CLASS DETAILS

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• 6 nights accommodation in a private compound, our own Jungle Beach House.
• Healthy breakfast and lunch daily by a private chef — lots of amazing yummy fresh tropical fruit, veggies and fresh local fish!
• Daily painting lessons taught by Faith & Mati …using our jungle beach location for inspiration we’ll dive into mixed media layered goodness with lessons in creating abstract paintings through a variety of marks and materials to express natural space and tropical inspiration. Through a slow build up of process you’ll create two large paintings in our open air studio. Mati and Faith will lead you through lessons in collage, wash painting, stenciling, silk screening, spray painting along with painted mandalas and feather power girls. You’ll come away with work that you love, and lots of new ways of seeing and working, to take home to jump start your own studio practice.
• A gift bag full of goodies & gifts for you to use in your art making!
• 1 private flower essence consultation and personalized special blend of flower essence elixir to take home.
• 1 private ayurvedic kansa wand facial with a blend of jojoba oil, tridoshic aromas and flower essences.
• Around the clock access to our own open air art studio, a thatched roof central space full of hammocks and lounges where you can let your inspiration run wild and work into the night if you desire.
• 24 hour access to our art supply buffet which will be set up throughout our stay for you to create & explore with…paints, silkscreens, stencils, brushes. Students will be asked to bring along their own canvases, watercolor and acrylic paints. If you have favorite supplies from home we ask that you bring those along, we’ll send out a recommended supply list letting you know all that you will need to bring!
• Private beach access, one minute walk down a private path
• Private pool on site
• Morning yoga class led by our private instructor
• Daily housekeeping service
• 1 free day for horseback riding, zip-lining, massage, surf lessons, local wildlife tours, fishing, jungle hikes and sinking deeply into relaxation.
• Lots of free time in the afternoons to explore the local beauty, nature preserve, and nurture relationships with other creative women.
• A short walking distance to Nosara, a funky, holistic, hip enclave in the jungle, with cute restaurants, juice bar, shops, spas and yoga. Lots of fun places to go out to dinner and to grab groceries.

Also as a bonus gift for our lovely retreaters: ~You’ll receive a FREE year of access to Painting the Sacred Within: A Year of Exploration, Self Discovery & Finding Your Voice Through Painting; the year long online painting class with Faith & Mati (a $449 value).

OUR CREATIVITY FILLED 7 DAY ITINERARY:

Monday {day 1} Arrival and Orientation: Arrival, settle in, explore the sweet hippie town of Nosara and enjoy the beach and pool. Opening Circle and Welcome Dinner.

Tuesday {day 2} Painting Workshop Day: Breakfast, Morning Yoga, surfing, beach time. Watercolor warm ups. Buffet catered lunch. Abstract Painting Workshop with Mati.

Wednesday {day 3} Painting Workshop Day: Breakfast, Morning Yoga, beach time, surfing. Watercolor warm ups. Buffet catered lunch. Abstract Painting Workshop with Mati.

Thursday {day 4} Free Day: Breakfast, Watercolor warm ups and Nature Mandalas. Buffet catered lunch. Free day to enjoy all that this beautiful part of Costa Rica has to offer…horseback riding on the beach, ziplining, massage, surfing, fishing and hiking, all are close by!

Friday {day 5} Painting Workshop Day: Breakfast, Morning Yoga, beach time, surfing. Watercolor warm ups. Nature Mandalas. Buffet catered lunch. Abstract Painting Workshop with Faith.

Saturday {day 6} Painting Workshop Day: Breakfast, Morning Yoga, beach time, surfing. Watercolor warm ups. Nature Mandalas. Buffet catered lunch. Abstract Painting Workshop with Faith. Evening closing circle and celebration!

Sunday {day 7} Farewell & Departure: Breakfast, Check out, Shuttles will leave for the airport.

THE JUNGLE BEACH HOUSE:

WE WILL BE STAYING AT THE MOST MAGICAL LOCATION… THE JUNGLE BEACH HOUSE:

The Jungle Beach House is an amazing group accommodation, made up of three separate buildings in a walled compound full of gardens and pathways, with a total of 8 bedrooms, this unique place is what vacationing in the tropics is all about.

The Jungle Beach House has its own private walkway to the beach (1 min. walk) so falling asleep to the sounds of surf is a definite. This large property is very private, lushly landscaped and has a swimming pool, lots of parking (for rental cars if you decide to rent one) and many great features.

The primary gathering area is in the oldest building, the Rancho, a rustic thatched roof structure, open to the outdoors with soul. It has a gigantic open air porch with a soaring thatched roof which will become our own large jungle studio space for the length of our stay, complete with hammocks and comfy couches, a living room, two dining areas, convenient bathroom and a large kitchen.

There is also of course the Private Swimming Pool Cabina compound which contains two private bedrooms with additional loft area and private full bathrooms (mirror images of each other) both are adjacent to the large pool.

Finally, there is the Main Guest House which has four air conditioned bedrooms. Two of the upstairs bedrooms include private, balconies that overlook the grounds.

5 day week maid service is included and Marta our amazing cook will spoil us with a fantastic fresh breakfast and lunch daily. In addition to being just steps along a private path to the area’s best beach, Playa Guiones, the house is a short walk down a dirt road to the very cute town of Guiones and to several excellent restaurants, juice bars, spas and surf shops…Casa Romantica, Gilded Iguana, Kaya Sol and Giardino Tropicale, along with a Super Mini Market also just a short walk away.

ABOUT OUR TEACHERS:

MATI ROSE MCDONOUGH is an artist and daring adventurer whose name is pronounced Matey, like Ahoy! She is an Oakland, California based artist, illustrator, painting teacher and author of “Daring Adventures in Paint”. After wanting to be an artist for many years, but feeling like it was “impractical,” at 29 years Mati took the leap and went back to art school at the California College of the Arts. Almost 10 years later, she is still excited and terrified every time she sees a blank canvas. She has had dozens of art shows, taught painting classes internationally and had her art used by clients Patagonia, University Games, Pier 1, as well as greeting cards, and her very own home decor line. She also has illustrated several children’s books including “i carry your heart” written by ee cummings.

Through her workshops,book, and popular online course, she spreads a warm message of creative courage: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO SHOW THE WORLD YOUR MAGIC.

FAITH is a painter, wife, mother, world traveler and New York City transplant. With 20+ years of personal painting experience she enjoys inspiring others to manifest their most heartfelt ideas through creating art. Her art has been exhibited widely, included in multiple publications and she is very excited to now be fulfilling her longtime dream of offering creative workshops and retreats. She lives with her husband and 3 young children by the sea in Charleston, South Carolina, where they enjoy exploring southern beaches and maintaining a close connection with nature through frequent trips to wild places. Follow along here on her eponymous blog and on Instagram where she posts daily beauty and inspiration.

LOOKING FOR MORE DETAILS…

WHAT ISN’T COVERED IN THE COST?

Your airfare and ground transportation are not included in the cost. Any meals eaten off the Jungle Beach House grounds (5 dinners). Expect to pay about $20-$30 depending on the restaurant for dinner. Anything you buy in the markets or on various trips will not be covered as well as any extra tours or excursions that you choose during your free time if you choose to go.

DO I NEED TRAVELERS INSURANCE?

We highly recommend it.

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING FOR SPENDING?

That is totally personal and depends on how much shopping you plan to do. ATM’s are available to you and credit cards are taken at some major retailers.

DO I NEED IMMUNIZATIONS?

Please see the CDC recommendations here.

DO I HAVE TO SHARE A ROOM?

The Jungle Beach House is a luscious and intimate retreat space, we will have the entire property at our disposal. Each of their rooms are unique, make sure you choose the one that suites you best. Three of their rooms are single occupancy, which will be given on a first come first served basis (these rooms are sold out). Their other rooms are double occupancy with two beds per room. We will do our best to pair you up with someone we think you’ll match well with. On our retreats the sharing of rooms has fostered close bonds of friendship within the group.

WHAT KIND OF FOOD WILL BE SERVED?

The Jungle Beach House never uses processed foods and all meals are prepared the old fashion way – from scratch.  Vegetarian options are available if we inform the cook before hand, gluten free can also be accommodated. They provide a fixed daily menu that relies on fresh and local ingredients.

Breakfasts – daily made pancakes, toast, tortillas, eggs, fresh tropical fruit, juice, coffee and tea

Lunches – light and fresh with lots of local flavor: fish, chicken, lots of veggies, rice and beans, plantains, tortillas, daily fresh pico de gallo, and the best guacamole we’ve ever had! Fresh fruit smoothies, juice, filtered water.

HOW DO I GET TO THE JUNGLE BEACH HOUSE FROM THE AIRPORT AND BACK AGAIN?

The Jungle Beach House is located on Playa Guiones in the town of Nosara, about a 2 hour drive from the international airport. We can recommend a few shuttle companies for you to book a round trip shuttle from the airport, this is easy and can be done online. Once you book you will be added to our retreat’s private Facebook group where women have arranged to meet up upon arrival and share airport shuttles! On our departure day all shuttles will depart for the airport by 10am.

WHAT AIRPORT DO I FLY INTO?

When booking your flight please fly into Liberia International Airport. We recommend booking your flights at least 90 days before the beginning of the retreat.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

Weather in April is likely to be in the high 80’s. This is the dry season in Costa Rica, it is hot, humid and usually sunny with a possible passing shower. The Jungle Beach House is located on the beach so there is always an ocean breeze, however plan for hot weather! We take breaks often to jump in the pool or the ocean for refreshment. It is expected to be a bit cooler in the evenings with highs in the 70’s and low 80’s.

I’VE NEVER BEEN ANYWHERE THIS EXOTIC, WILL I LIKE IT?

We ask you to approach this trip with a sense of adventure in your heart. We think you are going to love this retreat! We encourage you to do a little research on the area before you come. Costa Rica has a vibrant friendly culture, this is the tropics with wildlife all around, dirt roads, heat and humidity. We will be outdoors painting in a covered open air studio, there will be shade but it will likely be hot. This retreat offers a chance to step outside of your day to day through experiencing a week immersed in topical lifestyle, feeling pampered with chef made meals, painting 24/7 as much as you want to dive into your art.  We foster a welcoming atmosphere where we want all women to feel comfortable, appreciated and safe as they journey with us. We love that deep friendships form between the women on all of our retreats, getting to know creative women from around the world is one of the best parts! The retreat will be a mix of laid back down time, lots of painting, exploration, pampering and immersion into an exciting, lively culture.

IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL I NEED TO BRING?

We will send you a supply list two months before the start of the retreat. We’ll bring lots of fun supplies for you to play with on the retreat in our 24 hour art supply bar! You will bring your own canvases, a selection of paints and brushes that we’ll recommend. We also recommend that you bring an extra bag (a collapsible duffle) to bring home your goodies you have collected on our shopping trips. Don’t forget to pack a bathing suit and sarong, that might be all you want to wear!

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?

There will be no refunds for this Retreat due to the planning and logistics involved. When you register be sure to know all you can about traveling to Costa Rica.

STILL HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS? CHECK OUT OUR FAQ PAGE… RIGHT HERE.