Jan Guarino: “Fearless Watercolors — Expressive Portraits” 2027

“I want to leave room for the viewer to fill in what may be missing or nearly suggested.”

Jan Guarino calls her work “Fearless Watercolors” — bold, expressive, and unafraid of the unexpected. A longtime graphic designer turned full-time watercolorist, she paints flowers, landscapes, still life and portraits with confident color and an editor’s restraint. Over four days in the Green Mountains, she’ll help you paint with more freedom and stronger expression.

ARTISTIC PHILOSOPHY: My intention is always to create an unexpected depiction of the subject, a colorful interpretation, not a literal translation.  I enjoy using this unusual color palette to bring you into the painting and though, you may have been seen that place before, you feel you are looking at it for the very first time.  A humble subject is suddenly worthy of careful notice because of the unexpected depiction. 

PURPOSE: This program is a culmination of ideas I have discovered, techniques I’ve adapted from classes and workshops I have taken ~ it is my desire to interpret a subject matter to render it unique, fresh and worthy of being a painting.  This medium is unique in the fact that it moves on its own which causes many artists to freeze up and begin to try to control the paint. This workshop shows you techniques that will allow you to feel free while holding onto detail, gain control, make corrections and have fun. Learn to trust your instincts with color and add contrast and allow blossoms, drips and splatters to work for you.  You will also learn what makes a good photo to paint from to get the very best painting possible. I offer solutions and tools to try these techniques to integrate into your own artwork.  Whether a beginner, someone who has painted in watercolors or more experienced, everyone can gain knowledge and techniques from this workshop.

OUTLINE: Each morning and afternoon we will work on different subject matter to build confidence. I will demo - the very heart of learning - give individual help and constructive critiques.  We will paint florals, landscapes, animals and end with a portrait that builds on all the previous days lessons. Materials are chosen to give artists the maximum chance of success with these techniques.  I SO enjoy teaching my watercolor techniques, theories and joy with all of my students. It is my hope that you find enjoyment in interpreting your world with paint, splatters, drips and color by embracing the unexpected and unplanned that only a watercolor can give you! 

Jan Guarino spent a forty-five-year career as an award-winning graphic designer — her firm, Guarino Graphics, built the brands of hundreds of Long Island companies — before evolving into a full-time watercolor artist and teacher based in East Northport, New York.

She captures the essence of diverse subjects — flowers, landscapes, still-life vignettes, and portraits of people and pets — in a loose, expressive style she calls “Fearless Watercolors,” and shares her approach in classes and workshops while exhibiting in galleries.

Visit Jan’s website   ·   Instagram @janguarino

Starting Price — All-Inclusive

From $2,260 per person

Single occupancy · all-inclusive · 5 nights · best prepaid rate

•      Includes workshop instruction, lodging at The Landgrove Inn, three meals daily, the welcome reception, and gratuity (taxes additional)

•      5 nights lodging + full board at $312/night (single, prepaid) = $1,560

•      Workshop fee = $700

•      Bringing a companion? Add just $114/night for their lodging, meals and gratuity — see the FAQ. Also taking the workshop? Just add another workshop fee.

Prefer to spend a little less time away? You can check out on the final workshop day (Thursday, October 14) for 4 nights instead of 5 — subtract $312/night (single occupancy). See the FAQ.

Material List

https://www.janguarinofineart.com/page/23567/supply-list-free-templates

What’s Included in Your Workshop Stay

A simple “show up and paint” package — full room and board, with everything handled:

•      Four days of instruction and programming with Jan Guarino

•      Lodging at The Landgrove (Sun–Fri, 5 nights)

•      Three meals per day, including 3-course dinners

•      Welcome reception on the first night

•      Gratuity included (taxes additional)

All meals are shared together as a group — a big part of the Landgrove experience and what makes these retreats feel like a true creative community.

Note: Not everyone attending needs to register for the workshop. Many spouses and friends join for the stay without painting. They often explore the national forest, visit nearby towns, ski local mountains, relax by the pool, or enjoy a book by the fire in the tavern—while still being part of the shared meals and community experience.

The Landgrove Workshop Experience

Workshops at The Landgrove are intentionally small and intimate, with a focus on:

• meaningful learning and personal attention

• relationship building with other artists

• a warm, welcoming creative environment

You’ll stay in a peaceful historic inn surrounded by Green Mountain National Forest — an inspiring setting that helps you slow down and settle into deep creative work.

And when you want to explore beyond the studio, we’re close to classic Vermont destinations like:

• Manchester (Southern Vermont Arts Center, Northshire Bookstore)

• Weston (Weston Theater Company, Vermont Country Store)

• Plus scenic drives, local shops, and mountain towns nearby

Workshop Agenda (Sample Schedule)

Our workshops are designed to be immersive, relaxed, and relationship-rich — with time for focused instruction, practice, and shared meals together as a group.

Arrival — Sun, Oct 10

•      Check-in from 3 PM

•      Welcome reception (wine/beer + hors d’oeuvres) 5–6 PM

•      Introductory 3-course dinner 6–8 PM

Workshop days — Mon–Thu, Oct 11–14

•      Breakfast (communal) 8–9 AM

•      Morning painting session

•      Lunch (communal) 12:30 PM

•      Afternoon painting session

•      3-course dinner (communal) 6–8 PM

Departure — Fri, Oct 15

•      Breakfast 8–9 AM

•      Check-out by 11 AM

Exact timing may shift slightly based on demonstrations, group needs, and the instructor’s teaching style.

How to Book

Please read these notes before booking so your stay and workshop registration are counted correctly.

1) Choose Your Dates

When selecting your workshop the dates will auto-populate for arrival and departure.

• Check-in (arrival) date is fixed.

• Check-out (departure) date defaults to the final full workshop day (ending around 5 PM). Check-out time is 11am if departing on the final workshop day.

• Check-out may be extended an additional night, to include the final 3-course dinner, plus one more overnight and breakfast the next morning. Most participants extend with the additional night.

Note: The workshop fee is prorated across the number of nights you book, so it appears as part of your nightly total.

2) Occupancy (how many people in the room?)

The booking system defaults to single occupancy, which includes:

✅ Lodging + full meal package + gratuity for one person

✅ One workshop registration included

Two guests may share the same room during the workshop. A booking for two guests includes:

✅ Lodging + full meal package + gratuity for two people

✅ One workshop registration included

If the second guest is also taking the workshop, add “Additional Workshop Registration” at checkout.

3) Dietary Needs / Special Requests

During checkout, please add any dietary requirements in the Special Requests field so we can prepare appropriately. You may double-confirm any special requests by emailing us: info@thelandgrove.com 

Local Vermonter Option

If you're a local and would want to commute to the workshop daily, we will take bookings for up to two workshop participants until 60 days before the workshop (within 60 days we open all available workshop spots for locals).

The cost for local attendees is the workshop fee and a $50 program fee, plus one of the following meal plan options (including 20% gratuity):

• Workshop Lunch ($27.50/day)

• Workshop Lunch & 3-Course Dinner ($81.00/day)

Transportation to The Landgrove

If driving in winter or mud season (January to early May), we recommend a 4x4 or all-wheel drive vehicle.

If flying in to a nearby airport (Albany, Hartford, or Rutland) and seeking transportation, we recommend:

Mountain Drivers

802.772.5223

Mini-FAQ

Can I check out earlier?

Yes. The package runs through Friday morning, but you’re welcome to check out one day earlier — on the final workshop day, Thursday, October 14 — for 4 nights instead of 5 (and thereby subtract $312 for the last night). Check-out of your room is by 9 AM, before the morning workshop session. When inputting your dates to book, just change your check-out date to one day earlier.

Can my partner or a friend come along?

Absolutely — companions are welcome and very much part of the experience. The second guest in your room is booked as a companion, with lodging, all meals and gratuity included, for $114/night more than going solo. Many spouses and friends join just for the stay — exploring the forest, nearby towns, the pool, or a book by the tavern fire — while still sharing every meal.

Can my partner or friend also take the workshop?

If your companion also wants to join in, add “Additional Workshop Registration” at checkout, or contact us.

What about dietary needs?

Add any dietary requirements in the Special Requests field at checkout and we’ll prepare accordingly. All meals are shared together as a group.

How do I get there?

The nearest airports are Albany, Hartford, and Rutland. For transportation we recommend Mountain Drivers (802.772.5223, mtndrivers.com).

What should I bring?

Jan’s supply list will be provided ahead of the workshop and covers everything you’ll need to bring. Easels, tables, and studio space are provided.

How many students?

Workshops are intentionally small — this one is capped at 15 — for real personal attention and a close-knit group.

Ready to Book?

Book This Workshop, use the booking widget on this page, or give us a ring at 802.824.6674.