20 – 27 November, 2010

$2280 twin share (not including international flights)

Working from a range of different models in gorgeous tropical surroundings, this lively art retreat explores a wide range of drawing ideas and approaches. These include the use of colour, tone, figure composition and special drawing exercises. You will be introduced to different ways of working with drawing materials including pencil, coloured pastels, charcoal, ink etc. During the course students will produce a large number of drawings starting with quick exercises and progressing to more sustained drawing with portraits and figure compositions in colour.

This art and painting course is designed for all levels whether you have never done any drawing at all or are quite experienced. Wendy will help you work at the own level gaining confidence and understanding. A list of materials will be supplied.

Wendy’s Current Exhibitions
If you’re in Sydney, Wendy’s current show, Venice 2010, is at the King Street Gallery. Take a look online www.kingstreetgallery.com.au or download the catalogue.
She also features in Slow Burn: a century of Australian women artists, at the National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery.  See more at their website.

Wendy Sharpe is an inspirational and enthusiastic teacher. Her ability to communicate her love of art and her belief in the importance of Art education always makes her much in demand as a teacher. This class a rare opportunity to work with her as she spends most of the time in her own studio. She has over 25 years teaching experience at all levels from Masters level to absolute beginners. She has taught at the National Art School in Sydney for 20years as a half time and now occasional visiting lecturer.

“Drawing and painting is a wonderful thing for everyone to do, it changes the way you see the world and is fascinating and compelling, especially in a place like Fiji.”

Wendy is one of Australia’s most awarded artists. Her prizes include the Sulman prize, the Portia Geach Memorial prize (twice), the Archibald Prize, the Kedumba drawing prize, the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship and the Mercedez Benz Scholarship – and numerous others. In 1998 Wendy Sharpe was commissioned by the city of Sydney to paint an Olympic pool-sized mural for Cook and Philip Park Aquatic Centre, College Street, Sydney. In 1999-2000 she was commissioned by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, as an Australian Official Artist to East Timor, the first woman since WW2.

She has recently been awarded her 2nd Artist residency of the AGNSW studio at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris and a residency at the Australian Embassy in Cairo Egypt as special guest of the Australian Ambassador. She has just completed a commission for the Art Centre Victoria, for an exhibition on the Australian Ballet. Wendy exhibits throughout Australia; in Sydney she can be seen at King St Gallery on William.

Programme

Saturday 20 November
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 21 November
Morning workshop: introduction to the week. Poolside lunch and coconut cutting demonstration, followed by a walk around resort gardens. In the late afternoon there will be a tapa making demonstration.

Monday 22 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon visit to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, local market and shops.

Tuesday 23 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Afternoon beach / boat outing.

Wednesday 24 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Free afternoon for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing.

Thursday 25 November
Morning workshop; lunch. Later on we will have a beach outing and a sunset drink at Yaukolo, returning to Savusavu for drinks at the Yacht Club and dinner in town.

Friday 26 November
Morning workshop; lunch. 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 27 November
Leave Savusavu. Return to Nadi.