La Manzanilla Message Board: Join me for art courses at my beautiful home in the sierras of souther Spain this summer

Art Courses by Jack Rutherfor

A dynamic ‘live-in’ drawing and painting
Courses offered between July and October

“A truly unique experience in the remote and unspoiled foothills of Southern Spain surrounded by spectacular views, nature, rivers and wildlife. An ideal place to develop ones artistic skills and be inspired”

A complete ‘Live In” Art Course for students on 'all levels' is presented in Artist Studio Home in beautiful nature setting.

The course will focus on working from the imagination as well as directly from nature. Out-door nature study is balanced with studio work and illustrated talks on projects such as Evoking the Imagination, intuitive personalized color, understanding the basic elements which create a work of art: line, values,color, composition, etc… as well as developing creative habits and acquiring faith in ones own unique imagination and intuition.

The classes are in the morning from 10:00 am to 1:30pm with a mid-class ‘tea’ break. Classes include outings to sketch or paint on site from nature as well as at local villages. The rest of the afternoon is free to carry on with your projects, with the support and guidance of the Teacher. On some evenings there will be an Art Lecture related to a particular theme to support your creative process or there will be group activities such as guided sharing circle and fun games. Students need to bring only their paints (acrylics recommended) and brushes. As well as any materials for sketching that looks interesting to you. All other basics are supplied such as palettes, easels, stools and some materials are attainable here as well. (Inquire for further paint details upon booking).

*** Dates:
Dates will be offered depending on peoples interest and availability.

Groups will be small between 2 to 6 people
Inquire for dates already proposed.

*** Prices:
One week course 650 Euros
2 Week course 1200 Euros
(Includes all meals, accommodation, art workshop and materials)

"ART IS THE EVELATION OF THE SOUL FOR THOSE PREPARED TO RECEIVE IT"

*** About the Artist/Teacher
Jack Rutherford is a dedicated vocational artist and teacher who has exhibited, lectured and presented workshops in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Brazil. He previously directed and taught at his centre "Arts & Growth" for over 20 years in the province of Malaga and has now been living in the Alpujarras for the last 6 years where he has recently reopened the Centre. Jack feels that his motivation for opening the school is that he felt most art schools focus mainly on skills and techinques and lack in depth and breadth so he feels obligated his own centre with a more integral approach, a new Syntheses.
Check out my work www. rutherford-artist.com
and my blog rutherfordartist.blogspot.com

***Your accommodation:
Your accommodation: The artist home where the courses and accommodation are held is in the ‘barrio alto’ which overlooks the village proper and is surrounded by trees, spectacular cliffs and offers a vast panorama of the facing mountain range. A unique place with a stream and several waterfalls just off the veranda of the house. It is a relaxing place to enjoy your free time and read, take the sun, jump under the waterfall or just sit and contemplate the beauty.
There are both single and double rooms with shared bathrooms as well as a large living area and studio. The meals are primarly vegetarian with local vegetables as well as fish exceptions. Breakfast is self serve, the main meal (comida) is served at mid day spanish style with a light meal in the evening. There are also many berries, figs and grapes in the summer for the picking in the surrounding areas.
Note: a house is available in the village for those interested in coming with their families. For special arrangement inquire.

****About the local area:
Known as the village between “the waters and rocks”, Castaras is nestled between two river valleys on a natural outcropping where year round water flows, making it a little oasis compared to the more barren landscape in the area. Originally inhabited by the Moors until they were expelled in 1568, the villages in the Alpujarras were re-inhabited by Christian peasants from northern Spain who would then carry on many of the Moorish traditions such as the intricate terracing and irrigation systems. Castaras was previously a very productive agricultural area which included fig and almond orchards when in the 1960’s many inhabitants were forced to migrate to the cities due to ever increasing poverty. Now it remains a tranquil village of about 40 permanent residents where the old farmers still cultivate their land for their own personal use.

The Surrounding Area The Alpujarras is just south of Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains, a reserved national park with many traditional white washed villages spread throughout the area. Among them there is Trevelez, known as Spain’s highest village and famed for its cured ‘Jamon Serrano’ which you will find hanging from the ceilings of many stores and restaurants. Beyond the Alpujarras there is Granada city, where the Alhambra palace and the old moorish quarter, known as the Albaycin are well worth a visit - only 1.5 hrs away. To the South East there is Cabo de Gata National Park in the province of Almeria which has a unique desert landscape with some beautiful beaches - about 2.5 hrs away. There is also the Costa de Sol a popular tourist destination that is largely overdeveloped but has some nice beach spots.

Location and how to get hereThe Centre is located above the small village of Castaras in the heart of the Alpujarra nature reserve 1 1/2 hours south of Granada city. A traditional rural village surrounded by rivers, valleys, orchards, agricultural terraces and wilderness.

Join in on this unique experience

contact: ruthrfordjack@hotmail.com