An artist observes things in a different way than others do. They interpret and express. There isn't a technique to how an artist makes art. Nor is there a technique for how a viewer perceives it.

This is what Wantagh resident Jeanne Bouza Rose expects when she brings her students with her for a trip to Orkney, Scotland.

"It's about learning how to tell stories through our paintings," Rose said. "How you take what you see and express it through art. It is seeing the way of the world. It is what everybody needs to have to understand his or her being."

Rose, an artist, has lived in Wantagh her entire life. While growing up, Rose was surrounded by art. Both her mother and sister painted, which helped develop her fascination to art.

Rose shared her life between living in Long Island and in the Hudson Valley. Noticing the differences in the atmospheres of life in both areas-the Hudson Valley's mountains and river versus Long Island's suburban sprawl-Rose painted what she most enjoyed, the outdoors.

"I've always done artwork, but it never personally pleased me," said Rose. "It never matched my mind's eye. It wasn't until a few years ago, after Orkney, when it brought me pleasure."

Rose's first trip to Scotland was on a Fulbright teaching exchange 20 years ago. During her spring vacation, she went to Orkney and was captivated by the landscapes. While there, Rose evolved as an artist. Her work changed from oil-painted canvasses to watercolor abstracts of landscape through a wood-blocking technique.

"Sometimes you need to leave the familiar in order to understand how to appreciate it. Even though I liked to leave the clutter of Long Island, I didn't know I appreciated it, until I went to Scotland and saw a city life that had hills in it," said Rose.

The Japanese developed the traditional woodblock method; however the technique was enhanced in 1915, in Provincetown, MA by a group of artists. This form of art is unique in that it reproduces the same composition, not the color. The method is used with a block and watercolors. By using the block, the artist carves out main lines of the composition, then applies watercolor to small areas. The artist then applies the paper numerous times until the effect wanted on the paper is achieved.

Both Orkney and the Hudson Valley have attracted Rose to the exposure of the outdoors; allowing her to see the sun, skies and the water-clean and fresh from the congestion that Long Island emits she said.

"There is something very energizing about being at the stone circles in Orkney. They understand the openness of their space. It's a strong sense of nature, and being a part of the world, and being joined with the earth like those stones are joined with the earth. That's what I see and what I want to convey to people," Rose continued.

Caught between the mainlands of Scotland, Orkney is a relatively small island. Its main island has seven major jewelry design companies. At the other end of the island, the community is full of painters, water colorists and other artists who create most of the island's contemporary and traditional Celtic and Nordic designs. Just south of the island, visitors can get a view of Orkney's standing stones and World War I and II sites. With farms all over the island, Orkney is becoming well known for its whiskey and cheese.

There is a sense of interconnectedness between Orkney, its culture and its people, said Rose. "The people on the island are happy. There is something about the land that people enjoy there. They are alive-easier to smile."

Rose has gone to Orkney four times in the last 20 years. Since then, she has been inspired to bring guests with her to the island to share her experience through her Orkney Art Adventure. During the summer, Rose took guests on one-week trips to Orkney to view the landscape and to learn new art techniques as well. Rose hopes that her guests were inspired like she was.

"I'm hoping people that go to Orkney will take what they learn, and be influenced by a new place that's open and expansive and learn about the people and land of Orkney," said Rose.

Rose traveled to Orkney on one-week intervals for four weeks in July and August. During the week, Rose's guests toured the island, and met with Orkney residents. Guests also learned the watercolor white-line woodblock, technique that Rose uses for her artwork through a workshop.

The trip costs $1,600, including a $600 supplement and a $750 deposit. Students were able to attend the trip and gain college credit and professional development hours. For more information on Orkney Art Adventure, check out Rose's website at www.rosecrossing.com.