“Martin Cheek asked me to make an impression commentary about our wonderful stay June 2006 at Casabella Italy, or things to know before I go to Casabella.!
So I made a little program point to point with little notes.
What to tell about: “Fattoria Lavacchio”, and their people and there surroundings.
Fattoria Lavacchio look for their website (www.fattorialavacchio.com) is the name for the farm which works in an organic way, wine and olive oil making. It is 18 km east from Florence in the lovely Tuscan hills
There are more buildings like the Olive and grain wind mill, wine cellars, Innocenti’s pottery, horse riding centre, and more villa’s with apartments and down hill the famous restaurant for dinnertime,
Casabella is the name of the restored Tuscan Estate laid in the middle of 110 hectares wine yard, olive groves, woods and wheat fields.
During the mosaic course you stay in Casabella (nowadays the hotel), with several beautiful Tuscan style rooms with a free view all around the valley’s. You will have your breakfast (from 8 am) and lunch (from 1pm) in the hotel’s garden near the swimming pool.
Dinner will be served in the restaurant (from 7 pm) down hill. But also with a fantastic view over the valley. AND again delicious Tuscan food all prepared and served with the greatest care. And every day different!
All the meals (also when you go out for excursions) is included.
If you have any problems (allergic) or diets or you like more vegetarian food you can write this in the sign up when you wanted to take part of a summer course. And they take care of you!!
The people around Fattoria Lavacchio and the owner Faye Lottore are very very kind, helpful, and careful. Real compliments to them, they make our stay like a real fairytale in paradise and they spoiled us with there delicious breakfasts, lunches (3 courses), wines, dinners (4courses), olive oil, pasta’s. All homemade! All in traditional method!! Mmmmm”
Klaske from Holland
“Casabella was so utterly "Tuscany" and it was the perfect place to spend a perfect week filled with fun, laughter, learning, food, wine, olives, coffee, history, relaxation, friendship, fireflies, kittens and, of course, mosaics.
Imagine everything you've ever heard about Tuscany – the scenery, the olive groves, the vineyards, the old, old houses, barns, churches, the wonderful people – then add the comforts of a cool, airy bedroom with a scrupulously clean ensuite bathroom; fantastic, honest Italian food and sensational wines served by people who truly have a passion for their work. That's Casabella for you.
Then imagine ambling down a winding country road to the old 16th C. barn every morning for the mosaic workshop; chattering with a delightful group of like-minded people whose laughter and friendship are now treasured memories, and learning a whole new technique of mosaic from someone whose skill and knowledge is matched only by his humour and his ability to inspire his students. That's Martin Cheek for you.
My Italian experience was one of the best things I've ever done. Even my non-mosaicking husband loved the workshop. He's the one who keeps asking when I'm going to do another mosaic workshop! "Soon," I tell him, "soon".”
Anna Marie from Melbourne, Australia.
About: “The Mosaic Summer course”
Breakfast 8 am
Lessons 9 am till 1 pm
The mosaic course is tutored by Martin Cheek in English.
He starts every day at 9 am till 1 pm.
First 1 hour tuition about how the material is made, techniques, colour use, background, “the flow”, the famous six rules, and a lot of secret things of the mosaic kitchen. You have to taste it. Bring a notebook and pen for your notes! Because the information you get is enormous.
Then you start to practice. First Martin discusses all your ideas personally; what is the best choice, how to start etc. etc.
TIP from Martin: Before you go to Casabella look at home for some ideas what you want to mosaic!
It would be really useful if you could bring with you two or ideally three design ideas for your mosaic. Try to make your ideas different from each other, so it will be possible to discuss the various mosaic techniques, which your designs will suggest. Your designs should be between a square foot: 12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm), in area up to a maximum of A3: 12 x 16 inches (30 x 40 cm) - if you want to finish your mosaic during the course.
Keep you designs simple and bold – remember that the tesserae average 1cm x 1 cm in size so don’t make your design too fiddly! A quick glance at any of my books will show you what I mean, but please don’t copy Martin’s mosaics – you could do that at home!
If you don’t have time to prepare any designs before the course, then try and bring some sort of pictorial reference with you. This could be anything from a book to a greetings card that you like or even a piece of wrapping paper or packaging that may have caught your eye.
Tip: from Martin
This course aims to… provide an opportunity for those who have previously made some mosaics and therefore have some experience in mosaic making. It aims to expand on those existing skills and develop your personal style and creativity. The course will instruct further in direct and indirect mosaic techniques, using a variety of materials including glass and ceramic tesserae. Grouting techniques will also be covered.
By the end of the course… a combination of lectures on Roman techniques, demonstrations and individual help will ensure that students will go home fully inspired and equipped to go and tackle larger projects such as patios, tables and murals.
It is for… those with some experience of making mosaics or keen beginners seeking a thorough introduction to mosaics.
During the course… you will design and make a large mosaic approx A2 or 2 x mosaics approx A4 in area. Martin will cover numerous techniques to help you understand further about mosaic design.
After the course… Many previous participants have gone on to become professional mosaicists whilst others have taken it on as a serious hobby.
At the end of the week there will be a slideshow of the works of Martin Cheek and an Exhibition of the produced works of your self!! And then the Grande finale the last dinner at the restaurant “Mulino a Vento”,
Tip; Don’t wear your mosaic working clothes during dinner, but wear something festive because dinnertime is a feast! (Of course not your double breasted costume and evening gown!)
“Are Mosaic materials included?”
Martin will provide you with 1.5 kg of Orsoni Venetian smalti (mixed colours) & 1.5 kg of Orsoni Roti (mixed colours). For many people this proved to be sufficient. However there will be a stock of both these materials in a wide range of colours plus various gold leaf smalti and millefiori. You can keep a list what you use extra and at the end of the course, you can pay by credit card! Please note that Martin does NOT provide vitreous glass – as this would be too much for him to ship – if you intend to use vitreous glass please bring your own with you – or contact Martin who will help you arrange this.
Tip: take your own tools, nippers, tweezers with you, or contact Martin.
Tip: wear easy fitting old clothes. So no problem when the glue get on your clothes. (PVA is washable).
Tip: take a apron with you, because it is a dusty and gluey job or order a beautiful apron with Martin Cheek design.
Tip: take glasses (light sunglasses) or your own safety glasses
The place we worked was at a beautiful rebuilt barn near the restaurant, 200mtrs, down from the hotel, we could use the toilet room from an apartment next door. The staff brought us everyday coffee and drinks in the barn.
Tip: when it is hot bring extra water with you!
Tip:, if you have got a digital camera, please bring with you, then you can make photo’s during your mosaic process and can you see if “the flow and colour use” fits well!
1 O-Clock Lunchtime
After lunchtime you are free to do some more mosaic works but untutored!
If you don’t want all the courses (1,5 hour) of the most fantastic lunches I ever had you are permitted to leave the table and do something for your self.
What to tell about: “The day program”. And what to do for the partner/friend who wouldn’t take part of the summer course
Saturday when you arrive there will be a welcome drink by the pool and a briefing of the program, by Faye Lottore. She will introduce some staff members and tell a little story about “Fattoria Lavacchio”, and Casabella.
And she will tell you about the possibilities to take part off tours (all is included in the mosaic summer course price!) around Fattoria Lavacchio: A visit to the pottery from the Innocenti family! The wine cellars and taste there own wines (fabulous!) the windmill, olive oil mill, taste there healthy olive oil!! (Smooth!). But you are free to take part! But it is so worth it to do so!
You can make fantastic walks in the woods with beautiful view points into the valley, you can do horse riding (not included in the price) you can do nothing, take a nice siesta, or a fresh jump in the pool, you can read a book on several terraces under a fruit tree or? All with another view!
There are organized trips to Florence and a day trip to Niki de Saint Phalle’s fantastic Tarot garden, don’t miss them!! All those side programs are also meant for partner or friend!!
In the morning during lessons the partner is free to do what he/she wants, you can go for an extra walk, or just read or do nothing, and I heard that the time flies, because it is so peacefully, you will not be bored for any moment!
Dinner time from 7 pm
The end of the day will be closed with a fabulous 4 or 5 courses dinner at the restaurant “Mulino a Vento”. It is a little walk from thehotel,but so nice after dinner to walk “home” trough the olive yard in the Italian night with sparkling lights! And again please note:
Tip; Don’t wear your mosaic working clothes during dinner, but wear something festive because dinnertime is a feast!
Departure day was terrible, the day of goodbyes, tears, last stories, goodbye kisses. Some of us had to catch an early flight, some of us decided to stay some more days (all was possible! The staff will help you to find out the best way).
Tip; Presents for home is not the easiest thing to get. In Florence there will be an hour left during the trip for shopping. In Niki de Saint Phalle’s fantastic Tarot garden there is a small arrangement of presents. In Casabella you can order for the fabulous wines and olive oil, or wonderful ceramics from Innocenti!. The nearest village from Casabella is 6 km. Florence 18km
What to bring with you:
Your luggage should be light, because when you return home,by airplane you have to think about overweight; 3 kilo smalti and maybe some extras.
* Working clothes and apron.
* Swimming clothes, don’t bring towels with you, you can lent them from Casabella.
* sun head, sunglasses, sun cream.
* Easy walking shoes (not mountain boots, to heavy)
* outside slippers
* Comfortable clothes (dinnertime, day trips to Florence and Tarot garden)
* Camera (digital camera take an extra memory card with you)
* Binoculars (for fresco’s and mosaics ceiling)
* Paper and pen for your notes
* Your own tools for mosaic
* Your toiletries in small packages (in your own bathroom there will be a lovely set of toiletries and towels)
* A light weight wind/rain jacket in the evening it can be a little windy/chilly in the hills
* Before you pack look for broadcast at (www.weathernews.com) into Florence
(We had beautiful weather, but the group before, rain and wind!)
* And your personal stuff which you can’t miss!
I think this is a nice list and beware for too much!!
I could talk for hours about those trips, lessons, impressions, and meals.
About my new friends: They came from all over the world with the same thought “I love Mosaic” “And I love to learn more about it” Everyone in its own way!
If you will choose for these fabulous summer course; experience and taste it for your self!
And I hope you will enjoy the course and the stay at Casabella as we did.
It was heaven!!!
Greetings Klaske from the Netherlands
