Andrew Kay: A thousand words

The offer of a painting holiday was too much to resist, but also unleashed fears

As a one time art student and graduate I have always loved the process of drawing and painting. It was where it all started, the obsession with paint and paper, my dismissal of colouring-in books. My father recognised it when I was tiny and soon I could draw in perspective and apply other such tricks, they are all tricks by the way.
When Creative Holidays Malta offered me a trip I was immediately drawn to the idea, and then filled with fear. It has been a long time since I sat out in a public space with a box of paints and a blank piece of paper. It was daunting back then but now it re-emerged as a new fear. I had once been able to do it, but could I still.

The holiday was an eye opener in many ways. Firstly I was opened to the island of Malta. It really is very beautiful, fabulous coastlines, sensational architecture and amazing history. The people were charming too, always smiling, but then why not when you live in such a pretty and sunny place. I guess I had a perception that this is a place where old Brits holiday, and in part that is true, but it really is so much more than that as I was soon to find out.
The trip was divided into two as the company offer both painting and photographic holidays. I arrived on a Friday afternoon and after checking into my very nice hotel and meeting the others we were whisked off to a pretty seaside town where we took a stroll before settling down for a superb, and I mean superb, meal in a restaurant called Commando. There is little chance of avoiding the island’s war torn history, and perhaps it is their dogged survival that has made them such a nice nation. No painting on day one although we did all have cameras out.

Day two was an early start and we headed into Valetta to meet our photography tutor Rene Rossignaud. Rene is a real charmer and a bit of a rascal but his keen eye is worthy of note and his varied career as a professional means that he brings much to the table of learning. We walked for miles through the city, Rene pointing out how the light played on the buildings, how the architecture has decayed and been restored and showing us some of his favourite places to point his lens. It was far less school room and far more experiential, which I liked. I was able to wander and drift, seeking out images that satisfied my eye rather than a prescriptive process at the end of which we might have all created the same images.
Lunch was at a smart bistro and again we were blown away by the excellent cuisine. Maltese cooks draw from that vast array of invading forces and the food as a result is fascinating.

After lunch we drove back to the water’s edge where rather precariously I was guided onto a very small Maltese boat. I have to say that as a man of a certain size I was concerned about the balance of the thing, especially as we headed into the wake of a ferry, but all was well and I managed to capture some striking images of the city from the water.
Tired but undeterred we then drove to see the citadel Mdina and an ancient temple, although it might not be a temple – who knows, anyway our marvellous guide Vince, a dry wit with a cheeky grin, was very frank about the fascinating place which is apparently older than Stonehenge. I loved it but the sensible canopy put in place to protect it, also spoiled any image making opportunities.

We moved on to the blue grotto, only to find that the currents were too strong to actually go in by boat, so after a quick Kinnie, the local soft drink, it was back to the hotel where we retired, certainly not in need of dinner.
The next day was another early start and this time we headed inland with painting tutor Tonnio Mallia. Tonnio was the man to break my watercolour fear. I knew that somewhere I had a box of watercolours, but whether I could use them was a different matter. We drove inland to a remote spot that overlooked a lush valley of farmland towards a rocky outcrop, topped with a tiny village and a huge church. Here he gave us a demonstration of how he works, fascinating and very beautiful. Then it was our turn. I was amazed at how it all came back to me and to be honest would have liked to have spent longer. My drawing was okay but hurried and my painting was bold but lacked refinement. This was however only a sample of what the company offers and I really enjoyed being allowed the freedom to express myself in paint again after so many years. Then it was off to lunch in a crumbling red building miles from anywhere. Outside it looked abandoned but on the terrace at the rear we feasted on fabulous local produce and I ate the most enormous plate of suckling pig. It was a joyous experience, truly memorable in so many ways.

After, sleepy from good food and wine, we toured the island, wondering at the sights and enjoying a walk down to an idyllic beach for more Kinnie before trying to capture the sunset with Rene who had by now rejoined us. I have to say that my photographs of this are not my favourites, as each frame has a soppy couple in that renders them icky. Exhausted we all retired without dinner, how these Maltese do not explode from over-eating is beyond me.
Day three started a little later and this time we had a class with a rather impressive tutor called Debbie Caruana Dingli, an expat and a Malta devotee. Her class was inspiring, challenging ourselves visually and then making an image based on that process. I painted three lemons and liked what I achieved in such a short time. Lunch was a fast but still mighty affair and then off by car and ferry to Gozo.
Gozo is stunning and Rene met us on the ferry to guide us to some of his favourite spots, salt-pans and extraordinary rock formations.
We ended up on a beach where Game Of Thrones was filmed, I had no idea what they were on about but it was very beautiful and rather eerie. Then off for another huge and rather splendid meal by the sea and home again.

I will return to Maltese food in a few weeks, too much good stuff to ignore. As for the Creative Holiday, I loved it and would highly recommend it to people of all abilities from beginners to the more experienced. There is no judgement, simply encouragement to explore your own creativity.
The holidays are tailored to your needs and include accommodation to suit your budget and lunch each day, they do not include flights but do include transfers on the island. Our host Faye Mallia was charming, knowledgeable and fun to be with, within no time I felt I was with friends and would certainly return.
www.creativeholidaysmalta.com
+356 9924 2992:
info@creativeholidaysmalta.com