Sat, Jun 19
|Sicily Artist Retreats
AMANDA HOUSTON: The Poetry of Place: Painting the Soul of Sicily
The greatest journeys do more than take us somewhere new—they change us. In the timeless landscapes of western Sicily, Amanda Houston will help you move beyond painting what you see to capturing what you feel, returning home with renewed confidence, fresh inspiration, and a deeper artistic voice.
Time & Location
Jun 19, 2027, 6:00 PM – Jun 25, 2027, 10:00 AM
Sicily Artist Retreats, Marsala, Sicily
About the event
Overview
There is a reason artists have long been drawn to Sicily. Beyond its dramatic coastline, ancient hill towns, and extraordinary Mediterranean light lies something less easily described—a spirit that lingers in its landscapes, architecture, and centuries of layered history.
Join internationally acclaimed artist Amanda Houston for an immersive week designed to help you move beyond simply painting beautiful places to expressing their character, atmosphere, and emotion. Through thoughtful instruction, daily painting, and meaningful cultural experiences, you'll deepen your understanding of design, color, and light while discovering a more authentic and confident artistic voice.
Meet Amanda Houston
Amanda Houston is an internationally recognized impressionist painter celebrated for her luminous pastel landscapes that capture the fleeting beauty of light, atmosphere, and place. Her expressive paintings—rich in color, mood, and emotion—have earned numerous national awards and are held in private collections throughout the United States and abroad.
Raised on three continents, Amanda developed an early appreciation for the diverse landscapes, cultures, and qualities of light that continue to shape her work today. After nearly two decades as an award-winning designer for Nike and L.L. Bean, she made the courageous decision to pursue painting full-time, following a lifelong passion for fine art.
A Master's Circle Member of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) and former President of the Northwest Pastel Society, Amanda is equally respected as both an accomplished artist and an inspiring educator. Her work has been featured in Pastel Journal, The Artist Magazine, Pratique des Arts, and European Vogue, among other publications.
Known for her warm, encouraging teaching style, Amanda helps artists move beyond simply recording a scene to expressing its mood, atmosphere, and emotional resonance. Whether working in pastel or another medium, she encourages students to simplify, edit, and paint with confidence, developing a personal visual language that is uniquely their own.
What to Expect from Your Week with Amanda Houston
Throughout the week, you'll work both in the studio and on location, painting the vineyards, medieval villages, dramatic coastline, ancient salt flats, and sun-drenched landscapes that make western Sicily one of Europe's most inspiring artistic destinations. As you immerse yourself in Sicily's extraordinary light, rich history, and vibrant culture, you'll discover that every painting location offers not only a beautiful subject, but a deeper story waiting to be interpreted.
Amanda's demonstrations, personalized instruction, and insightful critiques will help you simplify complex scenes, strengthen your compositions, and use color expressively to communicate mood rather than simply describe what you see. As your confidence grows, so too will your ability to create paintings that are both technically stronger and deeply personal. Along the way, you'll slow down, embrace the rhythm of Sicilian life, and find renewed inspiration through meaningful artistic and cultural experiences.
This is far more than a workshop. It is an artistic immersion—an opportunity to step away from the demands of everyday life, experience Sicily through the eyes of an artist, and return home transformed not only by what you've painted, but by how you've learned to see and respond.
Although Amanda will demonstrate in pastel, artists working in all painting and drawing media are warmly welcomed.
Whether you're an enthusiastic beginner or an experienced professional, Amanda's thoughtful and encouraging approach meets you where you are, helping you build stronger design skills while developing the confidence to paint with greater freedom, authenticity, and intention.
What Can I Expect From a Week with Sicily Artist Retreats?
Arrival day airport transfers, orientation, aperitif, and welcome dinner
Guided instruction, demonstrations, and individual feedback
Private, chef- prepared studio lunches
Excursions to Stagnone Lagoon, Mozia Island, Marsala Historic Center, Erice mountain, and Segesta Greek Temple and Archeological Park
Boutique hotel accommodations at Baglio Custera Resort with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms
Most meals and all ground transportation included
Time for rest, conversation, poolside relaxation, cultural immersion, and unhurried exchange with Amanda and fellow artists.
Materials
For Plein Air Painting:
___ Backpack or carrying case
___ Field Umbrella (optional but very helpful to have)
___ Tripod and case
___ Travel box with your pastels (Heilman makes a great box in 3 sizes. The
backpacker or sketchbook is ideal.)
___ Small plastic bag for garbage
___ Sunscreen ___ Hat ___ Waterbottle ___Camera/phone or tablet
___ Palette tray (Heilman Palette Tray clips to box) or small tupperware and clips to
keep a palette
___ Windbreaker
___ Plastic bag for paper towel garbage.
__ PASTEL BOX: to carry all your pastels in. I use the Heilman Design Pastel boxes
in the mini pack or the backpacker size. (Heilmendesigns.com) Note: handcarry your
pastel box on the plane with you and tape a picture of the contents to the outside of the
box and label PROFESSIONAL ART SUPPLIES. PASTELS. HANDLE WITH CARE.
PASTELS: Bring a mixture of soft and hard pastels, with a range of brights, darks and
neutrals. You can use any brand you have and may want to pick up extras, esp. in the
darks and neutrals. NO oil pastels.
__ SOFT PASTELS: Any brand you have. I have my own collection through Richeson:
(Amanda Houston 80 pc. Landscape essentials set and a 40 pc. Neutral essentials set)
I also use Terry Ludwig (v100x, B3560, G540, R160)
__ HARD PASTELS:
(10-30): Girault or NUPastel - a variety of darks and lights. You can pick up hard
pastels by the stick.
__Watercolor Travel set (Winsor Newton or Sennelier)
__one tube of white GUACHE PAINT
__collapsible container to hold water.
(For those not working in Pastel, bring a small assortment of Gouache or acrylic
paints, a 9x12 disposable paper palette pad and your favorite brushes and a
collapsible water container)
DRAWING BOARD: Gator-board (preferably black), or black oam core or Masonite
board for taping your papers and inspiration references. 12x16 is a good travel size and
can be fit a 12x16 or smaller paper (3/16 “ is fine. No need for The thicker version.)
https://www.uline.com/BL_872/Gatorfoam-Board)
___ PAPERS: If you have a favorite, please bring it. I will be demoing on LaCarte
paper (Sienna color), Art Spectrum Colorfix (terracotta, plum or eggplant color),
and LUX Archival (cream). You can buy a large sheet and cut them down into smaller
workable sizes for the class: 6x8, 9x12, 11x14 or 12x16 for the class. We will focus on
lots of small work. Bring at least enough for 15-20 small paintings.
___EASEL of YOUR CHOICE: Any field easel that you can feel comfortable traveling
with. I have studio easels and boards but you will need to bring your own plein air easel.
I use a Heilman pastel box on a light weight tripod for my light weight plein air set up.
MISC. SUPPLIES:
___ Sketchbook: Small personal sketchbook. MUST HAVE! Any size. Amanda likes
“Strathmore Toned sketchbooks” in either gray or tan for doing thumbnail value studies.
___ Selection of pencils: a variety of hardness: (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
___ Charcoal pencils (white, lt, med, dark)for value studies
OR
___ Tombow or Faber-Castell grey set of 4 pens (for value sketches) (optional)
___ Kneaded eraser
___ vine charcoal for sketching on your surface (soft or very soft)
___ Black Artist tape 3/4"-1" and/or ___Clips (to quickly clip paper to boards
___ Paper towels (Viva, or Home Depot Shop Towels or Wypall towels)
___ wet wipes
___ View Catcher or composition finder (by Guerrilla Painter)
___ Brush assortment: 1” small cheap hardware brush, 1-2 different sized synthetic
brushes from “Snap!” by Princeton or Simply Simon: ¾” flat or stroke (optional but I like
them because they are cheap)
___ Small plastic container for putting alcohol, ink or water in
___ Glassine Paper: to put over your finished work to protect it in transport. Or
sandwich between two pieces of gatorboard. (optional)
.
Provided at international and Oregon workshops:
___ Exacto Knife or straight edge to cut (by Olfa)
___ Alcohol or mineral spirits for doing underpainting techniques (water works in a pinch
too)
___ Pad of Newsprint paper 18x24 (optional)
___ india ink
___ gesso
___ 16x20 printmaking paper and drawing boards
Accommodations
Participants will stay at Hotel Baglio Custera, a boutique resort in the Marsala countryside nestled among olive groves, with sweeping views of the Egadi Islands, luxurious atmosphere, and private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Cuisine
In Sicily, food is one of the most important parts of the experience. Guests will enjoy fresh, seasonal, garden-to-table meals rooted in the flavors of western Sicily, with menus designed to be vegetarian or pescatarian. Studio lunches will be prepared by a private cook, allowing artists to relax, gather, and return easily to their work. Dinners will include meals at award winning Baglio Custera restaurant, local eateries, a seaside pizzeria, and a special evening with folkloric dancers.
Traveling with an Accompanying Guest
Accompanying guests are warmly welcome for an additional fee. While studio instruction is reserved for registered workshop participants, guests may enjoy the beauty and comfort of the retreat experience, including shared accommodations at Baglio Custera, scheduled site visits and excursions, airport transfers, and time to relax by the pool or explore the surrounding area.
This is a wonderful option for a spouse, partner, or friend who would like to experience Sicily alongside you while you take part in the workshop. Guests will be included in group dinners, cultural outings, and excursions to sites such as Mozia, Marsala, Erice, Segesta, and other extraordinary places.
Payment Options
Retreats are paid in full at the time of booking. For guests who prefer to spread payments over time, flexible payment options such as Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm “book now, pay later” services are offered at checkout.
These payment options are provided through third-party payment platforms and are subject to their approval, terms, and availability. All bookings remain subject to Sicily Artist Retreats’ cancellation and refund policies.
Cancellation Policy/FAQs
Participant Cancellation Policy
Because commitments for accommodations, transportation, staffing, and operations are made well in advance, we ask that you plan accordingly and register only when you are confident in your attendance.
Before the six-month cutoff:
Cancellations received more than six (6) months prior to the workshop start date are eligible for a full refund, less the 2.5% non-refundable ticket service fee.
After the six-month cutoff:
All payments are non-refundable. We are unable to make exceptions to this policy regardless of circumstance, which is why we strongly advise all participants to obtain travel insurance.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly advised for all Sicily Artist Retreats participants and should be obtained prior to or at the time of registration. Given our non-refundable policy after the six-month cutoff, a comprehensive travel insurance policy is your best protection against the unexpected — including illness, injury, family emergencies, and travel disruptions.
Please see below for information on our Cancellation Policy and Travel Insurance suggestions. If you have questions, please dont hesitate to contact us at: Info@artistretreats.com
Package
Artist Early Bird Ticket
Every extraordinary journey begins with a single decision. Thank you for considering this thoughtfully curated artistic journey through western Sicily. It includes workshop instruction, boutique accommodations, meals included in the retreat program, airport transfers, scheduled cultural excursions, and the full Sicily Artist Retreats hospitality experience.
$4,100.00
+$102.50 ticket service fee
Artist
The greatest journeys do more than take us somewhere new—they change us. Thank you for considering this thoughtfully curated artistic journey through western Sicily. It includes workshop instruction, boutique accommodations, meals included in the retreat program, airport transfers, scheduled cultural excursions, and the full Sicily Artist Retreats hospitality experience.
$4,300.00
+$107.50 ticket service fee
Accompanying Guest
Some of life's most memorable journeys are shared. Thank you for considering joining us as an accompanying guest. Your participation includes boutique accommodations, meals included in the retreat program, airport transfers, scheduled cultural excursions, and the full Sicily Artist Retreats hospitality experience. Accommodations are shared with a registered workshop participant.
$2,100.00
+$52.50 ticket service fee
Total
$0.00