We had been travelling in France and Italy for four weeks when we tumbled from the train at Arezzo into the (figurative!) arms of Yves and Monica - our guides and mentors extraordinaire for the next ten days. La Fratta, nestled sweetly in the Tuscan landscape, absorbed, inspired and provided us with a touch and scent of ancient grandeur. We felt the brush of lives long past and explored the lively colours of the present. How could we not be inspired by this land? (J. J. Ottawa, Canada)

Every day we travelled, piling into the van, teasing Piero with our jokes. Montepulciano, Cortona, Assissi, Pienza, Firenze and more - painting, laughing, learning, struggling with our brushes, paints and fears. “LET GO!” cried Yves. “MORE PAINT!” said he! “Forget the ‘pretty picture’ – paint with your HEART!” and “Paint your own stories, and be honest!”  urged our instructor as he pushed us further on our journey. We struggled, we groaned, we despaired, we triumphed! (S.P. Adelaide, Australia)

You both have given us the most wonderful, eventful and meaningful adventure and taste of Tuscany.  My experience was one that I shall never forget…I learned about Tuscany, its lifestyle, languages, food, wine, the lay of the land…oh yes and painting! I spoke to some returning tourists who had been on a bus tour through Italy and they were the grumpiest bunch. They could barely keep up with the tour guide and were forced into a military style routine. I am glad I selected this kind of experience that allowed me to be part of a smaller group of like-minded folks and get to paint as well. It was the perfect balance for me. (P. F. New Mexico, USA)

Thank you my great instructor! You did a great job Yves covering the diversity of the group. Your extremely great attitude…You acted as chauffeur, critique, teacher, facilitator, host, slide presenter… I could go on… Betty and I thank you again for such marvelous learning experience. We can also say what a tremendously good time with the congeniality of you two and the others as well. (G.D. West Vancouver Canada)

It was as if I were staying with family. Many, many thanks! (C.P. New York, USA)

How wonderful my time was with you in Italy during our painting workshop! You made it a paint holiday! See you here in fifteen years! (M.P. Ottawa, Canada)

"I was getting a little stagnant in my artwork and although I knew I needed to do something different, a different medium, go in a different direction, SOMETHING??...... I was having a difficult time trying to know exactly what was needed. After viewing the THOUSANDS of pieces of artwork both old and new, I have received a much needed dose of enthusiasm and direction. I believe this trip will have a tremendous impact on my work". (C. B-P, Canada)

Words cannot express what I feel about the two of you and the world you helped open up to me. This was one of the most exciting, exhilarating adventures in my life. You made it all the better with your awesome knowledge, caring and humor"  (P.R., MN, USA )

"Yves is a teacher who knows how to get the potential of his students. He makes us dive in the depth of who we are" (Le Droit, Feb. 26, 1999)

Mantengo un vivo recuerdo de mi participación en el grupo de la Georgian Bay así como del viaje a Toronto para ver la exposición de la Fundación Barnes. Ambas ocasiones han sido muy enriquecedoras. Espero reanudar estas experiencias descubriendo rincones y paisajes europeos en compañía de un grupo de pintores canadienses. Quisiera con estas líneas subrayar la dedicación y el esfuerzo con que realizas tu labor. (R.B. Madrid, Spain)

I just want to tell you how enjoyable you made my trip to France and Italy. This is a trip that I will never forget - not for all the art history I learned, but for the enjoyable companionship of lovely new friends. (A. K. TX, USA)

«Thank you for a great trip! I had wanted to go to Europe for so long that I thought this trip would be anticlimactic. I was wrong. Everything was more than I had expected...»  J.B. (Syracuse NY, USA)

"Just a note to thank you for a fantastic trip. We both enjoyed it immensely. Your knowledge of the art and cultures of France and Italy (not to mention the transportation systems, language, etc...) added tremendously to the success of the trip. We learned about places and things we could never have found out for ourselves. On our own we would have been wandering aimlessly, missing many of the highlights" (L.S. Portland OR, USA)

"Thank you for being so inspirational, so enthusiastic, so energetic, so passionate, so understanding, etc., etc., etc. I say this with the greatest affection; you would make a wonderful Jesuit. Thanks again! You were good for me and my family." (M.S. Manotic, ON)

"First of all, I regret not having written earlier to thank you for the wonderful Art Trip. It was just fantastic!!! and will be remembered forever as a lot of fun. It was just mind boggling all the art treasures and cathedrals; famous paintings and museums - it is really hard to believe we saw so many things in a reasonably short period of time." (I.A. Riverview NB)

"We loved your trip which was splendidly organized. You were never the guide or director but always the knowledgeable host whose gift of hospitality was boundless. Thank you again for all you kindness and your skill in bringing a group together as happy friends." (R. & D. W. Ottawa, ON)

“I often found myself mired in that chaotic state that comes when you throw all your normal, comfortable practices up in the air and then try to find a place to function within that chaos. I know it is good for me! I did find it challenging and, at times, quite frustrating. I was fascinated to observe the difficulty with which I struggled to pull together the ideas and instructions that were flooding me. The more I tried to 'let go', the worse it felt! My desire to be seen to let go meant that I actually let go less rather than more! My learning curve was on overdrive”! (S.P. Adelaide, Australia)