“The essence of Joya: AiR is the people who have created it, Simon and Donna.  To get to know them, to witness the beautiful way they live their lives sustainably and creatively and the courage and conviction behind their decisions is an inspiration in itself.  The luxury of being able to lose oneself completely and spend all day being creative was exactly what I had been longing for and I was able to do this because of just the right amount of nurture.  I found myself waking up full of energy, looking forward to a whole day to be spent playing with new ideas and new mediums.  When it was time to return home I was completely recalibrated.   I would love to return one day, Joya: AiR is an experience that I will be drawing from for some time”.

Karen Birkin

BA art history at Courtauld Institue, London

Worked in film production and distribution and then changed career and worked as a restorer of 15th and 16th century Dutch paintings.

Completed two years of a BA in fine art at Coleg Menai in Gwynedd but was unable to complete due to starting a family..

Currently doing an MA in Fine art at Coleg Menai.