EL GRECO * Mysticism, Revolt & Revival * Sunday Sold Out *

SUNDAY 22 * SOLD OUT *

MONDAY 23

El Greco was a Greek artist whose painting and sculpture helped define the Spanish Renaissance and influence various movements such as Expressionism and Cubism.

El Greco was born around 1541 in Crete, which was then part of the Republic of Venice. In his mid-twenties, he traveled to Venice and studied under Titian, who was the most renowned painter of his day. Around age 35, he moved to Toledo, Spain, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life.

Fusing Byzantine traditions with Western art, El Greco is noted for his extended figures and often fanciful pigmentation and because of this many modern scholars believe that El Greco is a truly unique artist who broke the rules of all conventional schools.

Many regard El Greco as one of the finest painters of Spain, if not all of Western Art. 

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PRESENTATION REVIEW....

"The lecture on El Greco was just as amazing . I know little of this painter but you certainly brought him to life in your informative and lively lecture . I look forward to adding to my knowledge of Spanish Masters as I attend other lectures.

 Keep up the good work Karla . You are certainly making a great contribution to our cultural life and understanding of Spain."

Lorna Ainsworth, Javea

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REGISTRATION FORM

FRIDA * ART FILM * MONDAY 16TH, 10:30 = DAROCAS STUDIO

For those of you who attended my Frida Kahlo presentation, I talked about this film.

This Monday, October 16th at 10:30am = I will be showing it on HD DVD in my studio

If you wish to watch it with me = please let me know ASAP

Free Film = Bring your own Cafe :) xx

Info@SpainLifestyle.com 

JALON ARTISTS GO INDIE WITH SELF PROPELLED ART SHOW

I was invited to an art exhibition opening in Jalon on Saturday by a group of independent artists trying to DIY their way into the gallery world.

The inspiration for a group show came from a resident artist Anna Jansen who wanted to showcase an International cross section of artists from Jalon.

Karla Darocas with Katherine Waters

Myself and some of my gang arrived at the show and was surprised to find it being held in a non-commercial venue. Anna had convinced the agent at Karma Properties to give her the venue for the exhibition. Of course, she and friends had to clean it, which was not an easy task, but the walls were white and ready for art.

The show was a mix of both 2 and 3 dimensional art, paintings, collage and sculptures. The artists involved were...Anna Jansen Jans, Josbel Mengual, Jaume Nogera Mengual, Don Henderson,  Virginia Blanckaert, Ines Garces,  Lois Jansen,  Mari Ivars,  Yolanda Melieray Fullana, and  Katherine M Waters.

I was impressed by the variety of expressions being presented.

It was Katherine Waters who invited me and it was her artwork that impressed me the most. Yes, it is true, art is subjective, but I am picky! I have been around art my whole life and teaching for many, many, years and I am a hard client to please with a work of art!

She had a series of work, both sculptural and painted based on the biblical icon of Eve and her trials and tribulations with the bad apple that got her and Adam expelled from the Garden of Eden.

In the painting that held my attention, the narrative is clear... Eve is burdened with a giant apple in a cart. Her apron has a tree of life on it that look are symbolic of women's reproductive parts. The style reminds of the work of Spanish artist Remedios Varo, who was a para-surrealist, symbolist and one of the first feminist artists.



DETAILS:
The exhibition is open 10:00 - 14:00 every day throughout October.
A percentage of the sales will go to help this year's Fiesteras in Jalon.
LOCATION
Carrer Sant Joaquim, 42, 03727 Xaló, Alicante, Spain
Google map -  https://goo.gl/maps/DhK1YGzEwiG2

FRIDAY KAHLO * PRESENTATION REPEAT * MON. OCT. 9TH

REVIEWS

"I found the lecture excellent, very informative, and a very moving experience

Karla's teaching style is enthusiasm, passion, knowledgeable.

I would Absolutely recommend Karla"

* Beverley spence Lliber Spain

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"Incredible experience...Karla always gives such knowledgeable and perfect insight on the lives and works of these wonderful Artists. The time always flies by!!!!

Great location and always take away a great admiration for each Artist and a true feel of their personal lives/struggles etc.

Karla's knowledge and enthusiasm is how I would describe her teaching style. I absolutely recommend her to others."

* Diana Santiago, Javea

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"The lecture on Frida Kahlo was very interesting, informative and well presented. Karla makes the information accessible to all.

Whilst I had read about Frida Kahlo and seen an exhibition of her work at the Tate Gallery in London, I now have a much greater understanding of her work and the symbolism within it.

In addition, I now have a fuller appreciation of how her life had such an impact on her work.

We will certainly attend and look forward to other lectures in the future when we are in Spain and are only sorry to have missed so many in the past.

Karla's teaching style is very easy and she has an accessible manner of delivery. I would recommend her to other in Full!"

* Gladys Pilar Cummings Javea Spain and St Albans UK

****

Once again Karla had me totally captivated with her moving and inspirational account of the traumatic life and works of Frida Kahlo.

An artist who, whilst I had a some knowledge of prior to this lecture, had no real insight into how tragic and painful her life really was. Tissues were handed out as tears flowed during this session, an indication of how touching this lecture proved to be.

Her teaching style is Inspirational and Passionate. I always recommend Karla to other.

Sue Martin, Pedreguer

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REMEDIOS VARO * WELCOME TO HER MAGICAL WORLD

Remedio Varo (16 December 1908 – 8 October 1963) was a Spanish-Mexican para-surrealist and symbolist painter and feminist anarchist. An extremely talented intellectual  artist and incredible draftswoman too!

Born in Girona, Spain in 1908, she studied at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid.

During the Spanish Civil War she fled to Paris where she was greatly influenced by the surrealist movement. She met her second husband, the French surrealist poet Benjamin Péret, in Barcelona. She was forced into exile from Paris during the German occupation of France and moved to Mexico City at the end of 1941.

She died in 1963, at the height of her career, from a heart attack, in Mexico City.

REVIEWS

"The lecture on Remedios Varo was extremely informative and very well presented in a lively, easy to understand way.

Karla is a great communicator who inspires her audience. Karla's teaching style is casual, lively and packed with information and I would definitely recommend her to others."

Nicola Clark, Javea

******

"Prior to this lecture, Remedios Varo was an unknown to me but once again Karla worked her magic and brought this amazing woman to life, sharing her incredible experiences, surrealist works and anarchist views, which were very forward thinking for a woman of her time."

Sue Martin, Pedreguer

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"Karla, thank you so much for the presentation again. I found it revealing, most interesting.

Not only did I get an idea about Remedios Varo's life and works, but also about how visionary and enlightened she was.

Your talks open my eyes more and more each time I hear details about an artist's life. I can understand, and appreciate, her/his work a lot more."

So, many thanks - you do this job wonderfully!! Besos, Angelika xx

******

"I have to confess I had never heard of Remedios Varo before I saw some publicity for Karla's lecture but having heard Karla teach before I knew it would be worth going along.

I am so glad I did.

I learnt so much, not just about this fantastic artist but surrealism in general and world events that led to its creation and influence.

 As ever thanks Karla for a great lecture!"

Christine Wood

******

"Karla's lectures are always amazing and today's Artist subject ... the wonderful Remedios Varo. Been thinking about it all day and looking up the web for symbolism...Wow....the lectures are so informative and explicit...Always looking forward to the next!!!!

I am always impressed by Karla's enthusiasm and vast knowledge ... I recommend Karla Darocas's teaching and events always!!"  

* Diana Santiago

GATA DE GORGOS BOASTS A WONDERFUL EXPLOSION OF COLOUR AND ART

Steve and I with two friends decided to go to Gata de Gorgos on Saturday 19th August 2017 to see the hanging textiles that make up the Art al Vent, (art to the wind). This open air textile art exhibition continues until the 3rd of September.

Review and Photos by Lizzie Clayton
(click photos to enlarge)

FRIDA KAHLO * Pride, Passion & Pain * SOLD OUT* 2017

Frida Kahlo made her own face famous by painting a seemingly endless series of self-portraits that span over her 30-year career.

All of her artworks demonstrated a fierce sense of pride in her heritage that flew in the face of traditional European art school movements.

She also had a very real, if not obsessive, passion for her marriage and husband who didn't follow the bourgeois and Catholic traditions of monogamous relationships yet he loved her and cared for her to the end of her life.

Frida was an artist who truly understood the spirit of the human condition and its ability to rise above pain, suffering and disappointment in order to participate in the precious essence of life. 

This lecture and slideshow presentation will not only explore the dynamics of early 20th century European and Mexican art, it will enhance the life of Frida Kahlo and her artworks as gifts of expressive, visionary self-interpretations. 

Her artifacts. 

PRESENTATION by Karla Darocas = www.KarlaDarocas.com 
TIME: 10:30 H = sharp!
FEE: 10 Euros = payable upon entry
RESERVATION A MUST!

SEATING LIMITED...

NOTE: This is a highly emotional presentation so best bring some tissues!

** NOW FULL **