This past September I went for an artist retreat. Reprising an artist-in-residence experience from 2019, I met up with New York artist/friend Anne Gabriele (link to her art). We spent 8 days on Fire Island, New York.
This was my first time on a retreat with another artist. We both shared a cottage for our creative work. I worked on the bigger table and Anne worked both inside and outdoors. Anne creates abstract landscapes using the cyanotype print process. We each draw creativity from the ocean, natural elements found on the beach, and all the daily changes in the surf. Throughout the week we spent time talking about our creative art practice, inspirations, and artistic lives. Artists need to be with other artists talking about art. I’m so grateful for our time together.
My goal for this retreat was to experiment with new color combinations and compositions. When I’m immersed in nature it makes it easy for my creativity to flow out. The agenda of each day was very simple: paint, then walk on the beach, paint, then more beach, then make dinner and paint. The breeze went through the cottage which enabled my paintings to dry quickly allowing me to get 3 layers of paint on in a day. I completed many paintings and color studies. I came away energized and ready to keep the momentum going.
