What are Artistic Adventures?
Conceived and created by internationally known writer/photo-artist Les Meehan, our ´Artistic Adventures´ are specifically designed to meet the needs of amateur and semi-professional artists from all creative media. Whether you are a traditional media artist or photographer, we have an adventure that will suit you.
Our Adventures cater both for those folk without experience that want to try their hand at different creative activities, and the more experienced practitioners of art and photography that may want to refine their visual awareness and/or practical skills. Whatever your current level of expertise you can be certain there is an Artistic Adventure waiting for you. So come and allow our Artistic Adventures to take you on a magical creative tour and help you improve your own creative endeavours. [back to top]
Who are the Adventures for?
Our Adventures cover a range of activities designed to cater for artists and photographers at all levels of development and experience. Whether you are a complete novice looking to unleash your creative desires or a more experienced practitioner seeking new levels of awareness and advancement we are here to help. Alternatively, you may want more of an 'artistic flurry' rather than one of the structured Adventures: in which case choose one of the less focused adventures that are designed to allow plenty of `own work´ sessions but with expert help close by.
We fully understand that many amateur artists and photographers reach a point where they know their work could be better but often don´t know where to turn to find the next level of advice and assistance they need to progress. We can help you! By designing adventures that explore creativity and practical skills at various levels you will be sure to find an adventure that will both fascinate and delight you, but most importantly will IMPROVE YOUR OWN WORK!. [back to top]
This is a question that requires careful thought on your part. Be honest about your current level of ability and knowledge and then relate this to the various course descriptions given in these pages. For example, do you want to improve your practical skills? If so, choose one of the more practical adventures. On the other hand, you may feel you want to explore in more depth the visual side of your art, in which case choose one of our visual awareness adventures designed to expand your visual thinking.
For the photographers amongst you, you may want to know about the Ansel Adams´ Zone System (for digital and film cameras), in which Les Meehan is an acknowledged expert, or simply want to have a master photographer at your side whilst you enjoy making pictures during visits out. In either case, we have photography adventures to suit your particular needs! [back to top]
Holiday or course?
At Artistic Adventures we distinguish between a holiday adventure and a course adventure.
Our `holiday adventures´ are centred around daily trips to places that offer visual and cultural opportunities to either paint, draw or photograph. You will be accompanied on each trip by a seasoned artist who will assist you with your picture making during the trip. This help will be informal and usually delivered one to one. Thus, a `holiday adventure´ is your chance to explore interesting places and work at your own pace knowing that help is at hand when needed. On a `holiday adventure´ each member of the group will acquire information specific to the problems they encounter during the trips. In this way each person will learn different things, which of course can be shared with other adventurers during friendly chats over dinner!
A `course adventure´ is designed to teach the entire group in a structured, more class based way so that the adventure topic can be explored by the members in a learning environment. These adventures are ideal for those of you that wish to learn a new creative activity or improve your existing skills in a methodical way. A course adventure is reasonably intensive in that you will be expected to work under the guidance of the tutor to gain the most benefit to you and the group. Of course, the adventure will be conducted in a relaxed and fun way with the aim of not only learning new skills but fully enjoying the experience and spending time with other like-minded artists. Needless to say, where appropriate these adventures may also contain trips to places of visual and cultural interest. [back to top]
