Drawing Closer To Nature

Radiant Art Retreat

With Guest Artist: Amy Maricle

October 20-23, 2022

Camellia Palms on Lake Jackson in Florala, Alabama

REGISTRATION CLOSED

 What would four days dedicated to your creativity mean to you?

Could you finally dive in and create the art that has been bouncing around in your head endlessly?

Could you learn new skills that will help you step into the next level of your art journey?

Would a week of creating with friends fill your soul with joy?

 Introducing Radiant Art Retreat: Drawing Closer To Nature

Luxury creative retreats to grow your art skills, learn from master makers, travel the world

After spending hours alone creating, I knew that there were other fun, adventurous artists who to wanted to travel the world, and create from the inspiration we found, laughing together as we went.

Radiant Art Retreats are the manifestation of that dream. They are the culmination of art, travel, and friendships.

These retreats are for the crafters, the adventurous, the curious, and the storytellers.

 Here’s what you’ll learn and experience

Daily Schedule + Workshops

Drawing Closer Together

Guests will arrive around 2 pm to be greeted by the breathtaking views at Camellia Palms + a welcome drink.
Settle into your beautiful room and take a deep breath.

Join us for our first Slow Drawing Workshop to invite a sense of spaciousness into our creative time together.

We’ll get to know one another tonight over a beautiful meal on the porch overlooking the lake cooked and curated by our own private, local Chef Annie.

Day 1 October 20

Drawing Closer To Nature

We’ll start the day with a sunrise breakfast at Morrison Springs where we will spend the day creating and exploring this natural and magical spring.

We’ll enjoy a charcuterie lunch here created by Chef Annie.

Amy will lead us through a creating-in-nature workshop session here as we learn about the respectful gathering of natural elements, blind contour drawings, and watercolor painting.

Dinner will be cooked to perfection at Camellia Palms by Chef Annie.

Day 2 October 21

Drawing Closer to Spaciousness

Enjoy a light breakfast while the sun peeks through the Spanish moss over the lake.

In this morning’s workshops, we will use loose contour drawings to create collages focusing on pacing and space on the page.

For the afternoon we’ll head into downtown Florala for a scavenger hunt to refuel our creative sense, explore the local shops and have lunch at a converted train depot.

Tonight we will have open studio time to continue iterating on the skills you’ve developed, finish up any projects you’d like, and have access to Amy for support and feedback.

Chef Annie will curate our final dinner together.

Day 3 October 22

Day 4 October 23

Drawing Closer to Our Creative Futures

After a final breakfast together, we will reflect back on our growth and look toward our future creative dreams.

We will take photos, say goodbye, and plan our next crafty adventure together!

Radiant Artists will depart by 11 am to begin their journeys home.

Every Element Designed For Your Creative Growth

Accommodation: Camellia Palms at The Lake

We're not staying at the Holiday Inn because while you're creating, every detail, decor, and view should be beautiful, relaxing, and inspiring. Camellia Palms is the perfect setting to take a break from the worries in the world.

The seclusion and privacy, of just our group of artists present, creates a sense of community and solitude. Every inch of the property is blooming with natural beauty and creative fodder inviting in you and your art.

Meals Created By Your Own Private Chef: Annie Carrol

Food is a creative wonderscape for all your senses!

You'll experience local foods that make this region unique, your vegetables will be bright and colorful and grown locally, you'll be pampered and be taken on a culinary creative journey with your own private chef. Plus! She will be able to cook to any specific dietary needs you have.

Creative Workshops Inspired by Nature:

You'll learn from expert artist, Amy Maricle, to sharpen your skills, add new tools to your creative toolbox, push your creative boundaries and expand your artistic style. She will share her signature style and creative approach as she instructs you in nature gathering, intuitive drawing, collage, and watercolor painting workshops. Each is designed to incorporate the natural beauty of the local landscape to connect you, your art, and the earth. We'll even take a few lessons from and learn from the ultimate artist: Mother Nature.

An Art Supply Kit Built Specifically for You:

No more art-store-freeze-ups with too many choices! We'll provide you with all the top-quality art supplies you need and teach you how to use them well. You don't have to bring anything and you get to take everything home.

Excursions: Travel Like An Artist

Travel like a local artist and be inspired in all new ways. Sit back as we chauffeur you around so you can see the sights without the hassle of getting lost so you can spend time exploring this unique region from crystal clear springs to the adorable downtown shops and restaurants full of handmade items and local delicacies.

Assistance planning your perfect trip:

Because no one wants the hassle of googling, reading endless trip advisor reviews, and still showing up to a run-down motel and eating a crappy meal. We have designed a week with every detail in mind that supports your art and creates space for you and your creativity.

Experience Florala like a local and get travel tips from your hostess, Lauren, who has been to almost 50 countries and is happy to share her best travel tricks with you.

We will help make your adventure as enjoyable and easy as possible. Plus! You'll get access to our private facebook group to help coordinate travel plans with other guests.

Community: Make Creative Friends

Everyone needs friends who get them and their obsession with pens, markers, and paintbrushes. Radiant Art Retreats are designed to bring together a small group of like-minded creatives who share rooms, meals, adventures, and art supplies to create trust, promote creative growth, and support one another in our artist’s journeys.

Your camera roll will be full of selfies by the end of the trip and your mailbox will be overflowing with collaborative art you're going to be creating with your new creative besties.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION

-3 nights, 4 days housing at the quiet + Camellia Palms Lake House where we will have the home to ourselves

for exploring, creating, and relaxing

-7 meals lovingly created by our local chef using locally sourced foods, made even more beautiful by the view of Lake Jackson, and dinner conversation focused on creative lifestyles

-Bottomless cups of coffee, tea, and snacks galore

-An art supply kit that will allow you to continue creating long after you've left + group art supplies to test out and share

- 4 Workshops led by our expert artist + access to Amy for questions, feedback, and laughter

- Excursion to Morrison Springs to Stand Up Paddle Board, explore, and create on site

-Exploring downtown Florala to visit local, handmade shops and enjoy a local meal

-Transportation to all of our excursions

- Gift bag full of lovely treasures for you

-Signed copy of Amy’s new book Draw Yourself Calm

-All linens and normal housing needs are provided by Camellia Palms

-Access to and assistance from Lauren for help planning your trip

-A done for you, completely planned, wonderful week that will help you explore your creativity, rest, and connect with yourself and new friends - all you have to do is arrive!

-A donation will be made to Art Feeds on your behalf to help support local agencies that are using creativity to create good in the world

-Plus a few extra surprises!

What's Not Included In Your Retreat Registration

-Transportation to and from Camellia Palms in Florala

-Flights to Florala

-1 meal that we will enjoy out together at affordable local restaurants

-Travel Insurance

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 8 GUESTS AND CLOSES ON SEPTEMBER 28

JOIN US AT THE LEVEL OF PRIVACY + BUDGET THAT SUITS YOU BEST

Camellia Palms has thoughtfully restored and decorated each room with 100% cotton plush bath towels, crisp white linen sheets and pillowcases, and locally handcrafted soaps. You will have the option to stay in private or shared rooms. The pricing is reflected below for each and rooms are reserved on a first-come, first serve basis.

To register you will need to select your room of choice and payment option. You are welcome to pay all at once or use the payment plan option.

If you use the payment plan, Stripe will debit the amount from your account/credit card, once monthly, on the day you registered, until you have completed your payment plan.

COVID POLICY

Shared Room + Shared Bathroom

Includes a twin bed and shared bathroom with your roommates

Sold Out

The Master Suite

Includes a queen bed, private balcony, private bathroom, and a beautiful view of the lake.

*NOTE: To access the bathroom in this room you will have to climb stairs.

SOLD OUT

The Lemon Room

Includes a king bed and private bathroom with a clawfoot tub (no shower)

SOLD OUT

The Sunset Room

Includes a double bed and shared bathroom

SOLD OUT

The Flamingo Room

Includes a king-sized bed and a private bathroom

The Dolphin Room

Includes a King-sized bed and a private bathroom

SOLD OUT

We are very aware of the tenuous situation with Covid and are doing our best to be as cautious and safe as possible for everyone involved. The house undergoes deep cleaning and sanitization between each group and will be sanitized between meals.

WE ASK THAT ALL GUESTS BE VACCINATED OR PRESENT A NEGATIVE COVID TEST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE RETREAT.

We have a strict no refund policy and ask that you mask + distance as much as possible the two weeks before the retreat to reduce your risk of becoming sick and being unable to attend the retreat. If the retreat is canceled due to government lockdowns and restrictions, guests will be refunded in full. We follow Alabama state guidelines.

Due to the nature of our time together sharing a home, masks will not be required while indoors at the retreat. The only people present will be retreat guests, instructors, and our staff.

By registering and attending a Radiant Art Retreat you are taking on the risks associated with travel and the spread of Covid. Radiant Art Retreats nor Camellia Palms are responsible for any medical issues that may arise.

THE FINE PRINT

All payments are due before the event begins. Retreats are non-refundable but are transferable.

Due to the nature of needing to secure bookings in advance, we cannot offer cancellations but you are welcome to transfer your spot to someone else in the event that you cannot attend. After you have registered for the event more information will be shared in the coming months to confirm your travel plans, dietary restrictions, etc.

A NOTE ABOUT MOBILITY

There will be a low-intensity hike, need to climb stairs, and spend extended time outside + walking. You will need to be able to participate fully in nature walks to participate in the workshops.

What A Radiant Art Retreat is Worth:

Luxury Hotel $1500 +

Private chef to prepare all your meals with homegrown produce $1000 +

Car rental $375 +

Art supplies $250 +

Creative Workshops $2500 +

Plus time spent planning, shopping, preparing, organizing, etc: HA! Incalculable

Total: $5575 +

YOU PAY: $1400 - $2000 Total

Eat the most delicious food the south has to offer and never have to wash a single dish

Explore Florala like a local without having to do any research on your own beforehand

Have time to slow down, reset, and listen to your creative callings

Gain a new perspective on what living a creative lifestyle means & how to infuse it

By attending a Radiant Art Retreat you will...

Have uninterrupted time dedicated to your creativity

Learn to use contour drawing to create wonky and whimsical creations

Learn to turn nature into art through nature sculpting

Improve and expand your watercolor painting skills

Learn to turn observations and creative musings into cohesive art pages

Experience creating on the go as you create a travel art kit and practice making as we adventure through the local area

Make new friends who get you and your love for art and want to talk about the perfect drawing pen for hours with you

Go home with an art supply kit full of all the supplies you need to continue creating based on what you learned this week

What's it like attending a Radiant Art Retreat?

"It is like getting to play all day is your job."

No one from the office is calling you, your meals come to you like magic, and you only have to Be with the Art.

- Lis, Floralo Retreat Attendee At

CREATIVE ADVENTURERS WANTED

THIS RETREAT IS PERFECT FOR YOU IF

Are always learning, love sharing your favorite new art supply, are curious & adventurous.

Are busy & crave uninterrupted time to focus on her creative work and push it to the next level by learning new skills and techniques.

Are an artist who is lonely and ready to break out of your studio and into nature with a gaggle of crafty friends to create with.

You love hiking, observing the natural world and creating art with a group and learning from encouraging teachers.

THIS RETREAT IS NOT FOR YOU IF…

You prefer staying home and don't like trying new, adventurous things.

You don't like group events or going with the flow.

You prefer to sit around and let the inspiration come to you.

Meet your radiant team

We can't wait to help you create, connect and explore Florala!

With two degrees in social work and 8 years of experience serving my community, I turned to art as self-care. What started as a personal journey to grow as an artist turned into a business. Get Messy Art connects 1000s of women online and empowers them to on their creative journey. But, after I moved abroad, traveled to 40+ countries, I realized I wanted to connect all 3: travel, art, community. Thus Radiant Art Retreats were born.

I have taught 100+ in-person workshops all over the world, photographed a Bavarian wedding and a women's business program in Uganda, created a Library of art, taught at creativebug, and am currently being published in a book.

But my heart lies in these retreats. From choosing the most inspiring locations to designing photo walls, every detail makes my heart soar. Then spending an entire week laughing, creating, and dining with my guests is like showering in joy.

My art and my teaching style are all about vibrancy, play, and experimenting. I can't wait to stroll through my favorite city on earth and share a giant homemade ice cream sandwich with you.

Amy Maricle is an artist and art therapist who teaches people to dig deeper and create playful, meaningful art. She teaches classes online at Mindful Art Studio. Her writing and art have been featured in the New York Times.com, The Washington Post, Psych Central.com, Art Journaling Magazine, Brush magazine, and Spirituality & Health Online. Her new book, Draw Yourself Calm will be available September 6th.

Amy's mindful art methods will change the way you make art. She teaches you to work small, frequently, and freely. You'll learn to weave playful, gorgeous little artworks into your life. Amy has a very gentle teaching style where she invites you to participate in the practice of art - one that is focused on finding joy in the process, and let go of perfectionism.

MEET YOUR PRIVATE CHEF: ANNIE CARROLL

MEET YOUR HOST: LAUREN HOOPER

MEET YOUR ART INSTRUCTOR:
AMY MARICLE

Chef Annie was born and raised in both Destin, Florida and in restaurant kitchens. She loves the beach and take prides in being from a breath taking city. She makes sure this fresh, natural vibe comes through in her dishes.

For this retreat we’ve collaborated on a season, local and southern styled menu: classics such as a shrimp boi, handmade potato gnoccie with scratch made tomato sauce to fresh pairlings like peach gaspacho and Hibiscus poached pears.

Sit back and relax as every meal will be prepared for you with lots of local love. PLUS! Each meal will contain an opportunity for you to get involved and learn some new creative skills in the kitchen so you can garnich, prep and delight all your senses this week.

Have you ever...

You put the kids to bed, finish those work emails, and finally clear off your art table and dig until you find the supplies you need. You're tired but you have an idea you've been dying to try out in your art. You go to get started, but the idea you had came from Instagram so you grab your phone and see if you can find how that other artist drew those cool flowers. 20 minutes later you realized you got sucked into your newsfeed, so you put the phone down and turn back to your art. What were you doing?

Oh yeah, those flowers! You start drawing and, of course, someone has a question to ask you, ok back to drawing. It turns out pretty good, but it's a little off and not exactly what you imagined. If only that amazing artist you follow online could just give you a few tips and you could watch her draw those flowers you could do it.

Oh well, practice makes perfect - you'll just draw 1000 flowers and eventually, yours will be great too! Ok, flower number 2. Wait, WHAT TIME IS IT?! Oh, gracious, you've got to get to bed. Oh well, maybe tomorrow you'll draw flowers 2-1000....

Picture this instead:

You wake up to birds chirping, the sun rising over the lake, the Spanish moss dripping off the trees, and the light hitting them just right. You walk down to the patio where a beautiful breakfast is waiting for you and your new creative friends as you chat and drink your coffee overlooking the lake.


You linger in the morning sun while your favorite artist is setting up a creative workshop where you will be sitting in nature, learning to draw what you see in a fun and funky new style. There are art supplies everywhere, it's a feast for your artsy heart! You draw for hours, uninterrupted, from the incredible beauty around you. The artist offers feedback, suggestions, and challenges you to push your skills and try something new. You're chatting, laughing, and swapping ideas and supplies with your crafty friends.

Once you're tired, you take a little nap and then get ready for that afternoon's adventure where you'll get to visit an unreal natural spring. You are engulfed in the natural beauty of the crystal clear water, the roots of the trees standing tall and otherworldly. You paddle out on your paddleboard to get a closer look and then you draw until your hand hurts. You have dinner in a local restaurant and laugh so hard it hurts swapping stories. You never clean a dish, you don't have to plan, no one needs you to do anything for them.

You simply be. You create, you rest, you connect.

You fill your artist’s soul up to overflowing with ideas, inspiration, and new skills. You feel radiant and you go to sleep only to wake up and do it all over again tomorrow - you get 3 more days of this art joy!

What is community, care, education, feedback, support, laughter, relaxation, and help worth to you?

I know! It can feel like a lot to pay for a trip without your family - but this isn't a trip. It's an investment in your artist's soul. It's a retreat. A time to reset, a time to fully focus + investment in your art skills and creative mindset.

Yeah, but couldn't I do my own retreat? Sure you can stay in a cheap motel, eat fast food, use what supplies you have, and google for tutorials on youtube and that could be a great trip - heck, add some girlfriends and i'm in! But what you get at a RAR is worth more than numbers and what you could do on your own.

Its community, care, education, feedback, support, laughter, relaxation, help. It's direct learning and feedback from a master artist. It's every detail being lovingly planned for you. It's surprises, nurturing and goodness in every moment. What is that worth to you?

We’ve created payment plans and multiple room types so you can find one that works within your budget. If you need a special arrangement for a payment plan please reach out and we can work something out i'm sure!

We're looking for creatives who want to learn more, grow and push their creative skills to the next level.

Afraid you're not a good enough artist?

GREAT! Then you're perfect for this retreat! We're not looking for artists exhibiting at the MET. We designed this week for normal people, like you and me, who like to make things with their hands! For people who are creating in their 15 free minutes at lunch and after the kids go to bed and with the kids on the kitchen table. You just have to show up and we will take care of the skills - that's our job as your teachers.

The epic battle: Online versus In Real Life

If you feel like you’d rather do online classes because it’s cheaper and easier and you. can do it on your own. Sure! It totally is! Online classes are awesome, heck I sell them myself! But here’s the difference: you can fake it with online classes.

You can pay your $20 and never even log into the course once (trust me I've done it!). You can skim around, give it a half-hearted attempt at doing the sketching or painting the teacher is talking about, get distracted by Instagram, and never return - thus learning little and not putting it into practice, It's also lonely and you may need to buy a ton of supplies and then you end up quitting. But!

The beauty of an in-person workshop is there is no faking it.

You have to show up You have to open your art supplies. You have to do drawing after drawing and you WILL get better. You also get feedback from the teacher, in the moment, that will boost your skills, experience, ideas, confidence, and learnings. You can watch her hand so000o closely and ask a million little questions.

You can laugh along with your classmates as you all make a giant mess and don't care because you're having fun.

Plus! All the supplies are just sitting there for you to grab and start creating with. What a gift! Oh and you can't get my swag bags online ©

FAQs

  • October 20-23, 2022

    Florala, Alabama

    Camellia Palms at Lake Jackson

  • I would say if you’ve scrolled this far - then YES! Youre creative and curious. You desire community and support and TIME! Uninterrupted time to create. If that’s you, then yes this retreat is right for you. Still not sure, email me hello@lauren-likes.com and let’s chat!

  • We will be doing nature walks and the house has stairs. So you’ll need the mobility to get around without support on uneven ground.

  • RAR are ALL inclusive. You only have to arrive! No hidden costs. I want these retreats to be as affordable and feel as luxurious as possible at the same time. These retreats were designed to create community for hobbyist - not professional artists.

  • Of course! And I highly recommend it! Snag some online courses, all your supplies, get an airbnb and maybe even some friends, and create for a weekend! The difference is the LOVE teaching you’ll experience at a Radiant Art Retreat. Plus! All the supplies are provided for you…the private chef…the planned excursions…if you want an amazing experience and don’t want to piece it together yourself - this retreat is for you.

  • Yes and no. The beauty of these retreats is that they are all unique and we go with the flow and follow where our creativity leads. So plans do change sometimes, so be open to the experience of being present. You can see past retreats to get a better idea of what you’ll experience here.

GENERAL

MONEY

  • If you choose the payment plan option, you’ll be charged the first installment today, then. for the next 2 months, on this date, you’ll be charged the remaining amount automatically on. the same card you used today. If you have not finished your payment plan, the week before the retreat you will be sent a final bill to pay your remaining amount.

  • We will eat one meal out together at a local restaurant that will cost between. 10-20$ . There will be an opportunity for you to explore downtown and go to the local coffee shop and shop at the local stores - if you would like. So anything additional you spend will be up to you.

  • YES! Some of our private rooms have 2 beds and if you would like to split one of those rooms with a friend, the cost is $1600 per person. Simply email me and I can set this up for you!

TRAVEL

  • PERFECTION!! The weather is here is always warm and we’re going at a great time. It will be around 80 degrees each day, likely sunny all the time. You may need a light sweater in the evenings.

  • You can fly into Destin, FL (recommened) Panama City, FL. Camellia Palms is about an hour drive from the airport. Most guests will meet at the airport and share an uber to the retreat together. Or you are welcome to drive, there’s plenty of parking! More info will be shared once you register on transportation and travel plans.

  • Nope! Unless you really want to…but most guests share an uber to and from the airport. We provide your transportation during the retreat.

  • Whatever you are most comfortable creating and exploring in! No need to be fancy, pajamas and stretch pants are encouraged ;)

  • Pack light and leave room! Ive got lots of goodies for you to take home. We arent going anywhere fancy and there is a washing machine at Camellia Palms in case of a wardrobe emergency. You’ll receive a more detailed packing list once you register.

HOUSING + ROOMING

  • There are plenty of bathrooms in the house and if you choose the private room + private bathroom option - its all yours! If you choose the shared bathroom, you and your very nice roommates will work out a schedule but we’ve never had any issues.

  • We get it! If the private room is not an option for you, think about it like camp! You make new friends and laugh into the night. Everyone is a little nervous, so everyone is very respectful and there is PLENTY of room to spread out and have some alone time when you need it in and around the house.

FOOD

  • LOL yes..but! Chef Annie is committed to bringing delicious southern specialties to you in a HEALTHY form. Youre going to eat SO well and still feel great. Plus we’ll have plenty of healthy (and not so healthy) snacks on hand!

  • No worries! Chef Annie is so happy to accommodate any allergies or dietary needs for each meal. You can let us know about this on your survey once you register.

  • DELICIOUSNESS! Likely some brand new to you things and a mix of staple foods you know and love. We don’t release the menu as things change as Chef Annie goes to the farmers market daily and gets the freshest ingredients. Think of the food as an extension of your creative experience at this retreat!

ART SUPPLIES

  • Nope! We’ve got everything you need! Some guests do like to bring their favorite supplies to use and share - which is more than welcome but not required!

  • Every level of creator is welcome! We are all here to learn and create, if you’ve never healed a paintbrush but are curious to learn - we’d love to have you! If you are well into your creative practice, please join us! It’s always a gift to try new things, create with others and learn from other artists.

  • EVERYone is welcome! You can be any kind of artist and learn SO MUCH from trying new things that will impact whatever your preferred craft is so much.