Painting
in the Serra de Sintra, Portugal
www.portugalpainting.com
Tel: +351 21 928 0151
Fax: +351 21 928 2480 |
Stay
in a spectacular setting in the wooded hills of the Serra do Sintra overlooking the
Atlantic coast. Casa do Celeiro is a restored ruin designed by Alan and Mary St. George,
retired architects, now working full-time as artists. Alan (AA Dip., RIBA) paints
watercolours and creates sculptures. Mary (Dip. Arch, MA Int. Ed) taught Art and Design
for ten years in Portugal´s leading international school. She paints watercolours and
oils. Both have exhibited their work in professional art galleries in the Lisbon area. |
General Background
Alan and Mary St. George moved from the UK to Portugal in 1980 where they bought and
restored an old ruin in Colares in the Serra de Sintra. Alan had previously worked in
London as an architect for Building Design Partnership. One of his jobs had been the
supervision of the designing and building of a large bank in Lisbon. After many years of
travelling back and forth between the two countries he decided to set up a practice in
Lisbon. Mary, an American, had also worked as an architect until 1989 when she took a job
as an art teacher at St. Julian´s school. Alan retired from architecture in 1992 and Mary
decided to take a break from teaching in 1999. They have two children, Molly and Alex.
Mary and Alan are now running
painting courses in their home in Colares. The couple have been on two courses themselves,
both in France which they found stimulating and enjoyable. The combination of serious
painting, good company, good food and beautiful countryside inspired them to take
advantage of their own unique location in Portugal. On the Atlantic coast, Pé da Serra
(foot of the mountain), has a panoramic view taking in the wooded hills, gentle rolling
landscape and small unspoilt villages which hug the coastline. It is a breathtaking spot.
The House "Casa
do Celeiro"
The building consists of a square
uncovered courtyard cut into a hill which is enclosed on two sides by high retaining walls
and the other two sides by the two wings of the house. The original structure was a stable
built in the 17th century which belonged to a "quinta" (farm) on the main road
below. The St. Georges designed and restored the building in two phases. In the first
phase they developed the old barn ("celeiro") which forms one wing of the house
into a two story cottage where they lived with their small daughter. The second phase
extended the cottage at the second level incorporating a two story greenhouse to conntect
to a large living space facing both the ocean and serra. Adjoined to this open plan space
are a large eat-in kitchen and dining area with spectacular views. A studio and the master
bedroom with bathroom lead from the kitchen to form the upper level of the second wing of
the house. The final addition was a round swimming pool at the top of the property which
is reached from the barn on an external stone stair. It is also reached from a door next
to the master bedroom. The pool is set among lush gardens which step up to a terrace with
the highest and best views. The property backs onto the Serra and one can enjoy many
beautiful walks without having to get into a car.
The Area
Sintra is best known for it´s natural beauty, particularly it´s
low wooded mountains which follow the Atlantic coast an hour´s drive west of Lisbon. It
has a number of famous castles, palaces and monuments. Pena Palaace is the most
spectacular of these "built in the middle of the 19th century by King Fernando II
round a former 16th century Hieronymite monastery. It is a pastiche in which several
styles merge: Moorish, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, Baroque." (Michelin Tourist
Guide)
The Moorish castle
nestles just beneath Pena and wraps it´s stone walls, parapets and stairs around the
cliffs overlooking Sintra Vila. There are plenty of other worthwhile sites which would be
better described in a tour book of the area.
Pé de Serra is at a
crossroads where the "quintas" meet. The nearest village, Almoçageme, is a 15
minute walk (3 minute drive) down the hill from the St. Georges. It is an authentic old
village with several cafés, two restaurants, butchers, bakeries, church and a mixed group
of mostly locals with a few "estrangeiros" (ex-patriates). There are many
beaches nearby. The closest one, Praia da Adraga, is reached from Almoçageme on a steep
winding road which descends to a small beach where there is a simple but excellent local
fish restaurant. There are many restaurante in the vicinity which are, on the whole,
inexpensive yet good quality.
Accomodaton and Meals
In the old part (the barn) of the house there are two double bedded rooms which share a
bathroom. The downstairs has an old kitchen area and living space which guests are
encourage to use. On the ground floor to the right of the main entrance is another large
bedroom with a double bed. There is a bathroom also near the main entrance. Across the
courtyard is the annex which is a room with ensuite bathroom. This would be suitable for a
single person. All together, Casa do Celeiro can accommodate 7 guests. The St. Georges
believe that a small group of 4-7 people is ideal for personal attention. Meals are taken
in the dining space on the first floor. This is an intimate space with built in seating
around one large rectangular table. It gives the feeling of eating in a cabin on the prow
of a ship as it has a panoramic view of the Atlantic.
Breakfast consists of
fresh coffee or tea, orange juice and choice of toast, jams and cereal.
Lunch will normally be
a selection of cold cuts, salads, cheese, local bread, wine, beer or juice.
Dinner will consist of
a variety of international dishes including Portuguese food featuring fresh fish and
seafood. There will be three course meals starting with soup or salad, followed by meat or
fish accompanied by rice or potatoes and vegetables, finishing with a sweet or fruit.
Cheese and biscuits will be available as well as plenty of local wine, beer, juice and
bottled water.
The bar will be open in
the evenings before dinner and guests will kindly pay into the bar kitty.
Special requests
(vegetarian, etc.) should be made at the time of making reservations. They usually plan to
have dinner out (included in the price) on one or two evenings at simple but excellent
local restaurants.
Painting Course
The course consists of ten days (Sinday through Wednesday) of approximately three hours of
painting in the morning and 1 or 2 hours in the afternoon, if desired. There will be days
(probably 2) when outings to historic sites, exhibitions, markets or other points of
interest will be arranged. Guests may simply want to relax around the house or go off on
short trips by themselves as well. It is important that a good balabce be achieved for all
in this respect and that everyone finds enough to be challenged by yet has the time to
relax, enjoy the sun, pool or the beach and a bit of historic and local colour.
The structure of the
course entirely depends on the levels within the group. Those who are more advanced may
wish to go off on their own and can be directed and or driven to, if desired, specific
sites. There is a lot to see, paint and draw from the house as well. If it rains they will
set up work spaces inside. The actual teaching of technique will be provided on an ad hoc
basis rather than formally and the first day will help to establish this. Please bring
examples of your work if you have any (photos are fine). It is important that students
learn from and share with one another.
All students are
expected to bring their own materials (pencil, paper, paints, brushes, etc.). For a list
of recommended items, click here. Easels are provided. If anyone wants to work in
oils, please remember they take several days to dry and that if you are travelling by
plane, this medium is not recommended. Ususally the 10 day program includes at least one
day or session of life drawing. This often helps to "free up" students and
stimulates them in other kinds of work as well. Materials for this are provided.
Informal critiques are
organized from time to time for the benefit of the group. Individual guidance, of course,
will be given as required. On the last night there is a final show and critique of
everyone´s work which is useful as a summary of individual progress throughout the
course.
Mary St. George is on
hand for all the painting time to guide and generally help students. Alan is available on
a part-time basis.
Course Dates and Prices 2001
The course lasts ten days and included full
board, ten nights of stay and ten days of instruction, ending midday on the final
Wednesday.
The schedule is as follows:
Sunday to Wednesday, 2001
April 22 - May 2
May 13 - May 23
June 3 - June 13
June 17 - June 27
Sept. 2 - Sept. 12
Sept 16 - Sept. 26
Oct. 7 - Oct. 17
Oct. 21 - Oct. 31
Prices
Price per person sharing a double room is £585.00
Price per person alone is £625.00
For more information regarding course information
and availability click here or email elimelite.com.
For a printable materials list click here. |
