Folks it's been about 8 years since I've left the USA. And let me tell you for at least 7-and-a-half of them I've been saying that somebody here in Europe ought to organize a creative artist's retreat.
Now don't get me wrong, I know there's lots of stuff out there. I've even blogged about the letterpress workshop I took or the drawing course in Venice. I've taken a pastel class that was interesting, a cool mosaic workshop, I've done a yoga retreat. They were all great. I've enjoyed them and have no regrets.
That said, I'd like to mention the teeny, tiny drawback that these courses had:
They all focused solely on technical learning.
These sort of classes feel very old-fashioned to me. The participants learn individually from the instructor in the classic student-teacher model. And you work. You work and you work and you work. You work until there are blisters. And please let me emphasise that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Yet personally I always walk away ever so slightly unfulfilled.
So I was pretty excited when I saw Beth Nicholl's upcoming Do What You Love: Art and Creative Enterprise Retreat.
I'm thinking, "WOW" and here's why:
Finally this looks like a more holistic or "whole artist" type of event. There's not only a choice of technical learning from amazing instructors, there are group activities planned as well as business sessions. (That must be the "creative enterprise" part!) Exciting!!
And it's all happening right here. In Europe!! (Hands in the air ---YEAH!!)
It's scheduled for May 11-15th (5 days, 4 nights) in Yorkshire, England.
Here was the extra sneak peek at the accomodation. (Umm, wow again).
So I just wanted to encourage anybody who's been saving their holiday for something really great, this might be something you'll want to check out.
And one more tip, the cost of the retreat includes full board. I double checked with Beth who said that full board does include all meals cooked by a professional chef using delicious local produce. BONUS! This photo below has me missing England something crazy...
Photo Credits: Natural Retreats
Sounds perfect for you! I hope you are going. Just the setting alone sounds wonderful.
Posted by: Anne | January 24, 2011 at 02:31 PM
Hello there, I found your blog the other day (although I now can't quite remember how...) and am really enjoying it so just wanted to say hi - always nice to know when a new person starts lurking :) Also, THANK YOU for sharing this, it sounds fantastic!
Posted by: Frau Dietz | January 24, 2011 at 05:57 PM
yeah, wow! it sounds wonderful!
Posted by: iHanna | January 25, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Cool !!
It's must be fun to gather together.
Art retreat ...how good if I can hav one in Malaysia.
Posted by: Lay Hoon | January 25, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Oh my, this is beautiful... Very beautiful! Are you going?
Posted by: Jacqueline | January 25, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Dearest sweet TJ, this sounds amazing!! The view and the retreat is just gorgeous and sounds really inspiring! I hope you will be going for it. Have a lovely merry happy day and love to yoU!
Posted by: Jacqueline | January 26, 2011 at 03:01 AM
I know, I know -- I'm dying to go. I've been sitting here scheming what kind of product that I can come out with to sell that can help finance this. What would you guys be interested in seeing from me? A zine? Stationery? Ideas??
Posted by: TJ | January 26, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Hi TJ,
I'm so glad I found your blog via Brené Brown! I really like all the art that you made.
I'm a german blogger and this blog post of yours speaks to me so much cause it's something that keeps occupying my own thoughts for a while now... Maybe I'll get back to you later and e-mail you some questions if you don't mind... Let me ask you one right now if that's not too bold ;) Did you pick up the german language during your time here?
Posted by: Katharina | February 01, 2011 at 02:38 PM
Hi Katharina, welcome to Studio Mailbox! Thanks a lot for taking the time to comment. Oh dear, I worked really hard to learn German when I first came here, but it's still really quite tragic. All my articles are wrong and when people don't understand me, I start speaking louder! (Just kidding).
PS - I love Brene Brown! I'm reading her book right now. Best wishes, tj
Posted by: TJ | February 01, 2011 at 08:24 PM