Oh Sandi. This was just lovely. I appreciate so much you and Grady sharing this with us. Who knew, five years ago, when you started this UA-cam adventure that you would be teaching across the globe. So fun to see your journey as an artist unfold.
Sandi, your art work is so inspiring!! I love all your paintings, especially the ones you did on your roof top of the Airbnb. I love the "I see the sea" one 😍Praising God for the gift He has given you and praying your art work ministry will keep growing for His glory!! 😀
Oh Sandi, that was absolutely lovely, and worth the wait. Thank you for taking us (youtube viewers) along with you. The paintings are marvellous. So glad you got over the illnesses too!
Ciao Sandi!😀 I am an Italian artist and I follow your channel with great interest!❤️ I love your paintings and all that beautiful color that seems to come to life in your works!🎨🖌️❤️ I'm happy you came to Italy!! Sicily is beautiful and I'm happy that you were able to create beautiful works while looking at the wonderful panorama of Sicily! Italy is gorgeous and has amazing views! I can't wait to see the second part!! You are truly a very talented artist and you have created beautiful works!🎨🖌️ I congratulate you!❤️ A big greeting from Italy to you and your husband! Ciao Sandi! 😄🇮🇹👋😘
Such a treat to see you in action Sandi, and the beautiful countryside - wow - Grady your photos and filming is awe inspiring as well. I know I will revisit this video often. Congratulations for a wonderful retreat and thank you for sharing it with us.
Such a stunning landscape and your paintings are so beautiful Sandi🧡 The studio space is lovely and Grady’s camerawork is fab! So pleased it went well and thank you for sharing, I cannot wait for the next instalment🙏🏼
of all the funnest travelogs, this takes the cake!! never thunk ii'd be envious of grady, but ii am... the light there & colors felt like coming home... bravo!!
The place looks perfect and breathtaking beautiful for an art retreat!! It looks like you all painted a lot and had so much fun doing it. I can't wait to see part 2 ♡
Oh Sandi, all of the painting/sketches you just showed are amazing❤!!! What a wonderful place you have chosen for the trip! Everyone looked so happy❤ aww…can’t wait for the next video!
Hi Sandii, so happy you are back with your beautiful paintings that captured the exquisite Italian landscapes. The filming was well done, Bravo Grady and I am looking forward to seeing your next installment!!
I’m participating in 2024 Sketchbook Revival and today the artist, Andrea Garvey, mentioned you! She was explaining which sketchbook brands she enjoys. She mentioned a couple of them saying, “ if you know Sandi Hester, she uses this one”. Thought you would enjoy the “shout out”.
Thanks for sharing all this, Sandi!! I LOVE all the fabulous color mixes you created here (I will be trying to do the same...). And thanks to Grady for capturing it all!!! Best wishes to both of you!
Thank you for sharing this, Sandi! Beautiful landscapes, and it's so fun to see some behind the scenes. I can't wait for the next one ❤, a real treat as always 🖌
Oh, I have been waiting with great anticipation for this video 😊 Absolutely beautiful paintings! The scenery is gorgeous! I'm sure it looks even better in person. How fun! I can't wait for the next video!
Thank you for sharing this experience with us and for your generosity in making videos available at no cost to veiwers. You bring me so much joy which really hekps theough difficult times. Sorry to hear about the sickness, so glad it didn't ruin the trip 😊 Gorgeous inspiring, warm paintings x
My first look through your video and what a treat! I will go through it again more slowly. You and Grady looked like you were having a great time! The landscape is so much like where we have lived in northern California many years!
Your paintings are so incredible! Wow. The retreat looks just amazing. I can’t believe how beautiful the views are. Thank you for sharing this with us, I can’t wait to see the next one!
So much inspiration! I loved seeing how you translated all those wonderful colors and patterns in your art, stunning 🤩 I can imagine that leading a retreat is an awesome adventure but not without its challenges, especially with medical issues; so kudos to you!
Oh heaven. I so wanted to get off that waitlist and into the trip! Very curious how your supplies worked out. Thank you for all the inspiration you serve up just being you🙏🏼
Looks like you all had a wonderful time❤ Such a beautiful place to stay! The scenery is stunning! What lovely paintings from you and the “Grady Bunch” Lol. It all looks amazing 😊 Looking forward to two weeks!
This video makes me so happy. Ive always wanted to go to italy. Im glad grady did such a good job filming yall. What beautiful works of art. I cannot wait for part two!
What a great video. I must say I really liked the music you chose for this video. The piano was exquisite. I also loved the titles you gave your lovely paintings.
Looks like an absolutely wonderful experience, Sandi!! Except for the heat.🥵 I live in the tropics, so when I think of a retreat, I think of cold weather!😅😅 I don't know why you would be surprised that the attendees wanted to watch you paint.🤔 As an artist, I can say that for me, It's all about the process!!! Love what you created on this amazing adventure! ❤🌺🙋♀️
I’ve been checking all morning for this! What an amazing retreat you had, can’t wait to see the next part. Thanks again for sharing this with us all. Also hope for some new classes online and…..please….please….consider another retreat….even Tennessee would be amazing!…
Thanks for giving us such a wonderful experience in Sicily. Friends and family will be so interested in seeing this video. Now that I'm home, I promise to try my acrylic paints again.
@@bluewren65 Maybe it was being in such a beautiful place, but I learned a new way of looking at landscapes and finding a story in them. I was surprised by how much more productive I was without Internet and UA-cam to distract me.
Thank you for bringing us long to Sicily. I’ve been to Naples and Rome area but not there yet. Since I’m 1/2 Sicilian and 1/2 Napolitano, I should get there. It was a wonderful video guys. ❤❤
What an amazing experience this had to be! The views are just breathtaking. I wish I could have been a participant in this event. ☺️ Thanks for sharing. ❤ Can’t wait til the next video is released. 🎉
This brought happy tears to my eyes! I’ve done Italy and know the beauty. I so want to go on your next one!thanks for sharing…part 2 yeahhh. I tried to go back to the blog listing of the retreat but couldn’t find the cost of the retreat only excluding extras of course. I want to start budgeting now as I live in Panama 🇵🇦
The trip looks amazing! Although, I have to say, and please, nobody take it the wrong way, but North Americans insisting on taking vacations to Mediterranean Europe in mid to late summer is crazy! It gets waaay too hot! Trust me, I'm from nearby the area, it is waaay nicer in May to early June and late September to October.
true … I live in Europe and I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere in southern Europe in the summer months. I’d love to attend one of these retreats, but only when the summer heat is gone.
thanks !Also for mentioniong that is was not al that glamorous.. That is the real part isnt it.. But afterall it is amazing and i am jealous for all the colours i see !!!
Sandi, Sandi, Sandi! So beautiful! I could almost eat that landscape, artifacts and building with a spoon! Bless Grady for being a champion with the group and filming. Were all the participants from the US or further abroad? Cannot wait for the next vid x
Fabulous video and clearly a fabulous time was had by all! I’m curious how you got your liquid acrylics through security at the airport. Were there any issues? Did you pack them in carry-on or in checked luggage? Were there any issues? Any heart-in throat moments?
I shared some of that in the packing video and in my Memories of the Landscape class I share all about packing/traveling with paint if you’d like to check that out
It must have been so much fun to be on this retreat. Wonderfully filmed and so interesting but I found it really agitating and distracting to have music going behind your narration. That's what I normally love about your videos, when you speak, there is no distraction and I can just engage fully with your wonderful words. For this one I had to mute and try to watch the video and read subtitles.
Bummer - I hate it was distracting. I usually feel like that about others videos with music too but I was trying to spice it up. Good feedback! Thank you!
@@sandihester i think the price is fantastic for all that comes with it sadly its just i cant afford been trying to look for art retreats even in the uk x
Great filming Grady! 🎥 The retreat looked absolutely amazing Sandi, can’t wait to see part 2 🤗😀
Thanks so much! 😊
Oh Sandi. This was just lovely. I appreciate so much you and Grady sharing this with us. Who knew, five years ago, when you started this UA-cam adventure that you would be teaching across the globe. So fun to see your journey as an artist unfold.
I know - crazy isn’t it?!?!?
Sandi, your art work is so inspiring!! I love all your paintings, especially the ones you did on your roof top of the Airbnb. I love the "I see the sea" one 😍Praising God for the gift He has given you and praying your art work ministry will keep growing for His glory!! 😀
Ohhh friend thank you! Thanks for watching too ❤️🤗
Oh Sandi, that was absolutely lovely, and worth the wait. Thank you for taking us (youtube viewers) along with you. The paintings are marvellous. So glad you got over the illnesses too!
I’m so glad I got to share it ❤️
Ciao Sandi!😀 I am an Italian artist and I follow your channel with great interest!❤️ I love your paintings and all that beautiful color that seems to come to life in your works!🎨🖌️❤️ I'm happy you came to Italy!! Sicily is beautiful and I'm happy that you were able to create beautiful works while looking at the wonderful panorama of Sicily! Italy is gorgeous and has amazing views! I can't wait to see the second part!! You are truly a very talented artist and you have created beautiful works!🎨🖌️ I congratulate you!❤️ A big greeting from Italy to you and your husband! Ciao Sandi! 😄🇮🇹👋😘
Thank you sooo much! We loved being there!!!!
Sandi so much fun to relive this amazing retreat. All of us had a great time with you and Grady❤️
It was fun putting that together and remembering all the fun we had!! Feels like a million years ago bow though
Such a treat to see you in action Sandi, and the beautiful countryside - wow - Grady your photos and filming is awe inspiring as well. I know I will revisit this video often. Congratulations for a wonderful retreat and thank you for sharing it with us.
What a fabulous retreat! I'm sorry you had gastric difficulties. I could watch the videos of your trip all day. Looking forward to part 2.
Can’t wait to share part 2!
Such a stunning landscape and your paintings are so beautiful Sandi🧡 The studio space is lovely and Grady’s camerawork is fab! So pleased it went well and thank you for sharing, I cannot wait for the next instalment🙏🏼
Thank you so much!
Such a beautiful spot. Looks like such fun. Thanks for the beautiful video 🙏❤️😍🇨🇦
Our pleasure!
How interesting that you, not particularly a purple person, seem to have found your purples in Italy. 💜Love it!
Right?!
OMG Sandi Fabulous colors in your paintings, your whole trip looked like a wonderful time for all. Looking forward to part two.
Thank you so much!😊
Fun, fun, fun! Thanks for sharing this so those of us who couldn’t attend could experience just a bit of the fun.😀
Glad to share!
Ohhhh my goodness what a lovely treat watching this retreat video thanks to Sandi for taking is along 😊 💖 Awsome camera man too 😀 😊
Yes to the camera man!
@sandihester he's soooooo sweet and supportive and genuinely interested which is awsome 😊
Absolutely amazing! I can tell how special this whole experience was for everyone. I would love to go!
of all the funnest travelogs, this takes the cake!! never thunk ii'd be envious of grady, but ii am... the light there & colors felt like coming home... bravo!!
Sooooo glad you enjoyed it!!!
The place looks perfect and breathtaking beautiful for an art retreat!! It looks like you all painted a lot and had so much fun doing it. I can't wait to see part 2 ♡
Thank you so much!
Totally awesome!
Thanks!
Beautiful paintings Sandi. The scenery is very pretty. There’s a lot of rough weather here in the states. Hope everyone on here is safe.
it must've been so lovely to paint in nature like this! 🥰
Oh Sandi, all of the painting/sketches you just showed are amazing❤!!! What a wonderful place you have chosen for the trip!
Everyone looked so happy❤ aww…can’t wait for the next video!
Thank you so much!
omg i love this sandi!! the light, the colours.. the sky! so gorgeous. love all your artwork that came out of this trip. im inspired
So glad it was inspiring
Hi Sandii, so happy you are back with your beautiful paintings that captured the exquisite Italian landscapes. The filming was well done, Bravo Grady and I am looking forward to seeing your next installment!!
Can’t wait to share next one!
Fabulous, stunning paintings, wonderful trip video! Thank you, really enjoyed it. Sondra Borrie
Glad you enjoyed it
I’m participating in 2024 Sketchbook Revival and today the artist, Andrea Garvey, mentioned you! She was explaining which sketchbook brands she enjoys. She mentioned a couple of them saying, “ if you know Sandi Hester, she uses this one”.
Thought you would enjoy the “shout out”.
Ohhh awesome! Thanks for letting me know
I can't tell you how much fun this was! I can't wait for part 2 😊😊😊 if I ever win the lottery, I'm saving it for one of your retreats!!!!!
Me too!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing all this, Sandi!! I LOVE all the fabulous color mixes you created here (I will be trying to do the same...). And thanks to Grady for capturing it all!!! Best wishes to both of you!
Thanks so much Emmie!
Thank you for sharing this, Sandi! Beautiful landscapes, and it's so fun to see some behind the scenes. I can't wait for the next one ❤, a real treat as always 🖌
And the colors and textures of your paintings 😍😍 just amazing
Thank you so much!
Yes I love to watch you paint ❤gorgeous 👍🇨🇦
Wonderful video, thx for sharing 🎉
I love this video so much! Thank you, Sandi for taking us along with you.❤️
You are so welcome!
Oh, I have been waiting with great anticipation for this video 😊 Absolutely beautiful paintings! The scenery is gorgeous! I'm sure it looks even better in person. How fun! I can't wait for the next video!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing this experience with us and for your generosity in making videos available at no cost to veiwers. You bring me so much joy which really hekps theough difficult times. Sorry to hear about the sickness, so glad it didn't ruin the trip 😊 Gorgeous inspiring, warm paintings x
❤️❤️❤️
Sandi's Friday Fortnight 😊❤ missed your posts Sandi! Hope you had a great time? Look forward to seeing your sketchbooks and paintings 🖼 🎨
missed her posts too, happy to see a new video 🙏💫
@@moonlightriver-y8e ❤🎨😊
Amazing ! Already looking forward to part 2
Coming out soon
My first look through your video and what a treat! I will go through it again more slowly. You and Grady looked like you were having a great time! The landscape is so much like where we have lived in northern California many years!
So glad you enjoyed it! We had a blast!
Wow! Thanks for sharing, Sandi! I was SO looking forward to seeing this video & y'all did great! Happy weekend! ❣️🥰✨🎨🖌️❣️
Ohhhh thank you!
It looks like you all had the most amazing time. I'd LOVE to attend one of your retreats one day. A mumma can dream.
So glad you’d like to join one!
Absolutely DREAMY!!! all of it. ✨💫🤩
What gorgeous paintings of Sicily and what a wonderful trip those students had learning with you.
Thank you so much!
Your paintings are so incredible! Wow. The retreat looks just amazing. I can’t believe how beautiful the views are. Thank you for sharing this with us, I can’t wait to see the next one!
Can’t wait to share the next one!
So much inspiration! I loved seeing how you translated all those wonderful colors and patterns in your art, stunning 🤩
I can imagine that leading a retreat is an awesome adventure but not without its challenges, especially with medical issues; so kudos to you!
Thank you!!
Oh heaven. I so wanted to get off that waitlist and into the trip! Very curious how your supplies worked out. Thank you for all the inspiration you serve up just being you🙏🏼
Supplies worked out great! Hopefully next time you’ll be there Sarah!
So pleased for you. Your effort and caring nature. Looks like such a great painting course.
Thanks so much 😊
Looks like you all had a wonderful time❤ Such a beautiful place to stay! The scenery is stunning! What lovely paintings from you and the “Grady Bunch” Lol. It all looks amazing 😊 Looking forward to two weeks!
Thanks so much 😊
Oh my gosh that trip looked amazing. I love all the paintings you shared too. 💕💕💕
Thank you!
Maybe for your next teaching trip abroad, you should schedule a full week to paint beforehand - it seemed like you got so much exciting work made.
That's a great idea!
This video makes me so happy. Ive always wanted to go to italy. Im glad grady did such a good job filming yall. What beautiful works of art. I cannot wait for part two!
He did such a great job - was so glad to have him doing that!
What a great video. I must say I really liked the music you chose for this video. The piano was exquisite. I also loved the titles you gave your lovely paintings.
Thank you very much!
OMG!!! how wonderful to see! Thanks Grady and Sandi!
Miss you friend! Such a great trip wasn’t it!!!!❤️
Looks like an absolutely wonderful experience, Sandi!! Except for the heat.🥵 I live in the tropics, so when I think of a retreat, I think of cold weather!😅😅 I don't know why you would be surprised that the attendees wanted to watch you paint.🤔 As an artist, I can say that for me, It's all about the process!!! Love what you created on this amazing adventure! ❤🌺🙋♀️
I’m not sure why I was so surprised either. And yes, it was very HOT!
What a wonderful retreat. I love the paintings you did there.
Thanks so much 😊
WHOOO🙈🏃🏻♀️➡️Running to watch!!!
🙌 enjoy!
Congratulations on your first retreat Sandi!
Thank you so much!
Well, this Texan wishes she would have been there with you guys!!! Looks like it was so amazing! I want to go next time! Hope you'll do it again.
Hope you can make it next time!!
I’ve been checking all morning for this! What an amazing retreat you had, can’t wait to see the next part. Thanks again for sharing this with us all. Also hope for some new classes online and…..please….please….consider another retreat….even Tennessee would be amazing!…
We’ll definitely be doing another retreat and workshops- just don’t know when yet
Breathtaking views! The artwork is amazing. Looks like a very creative and fun retreat! 😊
Thanks so much! 😊
What an experience! it looks so beautiful there. You must still think about it all the time. :) thank you for sharing
I am!
Loved this today. I’ve always wanted to go to Italy, but never got the chance. How lucky you all were to be surrounded by this beautiful country.
Yes, it was so pretty there!
Thanks for giving us such a wonderful experience in Sicily. Friends and family will be so interested in seeing this video. Now that I'm home, I promise to try my acrylic paints again.
Lucky you! What was the thing you learned that surprised you the most?
Sooooo wish we were still there!
@@bluewren65 Maybe it was being in such a beautiful place, but I learned a new way of looking at landscapes and finding a story in them. I was surprised by how much more productive I was without Internet and UA-cam to distract me.
@@C0raBr0wn That's wonderful!
Thank you for bringing us long to Sicily. I’ve been to Naples and Rome area but not there yet. Since I’m 1/2 Sicilian and 1/2 Napolitano, I should get there. It was a wonderful video guys. ❤❤
Ohhh neat!
Wow what an amazing time!,, great video !,,I can’t wait for #2 video..thanks for sharing….Bravo🎉for Grady,film maker….greetings from Mexico
Thanks for watching!
What a lucky bunch of students! It looks amazing! Please make a book of your Italy paintings. ❤
Fun to watch! Thanks, Sandi.
I’m so glad!
Very cool trip! Looking forward to the next video.
Ohhh good 🤗❤️
What an amazing experience this had to be!
The views are just breathtaking.
I wish I could have been a participant in this event. ☺️
Thanks for sharing. ❤
Can’t wait til the next video is released. 🎉
Maybe next time!!! ❤️
Beautiful paintings! Thank you for sharing.😊
My pleasure 😊
I love the work you did there!
Thank you!
It all looks amazing!
What a beautiful place to paint.
It really is!
Soooooooo jealous 💙💚💜
wow! great class, great video, beautiful. love all of this.
Thank you so much!
Wonderful!!!
Glad you like it!
This brought happy tears to my eyes! I’ve done Italy and know the beauty. I so want to go on your next one!thanks for sharing…part 2 yeahhh. I tried to go back to the blog listing of the retreat but couldn’t find the cost of the retreat only excluding extras of course. I want to start budgeting now as I live in Panama 🇵🇦
I want to go to!
Hope you can make it next time Gwen!!!
Grady is a Grade A+ husband. Lord bless him!
Yes he is!
The trip looks amazing! Although, I have to say, and please, nobody take it the wrong way, but North Americans insisting on taking vacations to Mediterranean Europe in mid to late summer is crazy! It gets waaay too hot! Trust me, I'm from nearby the area, it is waaay nicer in May to early June and late September to October.
That is true. We went to Israel and Italy and Norway in June and July. Israel and Italy were near. 100 degrees. Norway was 50 degrees and rain!
A few years ago
true … I live in Europe and I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere in southern Europe in the summer months. I’d love to attend one of these retreats, but only when the summer heat is gone.
❤
thanks !Also for mentioniong that is was not al that glamorous.. That is the real part isnt it.. But afterall it is amazing and i am jealous for all the colours i see !!!
Great work. How do the acrylics stay wet? ❤
I share all about how I store and use acrylics in my online class about acrylics if you’re interested in knowing more - I share a ton there. ❤️
What a stunning location Sandy. Your students looked like they had so much fun. Were they all from USA?
About half from the states
Sandi, Sandi, Sandi! So beautiful! I could almost eat that landscape, artifacts and building with a spoon! Bless Grady for being a champion with the group and filming. Were all the participants from the US or further abroad? Cannot wait for the next vid x
About half were American and half from abroad. Grady was such a help to us all! We were all so glad he was there!
@@sandihester any Aussies? If not I hope to be the first on the next one 🦘🐊🐨🇦🇺
😂 Seriously, Happy for You
Fabulous video and clearly a fabulous time was had by all! I’m curious how you got your liquid acrylics through security at the airport. Were there any issues? Did you pack them in carry-on or in checked luggage? Were there any issues? Any heart-in throat moments?
I shared some of that in the packing video and in my Memories of the Landscape class I share all about packing/traveling with paint if you’d like to check that out
I would love to know which town your air bnb was in.
Hi. Are you using acrylic paints on this trip.
Yes I am
It must have been so much fun to be on this retreat. Wonderfully filmed and so interesting but I found it really agitating and distracting to have music going behind your narration. That's what I normally love about your videos, when you speak, there is no distraction and I can just engage fully with your wonderful words. For this one I had to mute and try to watch the video and read subtitles.
Bummer - I hate it was distracting. I usually feel like that about others videos with music too but I was trying to spice it up. Good feedback! Thank you!
@@sandihester Music in between talking, no problem. You know we all love you Sandi and are so grateful and thankful for the work you do.
I would love to sadly they always way too expensive for me 😅
I know - I hate they’re so expensive but the expensive covers a lot of stuff. Hoping to do some shorter workshops in future so they’ll be cheaper
@@sandihester i think the price is fantastic for all that comes with it sadly its just i cant afford been trying to look for art retreats even in the uk x