Colorado Mountain Art Retreat
Connect with the Mountains & Fuel your Artistic Fire
June 6-10, 2024 in Ridgway, Colorado
PLEASE NOTE: THE RETREAT IS FULL. CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE WAIT LIST
Are you craving time to nurture yourself and dramatically expand your painting practice?
If you're at an important juncture in your life and wanting to jumpstart your creativity with guidance and love, join us for this soul soothing painting retreat in the Colorado mountains, designed to renew your spirit while expanding your art. Through exciting mixed media and contemporary painting skills, mixed media artist Kellie Day will guide you on a four day exclusive retreat designed to renew your spirit while expanding your art through nature and nurture.
Scroll down for the highlights...
Refuel your soul, recharge your Art
ART - mixed media painting, abstract expression, art journaling
MOVEMENT - yoga, hiking and other hotel wellness amenities
REST - in the most beautiful of mountains and resorts with thermal pools
Highlights
Spend four days and five nights in the stunning mountain town of Ridgway, Colorado nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. Connect with yourself and other creatives in a natural environment teaming with inspiring energy. Recharge your excitement for your own art, discover a deeper connection with your art and soul, and head home with a rested heart and newly inspired paintings.
In a spectacular setting of Ridgway, Colorado, we will guide you in a warm and supportive environment to tap into internal and external inspiration that will fuel your artistic fire. With daily movement, and time in nature, we’ll show you how to translate all of your unique inspiration into beautiful mixed media paintings that reflect who YOU ARE, and what’s important to you.
Our painting will take place in the stunning NEW "Space to Create" building downtown, across the street from coffee shops and restaurants, and within walking distance of the river. (photo below)
Whether you are an experienced artist, just starting out or getting back to your practice after a break, Kellie will show you:
• The art of being in nature as inspiration to fuel your creative fire. Through hikes, collecting objects and observing, you will discover what touches your heart that will help inform your creativity.
• Exercises and ways to explore your inner nature; your unique human experience that reveals what delights you and makes you feel most alive. This, too, will be fodder for your art.
• How to use an art journal as a way to create studies for larger paintings, and explore your inspirations in a no-pressure way.
• How to use mixed media including collage, paint and more to build a cohesive and nature inspired piece of art.
• How to create an expressive painting fueled by colors, inspiration and pure delight.
• Through exercises that explore shape, line, design and color, you will build layers using a variety of high quality GOLDEN acrylics and a variety of mixed media.
• You will learn a number of formal and informal techniques that will help you build an ongoing creative practice.
• This is much more than an art class and a series of art lessons. It is a rich immersion in finding inspiration and your unique artistic voice.
Heather Neilson painting
Kellie Day and Ruth Austin are excited to lead you on this nurturing creative Retreat
Mixed Media Painters Kellie Day and Ruth Austin are excited to take you on this journey.
With over 15 years experience making and teaching art, and over two decades of being a creator – Kellie is a well-known artist, educator and the owner of Transform Your Art Mentoring Program where she has mentored over 200 women to lives their lives as Artists. Kellie is a mixed media painter showing and selling her work, licensed with companies like Trader Joe's, The North Face and more. She is a GOLDEN Paints Art Educators and brings a wealth of knowledge along with high quality, professional materials.
Ruth Austin is a mixed media painter, mom, avid hiker and co-host of your Colorado art retreat. She is passionate about painting the plants, animals and natural world through her layered, acrylic and collage paintings. Ruth currently shows and sells her work through galleries and locations in Northern Arizona.
Your Retreat Includes:
• Four days of facilitated mixed media painting workshops and movement
• Morning movement through yoga and short hikes intended to be an exploration of what inspires you in nature
• Plenty of one-on-one time with Kellie
• Two lunches (does not include arrival or departure day)
• Two group dinners, including first night welcome dinner
• High quality, professional GOLDEN Acrylic Paints in a wide selection
• Canvases, a journal, assorted paper and collage ephemera + All brushes and tools will be provided
• Nourishing snacks, tea, coffee, and water every day
• Inspiration and connections to last a lifetime... and much more!
Please note: Ridgway is surrounded by natural hot springs and there are plenty of opportunities to soak in the evening if you wish.
Make your Art dream happen with us.
Retreat Cost is $1885 or $1685 early bird pricing before March 7
(not including accommodations or transportation)
Retreat participants will be given a list of lodging options (below). If you are interested in the exclusive Chipeta Resort, we recommend you book early. Prices vary, based on room type.
Transportation to be arranged and paid by participant.
The closest airports are Montrose Airport (MTJ) in Montrose, Colorado (35 minutes from Ridgway) or Grand Junction Airport (Walker Field) in Grand Junction, Colorado (90 minutes from Ridgway). Retreat start time will be the evening of arrival.
Do you have questions? Contact us here and we are happy to help!
PREREQUISITES
Some basic painting experience is recommended to attend this retreat. Beginners are welcome, along with experienced artists looking to expand their painting or reconnect to their creativity.
CANCELLATION POLICY
There are no refunds for this retreat unless we are able to fill your spot. A $100 cancellation fee will apply if we are able to fill your spot. We recommend that you secure trip insurance in case of any emergencies.
CONFIRMATION
Once you are enrolled in the retreat, you will receive several emails with details regarding the schedule, accommodations, and activities.
Example Schedule (subject to change)
Evening of Arrival:
3pm-6pm: Arrive and unpack
6:30pm: Group Dinner & Opening Ceremony
Day 1:
7am: Breakfast
8am: Introduction and materials
9am-12pm: Painting color & design play
Lunch: catered
1pm-4pm: Create a Mixed Media Painting with Kellie Day
4-6pm: Relax, soak, spa or happy hour
6pm: Dinner on your own, walk, bike or drive to local restaurants.
Day 2:
7am: Breakfast
8-10am: River Walk & Art Journaling, Sack Lunch on Trail
10:30am-12pm: Creating designs from nature
12-1pm: Catered Lunch
1-4pm: Layering a larger painting with color and design
4-5pm: Relax, soak, or spa
6-6:30pm: Happy hour. Wine/Tea served
6:30 - 8pm: Catered Group Dinner
Day 3:
7am: Breakfast
8-12: Morning Hike, Collecting Inspiration for Art
12-1pm: Lunch in Ouray, Colorado, quaint mountain town
1-4pm: Continue on larger painting with Kellie
4-6pm Relax, soak, spa or Happy hour
6pm Dinner on your own, walk, bike or drive to local restaurants.
Day 4
7am: Breakfast
8-9am: Morning River Stroll
9am-12pm: Final touches on paintings
12-12:30pm: Sack Lunch
1-3pm: Clean up and Closing ceremony
Departures
Do you have questions? Contact us here and we are happy to help!
Ridgway Lodging:
IMPORTANT: Hotels in the area sell out fast: be sure to book early! Ridgway is an INCREDIBLE place and summer is very busy.
Chipeta Lodge - Hot pool, Rooftop bar, restaurant and spa. Convenient & walkable to all the downtown amenities.
Ridgway Mountain Lodge - Newly renovated, across highway. Easy drive or just a mile walk to our Art Space.
Hotel Palmonio - This is new and we are not familiar with this establishment as of yet. Across highway. Easy drive or just a mile walk to our Art Space.
LOCAL Airbnbs – There are many wonderful local Airbnbs. Please be aware these book out early. This is a fantastic place, so don't wait!
We recommend you stay in Ridgway for convenience. Our neighboring town of Ouray, Colorado is stunning with many hotels, however it is 9 miles down the road, a 15-20 minute drive into Ridgway.
Ignite your creative practice, nourish your soul and surround yourself with creatives.
