Artist and award winning author Elizabeth Murray is a distinguished alumna from Sonoma State University, where she received her degrees in Fine Art, Environmental Education, and Botany. Well known as a gardener and photographer in Monet's gardens in Giverny, France, Elizabeth helped restore the gardens in 1985 and returns annually to photograph them.

She lectures nationally, and conducts workshops at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, as well as at her residence, a 100 year old historically-designated house with large gardens in Monterey, California. All workshops are suitable for beginners with an emphasis on a fun experience in nature and an awakening of individual creative expression.

LECTURES

Monet's Passion, Ideas, Insights & Inspiration from the Painter's Garden Elizabeth blends beautiful images with lively conversation about Monet's garden, life as a painter and how to incorporate ideas from his gardens to our own gardens at home, using extensive slides she has taken over the past 15 years of Monet's Gardens in all seasons blended with historic photos and Monet's painting.

Cultivating Sacred Space - Gardening for the Soul

Elizabeth describes use and cross-cultural meaning of various garden design elements, icons and concepts, like Feng Shui, healing and horticultural therapy, and how we can use them in our own gardens. Illustrating with slides, she shows 12 very different sacred gardens from around the world from the Moss Temple in Kyoto, Japan to a reclaimed ghetto garden in the "bad lands" of Philadelphia.

WORKSHOPS

Painterly Photography Held at Elizabeth Murray's historic home and gardens in Monterey, California. Kindle your creative spirit and innate artistic ability as you learn composition and techniques to create beautiful "painterly photos" using vintage cameras and special film. Enlarge, print and hand-render a favorite image to look charmingly impressionistic.

Watercolor Painting Among the California Dunes Explore sea, tide pools, dunes and birds as well as your own artistic expression along the spectacular Central Coast. Dip your paper in the Pacific and paint the beauty, color and shapes of what you see. Materials and beverage provided. Mats for framing finished work and a picnic lunch can be arranged.