Who is Natalia?

Your happy host for this delicious weekend away, is Natalia Fidyka. A life long creative and mid-career psychologist she has been facilitating creativity workshops and retreats for over 10 years. Natalias workshops are known to be playful and welcoming, rewarding, and often are sprinkled with awakening life metaphors and personal epiphanies. Don't let the silliness fool you, transformations can be fun!

The Art Camp retreats have emerged from her painting-based teachings and love affair with being in nature and getting a little intrepid in her travels.

Art Camp (although you will be in a beautiful room, not actually camping!) you will be intrepid and adventurous, as you explore your inner landscape with a brush and pencil! There is a beautiful process that occurs in creativity that is so easily applied to life; and Natalia helps you tap into this natural intelligence, by guiding you through a series of simple and satisfying art practices. They can stand alone, producing colourful vibrant art works, or these practices can be used as a springboard to more inspiration and creativity.

What is included?

Great question. Everything!

3 nights accommodation in Margaret River, on a beautiful property nestled by National Forest.
All your meals. We have a delish caterer on board, who will nourish us with wholesome and fresh vegetarian fare. How good is it not having to cook?
All your art materials, plus your own little bag to take home, so you can keep the good vibes alive and continue creating!
Retreat car. This means we can all get around together, and you don't have to drive. phew.
An abundance of creative prompts and exercises, cool locations, nature, encouragement, guidance and fun!

How about the accommodation?

We are staying at the beautiful Margaret River Retreat. Beautifully appointed, sustainability minded and eco-conscious 'stable' conversions, with twin share rooms. Each room has one king bed, and one king single. Think simple, yet rustic and gorgeous.

*There is one small room available if you really really need a space for yourself.

Margaret River Retreat is a unique destination for holiday makers, adventure seekers, comfort campers and extraordinary events. The character-filled, white weatherboard enclave wraps around a circular and enclosed garden, café, yoga and gallery space, in nature. Margaret River Retreat is a Retreat Venue within reach of the majestic Boranup Forest National Park and surrounding Margaret River Wine Region of Western Australia. Check them out here www.margaretriverretreat.com.au

What will we actually do?

Imagine this. It's a stunning spring morning on the property, you look out the window and see kangaroos in the field. We all meet together with our steaming hot cuppas' (probably still snuggled in a robe) and sit down in the quiet morning to gently paint our 'morning flights' (Natalia's signature watercolour process) enjoying watching the colours swirl and dance on the pages.

Later in the day, after a meander through the forest, we pile into the car and head off to the Margaret River Region Open Studios event ( check it out here www.mrropenstudios.com.au). There is a little treasure map to follow, as Natalia has curated an inspiring trail of artist studios for us to visit. The energy of the event is so exciting, as artists open their studio doors to the public; our journals become full with moments of inspiration. These little snippets inform our own explorations back at base camp.

The weekend is a combination of our own artistic explorations, being inspired by other artists, and spending slow time in nature; both the forest and the beach.

What are Natalias workshops like?

"I came because I wanted to spend time doing art and connecting to that part of me, and learning some techniques and I feel that I have really aachieved that, I feel more confident to start doing art for myself, as often as I feel to, and that for me is an absolute gift, a joy and a freedom. Im so glad I did, its so worth it, and I would do it again!" - Indigo Grace

" I feel so much more gentle and playful, and in touch with a slower rhythm of life and nature. I just feel like all the exercises we did, all the different processes we did helped us tap into our creativity, and not worry about the outcome so much. Because before I was focussed on it being ‘good’ and ‘sellable’ . I loved playing with colour and splashing it everywehere – just really feeling creative again. Its so beautiful. - Prita Grealy

"Creating new friendships, and feeling loved and supported" -Angi

"I've been privileged enough to attend a few of Natalias workshops and everyone of them has been nourishing to the core. One of those spaces where you can lose yourself to creativity, juicyness and the flow. Whether you are looking to develop your art skills or just want to reconnect with your own sense of inner peace, I highly recommend getting yourself to one of Natalia's workshops" - Brooke Murphy

Are there payment plans?

YES! There is a 4-part payment plan option, all payments to be received 1 week prior to retreat event.

How about refunds?

Because the retreat is just around the corner, unfortunately we can't offer refunds.

Go on, tell me about Banjo.

He is a beautiful Black Lab X rescue. In 2021, his career as the official kitchen floor cleaner took a pivot, and he has been a dedicated art studio assistant, and therapy dog ever since. He loves a good chest rub and butt scratch, and will stare into your soul with his amber eyes.

FAQ

You don't need to be an artist! You just have to want to be colourful with a paint brush or pencil. Beginners are so welcome.