x2 art holidays and courses

an opportunity to find time for personal creativity

Kenya Art Safari

12-18 February 2023 - $4,485

Two resident artist-tutors, Wendy & Virginia, guide and support, offering their experience and expertise for creatives of all levels. Both are current practising artists who exhibit widely and each has a background in teaching. They are passionate about the use of sketchbooks and encourage experimentation tempered with controlled practice. Informal tutorials in artists’ techniques and approaches feature as an intrinsic component of each day. Non-artist partners will enjoy the best of Kenya's wildlife in its natural surroundings, including six game drives, relax, read, write, walk – and even make a start on their own artistic adventures! Artists of all disciplines are very welcome.

During this safari, Kenya's ever-changing colour and light - and animals - will inspire you. It is a busy holiday with lots to do and see but we have scheduled time to sit and sketch in preparation for painting back home. Bring what materials you wish to use but certainly a sketch book is a must. Here you can sketch, draw, use pen and ink, watercolour or a range of materials of your choosing; Annotate, make colour swatches and plan for work back home. It is up to you.

This is an all-inclusive trip (flights not included) and is open to non-painting partners to enjoy the beauty and thrill of Kenya. We are limiting places to a very small number so please register your interest with us as soon as possible.

Two artists and teachers will guide individuals so everyone can work at their own level and explore their personal response to the beauty and colours of Africa.

Accommodation

Nairobi: Macushla House - a small boutique hotel in an ideal situation in the leafy suburb of Karen. There is a pool and it is walking distance to the Giraffe Centre.

Naivasha: Chui Lodge – it is situated in an 80,000-acre wildlife sanctuary. Chui means leopard and if we are very lucky, we may see one of these elusive, magnificent cats. There is a waterhole on the perimeter so we can watch animals throughout the day.

Laikipia: Ekorian Mugie Camp – a small, tented camp that fuses luxury with sustainability; the tents are very spacious with en-suite bathrooms with flushing loos and hot water. 

The Creative Experience

Absorb the glorious landscape. The ever-changing colour and light - and animals - will inspire you. Bring what materials you wish to use but certainly a sketch book is a must. Here you can sketch, draw, use pen and ink, watercolour or a range of materials of your choosing; Annotate, make colour swatches and plan for work back home. It is up to you.

Each artist can plan their own creative experience with Virginia and Wendy. Both artists and teachers are on hand to explain the day’s schedule and offer tutorials on the creative process. They will suggest ways of approaching subject matter for all ranges of ability.

Game Drives

Up with the dawn, as the sky erupts through a spectrum of colour, or, driving until the sun starts to sink with a similar light show, game drives are a highlight. We will explore in private 4x4s to thrill at an unexpected sighting or spot our favourite animal. The drivers are experienced and have a wealth of knowledge to share.

At Mugie, there are extra activities (included and optional) e.g., time with the anti-poaching dogs, kayaking on the reservoir where elephants frequently come down to drink, camel rides and visiting the orphaned giraffe, Talah, who lives with the rangers.

We will brief the party on safety at all times.

Itinerary

Day 1 (12 Feb 2023): Arrive JKIA, Nairobi International Airport. Transfer to Macushla House, where you will be greeted with a welcome drink before bed. (Most european flights arrive late at night.)

Day2 (13 Feb): After a hearty breakfast, we will visit the Elephant Orphanage. If there is time, we will stop into Matt Bronze for a quick look at their wonderful art before having lunch at a local restaurant and then visit the Giraffe centre. There are options to relax back at Macushla, to plan and discuss art and perhaps have a swim. Dinner at the famous Talisman restaurant with its own art exhibition.

Day 3 (14 Feb): An early morning start to drive through the Rift Valley to Naivasha (approx. 3 hours). We will have a comfort stop at Fired Earth Pottery, where we can purchase a coffee, see the artisans at work, and buy a piece to take with us. We will arrive for lunch at Chui Lodge and then relax (swim in the heated pool, sketch, chat about art) before our first game drive. We will watch the sunset with a sundowner, then return to camp with a night light for spotting the nocturnal animals. Dinner back at camp.

Day 4 (15 Feb): An early morning game drive followed by a hearty breakfast, before heading up through the lush Aberdares to Ekorian Mugie (approx. 3-1/2 hours). We will have a comfort break with coffee at a farm shop cafe in Gilgil. We will arrive for a delicious healthy lunch, then relax/create art, before our evening game drive, with a sundowner.

Day 5 (16 Feb): A morning and evening game drive with time to relax in between with an opportunity to sketch and discuss art. Optional activities will be scheduled.

Day 6 (17 Feb): A morning and evening game drive with time to relax in between with an opportunity to sketch and discuss art. Optional activities will be scheduled.

Day 7 (18 Feb): Our last morning game drive. Private flight back to Nairobi with wonderful views: arid Laikipia, dotted with bomas, the forested Aberdares with waterfalls and the city cheek by jowl with the Nairobi National Park. Relax at the airport hotel, sit on the roof terrace or shower and relax in your own day room before taking the night flight home. *

* If anyone would like to extend their trip, please contact Wendy wendy&virg@x2artholidays.com who can recommend options to see rhino or a stay at the beach

As always, we expect this to be very popular and places are strictly limited.

(We reserve the right to amend the itinerary if necessary)

living 4 art

         Wendy +44 7775752481          Virginia +44 7771631913