Home Studio

Several times a year I invite a few students to come to California to paint with me in my studio and stay in my old Victorian farmhouse. This isn't a regular workshop with 10 - 20 people... This is very private art instruction designed to your level of experience to advance you several levels. The class will consist of 3 or 4 students and will be structured to achieve the maximum amount of painting and as much fun as possible. I will pick you up and deliver you back to the Santa Barbara airport. Santa Barbara is one of the top destination cities in the world, famous for its perfect weather, beautiful beaches and mountains, and home to the rich and famous, like Oprah Winfrey (Michael Jackson's ranch is only a few miles from my house).

If you arrive on a Tuesday (Tuesday is one of the cheapest days to fly), the flights generally come in around 1:00 or 1:30 which gives us the afternoon to have lunch at the beach in one of my favorite restaurants, take a quick tour of Santa Barbara and check out the Tuesday afternoon Farmers Market, with beautiful veggies, fruit, flowers, honey, etc. And if you're still up for it, we'll have a nice dinner before driving over the mountain pass to the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley where I live.

By the time you get unpacked, you'll probably be ready for a good night's rest. Wednesday morning you'll take the short walk to my studio/home for breakfast (let me know what you like and/or don't like to eat) We'll try to have your favorite things.

In a normal class, we usually begin painting around 9:00 am, take a lunch break - even a quick nap if you like - then paint until dinner, and then paint a couple of hours after dinner, if you would like.

My students always become like family, and many return time and time again. I would love to share my world with you and my more than 30 years of experience in many aspects of the art business. My desire is to help you achieve your artistic goals and frame a map to your success as an artist.

Most people come to paint seascapes with me, but many people come to learn to paint murals. Some combine the two, and do a seascape mural. For many years I had a very successful decorative arts business and did projects all over the world. The mural class is limited to only 2 people at a time and you take home a finished canvas 4 feet by 7 feet. Several students have sold these to pay for their class.

We usually paint Wednesday through Saturday, take a break on Sunday to rest, sightsee, go to the Beach Artwalk in Santa Barbara (if you like) and see work of more than 100 artists who sell there year-round. Another possibility is to drive 30 miles the other direction to Lompoc, called the city of arts and flowers. They have around 70 murals painted on the sides of the buildings. There are also fields of flowers grown for flower seeds. They are spectacular when they are in bloom. And it is on the ocean, as well. - so we also could take a walk on the beach. Except for eating out, all meals, lodging, paint, canvas, paint thinner, medium, paper towels and tuition are included in the price of just $1500 for this amazing week. There is an additional cost of $450 for painting murals.

Just pack your brushes and come enjoy a fabulous, truly unique painting experience. I can't wait to share it with you!

Sincerely,
Joyce Ortner

p.s. Email me your home address if you would like a brochure or to be put on my mailing list. I occasionally mail out cards, calendars, and special invitations with images of my work to my painting friends! Your personal information will NOT be shared.