DIARY OF MARGARET & JEAN

April 18-22nd

Jean's Diary

1st Day Monday April 18th

The short walk from Hotel Lima to the studio took no time at all and once there I felt quite at home. It was like Mapledurham only newer! Introductions were made to the other students and then we were set to do some sketching. We were offered to paint on location but being an introverted Brit I felt I couldn't do this, We walked to the Parque Alameda where we could choose any aspect of the scenery to turn into a painting in the afternoon.

I got a lot of satisfaction from turning my drawing into a painting.

Although quite busy and bustling, Marbella is a very interesting and easy town to walk around - very flat. I am the wrong side of 70 but I would say to anyone, don't let walking put you off. Alex does all the hard work for you, carrying the equipment and keeping us amused with local and national history. It isn't until you get back to your hotel in the evening that you realise how tired you are. After a good nights sleep I was as keen as mustard to start again.

Margaret's Diary

1st Day Monday April 18th

The studio has the atmosphere of Mapledurham (the UK JoeDaisy Studio)with a Spanish flavour. We greeted our fellow students, chose our easels and setled into the studio. I wasn't keen to paint in public, so elected to sketch, although Alex explained that the Spanish don't take the mickey out of each other like the Brits! This was absolutely true, any local who stopped to see my sketch seemed to nod approval. I wanted to say 'should have gone to specsavers' but went along with their judgement!

Alex made sure we had captured enough detail to convert our sketches to painting during the afternoon session. Lunch was taken at a local cafe (Goyo) that has cakes and chocolate to die for!

In the afternoon Caroline guided us through Stage 1 of our painting and then was on hand for each little crisis and inspiration failure, until we had all completed masterpiece No.1

The evening is free to enjoy the local restaurants and cafes. Despite being a vegetarian and having no Spanish, I am enjoying my meals out immensely.

Last night we had the pleasure of watching an Easter parade, children and grown ups in costume, a statue of Jesus on a donkey, marching bands and drummer., Very moving.

Jean's Diary

2nd Day Tuesday April 19th

The added delights of a car trip up into the mountains today. It was interesting to see the layout of a modern Spanish village from above. Although you would imagine it would have room to spread out, the buildings are close together and high rise. This is to keep the streets shaded, I believe and therefore cooler in the heat of the summer.

Everyone seems to grow flowers and greenery on their balconies and in little hanging pots.

Monda is a lovely little town with all white buildings and very steep streets.

Then onwards and upwards into the mountains and a stop at General Franco's old hunting lodge, now a hotel.

We took photos and tried to get a feel of the place.

My painting was only half finished by the end of the day but Friday is 'studio' day - when I had time to complete.

Margaret's Diary

2nd Day Tuesday April 19th

Architecture and a Spanish village was the plan. We made our way to the Studio, navigation in our area of Marbella fully competent now. The area feels so safe.

Alex drove us to Monda, which gave me the opportunity to show my mum the places we visited on my visit to JoeDaisy Spain a few years ago. Alex is so interesting, not only about the area and culture but also if you want to know, he has a very good knowledge of Spanish history.

We also went to Juanar, an area of natural beauty before partaking of a lovely lunch with liquid refreshments at a lodge once used by Franco.

The whole morning passed and we had yet to sketch anything! Alex diligently carried the equipment to every location but we just enjoyed the trip and hoped our photographs and memories would carry us through the painting stage back at the studio.

I managed a passable impression of a hilltop village. My mum fared much better using a photograph taken in Monda to come up with a street view with Monda castle high above.

I don't know how Caroline and Alex remain so calm. They give every opportunity to learn and progress but always they allow us students the freedom to enjoy ourselves and make this a holiday

Jean's Diary

3rd Day Wednesday April 20th

Today we walked to the beach to get ideas for an abstract design. Having taken one of Caroline's abstract weekend courses a few weeks ago, I launched into this one wih a certain amount of confidence. But there were so many things to consider in shape and size. The bird prints in the sand, the yachts with their tall masts and the view of the sea front buildings rising into the sky. This was the hardest day yet as far as I was concerned and at 6.0pm I lef the studio completely zombified.

Although I thought I knew a bit about abstracts, I was not at all happy with what i had achieved, although as ever, Caroline was encouraging in her critique of what I had done.

Perhaps it wil look better when I get back to my easel in the morning!

Caroline says "Jean was so disappointed with her painting but I actually thought it was very clever, Jean has exceptional talent at proportion of space" (everyone has a 'bad' day!!)

Margaret's Diary

3rd Day Wednesday April 20th

Abstract: Caroline has a theme for every day and you can use watercolour, oils or acrylics, or just do your own thing.

We walked to the beach and settled in a beach cafe. We are tasked with sketching line and form that we find pleasing. We scan the view looking for inspiration, This day is all about "looking at shapes" which will become an abstract.

We walk back to the studio with enough shapes to pass muster. With canvases prepared and compositioon as a work in progress, we adjourn to a local restaurant for lunch.

Later Caroline guides us through the choice of colour and mood for the painting. Full of ideas we start our painting expecting genius to strike any minute. With abstract the theory is ok - the application is much harder. What I will say is the task made me concentrate and consider every brush stroke.

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Caroline says "Margarets abstract started with a very inspiring drawing - the beach, the sea, a boat, a paddle, some beach umbrellas and was a well composed and original achievement"

We have found a local vegetarian restaurant who also offer take away, so tonight we enjoyed a mixed salad with a bottle of wine on the balcony of our hotel

Jean's Diary

4th Day Thursday April 21st

The morning was wet so the plan to walk to the old town was scrapped and we got straight down to serious painting. For a complete change, I chose to do tulips in quite a loose style and throughly enjoyed it.

Not only that but completed it in one day and started another, demonstrating perspective. Alex was a great help with the lines and angles.

We have got to know the town quite well and have a favourite Italian restaurant on the beach and we have begun to feel less like strangers. The food has been very good and quite varied.

It doesn't seem possible we've been here nearly a week already. So much to do, so litle time!

Margaret's Diary

4th Day Thursday April 21st

The weather was overcast with rain forecast. We agree to abandon the walk to the old town and settle for a studio day. I found yesterday frustrating as I could not convert ideas to a painting. We felt the need for extra time in the studio to create that elusive masterpiece.

We had a productive day. I wanted to use all the things I had learnt in the past 3 days and start painting no 4 witha fresh approach. As ever Caroline and Alex listened and supported us until we had our concept and were on the right track. We both set about creating a new abstract, in truth they were stylised paintings rather than abstract but here is the important thing, we were both happy and almost proud of our paintings and signed them happily.

Jean's Diary

5th Day Friday April 22nd

This has been an experience I shall never forget. The hotel is comfortable, the shop assistants and cafe staff helpful. The studio is a constant change of people and fun and enjoyment because Caroline has students in and out at all times - some just come on the same day once a week, some more often. Canvasses are stacked around the walls and the whole atmopshere is fun and welcoming but so instructive. By the end of every day, you have to be prised away from your easel because you become so absorbed in what you are doing.

Caroline is the font of all knowledge artistic and alwasy conveys interest and enthusiam in everyones work. Alex is a tower of strength and explains local customs and history in a way which makes it much easier to understand the Spanish people and their lifestyle. I shall always look back on my stay as a time well spent and opportunity not to be missed.

I haven't said much about the painting aspect today because there is so much more to this holiday. I have 5 canvases to take home with me on Sunday. I am proud of all of them (even the abstract!) and you can bore family to tears for ages showing off your pictures!!

Margaret's Diary

5th Day Friday April 22nd

The week has gone so quickly but as we enter the Studio on Friday and take a look at the canvases by our easel, I can see we have come a long way in the 4 days.

Today is a chance to complete any unfinished paintings. I returned to my hilltop roofs to change the feel of the background. I then opted to start one more canvas. I was surprised at how much quicker I was at completing a reasonable sky, sea and sand, leaving me plenty of time to paint my line of receding sun shades/umbrellas. (sorry no image of this lovely picture)

By now the studio is very familiar and comfortable. Lunch is taken at Goyo mainly becase of my options are greater there as I am a vegetarian. It is a sad farewell to fellow students and the locals who also spend time on an ad hoc basis at the studio. I felt I have made progress with my painting techniques. Met some interesting and friendly fellow students and learnt much about the area of Marbella and Spanish culture.

Would I come again? Of course! Would I change anything? The weather if I could, we were unlucky with rain and cloud.

This holiday has allowed me to relax and soak in Marbella, forget all about my work at home and stretch my mind in terms of painting.

Jean's Diary

OBSERVATIONS

MARBELLA

Marbella is very pretty. The lush greenery is quite beautiful, huge palms and banana trees. Some of the seats (of which there are many everywhere) were tiled in bright blues and yellow and orange designs. Too good to sit on! Always a sweeper keeping the paths clear and men in yellow and black overalls cleaning the beaches early in the morning.

There are sand sculptures which are very clever and the sea breaks in great waves but is not tidal, so the sun loungers and umbrellas are quite safe! We had to sample an exotic ice cream concotion of fruit and cream - the cafes are very happy to let you buy one - with 2 spoons!

\Marbella is a very safe place and I felt very happy walking around - even late at night. It is very flat and there are lots of places to look round and just sit.

JoeDaisy provide everything and you can paint in oils, watercolour and acrylics.

The studio is light and airy and the equipment is professional.

Caroline is a font of all knowledge artistically but not arrogant or bossy!! She wants you to enjoy the painting holiday, so just makes useful suggestions and helps when needed.

Alex is so helpful and willing and carries the equipment to the locations and assists in composition and drawing as well as painting. Charming, interesting and knowledgeable the two of them make a perfect painting holiday provider.

Margaret's Diary

OBSERVATIONS

MARBELLA

Ask to share lunches/evening meals to cut costs and size of portions.

So far no-one has said no. Even on the sea front we had an evening meal for 13.50 euros for 2 including 2 drinks.

We stayed in Hotel Lima and I suggest you shut down the hotel room at night (close windows) and use the air conditioning to cool room. White noise from air con drowns out all outside noise, although this is only the clink of glasses, talking and slight traffic - all of which I regard as 'friendly' and could get used to if I stayed long enough.

(Caroline stays Hotel Finlandia has NO noise as it is not located near restaurants or bars but in the same street as our studio) - as with Central Hotel - located in a quiet street away from restaurants.

Hotel Lima has a roof terrace. Take lift to floor 7 and climb a flight of stairs. Always empty(!) Well it was when we went!

Marbella is very safe, very easy to walk round and lots of things to do and see. Everything is in walking distance of Hotel Lima and JoeDaisy Studio because it is situated in the heart of Marbella, the town.

Restaurants are welcoming and helpful.

THE PAINTING HOLIDAY AND STUDIO

We have been to JoeDaisy UK many times and have confidence in Caroline's teaching and hospitality. I have also been to JoeDaisy Spain before when it was located in Monda.

The new studio is in a wonderful place and makes for an interesting painting holiday. Having great locations and a professional art studio makes it very unique. Alex and Caroline always make you welcome and you leave feeling you've had a great painting holiday!