Tania is a genius at what she does. She is very
professional and a delight to wake up every morning to study and learn
with. Florence is a magical city and I cannot imagine studying Art in a
more wonderful place.
Elizabeth Marvin, Denver, Colorado
Tania is a consummate professional dedicated to making
sure her students "get it right". A thoroughly enriching experience.
Ellen Holland, Washington, D.C.
Tania Vartan's class was truly a once-in-a-lifetime
experience. Being in the cradle of the Renaissance gave me the chance
to see wonderful art in historic villas and buildings that , as an
artist, was a total inspiration to me. I never would have traveled to
these places on a regular vacation.
Tania's painting and teaching skills are exceptional and gave me the
confidence to start my own decorative painting business.
I never could have done it otherwise.
Rachel Oliver, Birmingham, AL
Spending four weeks in Florence and
taking Tania's course was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot
of new skills, saw beautiful artwork, studied art history and made
some very good friends. Since taking Tania's course, my confidence
has increased. I am now able to create, plan, and implement
beautiful custom designs and now I do work I would have never
attempted before Tania's class.
Best Regards,
Tracey C. Kiernan, Redbank, New Jersey
Anyone who has seen Tania
Vartan's trompe l'oeil's (check out those in the
Smithsonian!!!!) will realize that they needn't look any further
to find a teacher of all the basic techniques of mural
painting and the decorative arts. Her artistic capacity and
charismatic personality make her an ideal instructor for anyone
eager to learn skills like marbelizing, wall glazing,
stenciling, wood graining and gold leafing. Don't miss this
chance to improve your artistic repertoire.
Sari
Gilbert, Rome, Italy
I loved my class at Spannoccia with Tania. I found it
most gratifying
on every level which you mentioned. I am not a professional decorative
painter.
I am self-taught and experimental and only work on my own personal
projects. I learned many basic concepts and techniques which will cut
down on the trial and error aspects of my work and open the door to
much unrealized potential areas of endeavor. There were all levels of
experience among the participants - but no one who knew absolutely
nothing. As for realism being covered - isn't trompe l'oeil the
ultimate realism? So, my answer would be yes. And as to frame worthy
- while I think that is rather subjective - I have one of mine framed
and hung and another one which is one the way. The frame has been chosen.
The field trips are wonderfully guided by Tania and add another level
of awareness and appreciation for art, architecture and painting in
general and Tuscany, in particular. Tania is extremely knowledgeable,
full of information and has a very crisp and witty style. She
provides both historical context and amusing quirky anecdotal
details which makes for a very lively experience.
The weather in Tuscany is legendarily beautiful and it did not disappoint.
The place is loaded with charm and grace. The food is fantastic - the
rooms are comfortable in a rustic authentic unfussy way. The ambience
at Spanocchia and the gloriousness of the surrounding Tuscan
countryside make the whole thing a magical experience.
In fact, I am just back from a week in Tuscany and I re-visited
Spannocchia and my memory of it was not exaggerated. In short, I
loved it and felt that it was worth every penny. Go for it.
Belle McIntyre, New York City
