Las Paulinas is Carmen Vega and Granada Munoz; they met before studying Fine Arts degrees in the University of Fine Arts in Salamanca and since then they have been good friends and art partners.
In 2006 Carmen got an scholarship to study in the Universidad de Santa Isabel de Hungría in Seville. After she finished her Fine Arts degrees she obtained the teaching certificate in the University of Badajoz. The year after she furthered her creative studies, with a PhD in Painting-Restoration and Conservation in Sevilla. Since 2008 along with PhD Studies in Painting-Conservation and Restoration she has taught landscape painting, drawing and collagraph printmaking to young students and adults in her private Studio in Seville. From 2010 to 2015 she has been teaching arts and crafts to children in the summers and painting to adults in the winters in her Studio in Badajoz.
In 2005 Granada got a Scholarship to study one year in the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma. After she graduated, she obtained the teaching certificate in the University of Valencia. in 2010 she studied Interior Design in London College of Communication and in 2013 she studied a master course at Chelsea College of Arts in London. From 2010 to 2013 Granada worked as art teacher in a private Studio in Kensington, London. She taught painting, life drawing and watercolours to students of different levels and age range. During those years she also run her own private life drawing classes in London Docklands.
As much as they love their current jobs teaching Arts, they also love to attend creative courses, to do their own artworks and to be involved in different art projects. For many years Carmen has been enrolled in several sculpture courses and Granada has regularly attended life-drawing sessions.
Together they have exhibited in several places in Spain, England, Portugal and France.
RESPONSIBLE HOLIDAYS
Socially
We have specifically chosen to run the painting holidays in our area because we want to bring prosperity to the local businesses, as much as to show our spectacular region to international travellers.
The lack of industry in our region results in an economy based in agriculture and with a high level of unemployment. We are helping the community by sourcing to our business with as many local and quality products as we can, thus investing in the local commerce. Meals are prepared by local businesses and the houses maintenance are carried out by local workforce. We are always interested to hire local guides to give specific sessions such as astronomy, hiking trails, etc.
Western Spain has many secret corners, off the radar for main stream tourists and we would like to show them to the knowledgeable traveller who wishes to experience first-hand the culture and the live in places that have not become a set for tourists. We know all the local traditions and gastronomy and we would like to give to our guests a real taste of our unspoiled area. We will give detailed information about local customs and attend to local events whenever they happen. We will visit local businesses and stores in an informal way and also have a little store in our premises where our guests can buy not only local food products but also cosmetics and crafts.
Environmentally
Growing up in connection with nature has made us to be actively involved in the conservation of our surroundings and the planet. The house where the creative holidays are held is located in the countryside. The energy used in the house is mainly provided by solar panels, therefore the environmental impact is kept to a minimum. We pay attention to the recycling of all waste and water usage. We also minimize the use of printed merchandising.
During the holidays, we will encourage our guests to be off the grid by proposing them different creative activities, walks, free time to read, relax in the swimming pool, to enjoy the benefits of siesta or to talk to each other. The transfer of the main group from and to the airport in one vehicle minimise the CO2 impact.
We absolutely love our natural surroundings and we will make sure that our guests will get enough information about the local flora and fauna so that they will share our excitement. In the trips to the countryside to paint and to draw the many motifs around, we will enjoy the rich landscape and we will have the opportunity to build a stronger connection with Nature and its beauty. We will make sure that we are responsible with nature and no waste is left after us, taking whatever litter we see around to keep our landscape clean and free from human footprint.
Painting holidays in Spain 