just want to thank all of you for making the last three weeks so enjoyable and allowing us all to fully explore our own work, at our own pace. Everyone at the school was welcoming and supportive, from helping with shipped art supplies that didn't make it on time, to baggage and mailing stuff back home, to introducing us to local painters and artists we never would have discovered on our own. It was an incredible gift to be enveloped in an atmosphere of such joy and warmth--most of all the glorious labor of painting and sketching. I came to Italy to find refuge from my frenzied corporate world for a few weeks and to forge a discipline again with my own work. I gained in so many ways-meeting lovely, strong artists who weren't afraid to push themselves or try something new. Your critiques were kind and generous and made me feel empowered to go even further. I left refreshed, renewed and once again obsessed with the idea of working - waking from dreams of color and form was another perk that I hadn't expected. To be so fully engrossed and well taken care of on both the spiritual and practical levels is a real treasure, one that I'll try to duplicate back here in PA. But it won't be the same without your smiling faces and laughter. Con molti ringraziamento e memorie affettuose, grazie for the fabulous opportunity to experience painting in Italy! ~ I hope to return.
Ingrid P. wrote:
I want to say thank you for running your program and let you know that I'm very glad I could be a part of it. I cant imagine how much work and stress must go into overseeing an operation like that but I want you to know that its definitely appreciated.
Kathleen D. wrote:
Let me say that my daughter had a most wonderful and rewarding experience at The International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture in Umbria this past summer. Thank you.
Lori K. wrote:
I have not yet recovered from the melancholy I was feeling when I left on Saturday morning. Especially when the stewardess laid down the plate of airline food in front of me. We're not in Montecastello any more Dorothy. Reality is sometimes harsh. Where's the wine and the fresh fruit? Anyway, I am so grateful to have had the experience and to meet such wonderful like minded people. I miss everyone dearly and wish them all the best. Thank you so much for your note and your wonderful hospitality. The trips, the rooms, the studio space, the food, oh my God the food, and everything about the school is worth every penny and more. I don't think anyone can stay there and not have it impact them in some way. If you ever need any recommendations for yourself or the school don't hesitate to ask. I shall return.
 Hello Marc,I have just returned from Montecastello. The residency was great! My studio space was excellent and worked very well for my needs. I was able to get allot of work done plus explore new ideas. I found many dialogues interesting and stimulating. I know the organization for such a program must be intense but the intensity certainly paid off. Jody and Ellie worked very hard to ensure all details were covered. They were great. Thank you for providing such a special program. I do hope to return and complete another residency. Sincerely, Tricia Sellmer, Sept. 2006 |
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 Hi Marc,I just wanted to write to tell you what an amazing time I had during the May residency. When Martha Armstrong (she was one of my undergraduate professors) told me about the school and May residency I really just thought it would be a nice opportunity to paint for a month in Italy, but it was so much more. I think that even though I have been teaching art for the past 7 years that somehow the day to day stresses of grading, deadlines, hoping I'll get into a show, etc. all get in the way of what is important to me about painting. But my conversations with Jody, Judy, and Susana, reconnected me to what I love about painting and the actual act of painting itself. It was a profoundly positive experience for me. I feel rejuvenated both as a painter and as a teacher. So, thank you for running the school/ residency program! I think it's a really special place and I hope I'll be able to go there again. Best regards, Meghan Fleming, May 2006 |
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I have just returned home after an additional month traveling around Italy, and wanted to write to tell you how very rich and lovely my experience at Montecastello was. As soon as I left, I immediately missed going to work in my little studio everyday - I had so many more images I wanted to paint! Besides the absolute beauty and gentle nature of the town and its residents, and the surrounding landscape, it was just so wonderful to be surrounded by so many artists who were painting, and painting from observation the world around them. (I primarily painted the architecture with cast shadow shapes, and a bit of landscape; eventually I'll put some on my website.) Jody took really good care of everyone at the residency; Judy and Susanna were great, and the residents were very nice people; but my favorite part was when the students came. They were really the most wonderful young devoted artists. I adored being around them - and their excellent teachers. Such a great group of people altogether, with pristine values about art and painting and a focus and willingness to work very hard. (Plus doing great paintings.) I enjoyed watching them stretched and expanded by being in that environment. Holly Downing, May-June 2006 |
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 The six-week course in Montecastello is great. It's a good course that
I have been recommending to my friends, who are interested in short term
painting course, to take up. I believe some of my friends (mostly in the
field of Architecture or painting classes) will be interested as well.
Their problem is always "time". I'm glad for what I've learned and enjoyed the School very much.
What I'm looking forward to at this point of time is to see how
I will paint!
Anyway, I'm glad that the School exists!! and I'm so lucky to have picked it up out of the blue from the web site. Mee Lar Tan, August, 2005 |
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 Looking
back and more importantly looking at the body of work which I completed
during this period, I am simply amazed. Whether it be the idyllic town
of Montecastello, the majestic vistas or the inspiration setting...it all
adds up to a satisfying experience. My thoughts are to return again next
May.
Kathryn Sanfilippo, May, 2005 |
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Just a note to say how very much I enjoyed my stay at the International School the company of the others there and the charms of Montecastello and the surrounding countryside which produced 21 little paintings to bring home to Ireland some I think I will work up into bigger paintings and will form part of my solo (one person) exhibition next summer a couple of the small ones will be in group shows at the end of October and just before Christmas. Jody and Gina were just wonderful we shared some great conversations and laugh’s I look forward to meeting up with them again. It was a very, very happy time; I hope to have another visit in the future. Maria Levinge, Sept. 2005 |
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 Back
from Umbria! What a great experience it was. A whole month of drawing,
painting, eating, sleeping, and not much else. I met some great people,
talked about art (which I don't get to do much at home since my artist
friends aren't nearby) and hung out with people from all over the world
at the bar. To talk about Pontormo and be understood is something I haven't
experienced since my New York days. That's ten years ago, my friends.
I didn't realize I was so depraved till this residency thing. Thanks
to my good friend and artist Brian who convinced me to go with him to
Italy!Montecastello is beautiful. That's a gimme. the vast distances and amazing
atmospheric effects in all directions were so inspiring, I couldn't get
enough of painting en plein air. In the mornings we had figure drawing
sessions with our wonderful model, Andrea, who had the perfect forms
for the kind of drawings I do. I'll remember to upload those, too.We had our big lunch at one o'clock each day, prepared by Iliana. The food was just great. and the company was just great. After lunch it's siesta time so everything shuts down in Montecastello. Not that there's much open during work hours-it's a tiny little hilltown (more like a village) with a population of just a few hundred people) I painted outside if the weather was cooperating, indoors if not. Sometimes took a nap or read a book. That's not being lazy, mind you. I find plein air painting so exhausting due to the fact that it demands so much concentration and focus, If I don't take a serious break after the first one, without fail the second one comes out terribly. Can't do more than two a day. Perhaps someday I'll get much better at it and it won't be so taxing on my system. yeah, right. Anyway, we ate dinner late, and after dinner, we either had slide lectures, or hung out at the bar. Good times. I definitely want to go back again, and also I want to try residencies in other places. This was my first one, and I found I really enjoyed it. There will probably be more "sketches from travels" in the future. Not a bad way to go. Terry Miura, May, 2005 |
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Marc, I have now been home awhile and just processed all my photos.
I look back on that time almost like it was a dream. I have pictures
of the school, the town, the festa and go cart race, where I lived as
well as that fabulous landscape. My favorites are the ones at dinner
on the roof. I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it all and what
a fabulous job you are doing. This time I was able to work with the teachers
more and enjoyed meeting Martha, Barry and Ying. Dan is
a legend that I learn more from and about each time I experience him.
I especially wanted to say how nice Josef was. He makes a difficult
job look easy and is always attentive and caring. He waited for the bus
to come before he left me when I went to the airport. Suzanne Andersen, June 2005 |
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Marc, words cannot capture what I've experienced in Monetecastello or even come remotely close to giving a vague description of the place itself. this whole trip as been like the peak of my life in that sense it gave me so much that I'll carry on forever with me. You know, priceless stuff. God bless you for starting a program like this. Aaron Swindle, June 2005 |
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This is Monica Haak from the first summer session. I have a few Final favors
to ask of you, but let me first say that I made more progress than I could
have imagined through the International School. I can't tell you how invaluable
that program was for me and I want to thank you for your unending work
to organize it and keep it running smoothly. It significantly changed my
painting practices. Having my own studio (which was an ideal space; I'm
very grateful for the assignment I got) and the input of the faculty made
me develop much better habits and I have continued to maintain a higher
level of productivity since I left. I am now taking my senior seminar at
Penn with John Moore. During my previous
three years in college I've focused more on my philosophy major and taken
the art major more lightly. This summer definitely shifted my priorities
and turned my attention to MFA programs. Running the School must have required
a lot of personal sacrifice on your part and I can't thank you enough for
providing such a unique and formative experience.
Monica Haak, June 2004 |
 I
have returned home safely and just wanted to send a quick email telling
you what fabulous a time I had at the International School. It has been
by far the best art school experience I have had so far!! I thought the
teachers were excellent. I was especially inspired by Martha’s
work and think that Dan was so wonderful to let us come to his studio
to paint for the landscape seminar. What a treat!! I really had a delightful
time. Josef and Marija were very helpful throughout the summer—everyone
thought they worked so hard and did such a great job trying to deal with
everyone’s various needs. They really do not receive enough praise
for all of their hard work. I hope the new program is going well and
the new people are getting adjusted well.
Anyway, thanks again for such a wonderful program and a delightful summer!! Trina Gordon, June 2004 |
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I wanted to thank you again for an INCREDIBLE summer.
I never imagined I would be so transformed in just 6 weeks. The school
and, most importantly, the teachers saved me years of struggling with
technique and made me earn my right of confidence. No words could express
what I learned this summer because I learned so much about art and ALL
of life that it blows my mind. My art work is really starting to take
on it's own in a way that I would have never imagined thanks to the International
School, and a "thanks" just isn't enough...but I guess it'll
have to do for now. Mary C Delony, June 2004 |
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I wanted to write again to thank you for everything this summer -- for arranging such a great program. Rock Solid staff, good eats. I learned so much. I need to make sure I keep painting this year, so I can begin to see all the lessons mature. It's always too much to take in in 6 weeks. Every one of the teachers brought something distinctive -- whether their personality or their ability to communicate -- or simply their different technical approaches to painting. Something for everyone.  As
a returning student -- the experience of the school was completely different
from my first time there. During my first year I attended the school-
I was simply trying to take in the volumes of information flowing my
way from every direction regarding how to paint, how to create an image,
how to really see more deeply and honestly. This time around my focus
changed dramatically. This summer was all about the ideas and the inspiration
behind painting, the "why" of painting, how to make art work
with real integrity. I left with an increased confidence in myself as
an independent artist, an idea of the direction in which my work needs
to grow, and again enough technical information to keep me busy for a
few years. All in all it was a very rewarding, valuable experience.
I just wanted to say thanks and I hope the last session is a great success for you and your students. All the best to you and your family. Jed Appelrouth, June 2004 |
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