Artist Retreat, 10 Best Things about Andalucia, Spain

spain retreat

VISUAL ARTISTS

Visual artists should find a creative community to better their artwork. I find community such an important aspect of my work as I have like-minded artists to bounce ideas off of and to critic my work. These things may seem small in all the aspects of your art business but they can push you forward by leaps and bounds. I have an amazing community in my local town but a couple of years ago I decided it was time to expand that community and find a non-local tribe. I wanted this for various reasons but one of the most important was to get valued opinions from different parts of the country and the world. I love to understand other artists’ creative process, where they create, their studio space, and of course, I love seeing what they create!

FINDING AN ARTISTS RETREAT

When I first searched for a creative retreat in 2020 I knew I wanted something different than a conference. I had been to several conferences, I wanted something built around community, something small, and something where we created in the same medium. I wanted to learn new ways and better ways to get to my end goal. All these things led me to Uptrek, they have a huge array of artist retreats! These retreats are not in the United States but all over the world. They are also artist retreats not artist residencies. I had a difficult time finding a retreat and not a residency. I also knew I did not want a residency program or residence program. I wanted something around a week and somewhere I had never been before. I also thought I had wanted something at one of our many national parks, but found out that going abroad would offer a completely different experience. While on my search Cat Coq sent out her newsletter and lo-and-behold, she had an artist retreat she and Logan Elliot were going to be hosting! I started checking things out and immediately knew this is what I had been looking for, so in August of 2021 I hopped on a jet plane and went to the retreat. Read more about it HERE.

Spain Retreat with friends

10 BEST THINGS ABOUT SPAIN RETREAT

Now fast forward 1 year, okay a little less than that, and I found myself earning another retreat and also found myself in a different headspace. See I had lost my mom in 2020 and at the time of the previous retreat I was still suffering from pretty heavy depression. I did not connect as I had hoped, was too introverted, and had too much imposter syndrome. I am sure we can all relate to that. Talked to my husband, and our kiddos, and decided to do another retreat with Cat and Logan in Spain. This retreat was on a completely different level than the previous one. I don’t want to really compare the two as I got a ton out of both of them. I was just in a different place this time. Now let’s get to the good stuff, the 10 Best Things about the Andalucia, Spain Retreat, and Barcelona!

1 New friendships and nurturing existing ones.

Friendship helps us to feel connected and supported. It gives us someone to talk to and confide in, especially someone who understands our art, the challenges, and the wins! Friendships provide us with a sense of belonging and community. They offer an opportunity for shared experiences and memories. Friendship can also provide a much-needed sense of support during difficult times. When we are feeling low, our friends can help pick us up. When we are struggling, our friends can offer a shoulder to cry on. In short, friendship is an essential part of life. It provides us with someone to confide in, relies on, and have fun with. So let's take the time to nurture our friendships – they are worth it!

2 The FOOD!!

OMG the food at the retreat was nothing but amazing. I am not vegetarian or vegan but this food was the best I have ever eaten. I AM NOT KIDDING! Fresh, delicious, healthy. Can I take these chefs home with me good!

Now I know there are many reasons to love vegetarian food. For one, it can be extremely healthy. Vegetarian diets tend to be high in fiber and low in saturated fat, which can help to protect against heart disease and other chronic conditions. Additionally, vegetarian food can be incredibly delicious. When cooked well, vegetarian dishes can be just as flavor-packed and satisfying as their meaty counterparts. I really do wish I could have taken the chef home with me, just one of them. I did however purchase a book from the venue and now I can make some of the deliciousness at home.

3 Watercolor painting every day and on location with epic views.

Watercolor painting with epic views is one of the most peaceful and serene activities. With watercolor, all you need is a brush, water, and paint. We either painted on the property under this quaint trellis area or on a location with unimaginable views. Rhonda was probably my most favorite painting experience yet. The location was perfect on this balcony of a restaurant overlooking the gorge and the bridge from 1793 in the heart of Rhonda. We were able to set up and just let the watercolor flow and see where it took us. You may be surprised at the beautiful results.

4 A wonderful portfolio review.

I had worked so hard on making the changes suggested at the France retreat, making new art, and improving my skills. It paid off! I was so ready to have another review by Cat and she had such good things to say and some more tips on improving the portfolio.

5 Excursions - Rhonda, cute white villages, Barcelona (not part of the retreat, a bonus stop before heading home)

Southern Spain is a land of white villages, stunning mountain vistas, and clear turquoise waters. It's no wonder that this region is a popular destination for excursions. There are many different ways to explore the south of Spain. We rode to all of the locations and then walked the villages. The places we visited were; El Gastor, Sentenil de las Bodegas, Zahara de la Sierra , and Rhonda. We did a wine tasting with tapas in Sentenil de las Bodegas - yum! In Zahara de la Sierra we saw how olive oil was made and had a tasting, again yum. The south of Spain has left a lasting impression on me. Highly recommend visiting this area of the world.

6 Mastermind Sessions,

We split into two groups and went deep on how to move forward on a challenge we face in our creative work. This was a powerful time for each of us and an invaluable part of the retreat. To do these in a supportive environment was priceless. If you don't know what a mastermind session is here is a brief explanation. Definitely worth every minute if you can attend one.

Mastermind sessions can be a great way to get ideas and feedback from other people in your field. They are a unique opportunity and are usually small groups of people who meet regularly to talk about their work, give each other feedback, and help each other solve problems. If you're looking for a mastermind group, try asking around at conferences or meetups, or search online for groups that focus on your industry or interest area. Once you find a group that you're interested in, reach out and introduce yourself. Most mastermind groups are happy to have new members, and they can be a great way to meet new people and get fresh ideas.

7 Gaudi Architecture and tours

Breathtaking, amazing, and inspiring too! I wanted to see his work as I have an architectural background. It is completely out of the norm but I was amazed how much he pulled his work from nature. The contrast between him and Frank Llyod Wright would be an interesting study since they both pulled inspiration from nature with completely different results and interpretations.

Antoni Gaudi was a Spanish architect who was born in 1852. He is known for his unique and innovative style of architecture. Not the kind of architecture you would find in New York or Chicago. One of his most famous buildings is the Casa Mila, which is located in Barcelona and a short walk you can see Casa Batllo. The building is made of stone, bricks, and concrete, and it has a very irregular shape. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona. Another popular tourist attraction that was designed by Gaudi is the Park Guell. This park was a lot smaller than I thought it would be and had the two cutest homes on it. They looked like something out of a Hansel & Gretel story. This park is located on a hill in Barcelona, and it features many colorful mosaics and sculptures. Visitors can take a tour of the park or simply enjoy the views from the top of the hill. I wonder what his new work would be like today with the advances in technology. He was very talented for his time.

8 Views, Epic views!

They were breathtaking, I seriously was speechless a few times from the view and the beauty below. Now views from the North Carolina mountains or Colorado are also breathtaking but these views were NOTHING like theirs. They were better in a way I am not sure how to describe. Do not get me wrong, the views in the mountainous regions of the United States are beautiful and breathtaking but these were from a movie or a dream. Worth every minute.

If you're looking for epic views, the south of Spain is the place to be. From the stunning cliffs of Gibraltar to the rolling hills of Andalusia, there are plenty of breathtaking vistas to take in. Whether you're hiking through the stunning Sierra Nevada mountain range or enjoying a leisurely drive along the Mediterranean coast, you're sure to be treated to some incredible views. So if you're looking for a dose of natural beauty, be sure to add the south of Spain to your travel list.

9 Coasta Brava tour was beautiful.

We stopped in a couple of cute towns, completely different than the white villages of southern Spain. This area is in the Catalonian area in northeastern Spain. We visited Girona, Pals, and Calella de Palafrugell before heading to the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea the same but different than the pacific ocean and atlantic ocean. Highly recommend exploring this area too.

The Costa Brava is a stunning stretch of coastline in northeastern Spain. With its dramatic cliffs, sheltered coves, and crystal-clear water, it's no wonder that this region is such a popular tourist destination. No matter where you go along the Costa Brava, you're sure to be treated to breathtaking views. From the lively city of Barcelona to the picturesque fishing village of Cadaqués, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday or a cultural getaway, the Costa Brava is sure to disappoint.

10 La Sagrada Familia

I know I mentioned Gaudi architecture but this Church - is unbelievable! So much detail, so much sculpture, so much amazing architecture by local artisans. Oh, the stained glass! Did I mention the stained glass? IT was inspiring, beautiful, and breathtaking. It was contemporary art in such a historic place. So much to take in and it isn't even finished yet! I really say the Church is an arts center as there is so much art within the cathedral.

back home

Now to get my work space set to create loads of new art. I cannot wait to finish and share my original works created from the retreat, a creative project I am working on, and more. I wish I could say I could make this a regular retreat but with three kids, a husband, and a business to run that will not happen. If you get the opportunity to attend one go for it! Maybe gather some local artists and create your own retreat. I have thought about that as well. I have not found the perfect place to have it yet but I want to bring together a community of artists to spend 3-5 days learning from each other, creating art, exploring the outside world, and doing the important thing of engaging with others artists! I want to find someplace where we can explore the natural environment and see the natural beauty of nature and be inspired. My other goal would be to share our creative practice with each other and if we haven’t already, start a creative practice. The last goal would be for each of us to have uninterrupted time together to bond and create. We are all gifted artists and I think it is a wonderful thing to share that gift with each other.

final thoughts

This artist retreat was an amazing experience! I got to stay in a beautiful private room, meet wonderfully talented artists, connect on many levels with a community of artists, tour and see amazing places, be constantly inspired, and come home with a list of things to pursue and do. The hospitality at Lucia Yoga was the best I have ever experienced, I can not say enough good things about them. The conversations were real, deep, connecting, and great! I’m really glad I decided to go on the retreat, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a creative getaway. Check out Uptrek to check out their retreats, you can not go wrong. And if you want to attend a retreat with Cat and Logan, please do, I know they will be doing this retreat again in 2023. Thank you so much for organizing everything!

Every piece of art I create starts with an interesting piece of inspiration. You can check out my PORTFOLIO to see more of my work. I create from the heart and from the soul. To keep up with the latest pieces and my art journey follow me on social media – INSTAGRAM.

Happy Creating,

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