All experience levels are welcome to participate in Bloom True Retreats. In fact, first-time painters often have the advantage of having less “knowledge” to get in the way of simply exploring and enjoying the process.

Students quickly find that my process is very “user-friendly” in terms of experience, meaning that it works well for both first-time painters and experienced painters alike.

I share my easy-to-apply methods for understanding color, making marks, and incorporating translucent layers, value, and imagery. However, the focus of the retreat explores letting go, listening to intuition, trusting and having fun.

We provide each student with two, 36″ x 36″ canvases, an assortment of brushes, spray bottles, palettes, rags, water jars and a painting station. Students are responsible for bringing their own paint and any special mark-making tools they wish to use.

We have a small, but well stocked assortment of our favorite paints and tools available to purchase in the studio, so you are welcome to stock up on all your supplies when you arrive. Prices are comparable to to Blick Art Supply store. There is also a Blick store ten minutes from the studio.

If you are flying with paint, we suggest taping all your paint shut, sealing it in two plastic bags and putting it in your checked baggage (you will not be able to carry it on a plane). We also sell paint in the studio if you would like to purchase your paint upon arrival.

If you are flying home, we will pack and ship your paintings via UPS. We send an invoice to each student once the paintings have been shipped. The cost of shipping ranges between $50 – $100, depending on your location. You also are welcome to take the paintings off their stretcher bars, roll them up and carry them on the plane.

Yes. It’s important that all students are present for all five days of the retreat. The process builds on itself each day in a cumulative fashion.

The retreat ends at 3 p.m. on Sunday to ensure an easy travel day home.

If anyone drops out a retreat (it does happen), we will notify everyone on the wait list. The open spot will go to the first person who responds to the notification email and confirms registration!

New retreats are announced about three times a year on my newsletter. Please keep an eye out for new retreats and sign up right away if you are interested. Retreats tend to sell out within 24 hours.

Due to the high demand of interest in the retreats, we are unable to “save spots” for friends.

The unique Kennedy School Hotel is located across the street from the studio. There are also many airbnbs within walking distance. Links will be sent upon registration.

Transportation to and from the studio will be on your own. However, carpooling and uber-sharing coordination will be available in the Facebook group.

We are food people and believe in the power of fresh healthy food to fuel the creative spirit!

Therefore, we provide healthy and delicious gourmet nourishment throughout the weekend. Our abundant platters are practically meals in themselves. A typical platter might include in-season, fresh fruits and veggies, gourmet spreads, nuts, cheeses, crackers, olives, organic meats and fish and chocolate.

The Welcome Lunch on Thursday and the Farewell Lunch on Sunday will include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The Saturday night Party will have vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Organic fair trade coffee, hand-crafted tea and filtered water are always available.

There is also a natural foods store three blocks away from the studio.

The optional Friday-morning yoga class is perfect for all levels. The class will weave visual art concepts with gentle breath and body awareness to provide a beautiful foundation for the day.

The instructor will check in with each student about injuries and experience levels, and teach the class according to your needs. The class will provide a wonderful introduction for first-time students and a lovely, gentle practice for seasoned yogis.

You are welcome to join in any capacity, even if that means sitting in a chair and meditating or taking a long resting pose.

There are no refunds for this event.

You will receive a confirmation email after you register for a workshop. This email will include all the information you will need to plan your trip and prepare for the workshop. The Bloom True Team is happy to help make your trip to Portland easy from start to finish.

Why yes, we do! We offer an Affiliate Program for our Bloom True E-Course. You can find out all about it over on the Affiliate Program Page. We would love to have you join us in spreading the good word about the Bloom True E-Course. There is no Affiliate Program for in-person workshops.