When people first hear about an art retreat, they often imagine watercolor lessons, beautiful locations, and days spent painting.
And yes, those things are certainly part of the experience.
But after teaching workshops and retreats over the years, I've realized that the paintings are rarely what people remember most.
They remember the feeling.
The conversations shared over breakfast before a painting session begins.
The excitement of opening a sketchbook and trying something new.
The quiet moments spent observing a flower, a garden, or a landscape alongside people who understand why those small details feel so special.
They remember the encouragement.
The laughter.
The friendships.
The confidence they discover along the way.
That is the real magic of creating together.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of teaching artists from many different countries, backgrounds, and experience levels. Some arrived feeling confident. Others felt nervous about painting in front of other people. Some came alone, not knowing anyone.
Yet by the end of the retreat, something beautiful always happens.
Strangers become friends.
Students begin encouraging one another.
Sketchbooks fill with paintings, observations, and memories.
And often, people leave with far more than they expected.
I saw this during previous retreats in France, where artists spent their days painting, exploring, sharing meals, and connecting through creativity. While the watercolor lessons were important, it was the atmosphere of curiosity, support, and shared discovery that made the experience so memorable.
Again and again, participants told me the same thing:
They came hoping to improve their painting.
They left feeling inspired, connected, and creatively renewed.
That experience has shaped the way I think about every workshop I plan.
Because for me, teaching has never been only about watercolor techniques.
It's about creating a space where people can slow down, become present, and reconnect with their creativity.
A space where it's safe
to experiment.
to learn.
to make mistakes.
And safe to simply enjoy the process.
As I begin planning my workshops for 2027, these are the moments I find myself thinking about most.
Not the demonstrations.
Not the finished paintings.
But the conversations, discoveries, and connections that happen when creative people come together in one place.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Every workshop I plan begins with the same question:
How can I create an experience that helps people slow down, reconnect with their creativity, and leave feeling inspired?
That question continues to guide every workshop and retreat I teach.
Each location offers something unique.
A different landscape.
A different atmosphere.
A different source of inspiration.
But the heart of each experience remains the same: creating together, learning together, and making space for creativity to flourish.
I'm excited to invite you to three very special watercolor experiences in 2027.
Amsterdam Workshop, 2027
12 - 16 April 2027
Spring in the Netherlands is unlike anywhere else in the world.
Together we'll explore the breathtaking gardens of Keukenhof, visit vibrant tulip fields, gather inspiration directly from nature, and spend five days developing our watercolor skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Whether you're a beginner or a more experienced artist, this workshop is designed to help you grow creatively while experiencing one of the most beautiful flower seasons in Europe.
If you're curious about what these workshops feel like, you can read about our previous Amsterdam gathering in Botanical Watercolor Workshop in Amsterdam, where artists spent their days painting among spring blooms, exploring gardens, and filling sketchbooks with botanical studies and memories that lasted long after the workshop ended.
→ Learn more about the 2027 Amsterdam Workshop
UK Art Retreat, 2027
8 - 14 August 2027
The UK Art Retreat is designed for artists who long for uninterrupted creative time.
Set within the beautiful countryside of East Sussex, we'll spend a week painting botanical subjects, exploring watercolor techniques, visiting inspiring gardens, and enjoying the simple pleasure of creating without the distractions of everyday life.
More than anything, this retreat is about slowing down, reconnecting with your creativity, and sharing the experience with a small group of like-minded artists.
→ Learn more about the UK Art Retreat
Sigulda, Latvia – A Workshop Close to My Heart, 2027
Of all the workshops I'm planning for 2027, this one feels especially personal.
Sigulda is my hometown — the place where I grew up, where I return when I need inspiration, and where many of my creative ideas begin.
It's a place of forests, winding trails, sandstone cliffs, wildflowers, and changing seasons. A place that quietly teaches you to slow down and pay attention.
Over the years, many of these landscapes have found their way into my sketchbooks and paintings. Now, I'd love to share them with you.
The details are still taking shape, but my vision is simple: a creative experience that combines watercolor, nature, and the places that have inspired my own artistic journey for so many years.
If you'd like to be among the first to hear more, leave a comment below with "Sigulda" and I'll personally reach out as soon as the details are finalized.
I can't wait to share this special corner of the world with you. 💚
A Journey Through Past Workshops
France Art Retreat 2024-2025
A peaceful retreat where watercolor, nature, and meaningful connections came together. Days were filled with painting, sketchbook practice, shared meals, and quiet moments of inspiration in the French countryside.
London Botanical Watercolor Workshop 2025
A unique botanical art experience combining hands-on painting, access to historic botanical collections, and sketching among some of London's most beautiful gardens.
Amsterdam Botanical Watercolor Workshop 2024-2026
Five inspiring days surrounded by tulip fields, spring gardens, and fellow watercolor enthusiasts. Together we explored the beauty of Keukenhof, gathered botanical references, and transformed them into vibrant watercolor paintings.
Dubai Watercolor Workshop 2025
Surrounded by artists from around the world, we spent our days painting, learning, and sharing our creative journeys. While every sketchbook filled with watercolor studies, it was often the conversations, encouragement, and connections that became the most meaningful part of the experience.
If there's one thing I've learned through teaching workshops over the years, it's that creativity grows best when it's shared.
Yes, we come together to learn watercolor techniques, fill sketchbooks, and improve our skills.
But we also come together to slow down, notice the beauty around us, and connect with people who understand the joy of creating.
Whether you join me in Amsterdam, the UK, Sigulda, or somewhere else in the future, my hope is always the same:
That you leave with new skills, new inspiration, and wonderful memories that stay with you long after the final brushstroke.
I hope to paint with you soon.
With love,
Kristine 💚
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