Arthur Meyerson Photography:

Arthur has been to the hacienda numerous times, with more workshops planned with us in the future.

His Alumni Symposiums have drawn some very talented people to the hacienda.

Meyerson travels extensively throughout the world photographing for corporate, advertising and editorial assignments. He is included in “The World's Top Ten Annual Report Photographers" listing by Communication World and has been named Adweek's “Southwest Photographer of the Year” on 3 separate occasions. American Photo Magazine named him as one of the top photographers in advertising.

Recently, Meyerson was named by Nikon to their list of 'Legends Behind the Lens".

Krystyna Robbins

Krystyna’s work mirrors her rich and diversified life experiences. She began oil painting in Carmel, CA studying with noted portrait artist Jessy Corseau and Harriet Mayland, California seascape artist. After moving to the Southwest, her passion turned to capturing the charm of historical structures bathed in southwestern light as well as depicting the European scenes she knows so well. Her work is recognized for its composition and her use of color, depth and light to create moods. She prefers to work in oil for its flexibility and richness.
Artwork Below:

A Gathering of Creative Women in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Joyce Tenneson & Elise Wiarda

We have been honored several years in a row to host this amazing women’s retreat with Joyce and Elise. These week-long retreats drew women from all creative backgrounds to gather for spiritual renewal, to connect with their physical well-being, and to celebrate their lives as artists. The retreats focused on three major components: spiritual, physical, and creative. Elise guided daily meditations, stretching, and yoga, and leads sessions on body awareness, balance, breathing, and relaxation. Joyce brought her knowledge and love of art history, photography, writing, and publishing to these sessions. In daily discussions they examined issues of interest to creative women, including developing a career, finding or rediscovering one’s creative voice, and forging a personal style. They also looked at business practices, marketing, exhibiting,and publishing.
Their workshop coincided with  Day of the Dead religious observations in Mexico. In addition to joining the colorful local festivities during the week, participants built their own altars to offer personal remembrances and celebrations.We were told later by many participants that the retreats were life-changing.

Joyce Tenneson is among the leading photographers of her generation and was ranked by American Photo readers as one of the 10 most influential women in the history of photography. Joyce is the author of 12 books, including the best-selling Wise Women, which was featured in a six-part Today Show series. A sensitive and gifted instructor, she has helped facilitate the growth of many photographers over the years.

Elise Wiarda has more than 20 years of experience in the healing arts. A graduate of the Shalen Institute for Spiritual Formation, she is a certified body therapist in the Rosen Method and also trained in Reiki and massage.

Traveling Watercolor Workshops

with Jonelle Johnson

Their Traveling Watercolor Workshops are like no others!  Tailored to the unique personality of each group, our two-week tours are arranged to maximize time for instruction and on-location plein air painting. These trips are best suited to independent travelers who want to indulge their creativity. Our frequent group discussions, chats among guests, and sharing of work each day, provide a delightful dimension to travel.

Journals are another unique aspect of our workshops. In addition to painting on scheduled excursions, journaling is encouraged and significant time is spent suggesting different formats and subjects. Keeping journals filled with drawings, paintings, writing and other memorabilia has been a favorite activity of past clients.

Beginners and professionals alike will find our workshops enlightening. Professional artist/teacher Jonelle Johnson instructs the carefully designed progression of sessions that deal with issues specific to watercolor, such as value, pigment application techniques and brushwork, as well as information and ideas about color and composition. Jonelle recognizes the need to develop personal expression and goals, and is considerate of individual levels of proficiency.

A typical day begins with a workshop, either at home or on location, which provides a focus for day's painting. The workshop corresponds to the atmospheric conditions encountered that day. Often we'll enjoy a gourmet picnic and then go on to explore a hilltown or other intriguing cultural or historic site. We gather at the end of the day with an aperitif while we discuss and share our work. You'll be truly amazed at the great advances you make and at the volume of exciting work you produce!

Jonelle Johnson is a painter and printmaker whose work has been widely exhibited on the west coast. She is represented by Davidson Galleries in Seattle, and Fresh Paint in Los Angeles. She uses the landscape as a springboard for lively, loose representations; her work expresses an appreciation for the fluidity and sparkle that watercolor offers.

Jonelle has a Master of Fine Arts degree and more than 25 years of successful teaching experience. She teaches by making sure that initially the student understands the nature of the transparent medium of watercolor.

Familiarity with the different pigment types gives the painter a basis on which to choose and mix color. We discuss the tools of creative process: composition, value, color and application techniques. Concentrating on brushwork, Jonelle teaches techniques that encourage artists to apply paint loosely and break habits that result in overworking, niggling details, and losing the beautiful luminosity that this medium can produce. Most importantly, she believes in expanding this foundation with the artist's own sensibilities.

Design and Composition Painter's workshop

With Margot Schulzky

Author of 'A Painter’s Guide to Design and Composition' Margot Schulzke, PSA, PSWC-DP; DPS, KA is a highly regarded and much sought-after teacher. Her approach is individualized, good-humored and supportive. Encouraging workshop participants to think and work independently, she emphasizes the “whys,” not just the “hows.” She keeps workshop sizes relatively small to allow as much one-on-one as possible with each student,
encouraging them to identify and develop their own intuitive, natural style.
She has taught painting for some forty years and holds a BA degree in art education. This solid foundation, coupled with her long experience in art instruction, is evident in her highly effective teaching methods.

Painters love the hacienda. It is easy to find subject matter, and sometimes difficult to decide which to tackle first! Not all our painters come in workshops. Some are on vacation with family or friends, or come with other painters for the week... Below, Peter Barnett was kind enough to gift some of his paintings to the staff and villagers.

Fred Blum below, who was kind enough to send his photos to the hacienda to be distributed
to the people of the village:

Raul Touzon brought his fabulous National Geographic workshop to the hacienda.
Here are some of his amazing photos below:

Pack your supplies , brush off that cabin fever and head down to the central mountains of Mexico! The air really is different down here! The light is amazing! Located within half an hour to the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel, and just 40 minutes to Guanajuato, our location allows different daily perspectives in your quest for authentic reference material. There is a reason why San Miguel de Allende is a wonderful artists’ colony, and home to the renowned  renowned art institute, the Instituto Allende.

The local people will enthrall you, the high plateau enchant you, and the Spanish Colonial architecture will delight you.

We are a wonderful location for workshops of any kind. The hacienda is a magical place, and creativity springs from those who visit. There is so much to paint, photograph, and observe, only our fabulous cooks can tear you away from your work (Well, admittedly, the massage therapists and horses also do their part...)

           From plein air painting and digital photography to Yoga and authentic Mexican cooking classes, we have hosted many different workshops. We can help with planning and implementing all phases of the workshop, from  arranging transportation to bringing in local people of many types to model. Although honestly there are so many everyday photo and painting opportunities that it normally isn’t necessary. Let us know what you need and we will make it happen.
Enjoy browsing a few of the workshops we have had the pleasure of hosting recently.

Paul Luehrmann studied with Arthur at the hacienda and took the photos below:

Anne Henning - Participant of Arthur Meyer Symposium (photos left and below). “There is a mystery about the hacienda that hovers and ciculates. It’s beautifully restored, but it’s patina, it’s aura, is still there. Although we were in one place, one location, I felt I Traveled.”

A Mexican Adventure
Joye Moon

A life long artist, Joye maintains her studio in Wisconsin and teaches watercolor workshops throughout the US and internationally. She has won numerous awards in Regional, National and International juried exhibitions.
Artwork Below:

Eddie Soloway-

Eddie has been to the hacienda twice leading workshops. He loved it so much the first time he returned with another group. He requested a tour of the village, and the following photos by Ita Gelada document a day in the life of Trancas...

Some of his wonderful Students’ work below: