Creativity thrives in the Clot with Sunna WathenNovember 20, 2015

On Monday and Tuesday, after her kids have gone to school and the remnants of breakfast have been swept under the carpet, Deia artist Sunna Wathen transforms her house in Deia’s Clot into a vibrant creative workshop.

Sunna, who has a masters’ from the Royal College of Art in London, has offered many art classes in Deia over the years and they’re always special.

Monday – a wake-up call for curiosity

Monday mornings Sunna teaches painting and how to generate ideas that awaken curiosity and a sense of possibility. She uses everything from still life and watercolour to more unusual strategies like storytelling or even reading tea leaves to surprise and spark creativity.

Tuesday – drawing from life

Tuesdays, Sunna offers a Life Drawing Class with different models in an atmosphere that glows, especially in these winter months.

“The thing about life drawing is it’s exactly that,” Sunna says. “It’s about life, us! We’re in a room together set against time, the ticking clock, the aching muscles of our model and the sound of scritch-scratching as we experience perhaps the most challenging kind of drawing there is.”

And, as Sunna adds, “drawing from life really does teach you a way of looking, underpinning how you see the world”.

On scheduled days, Sunna takes classes out to paint in nature, down to the Cala or along the cliffs, to experience the particular joys of painting or drawing the amazing Deia landscape.

Take part in a group show

On 12 January there will be a group show of the life drawing class at Sa Cova, a cosy space in the middle of Deia. The group is made up artists at all levels, including some professionals. So, Sunna says, “it’ll be a great opportunity for someone to show their work and also be part of a nice group experience”.

Space is limited so, if taking part in a group show is something you’d love to do, it’s a good idea to join Sunna’s classes now.

Weekends and intensives

As well as the regular Monday and Tuesday classes, Sunna offers classes at the weekend plus week-long intensives. These are by appointment.

Klasses for kids

Sunna also offers private art classes for kids and will soon be setting up group classes for children.

Where and when

Classes take place in Can Ron, the idiosyncratic house her father built in the 60’s. Take the first little paved path on the left just below the Archeological Musuem. It’s the first house on the left. The house has no number or name but, on class days, Sunna puts out a sign.

Both Monday and Tuesday’s classes take place from 10.30 to 12.30 and, as they’re becoming increasingly popular, it’s a good idea to arrive early. Monday’s class costs E15 and Tuesday’s is E10.

Getting in touch with Sunna

Call Sunna on 971 636 416, email sunnawathen@hotmail.com or find her on Facebook.

If you live in Deia or you’re visiting and would love to liberate and feed your creativity as part of a friendly, welcoming group, I can’t think of a better way.

Links

Sunna’s Facebook page