Los Arcos from Playa Garza Blanca


FAQs
freguently asked questions

Accommodations:

All rooms at Casa de los Artistas are private rooms with, what is called in Mexico,
a 'matrimonial" size bed, which is larger than a double, slightly smaller than a queen,
(all our guests who have shared these beds have found them comfortable) or a "king"
size, which is quite large. All have views of the water -from Bed! All have a private
bath or shower, nicely tiled with hand painted terra cotta sinks. All have a terrace and
chairs for taking in the view of the Boca, river and bay. See www.casadelosartistas.com
home page for detailed photos and info.

Our "Sister" apartments decorated in comfortable rustic hacienda style, also have
private rooms and most have private bath, some with views of the water. All apartments
are given on a first come basis according to availability. At the moment we are not
charging extra for a single room, but we are offering a $50.00 discount on tuition per
person if you bring another participant/guest to share your bed, be it husband, wife,
partner, son, daughter, very close friend. etc.

Non Art participants are welcome to join in the Casa experience and enjoy the other
activities and excursions ($1,045.00) and take advantage of the Casa and Boca
hospitality and friendship (priority of available space is given to Art Workshop
participants). We happily give suggestions, advice and assistance to those who wish
to explore on their own.

All Workshop/Vacations are open to singles, couples and small groups of all levels of
experience. Attendees must be at least 14 and if under 18 must be accompanied by
an adult.  –This year we are offering a special Parent- Child or Grandparent –
Grandchild workshop in December, (Children 9 to 14 years of age, please see our
schedule page.)- In the future we will be offering a special "Parent -Teen " Workshop.

Materials:
We supply all materials needed for the workshop at no extra charge unless it is
specifically outlined differently for the particular workshop dates you have chosen.
The Casa has for your use during your stay ; fine drawing, sketching, and
watercolor papers, a variety of quality drawing instruments, pencils, pens, charcoal, etc.
A variety of aqueous media - watercolors, gauche, tempera and acrylics, as well as
a large selection of brushes, from cheap experimental to very expensive- kolinsky or
sumi-e, materials/equipment for set up -tape , glue, scissors, razor knives, tables,
chairs, easels, boards etc.
You are more than welcome and encouraged to bring your own favorite tools and
equipment. If you choose to bring oils to work with ( I would suggest adding some
alkyds to your box, particularly alkyd white - something I have done for many
years now, as it rapidly speeds the drying and therefor ease of transporting your work,
as well as facilitate a variety of techniques), I will supply you with turpentine,
linseed oil and the Mexican equivalent of liguin -an alkyd resin medium. If you
need some suggestions and advice regarding transporting materials and supplies,
drop me a note and I will share my experience with you to help make this a stress free
experience. I will certainly be available to share with you a variety of techniques
and demonstration of their use, from simple methods for setting up and techniques of
"plein air" for working on location, to methods of the old masters, painting "an grassie"
with under-painting , glazing, frotage, scumbling etc.

What does the basic schedule of the Art Workshop Week or Day look like and
How are meals arranged?

Things do change to accommodate the individuals and the unique desires
of each group, but the week unfolds around this schedule.
You arrive at Puerto Vallarta airport on Saturday, (usually in the afternoon) and
are brought to Casa de los Artistas where you check into your room and are given
a simple orientation of the Casa/Boca along with some refreshments and snacks.
Dinner is at (approximately) 6:30 at the "Cafe Primitivo" up on the hill overlooking
the Boca Bay. A simple rustic and exotic ambiance, usually with live entertainment on
Saturday night, where you can order anything from their menu of freshly prepared and
delicious food, (fresh catch of the day, famous coconut shrimp and special vegetarian
preparations) along with drinks, beer, wine, etc.

Breakfasts (8 to 9am) and Lunch (12:00 to 1pm.) are prepared by our wonderful
Mexican Chef, Ruby and her husband Mario, or other assistant.  Ruby and Mario have
there own restaurant not far from here in the mountains of El Tuito. They take great
pride and joy in traditional Mexican cuisine and creating delicious food preparations,
and serving them to people and seeing them eat to their full satisfaction.
These meals are served on the main floorof the Casa in the large dinning/living area
and consists of a variety of healthful anddelicious vegetarian fare.
Always available are, coffee, tea, fresh fruits and juices, cereals, granola, cheese
and milk. These are complimented by such things as pancakes
with maple syrup (I'm from Massachusetts) fresh breads and cheeses as well as
traditional Mexican dishes like chiliquilles, or at lunch quesadias, swiss enchiladas or
chili rellenos. Please let us know if you have any specific dietary restrictions.

From 9am till Noon we will work in the studio. Again depending on the workshop and
the group this activity will vary greatly. It can be working from a live model, exercises
to open the flow of intuitive expression, working on a tropical still life with indigenous
fruits and flowers or a demonstration of a particular method, technique or concept, etc.
I might add here that the importance of having a quality studio space available to you
during a workshop experience is an invaluable asset. Though we do take excursions
from the studio to paint and draw on location, (some only a short walk from the Casa),
one can never predict inclement weather (though rare in the Boca), or the desire to
spread out your materials, hold critiques and discussions, etc., having a studio
(approx. 1500sq feet) to work in, with ample facilities, is an important advantage.

From Noon till 3-pm is lunch and "Siesta", This is your down time, you may want to
sit in the sun, go for a swim in the ocean, relax on your patio with a good book,
go exploring or bird watching ........ or continue your time in the studio.

From 3 till 6pm is more art making, either going out in the field on location (this could
be a short walk from the Casa or a good hike, depending on the group), or more art
in the studio, there is also time taken for looking at and discussing the work of the day.

6pm or so (this is mexican time) is Dinner. There is a choice between returning to
Cafe Primitivo or dining next to the ocean with your feet in the sand at "Ramones".
Again you can order anything from their menu (famous for their fresh catch of the day and traditional Mexican style home cooking, ) along with drinks, beer, wine, etc.
I like to bring you to Ramones on Sunday night so you have been introduced to
both establishments, then the rest of your dinners (except Weds. night) you're free to
choose between the two. Whether you choose to join me and dine as a group or seek a
more private experience is totally up to the individual, I am available for camaraderie
if you desire to share it.

Exceptions and Excursions:

As I mentioned before, nothing is rigid here and part of the "artists way" is spontaneity
and flow in response to that which presents itself. That said, Wednesday night is
Gallery Walk and touring in Vallarta.
This is the one meal that you pay your own way, you can choose to dine as a group
or otherwise, and I can certainly steer you to many a great restaurant of all manner of
cuisine, from inexpensive ($2 to $7) to moderate ($8 to $25.) to five star (with a price
to match). I usually choose the moderate, but this is an opportunity for you to
experience the cosmopolitan side of Mexico.
We head to town together at around 4:30 for an early dinner, if we are not all together
for dinner we have set a meeting spot for 7:00. Then we begin our walking tour of the
Galleries, take in some fine craft shops, and stroll the "Malecon", sort of like a
boardwalk along the ocean, filled with street musicians, artists, tourists, vendors, etc. ....
and try not to get back too late.

We also schedule at least two picnic (lunch) excursions, usually boat trips,
(sea kayaking or hiking are also possibilities) to snorkeling sites, or tropical beaches,
waterfalls, etc. where we will swim, eat and make art. We also like to spend a day at the
nearby MT. town of El Tuito, sketching in the zocalo (town square) and eating lunch
at the fabulous Aguave plantation, hacienda restaurant, Altimira, painting in plein air the
beautiful aquave fields and mountains from our comfortable perch on the patio as we
eat and drink the afternoon away. Again the times and days change depending on
circumstances, the sea conditions, the group, weather, etc.

Thus we go till the end of the week, which is the next Saturday, where we say
good-by around breakfast (unless you have a really early flight), and wrap things up.
Your welcome to extend your stay at the Casa a day or longer for an extra charge,
but this depends on availability and needs to be arranged and confirmed with me
in advance.

If you have any other questions, please email me - bob@maslafineart.com
or give me a call at (413) 625-8382.

All inclusive one week
Art Workshops/Vacation-Retreats
to find out more contact:
Monica and Bob at (413) 625-8382
www.maslafineart.com
email us : bob@maslafineart.com
or contact Karla and Steven at Boca Divers
011 52 322 228 0713 www.bocadivers.com