I have often wondered, and I’m sure that you have too, what the Pisan tourist trade would have been like if its cathedral bell tower had not begun leaning from the early years of its construction in the 12th century and continued to do so ever since. The 56-metre-high tower, after stabilisation efforts at the […]
As the sun sets on the last of this year’s creative courses, we are looking forward to the sunrise of our next season
We have just finished a fun-filled Italian language week with Giulia Balestri, the last of our 2023 creative courses.This year, more than 260 people have enjoyed our painting, knitting, creative writing and Italian language courses (263, to be precise). So, as well as saying a big thank you to our guests, we would also like […]
Artemisia and women tutors at the Watermill
Whatever you think of the paintings of Artemisia Gentileschi (and Lois will tell you that I’m underwhelmed), she is undoubtedly a feminist icon, celebrated for her struggles, professional and personal, in a world dominated by men. So, it is of both artistic and sociological significance when a new picture by Artemisia is discovered. And that’s […]
And so farewell…
… to Grahame Booth, our genial and generous tutor and his enthusiastic and energetic group of painters. This which will be included three charming French people, and painters (and their non-painting partners) from the UK, the USA and Canada. As usual, Gina Shearston captures the atmosphere of their farewell show the video above. Judging by […]
Two great reviews for Tim Wilmot’s Watermill painting course last week. We seem to be doing something right!
We have just had another two great reviews for a Watermill creative week, this time for Tim Wilmot’s painting course last week. First, from Sheena Simons, from Toronto, Canada, who came with her husband Martin, a non-painting partner. Sheena writes: “From the moment we arrived to the last minute of our vacation at the Watermill […]
And so farewell…
…to Tim Wilmot and an enthusiastic group of prolific painters from the UK, USA, Canada, Sweden and India. Thank you all for helping us to create another unforgettable Watermill week. Above is a short video the group’s farewell show, by Gina Shearston. Why not join us and make your own unforgettable Watermill memories? And why […]
The October Watermill newsletter is just out, celebrating convial creativity
Ready for the off
Is correcting someone’s Italian pronunciation just showing off?
I’m a member of Quora Digest (https://www.quora.com), an online platform where you can ask and answer questions about various topics, from politics and business to science and history, so I was fascinated by a recent question (and one specific answer). The question was: “Why are Italians so picky about miss-pronunciation of Italian foods (bruschetta, bolognese […]
A warm Watermill welcome to Tim Wilmot and his very diverse group of painters
I don’t think we have had so diverse a group as our guests this week on Tim Wilmot’s painting course. There are people from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India and Sweden. A great group united by a common love of painting. We are already enjoying convivial and creative conversations! Wherever in the […]
A little evening music…
You can expect the unexpected almost every day during a Watermill creative course. Whether it is freshly made hors d’oeuvres from one of our cooks (like Parmesan lollipops or puff pastry anchovy twists) to tempt your palette at aperitivi time, young Harry Giannotti playing the Spanish guitar beneath the rose pergola, a surprise saxophone flashmob to amuse, amaze and […]