The Magic of Creating Together: More Than a Watercolor Retreat

July 27, 2026

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.

At home, finding time to paint isn't always easy. There are responsibilities, messages waiting for replies, and a hundred little things asking for our attention.

But when you travel somewhere specifically to paint, the rhythm changes.

You wake up knowing the day is yours to create. There's no need to rush through a painting session or put your brushes away because something else needs to be done.

You have time to observe, experiment, ask questions, and simply enjoy being an artist.

And perhaps the most beautiful part is sharing that freedom with people who feel the same way.

I've witnessed this during so many of my workshops and retreats, and it's something that never stops inspiring me.

In London, we wandered through Kew Gardens, discovering beautiful botanical details. In Provence, we painted in a 200-year-old estate and enjoyed long dinners filled with conversations and laughter. In Amsterdam, we stood among the colorful tulips at Keukenhof, surrounded by the beauty of spring.

Each place offered something different, but the feeling was always the same.

The excitement of opening a sketchbook and trying something new.

The quiet moments spent observing a flower or a landscape alongside people who understand why those small details feel so special.

The encouragement when something doesn't go quite as planned.

The laughter, the conversations, and the little discoveries along the way.

Over the years, I've had the privilege of teaching artists from many different countries, backgrounds, and experience levels. Some arrived feeling confident, while others were nervous about painting in front of people they had never met. Some traveled with friends, and others came alone.

But somewhere between painting sessions, shared meals, and creative discoveries, something beautiful always happened.

Strangers became friends.
Students began encouraging one another.
Sketchbooks filled with paintings, observations, and memories.

And often, people left with far more than they expected.

Of course, learning watercolor techniques and improving your painting skills are important parts of every workshop I teach. I love seeing that moment when a student finally understands a technique they've been struggling with or discovers a new confidence in their own abilities.

But for me, teaching has never been only about the finished painting.

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 to simply enjoy the process.

Because sometimes, what we need most isn't another painting lesson.

It's the time and freedom to create, surrounded by people who share our love for art.

And as I begin planning my workshops and retreats for 2027, these are the moments I find myself thinking about most.

Not just the demonstrations or the paintings we'll create, but the conversations, discoveries, friendships, and memories that will stay with us long after we return home.

That's the real magic of creating together.

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, and 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 share the watercolor experiences I've planned for 2027.

Amsterdam Workshop, 2027

12 - 16 April 2027 (Fully booked)

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

20 - 26 September 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, and beautiful changing seasons. And in September, when autumn begins to paint the landscape in warm golden tones, it becomes even more magical.

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.

For this special workshop, I'm inviting you to my hometown and studio, where we'll spend time painting, exploring the beauty of autumn, and finding inspiration in the surroundings that have shaped my own artistic journey.

But more than anything, I want you to experience Sigulda the way I know and love it. To slow down, notice the little details, and enjoy the simple pleasure of creating together.

I can't wait to welcome you to this special corner of the world and share a little piece of my home with you. 💚

→ Discover the Sigulda Watercolor Workshop

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.