A belated Happy New Year to all our guests and friends who visited us last year. We are very grateful to everyone for the very positive feedback we have been receiving. We feel we have made many new friends! Writing in chilly January the sunny days of last summer in Viella seem a world away, but we have been working hard for this coming summer and thought this might be the time to let you know what we are planning.
We have increased the number of residential courses to five, and have lined up some exciting new tutors to lead them. All our courses will now run for six days, that’s five for 'work' and an extra day for a bit of rest and relaxation. Very sadly Greg Mason, who so brilliantly led our first painting course, is unable to be with us this year. We followed his outstanding progress on Sky Arts and he was so unlucky to just miss out in the final. We hope that Greg and Kelly will be back with us at Maison du Guit in the years ahead, and wish them well on their travels.
This summer we will be running two art courses, and we are very pleased to welcome back Caroline Bays who will be repeating her very successful “Landscapes and still life in oils and acrylics.” News of the popularity of Caroline’s course has spread and we already have a booking from Vancouver! We are also delighted that Caroline’s husband, Antony Williams, is to teach a course in July. Antony is best known for his portraits and has painted the Queen, amongst other subjects. His course, “Portraits in a Landscape in oils and acrylics” will include painting a model in the studio and on location. This is a fantastic opportunity to paint side by side with one of the UK’s most successful artists; but don’t feel daunted he is a great guy and very laid back, as well as an inspiring teacher!
In a first for Maison du Guit we are hosting a Pilates week with the multi talented Leanda Hughes. Leanda needs no introduction to those who were on Greg’s painting course last June, since she was one of the participants. As well as being a very skilled illustrator, Leanda is a fitness guru, and runs Pilates groups in the UK. She will lead a Pilates week with us in the first week of July. The hard physical work will be combined with trips out to local towns and villages, as well as the essential wine tasting experience!
We are very fortunate that the legendary Logan Murray has agreed to return for another round of ‘Further Adventures in Comedy Writing.’ Logan will be helping budding comic writers ‘to unleash their inner idiot’ with his exciting workshop in June, where laughter and fun are guaranteed. Last but very much not least we welcome best-selling author Leigh Russell for her Creative Writing Course. Leigh writes psychological thrillers and has sold over a million books in her Geraldine Steel series. Although crime is her speciality her course is designed to inspire all types of writers to get that novel written. Both Leigh and Logan are very generous with their time and will be available to give personal advice on all aspects of writing throughout the week.
So there is going to be lots going on this summer! We look forward to seeing old friends, and making new ones so do come and join us.......
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