Day for the Artists, Photographers and Nature Lovers: Artist Picnic @ Cañada de la Virgen hosted by Meagan Burns, with an oil painting demo by Daniel Rueffert Friday, October 25, 2024, 8:30am - 4:00pm Los Encinos @ Cañada de la Virgen
Calling All Artists! We invite you to a day of creative exploration or expression in the protected wildlife sanctuary of Cañada de la Virgen, a protected gem in San Miguel de Allende. Whether your medium is painting, drawing, photography, journaling, or simply enjoying the art of observation, this is a chance to immerse yourself in nature's splendor. Surrounded by sweeping vistas, blooming succulents and protected wildlife, you'll have time to create and connect with fellow artists in an environment that invites reflection and expression.
Take a break from the everyday and spend a day in the country, complete with a delicious picnic lunch as you explore, create, and wallow in the tranquility of this wondrous outdoor sanctuary. Event Highlights:
Plein air demo by renowned local artist Daniel Rueffert
Picnic lunch featuring grass-fed, grass-finished beef and fresh veggie and fruit sides
Blankets available to enjoy a connection to the earth
Panoramic views and natural beauty of Cañada de la Virgen
Afternoon cocktail with Canada de la Virgen's distilled agave spirit, "Mata de Monte"
After time spent creating art, we’ll gather for a delightful picnic lunch, featuring our grass-fed, grass-finished beef and simple fruit and veggie sides, plus aqua de Jamaica. We'll also have a Mata de Monte cocktail in the afternoon, our local-made mezcal -- it's a very LOCAL day indeed, as well a day to connect with nature, explore your creativity, and meet fellow artists and nature enthusiasts.
AGENDA for Friday, October 25, 2024: 8:30am – Meet at Casa Agave SMA (Car caravan departs for Cañada de la Virgen) 9:30am – Arrive Los Encinos; enjoy a Welcome Snack 10:00am – Painting, drawing, photography, plus Dan Rueffert landscape painting demo 12:30pm – Picnic lunch featuring grass-fed beef, fruit and veggie sides, fruit water and Mata de Monte distilled agave spirit 1:30pm – Optional Group Hike 2:30pm – Mata de Monte cocktail plus light snack 3:30pm – Depart Cañada de la Virgen and return to Casa Agave SMA
MENU: Gazpacho Agua de Jamaica Two Grass-fed Beef Kebabs on Pita Bread + Tzatziki Sauce Fruit Salad Guacamole + Beef Jerky Mata de Monte Cocktail Watermelon
PLEASE BRING: Your Art Supplies Art chair and a blanket for the ground (optional) Camera Sun hat Covered toe shoes Long sleeve shirt Bottle of water Natural Sunscreen, such as tallow balm
MISCELLANEOUS: Bathroom on-site Bring a bag for your garbage Transportation not included, although we can arrange a car share for an additional cost if there's interest Cars are able to reach this site, please caravan with your friends Map will be sent upon registration
Get to know a different side of San Miguel de Allende, Cañada de la Virgen's Nature Sanctuary
Meagan Burns
Meagan is an artist, continuous line urban sketcher and instructor, known for her engaging workshops that encourage participants to overcome drawing fears and embrace their creativity. Meagan is also the Marketing Director of Cañada de la Virgen and finds time to spend time on the ranch, and to share the stories of life on the ranch and the projects that are always in motion. Her passion for art and regenerative farming joyfully come together in this one-day event.
Daniel has been a prominent figure in Mexico’s art scene since 1969. Known for his masterful post-impressionist paintings that capture the essence of rural Mexican life and landscapes, Mr. Rueffert’s works are collected worldwide. His exceptional plein air techniques and use of palette knife create vivid textures and bring the heart of old Mexico to life on canvas. He will present an oil painting demo during the event.
In order to have permission to paint at Cañada de la Virgen, we must all agree to be mindful of our supplies and not let anything blow away. There will be a water station set up and it is important that dirty water is not thrown into the ground. Dogs are not allowed. Smoking is not allowed. We must leave the terrain in better condition than when we arrived, so everything brought in must be removed.
Cañada de la Virgen is the only Certified Wildlife Friendly organization in Mexico; we take great care to restore and support nature, as well to let it flourish. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
“Plein air refers to paintings done on location in one shot. (That’s my definition as others sometimes work on them later in the studio). Impressionism is the word they use to describe the method. They are created in an hour, more or less, as the sun scoots across the sky lengthening and shortening shadows and consequently trees become blobs of green violet paint and mountains a quick combination of Prussian blue and Alizarin crimson. In that length of time, thought is restricted to what’s in front of you. From first touch of brush to canvas to signature, I’ve found it to be about the fastest hour on earth. You know, if you’re trying to get rid of an hour.”
Meagan Burns is an artist, instructor, and founder of Art Leap Adventures, a unique travel sketch workshop business that offers immersive art experiences in historical urban cities. Originally from Chicago, Meagan specializes in continuous line drawing, guiding students to overcome their drawing fears and embrace a fluid, expressive style. Through Art Leap Adventures, she has organized workshops in vibrant destinations like Mexico City, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, San Francisco, and soon in Paris, France, inviting artists of all levels to explore the world through their sketchbooks.
Meagan created the Continuous Line Drawing group in 2021, a thriving community designed to help artists build skill, strength, and confidence as visual storytellers. This group has connected artists from around the world, encouraging creativity and personal growth through continuous line drawing. Meagan is also one of the admins of the San Miguel de Allende Urban Sketcherschapter, where she has been contributing to the local and global sketching community since 2016.
With a diverse background in marketing, graphic design, and regenerative farming, Meagan brings a wide range of experiences to her teaching. Her workshops focus on loosening up, embracing imperfections, and finding joy in the creative process—principles that resonate with artists looking to capture the essence of place through continuous line sketching.
100% refunds are given with more than 72 hours before event; with less than 72 hours, no refund is given, but you may transfer your seat to another person. Please contact Meagan to discuss: [email protected]