Colours of Tuscany
Paint & Play with Artist Kato Wake
Before children write, they paint. Art is the basis of human expression. Indulge your senses, celebrate colour, and express the beauty of the Tuscan landscape in a style that feels right for you – abstractly or realistically. Connect with your inner child – with painting exercises, allowing time to experiment, and explore playful visual possibilities.
Art fundamentals – line, shape, color, value, and texture – will be the cornerstones to guide your compositions.
Surrounded by the golden light of Tuscany, the landscape itself becomes both muse and medicine—fueling your creativity with every hill, vine, and stone.
October 5-11, 2025 | Tuscany, Italy
Kato Wake
Kato is passionate about helping students discover their creative path and has inspired hundreds of adults to paint with joy and gusto. Besides being an award winning painter, Kato is a natural teacher and makes learning FUN. Her compassionate guidance, sense of humour, and positive attitude elevates everyone's confidence.
As a former graphic designer, Kato understands composition and what makes a painting work, and paints in both realistic and abstract styles. She loves teaching colour and providing ideas to experiment and in 2021 launched an online painting course Get Creative with Kato!, based on play, personal expression and understanding art fundamentals.
When not painting, she composes piano music and leads wine, food, and culture tours in Europe with her life partner Billy Munnelly. Kato moved from Canada to Tavira, Portugal in late 2021 and loves her life!
“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
-Picasso
Inspire your creative path surrounded by beauty.
For more established painters: bolder brush work, mark making tools, working in a series, limited palettes, colour mixing and colour theory, problem solving, and inspirational ideas.
For those new to painting: art fundamentals and composition, how to start a painting, acrylic paint 101, using mixed media, mixing paint, and colour theory. Let's luxuriate!
The goals of this retreat:
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To encourage and inspire your creative path
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To increase your confidence as an artist, regardless of your skill level
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To provide constructive one-to-one feedback
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To offer you a holiday to remember – full of sensual pleasures and joy!
We will use acrylic paint or watercolours along with mixed media. (More info about materials upon signing up.) All skill levels are welcome.
Indulge Your Senses | Celebrate Color
“An Amazing Week! Being inspired by you has been a life changing experience of which I’ll forever be grateful.”
“Your patience, advice and caring personality was above and beyond what I expected.”
“The best experience ever! A perfect combination of learning and playing!
"I am happy and grateful to reconnect with my playful spirit and joyfully remove my overthinking cap!"
"Kato inspired creativity and reminded me that there are no barriers. It doesn’t have to be difficult. Kato encouraged me to get started and try out different things!"
"Kato's Art Instruction is packed with information. Everything from the most important, and less extravagant supplies, to inspiration for painting and freedom of expression. I have been inspired to go further with my artistic endeavours and try different techniques."- Wendy
Nestled in Tuscany’s Chianti region, Fattoria Del Colle sets the stage for our unforgettable retreats in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Home to Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s trailblazing, all-female-owned winery, this estate—with a winemaking legacy dating back to the 16th century—combines history, passion, and tradition in every corner.
Our retreats invite you to connect with the land and yourself. Stroll through sun-drenched vineyards, savor award-winning wines paired with exquisite meals at the renowned Osteria di Donatella, and immerse yourself in the beauty of a 16th-century villa and charming chapel. Enjoy breathtaking views of rolling vineyards and the medieval village of Trequanda—an unforgettable backdrop for every moment of your retreat.
Included in your Bella Vita retreat:
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Group transfer to and from the Rome airport
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6 nights lodging at Fattoria del Colle
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Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner
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Daily classes with your retreat leader
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Wine tasting, winery tour & and ancient chapel,
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Pici pasta making class
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Excursion to Pienza - UNESCO heritage village
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Restorative yoga & guided hikes
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State of the art classroom studio
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Daily concierge and office staff
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On-site laundry
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Massage-available at your own cost
**Airfare not included
Come enjoy 6 nights in wild Tuscany!
Please note:
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There are only 4 Completely Private Apartments available!
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Airfare is not included.
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Since our retreats explore local food traditions, much of what we are discovering, learning and eating will be very challenging for vegans. Unfortunately we cannot provide substitutes.
