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Join me April 7-14, 2018 to experience "Painting for Pleasure," a retreat designed for women. Enjoy a week of inspired painterly practice with like-minded others in the heart of the Heart of Mexico. It's wonderful to care for others -- we women do our share of that! -- but, to get our creative juices flowing, we all need time to ourselves. "Painting for Pleasure" will give you lightly structured activities designed for centering, relaxing, and low stress art-making with plenty of opportunity to muse, paint, and reflect and also explore the colors, textures and flavors of San Miguel de Allende (recently named by Conde Nast "2017 Best City in the World").

You can too paint (even if you don't believe you can)! This retreat is designed for painters of all skill levels, beginners included. Even if you've never held a brush, I can help you gain access to the wonderful world of oil paint. If you're more experienced, my facilitation will aim to help you deepen your painting practice. (The focus will be more on artistic process than technique.)

Basic materials will be provided as part of the registration, plus, you'll receive a discount coupon for a nearby art supply shop if you want to supplement. You're also free to bring your own equipment, especially if you want to paint outdoors, either on site or in the many colorful plazas and parks in Centro San Miguel. In addition to painting, we'll plan time to talk about art, courage, authenticity, and what it takes to cultivate a meaningful art-life.

Our retreat venue is really cool! When I was in Mexico last May I scouted locations for this retreat and was delighted to find Casa de la Noche, located in the Centro Historico district of San Miguel de Allende.(In case you're wondering, Mexico is a very large country; San Miguel is not anywhere near earthquake zones or other troubled areas.) Barbara Poole, the owner of casa de la Noche is an American ex-pat painter-turned-innkeeper who loves hosting artists! She has created a very attractive space with artists in mind. In addition to the private rooms, there's a lovely studio space, a large meditation/movement studio, and a number of sitting and meeting areas. Original art by a wonderful Mexican painters hangs throughout the hotel.

For maximum privacy and freedom, I have reserved the entire venue for our retreat week. The retreat is limited to 12 women with each having a room of their own. (A special reduced rate is available thru the hotel if you'd like to invite a friend or spouse to join you at the conclusion of the retreat.) Click here learn more about Casa de la Noche.

Retreat costs. Accommodation, registration and materials fees are rolled into one with 3 different pricing options for the accommodation portion. Register by November 30 to get first choice of rooms plus free round trip airport shuttle service. Breakfast is included in the cost; you'll be on your own for most other meals which the favorable exchange rate make very reasonable.

You'll make your own travel arrangements to one of two nearby airports (Leon/BJX and Queretaro/QRO). (We've had very good experiences on Volaris which flies direct from Chicago-Midway.) As with any travel these days, consider purchasing travel insurance.

Sounds yummy, doesn't it?! "Painting for Pleasure" promises to be a unique art-making and renewal experience. I'd love to share it with you! Please pass along this invitation to any woman you think would benefit from time to themselves alongside like-minded others.

Early birds get the first choice of rooms (and more) .... Register by November 30 and your round trip shuttle from airports is free! Click here for  a schedule of a typical day, accommodation selections and price sheet.

Let's do this! Please let me know your questions -- I look forward to hearing from you!

Ellie

Alive!  36 x 60 oil/canvas

Join me April 7-14, 2018 to experience "Painting for Pleasure," a retreat designed for women. Enjoy a week of inspired painterly practice with like-minded others in the heart of the Heart of Mexico. It's wonderful to care for others -- we women do our share of that! -- but, to get our creative juices flowing, we all need time to ourselves. "Painting for Pleasure" will give you lightly structured activities designed for centering, relaxing, and low stress art-making with plenty of opportunity to muse, paint, and reflect and also explore the colors, textures and flavors of San Miguel de Allende (recently named by Conde Nast "2017 Best City in the World").

You can too paint (even if you don't believe you can)! This retreat is designed for painters of all skill levels, beginners included. Even if you've never held a brush, I can help you gain access to the wonderful world of oil paint. If you're more experienced, my facilitation will aim to help you deepen your painting practice. (The focus will be more on artistic process than technique.)

Basic materials will be provided as part of the registration, plus, you'll receive a discount coupon for a nearby art supply shop if you want to supplement. You're also free to bring your own equipment, especially if you want to paint outdoors, either on site or in the many colorful plazas and parks in Centro San Miguel. In addition to painting, we'll plan time to talk about art, courage, authenticity, and what it takes to cultivate a meaningful art-life.

Our retreat venue is really cool! When I was in Mexico last May I scouted locations for this retreat and was delighted to find Casa de la Noche, located in the Centro Historico district of San Miguel de Allende.(In case you're wondering, Mexico is a very large country; San Miguel is not anywhere near earthquake zones or other troubled areas.) Barbara Poole, the owner of casa de la Noche is an American ex-pat painter-turned-innkeeper who loves hosting artists! She has created a very attractive space with artists in mind. In addition to the private rooms, there's a lovely studio space, a large meditation/movement studio, and a number of sitting and meeting areas. Original art by a wonderful Mexican painters hangs throughout the hotel.

For maximum privacy and freedom, I have reserved the entire venue for our retreat week. The retreat is limited to 12 women with each having a room of their own. (A special reduced rate is available thru the hotel if you'd like to invite a friend or spouse to join you at the conclusion of the retreat.) Click here learn more about Casa de la Noche.

Retreat costs. Accommodation, registration and materials fees are rolled into one with 3 different pricing options for the accommodation portion. Register by November 30 to get first choice of rooms plus free round trip airport shuttle service. Breakfast is included in the cost; you'll be on your own for most other meals which the favorable exchange rate make very reasonable.

You'll make your own travel arrangements to one of two nearby airports (Leon/BJX and Queretaro/QRO). (We've had very good experiences on Volaris which flies direct from Chicago-Midway.) As with any travel these days, consider purchasing travel insurance.

Sounds yummy, doesn't it?! "Painting for Pleasure" promises to be a unique art-making and renewal experience. I'd love to share it with you! Please pass along this invitation to any woman you think would benefit from time to themselves alongside like-minded others.

Early birds get the first choice of rooms (and more) .... Register by November 30 and your round trip shuttle from airports is free! Click here for  a schedule of a typical day, accommodation selections and price sheet.

Let's do this! Please let me know your questions -- I look forward to hearing from you!

Ellie