Discover Estate under the Paint Brush – Vis Island Croatia

Come with me to the island of Vis this summer! There are daily ferries that sail to the island from Split. One is ferry that takes cars and other vehicles as well as foot passengers, while other one is fast catamaran ferry that takes foot passengers only.

Located in central Dalmatia with area of about 90 km2, here limestone crests hills are covered with macchia and fertile valleys, red soil is interspersed with sand dunes and cultivated with vines. The main settlements are Vis and Komiza.

Vis was strategically significant in the Adriatic and many naval battles were fought here. The Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians, Austrians, French and British all aimed at control of Vis at different times.

Vis charms appeals to independent travelers and families. Wine tasting, vineyard tours, fishing trips and "real food" grown on organic farms. Unique historical, cultural, and natural heritage, crystal clear sea, stunning hidden beaches, bays and islands, kind hosts and comfortable accommodation in private houses and apartments, Vis is favorite tourist destination for those in search of peace and tranquility.

Rukavac is becoming one of the island`s most attractive tourist destinations, known for its excellent location and comfortable accommodation. It is situated on the southern coast of the island, some ten km from the town of Vis. From the terraces there is a magnificent view across the sea and the green hills. Beautiful coves, sandy and pebbly beaches and the crystal-clear sea.

In Rukavac one can find a number of restaurants offering Dalmatian specialties. "Dalmatino" is one such popular fish restaurant situated on the rocks above the sea, in the oldest part of the village.

There is a lot to see and do on Vis island and every summer the island hosts artists from all over the world. On a 1.500 square meter garden surrounded with pines and dotted with flowers, les the "Estate under Pain Brush". In Josip Karakas1s Open Atelier one can view presentations of multifaceted artists, including paintings and handmade objects.

An artist and art historian and one time editor, Josip Karakas is also the founder of the International Art Summer "Dega Art", opened to art lovers from everywhere.

"We offer creative holidays on the island and a satisfaction for mind and soul, where beauty and harmony of the island leads the way, says Josip Karakas. "Estate under the Paintbrush", is his dream undertaking. His family also lives here - in harmony with nature and art.

We welcome you with open arms in our home, lovely garden and art studio, interview

Q: Is Vis Island the world of your choice?

Josip Karakas: The island Vis is definitely the place I have been searching for. I have lived in many different cities, but when I first came to Vis, I knew immediately that I shall return someday to spend the rest of my life here.

Q: Tell us something about yourself, your favorite books, music, movies, sayings, places, corners, friends, outlook in life, past time activities…?

Josip Karakas: It is not easy to speak about myself, I would prefer others to do it. They say that I have an unbelievable amount of energy, that I can move mountains, that I am persistent in what I do, but that I am individualistic and prefer to do things my own way.

Music is an essential part of my everyday life. I am always surrounded by the sound of music and when I don't listen to it, I play it. As a boy I learned how to play the guitar and the piano and I can tell you there was a battle between choosing a career in music or painting. In the end, painting that prevailed, but music remained as part of my every single brush stroke.

During current period of my life, I use words less, read and write less, even though I used to be a very successful art critic, publisher and editor of several journals and books.

But deep inside my soul a novel is being created, a novel I intend to put on paper in the near future.

Q: You are an artist and art historian and live with nature here on the island of Vis. Words that come to mind being illuminated by imagination and inspiration, radiating joy, finding delight in life, angels on your shoulders, things flowing smoothly, feeling welcomed and at ease. And also limitless depth of emotion to sustain you through any circumstance, a tranquil state of perfect calm and receptivity, the vast wisdom of the collective unconscious, the capacity to understand and reflect the needs and desires of the observer, inner vision. An artist puts his own life into picture, which are yours?

Josip Karakas: When I started my life in nature, I began losing touch with my art. Nature - is such a divine creator, that left me breathless. Although everyone thinks that sunny and bright days are my inspiration, it is the wind and the storm that actually ignite my creative spirit.

Q: You promise to receive everyone with open arms at your estate. Would you like to give us a tour of "Estate under Paint Brush", what kind of experience it offers?

Josip Karakas: I could talk for days about "Estate under the Paintbrush," which is the name my family gave to our property. Imagine, a rocky mountain where we spent days, months, years, trying to "paint," as close to what we had imagined - the garden of our dreams.

And now, anywhere on this estate I feel pure energy emanating from each stone, every flower and every tree I have planted here. It feels as if they are all watching me - with joy. To some it may sound strange, but my wife and I communicate with every single element in our garden.

Q: Would you like to guide us through your gardens in spring, sounds and scents of your estate?

Josip Karaks: It isn´t easy to describe a garden. To me it looks like a beautiful woman, with a breath of serenity and life and a scent of love. To others it´s a very beautiful Mediterranean garden that acquired the look of an artistic botanical garden, carefully created by the caring hands of my wife.

Q: A brief reflection, who are your guests?

Josip Karakas: I must admit that we have always wonderful guests.They are kind and cultured people who value the unique scents of our garden .

Q: You are located in Rukavac, a quiet and picturesque place, formerly a fishing village and now a tourist resort. Would you like to introduce it?

Josip Karakas: Rukavac is a true micro cosmos! Every house and its inhabitants have their unique place in this cosmos. During winter, Rukavac is a very peaceful. I think people from the cities rarely experience such feeling of serenity. They must come here to understand it. Rukavac offers nothing from what a city does. It is a small place with beautiful beaches, scents and clear sea.

During the summer, the tourists bring some noise to our village but what is interesting - they do not disrupt its tranquility. Nature here is perfectly in tact in particular for those who seek a place where they can find themselves.

Q: What is a good way to see Vis island, activities, must see places, day trips, festivals?

Josip Karakas: There is a lot to see and do on Vis island. One can, for example, fly or paraglide, if you want to dive, there is a diving club, then you have sailing, water skiing, cycling, and much more. Every summer, Vis hosts artists from all over the world. Tourist can also enjoy good music and theatre performances in some of the oldest churches and forts.

Q: Tell us about Vis tourist resorts, infrastructure, facilities…?

Josip Karakas: Vis does not have good infrastructure. The transportation on the island is not well organized. The best way is to come with car, to be able to truly experience the beauty of this island.

Q: Food, trendy places to eat, restaurants…?

Josip Karakas: Vis is a place for good food lovers. Good food is to be found everywhere. People here truly enjoy food. The food is authentic and the hosts usually catch fish themselves. In their wine cellars they keep good wines. Each household has its own type of cuisine and they made their own authentic organic food.

Q: A word about environment, challenges… ?

Josip Karakas: Vis was voted by WWF as one of ten best kept ecosystems and heavenly places in the Mediterranean. The Vis archipelago along with the islands Biševo, St. Andrea, Palagruža and little islands, with two caves - which are natural wonders - namely the Blue Cave and Green Cave, are some of the best preserved ecosystems in the Adriatic Sea.

Q: A poet from Vis island sums up "Only those, who live the sea, are also dreaming it". Introduce us to the area, vistas and the first sight of unique and delicate landscape of Vis?

Josip Karakas: Vis is the outermost inhabited island in Central Dalmatia and throughout its history it was a very important destination for many people - from ancient times to modern history, which provided the island with unique cultural heritage.

Q: Would you like to introduce the community if Vis?

Josip Karakas: The island´s community has some 4,000 inhabitants. Some of them are writers, 15 are painters and some are musicians. There are several NGO´s on the island, dealing with environmental protection, cultural heritage and outside institutional education. Among them there is our NGO, "Dega Art", which is especially successful in projects dealing with environmental protection.

Q: Final thoughts, message, invitations…

Josip Karakas: I almost said too much! I would like to invite you to our island. Come to our little paradise! Get to know it, love it and enjoy the pristine beauty! I hope you will join us in enjoying the color, smell, and art of our "Estate under the Paintbrush."

Thank you.

"Estate under Paint Brush" is feature on Facebook. Become a fan and receive updates.

ABOUT THE ISLAND OF VIS - CROATIA

Vis ,Greek – Issa, Italian, Venetian – Lissa its the most westerly larger Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea and is part of the Central Dalmatian group of island, covering an area of 90.26 km² and a population of 3,617. There are two towns and municipalities on the island, Vis and Komiza, both located on the seacoast.

The island of Vis was inhabited from the Neolithic period. In the 4th century B.C., the tyrant of Siracuse, Dionysius the Elder, founded the colony Issa on the island. Later, it became an independent city-state, and minted its own money and founded its own colonies. The island was held by the Liburnians. Its importance in the region ended with the first Ilyro-Roman war.

After, the island for several centuries was under the rule of Republic of Venice. At the end of World War I, it passed under Italian rule and according to the Treaty of London, it was ceded to Yugoslavia. At the end of WW2, the island became part of Yugoslavia. In 1991 it became part of independent Croatia.

Main industries are agriculture, mainly viticulture, fishing, fish refinement and tourism. Around 20 percent of arable land is covered with vineyards. The sea around Vis is rich with fish. Komiža fishermen of the 17th century developed their own type of fishing boat, the "falkusa" used even during second half of the 20th century because of its excellent features.

Image: Vis island Croatia, unique historical, cultural and natural heritage, crystal clear sea, stunning beaches