Cultivating Creativity
October 10th-15th in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Dropping In To Creative Nature:
Our second Cultivating Creativity retreat will take place in the magical land of Santa Fe, filled with artistic inspiration and culture to awaken our inner creative. We will be immersing ourselves into the natural beauty of the New Mexico landscapes and colors, all to translate them to various mediums of art. Discover the art of creation firsthand, as we dive into the alchemy of pigment making, the vibrant strokes of painting outdoors, and the captivating lens of abstract photography. Our workshops, inspired by the trailblazing spirit of Georgia O'Keeffe, beckon you to explore mediums that echo her revolutionary style. Experience O'Keeffe's artistic world and merge with the vivacious hues, intricate textures, and enigmatic forms of Santa Fe's landscape, unlocking your creativity and dropping back in to your body. In order for our creativity to thrive, we understand the importance of presence in nature. Santa Fe is a sacred space that beckons you to rediscover nature's embrace. Stroll through guided nature walks, delve into calming meditations, express your innermost thoughts through journaling, and revitalize your spirit with soothing sound baths. This unique blend of artistry and nature aims to ignite your creativity and nurture a profound appreciation for the limitless world of expression.
Everyone Is Creative:
The entire point of our Cultivating Creativity retreats is to break the barriers when it comes to artistic gatekeeping. Often, people perceive creativity as solely confined to artistic pursuits like painting, writing, or music. However, creativity extends far beyond these traditional forms; it manifests in problem-solving, innovation, decision-making, and everyday tasks. Engaging in artistic endeavors isn't just for the naturally gifted; it's a means for everyone to tap into their innate creativity. Exploring artistic activities, whether it's painting, sculpting, dancing, or even cooking, can significantly benefit mental health and foster neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections.
Creativity Is Vital For Our Health:
Time for creative play offers a powerful outlet for self-expression. It provides a safe space to channel emotions, thoughts, and experiences into something tangible. This act of creation serves as a form of therapy, allowing individuals to process complex feelings, reduce stress, and manage anxiety or depression. Artistic expression empowers individuals to communicate and understand themselves on a deeper level, promoting self-awareness and emotional well-being.
Engaging in creative activities encourages a state of mindfulness and flow—a sense of being fully immersed and absorbed in the present moment. It pulls us away from the hustle and stress of everyday life. This absorption helps in calming the mind, reducing the constant chatter of worries, and promoting relaxation. The meditative nature of artistic endeavors contributes to stress reduction and an overall improvement in mental clarity and focus.
From a neurological perspective, trying new artistic activities stimulates various regions of the brain, fostering neuroplasticity. When individuals step out of their comfort zones and try novel artistic pursuits, they challenge their brain to form new connections and pathways. Over time, this can enhance cognitive abilities, memory, and problem-solving skills, contributing to overall brain health and resilience.
Community In Creativity:
Community is vital for the arts: whether you consider yourself an artist or is someone picking up a paintbrush for the first time. It drives a sense of safety in exploration: something that is not fostered to us as adults in society. The thrill of trying something unfamiliar in the company of others creates a dynamic atmosphere full with excitement and camaraderie. When delving into new artistic activities as a group, there's an air of shared discovery and adventure. The collective enthusiasm fuels the creative energy, inspiring everyone to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the unknown… without fear of perceived judgment. Each individual's unique perspective and style contribute to the collective pool of creativity, generating a diverse range of ideas and interpretations, and is ultimately what makes the group so special. The combination of shared enthusiasm, collaborative spirit, and supportive environment makes the experience not just fun but also deeply rewarding and inspiring for all involved.
O'Keeffe's Canvas + Exploring Artistry:
Georgia O'Keeffe's influence is evident in her former home and studio, showcasing her deep bond with the land. O'Keeffe was a pioneering artist known for her unique perspective and innovative approach to art. Her ability to capture the essence of subjects, particularly flowers and landscapes, in a way that was both abstract and deeply evocative continues to inspire artists to explore new ways of seeing and interpreting the world. She was fiercely independent and unapologetically herself in a time when it was uncommon for women to assert themselves in the art world. Her deep connection to nature and the landscapes of New Mexico is reflected in her artwork...and you can feel it as you walk the land here. O'Keeffe's ability to convey the beauty, energy, and emotional depth of the natural world encourages others to appreciate the natural world and look a bit longer.
With a thriving artistic community, a mystical ambiance, and abundant resources, Santa Fe remains an ideal hub for artists seeking inspiration and an immersive creative experience. Santa Fe calls to artists and creatives alike for its diverse landscapes, unique lighting, and cultural diversity.
What’s Included:
Immersion in the natural beauty of Santa Fe's landscapes will provide endless artistic inspiration and work to fill our creative well. During this time, we will be diving into the exploration of various artistic mediums inspired by O'Keeffe's techniques, alongside collaboration and creative expression through individual and group artworks that reflect the landscape's essence. This retreat integrates hands-on pigment making, painting, and abstract photography— allowing participants to delve into Georgia O'Keeffe's artistic world while connecting with the colors, textures, and abstract forms of the Santa Fe landscape, ultimately fostering their creativity and appreciation for diverse artistic mediums.
6 Days, 5 nights at the luxury Hilton Santa Fe
Hotel amenities such as pool, sauna, workout center
Georgia O’Keeffe Art History Workshop led by Professional Artist
Plein Air Painting and Sketchbook Observation Workshop
Entrance to Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
Guided nature walks with sketchbooks
Abstract Photography workshop led by Professional Artist
Two Day Pigment-Making Workshop led by professional Santa Fe Artist: collecting materials, pigment history, usage, and creation of our own pigments over the course of two full days.
All materials needed for Pigment Making Workshop
Transportation the entire six days to and from the workshop ranch, visits to the Canyon Road Galleries, exploring downtown Santa Fe, etc.
Exploration and Tour of Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch
Visit to the Bandelier National Monument, 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years
Pigment Making at Moon Horse Ranch:
with Professional Artist Stella Maria Baer
about the artist: Stella Maria Baer is a painter and photographer from Santa Fe, New Mexico. In her work she explores her memory of growing up in the desert, tracing her origins back to the dusts of canyons where her mother took her camping when she was little. Stella's paintings and photographs have been featured by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Time Magazine, Scientific American, Architectural Digest, Sunset Magazine, Westworld, and ArtNews. Her pieces are in public, private, and museum collections all over the world.
A two day workshop at the inspiring little ranch south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on how to make watercolor paint from dirt and rock. On the first day we'll gather soil and minerals, then grind them into refined pigments and begin the process for making fine artist grade paint. On the second day we'll learn how to mix the earth and mineral pigment into natural binders to make watercolors. We'll end our time painting color study meditations with the watercolors we've made from the earth under the western sky.
No previous experience required, all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome. In each workshop there are fine artists looking to transition their studio practices to earth and mineral pigments as well as folks with no artistic background at all, only a desire to connect more deeply with the land and recover their creative selves. There is enough one on one time built into the workshop to allow for all backgrounds and levels of experience.
We'll begin with a history of natural pigments and reciprocal, leave-no-trace practices for collecting. Then we'll collect our own dirt and rocks, break them down, and begin the water refinement process to create fine art grade natural pigments.
On the second day we'll learn how to mix binders into the refined pigments and pour them into trays for long term use. Then we'll experiment with making our own paintings using the watercolors made from earth. Each participant will take home watercolor paint made from Santa Fe dirt and rock and the skills to make their own paint from dirt and rock.
Have added time and want to extend your experience? Here’s how:
If you’re in need of some added rest and relaxation, you can always add two days onto your trip to finish out a week! As your hosts, we will be prolonging our stay to the full 8 days / 7 nights days in Santa Fa. What's included in our add on details:
Transportation to Ojo Santa Fe Resort
2 Nights at the award-winning Ojo Santa Fe Resort, Oct 15 - 17th: a unique opportunity to experience the ancient ritual of bathing in natural springs. Steeped in rich history and flowing with natural waters straight from the source, our resorts honor and share sacred springs, while providing modern amenities sure to inspire deep relaxation and healing.
A full-day private soaking pass in the Natural Springs with robe, along with sage-infused thermal pools
Daily morning yoga
*Spa Services available for add-ons at an additional cost*
This add-on will only cost an additional $400 USD!
If you are interested, please let us know in your application!
Ready to invest in yourself? Apply now:
Total Cost: 2,750 USD
a 500 dollar deposit is required to secure your space! after that, a payment plan will be issued until the month before the trip! x
