Helen
Rigby
& Andy Russell
We
have been running Painting in Spain successfully since
2008. Andy is the lead tutor and Helen looks after the
guests, provides them with delicious food and runs the
business.
We
arrived in Spain in 2005 after a ‘Gap Year’ sailing from
the UK to Morocco. We took this year out as we wanted to
do something different with our lives or perhaps it was
just a typical mid-life crisis. We bought a second hand
boat, renovated it, learnt how to sail (!) and took off
to explore Europe and to give ourselves time to think
about - what next.
Andy has always been
self –employed running his Painted Effects business,
teaching art in schools and in adult education and as a
chef. Helen has had a similarly varied career path in
education, catering and more recently as a Location
Co-ordinator for a television production team as well as
other more mundane employment.
Towards
the end of the ‘Gap Year’ Helen broke her arm which
meant being grounded for 2 months in a small marina in
Barbate, Andalucía. By this time we had already decided
that we would like to try our hand at running Painting
Holidays, it seemed a sensible match for our skill set.
Andalucía
offered all the necessary requisites’ fantastic light, a
great climate, stunning scenery, etc. All we needed
was a suitable venue that was within our meagre budget.
We spent two very wet months in January and February
looking at properties and just at the point of giving up
we came across the beautiful hilltop town of Alcalá de
los Gazules. After
much deliberation we bought the property, an 18th
century Hostal which is now Painting in Spain. The house
was a ruin and Andy with some help from two local
Spanish builders spent 18 months renovating it to its
present glory whilst Helen went backwards and forwards
to the UK to work.
We
absolutely love it here but we cannot deny that at times
it has been “challenging” and extremely hard work but as
ludicrous romantics we of course would change very
little. The response from our students and guests truly
makes our efforts worthwhile.
Follow us........
