My Biggest Painting Adventure Yet

Paints are ready for their long journey.

One of my absolute favorite parts about being an artist is traveling, be it for inspiration, a show or just a vacation that doubles as a laid-back studio break.

I’ve always enjoyed the sketches and studies that come from the spontaneity of unfamiliar surroundings, and usually a fruitful trip will provide ample material for a broader exploration once I return to my easel at home.

What I’ve never done (to my slight embarrassment) is travel outside of America, which I always promised myself I would do before I turned 30. (This was an arbitrary goal and I’m not quite sure why it felt so important lol.) I didn’t quite meet that deadline, but I’m only going to miss it by a handful of months as I’m heading to Spain this weekend to teach a painting retreat in Andalusia. I’m beyond excited and extremely lucky to be in this position. As a kid who grew up watching Rick Steves Europe and imagining myself as the host of an artistic spin off, I feel like I’m about to get a tiny taste of that dream. 

I’ve definitely grown accustomed to teaching painting through previous workshops and of course my online art course, Not Sorry Art School, but this will be my first in-person class since the pandemic. That coupled with the faraway travel has me eager to make this a perfect retreat for my 15 students. 

Thankfully, the retreat company I’m working with, UpTrek, has set us up at an idyllic venue in Almería on a private Spanish Finca that will be provide endless inspiration. I think my biggest concern is just the international travel during Covid, but such is the world. I know once everyone arrives at the venue, we’ll have a lovely time making art (and friends!) to remember for a lifetime.

As some of you may know, I had a baby in 2020 and this will be my first time leaving her for an extended period of time. I’ve never really even spent more than a night away from my son, who is now six, so this week in Spain won’t be easy for me in that regard. I’ll have my husband with me, thankfully, but I can’t say I’m looking forward to not hugging and kissing my kids for an entire week. It will be undoubtedly hard. At least they’ll be getting in some quality Grandma time, which they’ve desperately needed given the isolation of the last two years.

I’ve packed up all my paints and brushes, readied my passport, some Euros and, of course, my vaccine card, and I’m set for a Sunday afternoon flight to Spain. Talk to you when I’m on the ground! ✌️