6  – 13 November, 2010

$2280 twin share (not including international flights)

Kerrie Lester’s exuberant paintings are widely admired. During a career spanning 35 years, she has been hung in the Archibald 16 times and is represented in many art collections across Australia.

Her art holiday course offers a chance to work with one of Australia’s best known contemporary artists and enjoy her enthusiastic embrace of the joy of painting. During the week-long art retreat, Kerrie will be looking at figures in the landscape, showing you how to capture the essence of a figure, and how to place it in a setting. She will be working in situ at Daku Resort using local models, and will also be going out to use the local settings. She emphasizes the importance of being expressive – painting doesn’t run to a formula, and she encourages you to experiment with ideas and styles, finding the mood of the place rather than the exact details.

Her first course at Daku Resort in September 2009 was a great success; her students all came away with a new perspective on painting – and a lot of completed work to take home too.

When I stayed at Daku resort I was able to relax and paint in a serene and stunning landscape guided by a professional artist who shared her knowledge with humour and patience. The friendliness of the management and the local people at the resort and in the town of Savu Savu enabled me to paint amongst them without intimidation or criticism  adding a wonderful new experience to my work which I will always remember with gratitude and a smile.
Robyn Dowell

Daku Resort was such a fabulous venue to paint and learn in a truly relaxing, and peaceful environment.  We were spoilt with a choice of beautiful locations within and outside of the resort.  Kerrie, our Art Teacher, was great, really helping me to find my own style and many new artistic skills.  I’ll definitely be back next year.
Karen McAllister

Loved the art course.  The fact that the setting was an authentic Fijian resort all added to the fun.  Delia went out of her way to arrange interesting and engaging things to do in our down time and there was never any time for boredom.  Will definitely look at doing more at Daku.
Carol Brenner

We will be working in acrylics on canvas, canvas board or paper. A full materials list will be supplied.

Kerrie Lester was born in 1953 in Sydney and has lived and worked from her Mosman studio since 1989. She is renowned for her distinctive stitched canvas paintings, and instantly recognised by her witty, colourful style. Her whimsical figures with sharp outlines range from virtual stick men to fully rounded portraits, all of them about to burst out of the canvas and join in with everyday life.

Kerrie has held over 21 solo exhibitions, her first held immediately after graduating from art school. She has been represented in many important group exhibitions including the Biennale of Sydney in 1979 and Australian Perspecta in 1981 and 1985. In addition, Kerrie has been an influential educator, lecturing at the City Art Institute Sydney, the National Art School Sydney and Seaforth Technical College.

Programme
The course runs for 6 days, and includes both workshops and local excursions.

Saturday 30 October
Arrive Nadi and fly to Savusavu. The resort is 10 minutes from the airstrip, and you will be welcomed into it with a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony.

Sunday 31 October
Morning workshop: introduction to the week.
Poolside lunch and coconut cutting demonstration.

Monday 1 November
Morning workshop; lunch; afternoon workshop.
In the late afternoon there will be a tapa making demonstration

Tuesday 2 November
Morning workshop; lunch.
There will be free time in the afternoon – you can take an optional visit to the local black pearl farm (not included in course cost) or to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, local market and shops.

Wendesday 3 November
Morning workshop; lunch.
Afternoon boat / beach outing.

Thursday 4 November
Morning workshop; lunch.
Afternoon free time.
Evening drinks at the Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Friday 5 November
Morning workshop; lunch; afternoon workshop.
Later in the afternoon we will visit Vivili village to see a traditional Fijian meke (dance) and then have a final dinner at Daku.

Saturday 6 November
Leave Savusavu. Return to Nadi.