Join artists Debbie Mackinnon and Mike Staniford for an 8-day/7-night painting adventure on remote Bruny Island off the southeast coast of Tasmania

AN 8-DAY ART EXPEDITION ON REMOTE BRUNY ISLAND (APRIL 13 - 20, 2027)

Bruny Island is famous for its rugged natural beauty, local gourmet food, and rich wildlife. Located off the southern coast of Tasmania and reached via a short ferry from Kettering. This living canvas, where raw southern light sculpts moody seas and weather-worn sandstone cliffs, ancient, twisted eucalypts grip wind-battered headlands and a heavy, pearlescent haze rolling off the D’Entrecasteaux Channel creates a profound, quiet isolation.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS| DEBBIE MACKINNON

Debbie Mackinnon is a contemporary artist based in Sydney and the Central Coast of NSW. Her drawings and painting explore landscape, looking at that fine line between abstraction and realism. Debbie trained as an illustrator and followed a profession as an art director for London publishers Dorling Kindersley and Frances Lincoln and then as an author/designer of a series of award-winning children’s books. Moving to Australia 30 years ago, she was inspired by the light, texture and colour of our rugged coastlines to take up her easel and paints once more.

ARTIST MIKE STANIFORD

Mike Staniford is a contemporary Australian artist, inspired by the bold colours of nature and the celebration of its shapes and forms. Mike’s paintings are intuitive and gestural and seek to reinterpret the landscape, distil down its complexity and eliminate the unnecessary. “All of my paintings start with drawings made on location, sometimes quick intuitive sketches, others longer, more observed studies. Whilst I may start by making quite figurative drawings, I’m looking for that dialogue with the landscape, refiguring the geographical elements and shifting the compositional structure.”

LANDSCAPE PAINTING WORKSHOP
Under the guidance of Debbie & Mike, you will be painting and drawing directly from nature. We will be exploring different locations every day on the island, as well as spending time in a studio space. During the workshop, Debbie & Mike will show you how to capture the beauty of nature, while exposing you to a variety of ideas and approaches, with a mix of teaching, demonstrations and one-on-one mentoring. They can help and inspire participants at all levels of experience and encourage returning guests to push their craft further. Partners are welcome to join us.

KEY ATTRACTIONS OF BRUNY ISLAND

Bruny Island is a scenic coastal destination off southeastern Tasmania, known for The Neck, Cape Bruny Lighthouse, and local artisanal food. The Neck is a narrow sandy isthmus connecting North and South Bruny, featuring a boardwalk lookout and a little penguin colony. Cape Bruny Lighthouse is a historic 1836 with sweeping ocean views. South Bruny NP has rugged coastal walking tracks, dramatic sea cliffs and secluded beaches. It is famous for its delicious fresh oysters, local cheese, honey and craft beer.

OUR ACCOMMODATION ON BRUNY ISLAND
Our accommodation is in all new, architecturally designed, individual Lodges at Alonnah Beach on South Bruny Island, overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. We have 8 queen and 5 king lodges (perfect for couples or twin share) and all with private decks. The rooms are fitted with a wonderfully designed day bed in a bay window for you to capture the true beauty of the view and some of the best sunsets you will experience! Breakfast will be delivered to your room daily. The lodges sit on a hill directly behind the famous Hotel Bruny, where we will be dining in the evenings.

NOTE:

Participants on ART Travel Adventures workshops should bring a spirit of flexibility and adventure. Itineraries can be subject to change due to weather and unforeseen circumstances. Participants will be involved in art making every day. If you have mobility issues please contact me to discuss before booking. There will be some walking and you need to carry your art materials.

Art Travel Adventures Pty Ltd

Phone: +61 (0) 417 033233
info@arttraveladventures.com.au