Fearless Painting Big brushes and bold decisions. Faster, Looser, Bigger, Bolder January 10 -20, 2024 with Doug Swinton
Take the fear out of painting and decision making. We will be doing 20 minute studies and learning to make fast decisions without the agony. Simplifying composition, colour choices and brush marks we will develop these studies into finished works. Working both from sketches, photos and outdoor studies you will paint a minimum of 4 paintings a day. Loosen up, get colourful and have fun. While you're busy creating art, your friendly hosts at Casa Buena will be working hard, ensuring that your stay is a memorable one. Outstanding food, accommodations, and field trips will satisfy your desires for both comfort and adventure.
Contact info for Doug: www.dougswinton.com email: swinton@telus.net Tel. 1.403.258.3500 “How do you describe my art? That's like trying to hit a moving target. Just when I think it's going one direction ever elusive leopard slips away and changes its spots. Slathering thick viscid paint on a freshly unwrapped canvas is sensual and venereal. For me it's always been more about the doing than the end product. It's like being at a live concert. The energy that comes from the doing is a highly powerful thing. I also get board very easy so I tend to flit from subject to subject. As J R Tolkien said, “not all that wander are lost”. No matter what the subject, it's always the same, the most amount of information with the least amount of brushstrokes“	Workshop Instructor: DOUG SWINTON I am often surprised at how my life has unfolded. At no point do I recall making the decision to become an artist, yet as I reflect on it, the drive to create is central to my character. My grade school math books were embellished with countless doodles and drawings. My mom was a painter. Most days after school I'd find her in our kitchen – her makeshift studio – rendering images of Chianti in stemmed wine glasses, perennial flowers from her garden, and wicker baskets filled with the harvest of bright vegetables that my dad grew. The spectacular prairie and mountain landscapes of Calgary where I have lived my entire life, have provided endless inspiration. I have developed a fondness for the level of concentration required to paint well. It challenges me unlike anything else. The press of viscid paint from its tube - quinacridone rose… manganese blue – satisfies. The anticipation of first brush marks on blank canvas exhilarates. When a painting turns out just right, I still feel like my ten-year old self, racing into the kitchen to share my accomplishment, “Hey Mom, look what I made!” Hoping to make it on to the world class “refrigerator” gallery My paintings are now housed in private and public collections around the world. I am fortunate now to earn a living from my art. I teach my craft to amateur and professional artists alike, and operate an art supply store in Calgary. Yet, art is and always has been more than a job. In many ways, I feel like I'm still discovering what it means to be an artist, filled with the same wonder and delight I experienced as a child. The early twentieth century American painter Robert Henri described my sentiment best when he wrote, “I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.”
Doug's Artwork
Tentative Itinerary PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary might change due to travel restrictions Tentative Itinerary Wednesday Arriving to Puerto Vallarta Airport Taking taxi to your hotel, Meeting at the hotel Lobby at 5:30 for Art Gallery walk and dinner Thursday 8am - 9am Breakfast 2.5 hour scenic drive North to Los Cocos, Nayarit, where Casa Buena is located. Stop at La Panita Art Market and Lunch on the Beach Settling in, setting up your work space Dinner Friday 7am - 9am Breakfast 9:30am - 4pm workshop Dinner Art discussions or movie in the Casa Saturday 7am - 9am Breakfast 9:30am - 4pm workshop Dinner Art discussions or movie in the Casa Dinner at Casa Manana Sunday Early start at 7:00, light breakfast, 8am - 10am organized tour to the Jungle Exploring and shopping at San Blas, Lunch at the beach relax for the rest of the day or return to you studio to paint Dinner Monday 7am - 9am Breakfast 9:30am - 4pm workshop Happy hour, siesta Dinner Tuesday 7am - 9am Breakfast 9:30am-4pm workshop: Happy hour, siesta, free time Dinner Art Show and Tell Wednesday 7am - 9am Breakfast Free painting day, no instructions Happy hour, siesta, free time Dinner Thursday 7am - 9am Breakfast 9:30am-4pm workshop: Happy hour, siesta, free time Dinner Friday 7am - 9am Breakfast 9:30am-4pm workshop: Happy hour, siesta, free time Dinner Saturday 8am - 9am Breakfast Transport to PV Airport	Art Supplies for the Workshop Becoming a good painter doesn’t require a lot of talent just lots of practice and good equipment. If you want to cheap out on paint, brushes and other essentials because this is just a hobby and you’re not going to spend the money on the goods it takes to paint, I suggest you try macramé for a hobby. Cheap supplies will prevent you from achieving any sort of success and you will be frustrated. In the end will have wasted your money anyway. Sorry if that sounds harsh but over the 25 years I have been teaching it’s the truth. Xx Oo Click here to see supply list COST for each retreat A. for a workshop participant: $2900.00 CAD including Instructions, some art supplies, 10 days accommodation, transportation from and to Puerto Vallarta, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, entertainment and a field trip to the Jungle. B. for a non painting partner of a friend: $2100.00 CAD including 10 days accommodation, transportation from and to Puerto Vallarta, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, entertainment and a field trip to the Jungle. We can arrange other activities, like fishing, whale watching, bird watching, etc upon request for an extra fee. Payment Options A. Pay in full 2900.00 CAD upon registration B. Make a deposit of $500.00 CAD and pay balance 45 days before the retreat. Payment Method A. send your check (Money draft or certified check if outside of Canada) made payable to Jane Romanishko (contact Jane for her mailing address) B. Email your money to janerom@shaw.ca C. Pay via Paypal NOTE: There will be 5% extra transaction fee added for using paypal. Full Payment Deposit Balance payment Cancellation Policy A. If your workshop is cancelled due to Instructor's unavailability, you will be notified immediately and you will receive a full refund. B. If you can't attend your retreat and notify us 45 days prior to the retreat, you are welcome to transfer 100% of your full payment to another Casa Buena Art Retreat within 2 years of the date of cancellation. You can transfer your payment to another person or any other options that Casa Buena has to offer. C. If you can't attend your retreat and notify us 30 days prior to the retreat, you are welcome to transfer 70% of your full payment to another Casa Buena Art Retreat within 2 years of the date of cancellation. D. If you can't attend your retreat and notify us 14 days or less prior to the retreat, Casa Buena Art Retreat will not issue any refunds or transfers to other session. Your only choice is to transfer your payment to another person. PLEASE NOTE: Administration fee of $50 will apply to options B,C and D.