Coming
Activities
Art
Courses 2007-2008:
‘Learning
through creativity’
A complete live-in program
Las Alpujarras, (Granada) Spain
Program 1: 19th - 26th August
This is an intensive 6 day drawing and painting course for
students with some prior art knowledge. The creative process
is stressed from the first lesson on, by presenting methods
to evoke ones imagination as well as well as to develop your
individual colour usage and use of all the pictorial elements
that create an original, unified and expressive paintings based
on the principles of the masters. The six days of the three
hour classes will take place in the mornings from 10:00 till
1:00 and will include related illustrated talks and demonstrations.
Due to the brevity of this course, classes might have to continue
on into the afternoons to complete the projects. This course
is limited from 3 to 5 students to allow for individualized
instruction.
Program 2: 16th - 30thSeptember
A dynamic ‘live-in’ fortnight drawing and painting
course for both beginner and advanced students. The course is
based on working from the imagination as well as directly from
nature thus integrating the two and producing expressive, original
and unified works of art. Projects include: evoking the imagination,
intuitive personalized colour, understanding the basic elements
of art such as values, line, composition, space, etc, which
are all the components that go towards creating a work of art.
This balance of studio work and outdoor study of nature is what
Odilon Redon, the imaginative French artist, alluded to with
his observation that:`’ Nature is my yeast the fermenting
power that feeds my imagination’. The course is an adventure
in creativity.
Location:
The village of Castaras is located in the heart of the Alpujarra,
a unique and beautiful area in the sierras south from the city
of Granada (1 1/2 hrs drive). It is one of the many small Berber-founded
villages that is still unspoilt and off the beaten track, situated
between two river valleys on a natural outcropping, surrounded
by agricultural terraces and orchards. The course will take
place 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 small stream
with a waterfall can be enjoyed off the veranda and studio of
the house.
Your instructor:
Jack Rutherford is a dedicated vocational artist and teacher
who has exhibited, lectured and presented workshops in the United
States, Europe and Mexico. He previously directed and taught
at his centre “Arts & Growth” for over 20 years
in the province of Malaga. He now lives and works in the Alpujarra.
(See www.jackrutherford.com for further background information.
Accommodation:
There are single and double rooms with shared bathrooms in the
artist’s home as well as in village houses close by. Breakfast
is served between 8.30 and 9.30 and the principal meal will
be served mid-day Spanish style with a lighter meal in the evenings.
Meals are vegetarian with sea food exceptions and beverages
including wine and beer are offered. The mid-weekend during
the fortnight course is open where students may help themselves
in the kitchen or be free to do what they please!
Arriving :
Granada is the nearest airport and has daily flights from Madrid
as well as from the UK with budget airlines such as Ryan Air
etc. There is an airport bus that takes one directly to the
main bus terminal in Granada where you can catch the bus to
the Alpujarra - ask for villages Orgiva or Torvizcon, (about
1 1/2 hours travel), where you will be met upon arrival. Before
boarding the bus from Granada please give us a call or notice
on arrival times to enable us to meet you, just telephone: 600637446
or 651093453. If driving please request that we e-mail or supply
you with complete directions. There is a public telephone in
the plaza of the village to contact us on your arrival if necessary
or just ask for directions.
Bus times: Granada-Orgiva - Sundays 07.15, 07.45, 10.15, 17.00,
17.15, 19.30. Granada - Torvizcon - 08.30, 18.00 - there is
a special local taxi service that meets this bus on arrival
to take passengers on to the local villages including Castaras
or we will meet you ourselves.
Other activities:
The Alpujarras is a walker’s paradise surrounded by great
variety of historical trails to explore. Horse- riding, swiming
and cycling are some of the many options offered as well as
exploring and experiencing the culture of the neighbouring villages.
There are many sights to see in the surrounding areas within
a days travel such as Granada, Almeria and the coast.
Fees:
The 6 day course is 600 Euros (single room) or 525 Euros (shared
double room).This includes full board and 6 days of tuition,
pick-up from Orgiva or Torvizcon, some art materials (see below)
and short excursions.
The fortnight course is 1,050 Euros (single room) or 950 Euros
(shared double room).Includes full board and tuition, pick-up
from Orgiva or Torvizcon, some art materials (see below) and
excursions. 1/3 deposit to be paid in advance.
Note: There will be more courses available throughout the year,
check website for further postings or contact us.
Materials:
Unless otherwise specified, the same materials apply for both
courses and acrylic paints are recommended due to their quick
drying properties. Paints needed in tubes are - large Titanium
White, studio size tubes of Pythalo Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cadmium
Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin Crimson,
Burnt Siena, Burnt Umber, Marfil Black and Veridian Green.
Brushes: Good quality oil bristle brushes called 'brights' or
'flats'. Sizes are numbered and I suggest two #8, two #12 and
one #4. Corresponding special acrylic brushes are available
but are usually more expensive - if purchased they must have
firm bristles.
Other materials to bring are: a palette knife, a drawing pad
roughly 12 x16 inches (30 x 40cm), charcoal sticks, kneadable
erasers and any other materials you enjoy. Canvas, easels, palettes
etc will be provided and some materials are available at costs.
Contact:
Jack Rutherford
Barrio Alto s/n
19439 Castaras,
(Provincia de Granada)
Spain
Telephone: 651093453 or 600637446
e-mail: rutherfordjack@hotmail.com
www.jackrutherford.com
