Jeni Caruana
  • Portfolio
    • Live Music Paintings
    • SKIN
    • Art in a strange time - 2020/1
    • Landscapes
  • Tuition
  • Blog
  • Contact Me!
  • About

The Golden Hour

7/12/2016

11 Comments

 
Picture
Photos rather than paintings in this blog; the evening light reminded me of something I thought you might be interested in. The Golden Hour.

Many years ago I was the tutor for Malta Art painting holidays, run by Mr Ronnie Channer (the most patient man in the world!).  Having an Army background he was actually able to organise my scatterbrained approach to life, and we ran many successful holidays bringing artists of all abilities to paint in Malta. We had a 50% return rate, not a mean feat with all the competition around. 

​The only reason Malta Art ran out of steam was that, in those pre internet days it was so difficult to advertise widely without spending a fortune.
To launch the venture, Ronnie had the brilliant idea of walking into the offices of the London advertising company in charge of the Malta campaign. They just happened to be looking for a new angle to sell Malta, and we fitted the bill perfectly. Which is how – before we had even advertised or gathered any students – we were asked to appear on the BBC’s Holiday Programme.  This was a peak viewing slot, and our interviewer (and participant) was to be the very well known Anika Rice.
I had been teaching classes to adults for years beforehand, co-tutoring a painting holiday for the Malta University, which is how I met Ronnie in the first place. I hadn’t taught one on my own though, and have to admit I was pretty nervous!
Picture
​Ronnie somehow managed to round up a contingent of locals to be our guinea pigs and BBC stars, and the week began. I have to say it wasn’t easy; being asked to repeat myself with my palette held higher, or find a good view in the director’s choice of venue really was a challenge at times. Anika had just finished a 3 year degree course in Fine Arts using oils, and found watercolours a difficult transition.

The programme was a huge success for us, and launched Malta Art with hundreds of bookings. 
​

For me it was a baptism of fire, and I have never really been nervous in front of cameras, groups of students or in interviews since. If I survived that, nothing else could be as nerve wracking!
Picture
Picture
Picture
​​It was a very interesting  experience though. There was only one cameraman and to film us riding into Mdina on a horse-drawn Karozzin we had to circle the town and go through the iconic stone gate at least four times. Once to film us from the back as we entered the gate, once close up as we went into it, once as we emerged on the other side, and again as we continued over the cobblestones into the town. Ouch.  I remember that when watching TV reality films – nothing is as simple as the editing would have us believe!
I am also reminded of the BBC Experience when the sun is setting and the Maltese limestone comes to life in shades of stunning oranges with violet shadows. The cameraman called it the Golden Hour and he wasn’t wrong. I thought of it yet again the other evening when I was leaving the venue where my current exhibition ‘Arbor Vitae’ is being held. It’s in the old British barracks above Golden Bay (see my two previous blogs for more info on the exhibition and the area) and I couldn’t resist taking a few shots of the amazing light effects. ​

The exhibition is open every day until the 16th December from 10am to 3pm. More details HERE
​
Picture
11 Comments
Sallie
7/12/2016 02:41:47 pm

Lovely to think of. I enjoy the courses tremendously. We've painted in the night. Now maybe we should have a golden hour course.

Reply
Jeni link
8/12/2016 10:32:49 am

Ah HA!! I am going to begin classes in the Park on Sunday afternoons after Christmas..... the sunset is quite early then and so yes, let's paint the Golden Hour!!

Reply
Neil
7/12/2016 03:14:27 pm

What a wonderful story to be able to tell Jeni and I love the photos - it really is golden in the photos. Such a magical island!

Reply
Jeni link
8/12/2016 10:35:37 am

Hi Neil - yes, I really treasure the light here in Malta. I think we appreciate it even more, having grown up with the grey soft light of northern Europe.
When are you coming over to soak up some sunshine??
XX

Reply
Susan Waitt
7/12/2016 05:26:15 pm

Jeni, How expertly you painted the scene for us in the telling of that marvelous story of your early launch into bringing the gift of making art to so many! What an enjoyable read! And the beautifully burnished photos are such a complement to this piece. Susan xx

Reply
Jeni link
8/12/2016 10:42:35 am

I'm glad that you enjoyed this post, Susan!
Photography is so simple to use and share these days; it's easy to forget how complicated it used to be. How lucky we are to have all this technology now. I am no expert, but I really enjoy the freedom and potential it offers us all.
If anyone had told me a few years ago that I could make my own website, write a blog and share my work so relatively easily, I would never have believed them,
Perhaps Malta Art would still be running if we had had all this at our fingertips back then....

Reply
David Blowers
7/12/2016 09:57:08 pm

Happy days Jeni. I have very fond memories of the Malta Art holidays... including the ride back in the the minibus (with Ronnie at the wheel) one evening when the light was just fantastic! Thank you for introducing Angela and I to Malta. X

Reply
Jeni link
8/12/2016 10:52:26 am

I remember those days fondly too! We had such a ball - the pleasure was all ours!
As well as the art side of the holidays, it was a great way to show people the Malta that not many tourists see. Many of our clients became regular visitors, and some - like you and Angela - actually moved here! It was a lovely way to make new friends.
I have a theory that the vast majority of people who paint are really nice people; it's something to do with wanting to connect with life in a deeper way and express themselves through colour and form.
I have proved it over and over!! XX

Reply
Ronnie
8/12/2016 05:16:27 pm

Thanks Jeni - that were happy times, I much enjoyed them and learnt so much. It was funand it is greaft to ex students

Karin Laing link
12/6/2018 10:13:39 pm

Thank you for sharing. It all looks lovely.

Reply
Jeni link
12/6/2018 10:49:25 pm

Hi Karin - it's a little slice of Heaven!!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Jeni Caruana

    ​

    Picture



    ​


    ​I love to paint - and draw - and help others to discover their creative side too.....

        Be the first to see my latest work and hear of new classes by adding your email address below. Thank you!

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Art And Business
    Artist
    Classes
    Courses
    Creativity
    Dancers
    Drawing
    Drawing People
    Emotion. Ideas
    Exhibition
    Fifty Shades Of Grey Nudes
    Figures
    Fun
    Gallery
    Images
    Inspiration
    Jazz
    Jeni Caruana
    Landscapes
    Malta
    Maltese
    Motion
    Nude Models
    Nudes
    Originality
    Painter
    Painting
    Painting Holidays
    Pictures
    Sketchbook
    Sketching
    Students
    Teacher
    Tips On Drawing
    Tutor
    Watercolours
    Workshops

    Archives

    February 2019
    July 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    August 2017
    June 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Portfolio
    • Live Music Paintings
    • SKIN
    • Art in a strange time - 2020/1
    • Landscapes
  • Tuition
  • Blog
  • Contact Me!
  • About