FINE ARTS TRIP MADRID 2016




Thank you from my heart to Karla Ingleton Darocas for organising an unforgettable few days of visiting art galleries in Madrid. Sorolla House, the Spanish masters at the Prado, the Thyssen museum with a fantastic Renoir exhibition, the Queen Sofía for mind-blowing Dalí and Picasso and the exquisite romantics and costumes of the period at Queen Isabel II House...

A stroll through Retiro Park and a blissful 10 minutes listening to an audio art installation in the glass house, the sights, sounds and architecture of this great city, joyful dinners, cake and coffee morning teas, and hot chocolate and churros at the famous Choclatería San Gines.

Travelling at 300+ kmph on the high speed train was a thrill. Enjoyed every minute of all of this and grateful to Karla for organising it all and especially her fantastic in-depth knowledge of the paintings, the painters and the juicy gossip about the characters of the time, just fascinating and enlightening. XXXXX

- Kathleen Misson

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Hi Karla.
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful few days in Madrid - I had a great time and really enjoyed the museums especially with all your immense knowledge surrounding the artists and paintings and of course the Spanish history - although I am now brain dead and absolutely knackered what a time spent with everyone on our whirlwind tour!
- Janis Turner

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Hi Karla
Thank you so much for your lively commentary and company, you were the cherry on the cake, that made our trip to Madrid so perfect.  Having participated in both the Dali lectures and Sorolla, it really helped me to have a better understanding of their art form, rather than just saying "I Like" "I don't like".  And, opened my eyes to alternative art forms as well.

Only disappointment for me, was that the Sorolla Museo was only partically opened.  Having been there last year, before your Sorolla lecture, I was so looking forward to greedily feasting my eyes...

- Helen Baxter

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How did you hear about Karla Darocas educational sessions, trips, films and workshops
* Through attending her other lectures and talks

What did you learn?
* Not just about the paintings but also much more about the lives of the artists

What features did you feel were beneficial in this event?
* Seeing the actual paintings that were shown at the lectures and talks - it makes it so much more real it brings the whole thing into prospective especially with all the extra imput from Karla about the why and how surrounding any particular works.

What elements did you like about the teaching style of Karla Darocas? * Her absolute passion about art which makes the student want to learn more

Would you recommend Karla Darocas teaching and events to others?
* Absolutely

FULL NAME & LOCATION * Janis Turner

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How did you hear about Karla Darocas educational sessions, trips, films and workshops
* From having attended her lectures

What did you learn?
* So much that my brain aches but am hungry for more

What features did you feel were beneficial in this event?
* Karla somehow manages to combine not only her immense energy but also a wonderful laid back and thoughtful approach to her lectures that evokes hunger for more knowledge along with an inspirational new viewpoint on the artists whilst delving into their lives and loves.
She brings it all to life and I absolutely love it.

What elements did you like about the teaching style of Karla Darocas? * Her vast knowledge

Would you recommend Karla Darocas teaching and events to others?
* Absolutely

FULL NAME & LOCATION
* Sue Martin from Pedreguer

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How did you hear about Karla Darocas educational sessions, trips, films and workshops
* Media

What did you learn?
* Artist technique, brush strokes how you interpret what the you are seeing. Understanding how art changed when able to take the canvas outside into natural light.

What features did you feel were beneficial in this event?
* I learnt about the history and context of when a painting was created. Who influenced the artist, the people who commissioned the paintings. The style of painting and the advent of photography alongside new techniques in painting. All learnt alongside a great deal of fun, Karla makes the time and artists come alive with a great knowledge of history. Fantastic trip and I can highly recommend it to anyone wanting to broaden their understanding. Thanks Karla and all the ladies who came too as that friendship is very important too.

What elements did you like about the teaching style of Karla Darocas? * Making it fun with so much insight

Would you recommend Karla Darocas teaching and events to others?
* Yes

FULL NAME & LOCATION
* Lizzie Clayton

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FRUITS OF FUNDRAISER BRINGS FORTH A COMPUTER TO ENHANCE CREATIVITY


On October 24th, I held a Fine Arts lecture on the master painter - Joaquín Sorolla at the Church Center in Javea. It was well attended and raised much needed funds for one of my Fine Arts students - Laura Aldridge.

Laura is a single mother struggling to raise a young boy. She is also a creative artist who produces artworks as an entrepreneur and this drives some income.

A few months ago, Laura was sent to me to train in some other skill sets that I teach like photography and marketing by a charity called Guardian Angels. While the charity paid for her training, they did not wish to fund a new laptop for Laura. Fair enough. However, I know by experience that in any business platform it is impossible to generate revenue without a computer these days.

Hence the Sorolla fundraiser and the result!!!
We went shopping at Media Mart in Gandia and bought a good quality Hewlett Packard laptop with Windows 10 and all the bells and whistles.

Thank you to all who helped in this campaign and attended the lecture on Sorolla and Thank you to Lizzie Clayton for driving us up and to Gandia :)

We all can expect great things for Laura in the future!!

Big Love,
Karla Darocas

PS. A representative from the Fine Arts Society of London was at the Sorolla lecture and after the event I received an invitation to London to give a presentation to a judging committee up there in order to become an "accredited" Fine Arts lecturer for that society. However, I don't think I will be going to London any time soon - but they have left the offer open if I do decide to make the journey.