MAINE ARTIST RETREATS
Each session is designed to be a true retreat from the distractions of our daily lives and practices. The days are purposefully planned to allow freedom to dive deeply into contemplative work of the artists’ choosing. Included in each day is at least one session of reflection, materials practice or feedback on projects in development. We gather in the evening to discuss our work, our lives as artists, take a walk, or simply cosy up in a quiet corner to read a book.
Willard Beach - June 2024
Two Sessions
South Portland, Maine
Monday, June 3rd - Friday, June 7th
OR
Monday, June 10th - Friday, June 14th
The Willard Beach Retreat is in a vibrant, laid-back beach neighborhood across the bay from downtown Portland. Shared work spaces are available to use, and daily excursions are planned to nearby outdoor spaces for plein air painting and drawing, meditation and inspiration. The area is famous for lighthouses and amazing views, but we’ll also be exploring some out-of-the way places, including night time forays to try nocturne painting. Like the Echo Lake Retreat, all plans are optional, but I’ll be leading an hour long session each day around inspiration, work practices, or exploring materials. Each morning, you’re welcome to join me on a walk to Fisherman’s Point on Willard Beach for a mediation and dip in Casco Bay.
Accommodations are cosy and comfortable, with a full kitchen. Food is not included in the fee, to give people flexibility with their diets. A phenomenal bakery, a variety of restaurants and a high-end grocery are all within walking distance. Several beaches and lighthouses are nearby, as well as the world-class Portland Art Museum and several high end galleries and art spaces.
Fee: $900 per room for four nights, not including food or art materials.
A non-refundable deposit of $400 is due when signing up, and the balance of $500 is due May 1st. Any cancellations before May 20th will be refunded the $500 balance, if I can fill your spot from the wait list. Cancellations after May 20th are non-refundable.
All three rooms have queen beds and can accommodate two people. If you’d like to stay through for both sessions, please let me know.
Monday, June 3rd - Friday, June 7th
OR
Monday, June 10th - Friday, June 14th
The Willard Beach Retreat is in a vibrant, laid-back beach neighborhood across the bay from downtown Portland. Shared work spaces are available to use, and daily excursions are planned to nearby outdoor spaces for plein air painting and drawing, meditation and inspiration. The area is famous for lighthouses and amazing views, but we’ll also be exploring some out-of-the way places, including night time forays to try nocturne painting. Like the Echo Lake Retreat, all plans are optional, but I’ll be leading an hour long session each day around inspiration, work practices, or exploring materials. Each morning, you’re welcome to join me on a walk to Fisherman’s Point on Willard Beach for a mediation and dip in Casco Bay.
Accommodations are cosy and comfortable, with a full kitchen. Food is not included in the fee, to give people flexibility with their diets. A phenomenal bakery, a variety of restaurants and a high-end grocery are all within walking distance. Several beaches and lighthouses are nearby, as well as the world-class Portland Art Museum and several high end galleries and art spaces.
Fee: $900 per room for four nights, not including food or art materials.
A non-refundable deposit of $400 is due when signing up, and the balance of $500 is due May 1st. Any cancellations before May 20th will be refunded the $500 balance, if I can fill your spot from the wait list. Cancellations after May 20th are non-refundable.
All three rooms have queen beds and can accommodate two people. If you’d like to stay through for both sessions, please let me know.
Echo Lake - July 2024
One Session
Fayette, Maine
Tuesday, July 9th - Saturday, July 13th
The Echo Lake Retreat activities are contained within the property, a multi-acre forest on the edge of a quiet lake, with loons and osprey, two docks and a fireplace. Canoes are available for use, and there are several trails. Each morning, you can choose to meet me on the dock for a brief meditation and an optional cannon ball into the lake. Each day, I’ll present an hour long exercise around materials, prompts, writing, etc. All planned activities are optional.
Accommodations are rustic but comfortable. Food is not included in the price, to give people flexibility for their diets, and there is a full kitchen and nearby grocery stores. MJ will provide some materials for demonstrations and projects, but please bring your own supplies for your specific practice.
Fee: $900 per room for four nights, not including food or art materials.
A non-refundable deposit of $400 is due when signing up, and the balance of $500 is due June 1st. Cancellations before June 24th will be refunded the balance only if I can fill your spot from the wait list. Cancellations after June 24th are non-refundable.
There are three rooms total, each accommodate two people. Two rooms have twin beds, and one has a queen bed.
Tuesday, July 9th - Saturday, July 13th
The Echo Lake Retreat activities are contained within the property, a multi-acre forest on the edge of a quiet lake, with loons and osprey, two docks and a fireplace. Canoes are available for use, and there are several trails. Each morning, you can choose to meet me on the dock for a brief meditation and an optional cannon ball into the lake. Each day, I’ll present an hour long exercise around materials, prompts, writing, etc. All planned activities are optional.
Accommodations are rustic but comfortable. Food is not included in the price, to give people flexibility for their diets, and there is a full kitchen and nearby grocery stores. MJ will provide some materials for demonstrations and projects, but please bring your own supplies for your specific practice.
Fee: $900 per room for four nights, not including food or art materials.
A non-refundable deposit of $400 is due when signing up, and the balance of $500 is due June 1st. Cancellations before June 24th will be refunded the balance only if I can fill your spot from the wait list. Cancellations after June 24th are non-refundable.
There are three rooms total, each accommodate two people. Two rooms have twin beds, and one has a queen bed.
What is an “Artist Retreat”?
A great question! As a creative person, I feel the pull of distractions every day. Even during scheduled studio time, I’m pulled toward so many different projects - painting, fiber work, textiles, and of course, the procrastination points of cleaning or rearranging my space. Sometimes, I just need to GET AWAY from it all, but with a purpose - not a vacation, but a RETREAT. I dreamed of how I could make this happen for myself and others in a loosely structured but intentional way. So….
Last summer, on a beautiful lake in Maine, several artists and I spent five days away from the distractions of our daily lives and practices - we retreated! We immersed ourselves in the moment, heeding the small calls to exploration and experimentation. Steven Spielberg commented that inspiration is often quiet, the small voices that beckon us toward this idea or that path. When we’re in the cacophony of our daily lives, we can miss those little tugs at our instincts.
The Maine Artist Retreats are designed to be a distinct space away, in a beautiful environment, with an optional schedule of possibilities (see more below), self guided but with an equally dedicated cohort of creatives.
This summer, I’ve secured two amazing locations - one in the spunky Willard Beach neighborhood in South Portland, Maine, and a beautiful cabin on Echo Lake in Fayette, Maine. The Willard Beach location offers two back-to-back sessions in June (let me know if you’d like to stay over for both), and the Echo Lake location offers one session in July.
Schedule:
Settling In…On our first night, MJ will make a big delicious dinner - we’ll spend some time getting to know each other and share our goals and plans. MJ will go over the different plans and activities, and will adjust according to the needs of individuals and the group.
Play…Each morning, MJ will lead a short meditation followed by a cannon ball (Echo Lake) or dip in the ocean (Willard Beach). MJ has designed several self-led tours of inspirational spots around the area, which can be done at any time, alone or with a group. In the afternoon, we’ll gather to experiment in the shared studio space.
Recharge…Sleeping in, napping, and lollygagging are highly recommended. As my trainer says, a rest is also a workout. MJ will have a myriad of reading materials, passive and active meditations, as well as puzzles and games.
Connect…Each evening, we’ll gather for dinner, and share the day. Two evenings, depending on weather, we’ll venture out to special spaces outside to draw or write.
Wrap-Up… Our last evening, we’ll have a big meal together, share our plans, and have an evening cannon ball (Echo Lake) or swim (Willard Beach).
All plans are optional and will be dependent on the needs of each individual and the group. Whatever your level as an artist, these activities are designed to engage and inspire. Please use the loose structure of the retreat to give yourself space and time to play, recharge and connect as you see fit.
MJ is here to facilitate, recommend activities, give feedback and support your experience. In addition to being a professional artist, she is also a college professor with years of adult education experience. Her practice involves painting (acrylic, oil, watercolor, encaustic, plein air, etc.), fiber, textiles, and mixed media work.
MJ has lived and worked in Maine since 2006. She is represented by Portland Art Gallery and Kerr Jones Gallery. She has a BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston/Tufts University, an EdM from Harvard University, and is an adjunct professor in the Communications & New Media and Studio Arts Departments at Southern Maine Community College.
More about her here.
A great question! As a creative person, I feel the pull of distractions every day. Even during scheduled studio time, I’m pulled toward so many different projects - painting, fiber work, textiles, and of course, the procrastination points of cleaning or rearranging my space. Sometimes, I just need to GET AWAY from it all, but with a purpose - not a vacation, but a RETREAT. I dreamed of how I could make this happen for myself and others in a loosely structured but intentional way. So….
Last summer, on a beautiful lake in Maine, several artists and I spent five days away from the distractions of our daily lives and practices - we retreated! We immersed ourselves in the moment, heeding the small calls to exploration and experimentation. Steven Spielberg commented that inspiration is often quiet, the small voices that beckon us toward this idea or that path. When we’re in the cacophony of our daily lives, we can miss those little tugs at our instincts.
The Maine Artist Retreats are designed to be a distinct space away, in a beautiful environment, with an optional schedule of possibilities (see more below), self guided but with an equally dedicated cohort of creatives.
This summer, I’ve secured two amazing locations - one in the spunky Willard Beach neighborhood in South Portland, Maine, and a beautiful cabin on Echo Lake in Fayette, Maine. The Willard Beach location offers two back-to-back sessions in June (let me know if you’d like to stay over for both), and the Echo Lake location offers one session in July.
Schedule:
Settling In…On our first night, MJ will make a big delicious dinner - we’ll spend some time getting to know each other and share our goals and plans. MJ will go over the different plans and activities, and will adjust according to the needs of individuals and the group.
Play…Each morning, MJ will lead a short meditation followed by a cannon ball (Echo Lake) or dip in the ocean (Willard Beach). MJ has designed several self-led tours of inspirational spots around the area, which can be done at any time, alone or with a group. In the afternoon, we’ll gather to experiment in the shared studio space.
Recharge…Sleeping in, napping, and lollygagging are highly recommended. As my trainer says, a rest is also a workout. MJ will have a myriad of reading materials, passive and active meditations, as well as puzzles and games.
Connect…Each evening, we’ll gather for dinner, and share the day. Two evenings, depending on weather, we’ll venture out to special spaces outside to draw or write.
Wrap-Up… Our last evening, we’ll have a big meal together, share our plans, and have an evening cannon ball (Echo Lake) or swim (Willard Beach).
All plans are optional and will be dependent on the needs of each individual and the group. Whatever your level as an artist, these activities are designed to engage and inspire. Please use the loose structure of the retreat to give yourself space and time to play, recharge and connect as you see fit.
MJ is here to facilitate, recommend activities, give feedback and support your experience. In addition to being a professional artist, she is also a college professor with years of adult education experience. Her practice involves painting (acrylic, oil, watercolor, encaustic, plein air, etc.), fiber, textiles, and mixed media work.
MJ has lived and worked in Maine since 2006. She is represented by Portland Art Gallery and Kerr Jones Gallery. She has a BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston/Tufts University, an EdM from Harvard University, and is an adjunct professor in the Communications & New Media and Studio Arts Departments at Southern Maine Community College.
More about her here.
Notes from previous participants:
“The Echo Lake Artist Retreat offers an intimate experience in a beautiful setting where each artist can work at their own pace. I experimented with a printmaking technique that has moved my practice to a whole new level. MJ creates a welcoming space to do as much or as little as you are called to do, a sense of community over shared meals, and the restorative laughter of artists who are all in it together.”
J. Schmitt - Painter, Printmaker
“MJ's retreat was an amazing opportunity for me to structure my own retreat, play with other artists, and enjoy a part of Maine I'd never been to before. MJ organized it so it was really simple and fun. There were great books and inspiring ideas to ground and inspire me as I entered the lodge every morning. I came away from the experience with new toys, a couple of amazing books that I now love, cool new art friends, and a new understanding of my own work and how I make things as an artist.”
T. Waldman - Glassblower