NSW Painting Retreat & WORKSHOP Recap
As I prepare for my Tasmania retreat, I am sitting here waiting for my flight, reflecting back on my last painting workshop fondly. Honestly, it was such a beautiful week, working with The Art Shack art at Wilgabah for the first time, which is kind of crazy, given that Ive been a solid part of the tutoring landscape in Australia for so long, and they live closer to my home than any of my partners! In any case, it was more than time that I paid them a visit, and Im so pleased I did.
So many wonderful new memories were made with my fabulous group of students, laughing so much, learning loads about realistic watercolour painting together. Enjoying the peace and quiet of the property alone, blossom trees alive with flowers on a backdrop of clear blue skies, and the deafening, welcoming hum of bees… and the birds! Soooo many birds! It was good for the soul, honestly. Even the drive out there was spectacular, passing through all the little country towns on my way, the brilliant yellow wattle flowering over the landscape in abundance, its show topped only by the canola fields in breathtaking, blooming beauty… my goodness, it was a magical drive in itself.
Over 5 days we painted, delving into the fabulous nitty gritties of our beautiful subjects, watercolour painting, overcoming our roadblocks for a far more aligned and confident path forwards for successful painting by the day. A full breakfast and fabulous coffee hit all the right spots to kick start our fresh mornings, greetings from Penny the ever so adorable workshop, sheep mustering, all round legend sausage dog, followed by more food, jugs of perfect hot chocolate, cuddles with the dog, a little time lapping up the sunshine between our painting sessions… then wine! It was a winner of a week with wonderful food, and the best company too.
Our subjects were, by request, the rose robin (image thanks to Andrew Haysom) and a pomegranate study with a gorgeous butterfly (Alex Passmore and Phillip Start) to give us an extremely well rounded cross section of painting techniques and challenges. My students absolutely killed it! The came so far and produced wonderful work, you could SEE the progress emerging through their work from one day to the next which is always a gift to see. It was such a lovely creative reset, and everyone rose to the occasion happily. We wrapped up our week renewed and inspired, keen to put our hands to new horizons with clearer vision and confidence.
The workshop for next year, August 4-8 inclusive, was close to booked out within minutes of scheduling it, but if youd like to join us, let Tania know as were taking the last bookings for the 2026 workshop now. I am already looking forward to it! Our subject is by request, with a unanimous selection of the Regent Honeyeater, which will be the main focus for this 5 day bird painting workshop… Perhaps Ill see you there!
Thank you to everyone who joined me, Ill see you again before we know it ✨🙏🏻✨