Heartful Retreats

We had a fabulous time at the abstract acrylic painting workshop! Yvette and Derek were incredible hosts, and it was such a unique experience!

This retreat was SO FUN!

I didn’t know what to expect; I’m a self-taught artist who has dabbled in acrylic and watercolor without any formal training… but with a huge yearning to put my art out there and have others enjoy it. I wasn’t sure if I would like “abstract art” or if it would pull me in the same way that my more realistic art does.

I got out of the workshop everything I was hoping to; I really appreciated all of the information on what products to purchase and which ones were not necessary; how to prepare a canvas (I had never heard or Gesso!), how to mix paint with gloss, how to mix paint period!, how to combine colors and think about accents and how to really look at a canvas and think about how it draws the eye. So much excellent information! I had a blast!

The barn/studio itself was GORGEOUS… so nice and bright, welcoming, the food and drink were SO good, I felt really spoiled. I had everything I could want, whenever I wanted it, and felt very spoiled and well taken care of. I loved that I could walk outside through the path and enjoy the silly dogs and feed a horse, and see the light in the trees or meditate in the labyrinth. We got really lucky with the gorgeous sunshiny weather and I looked forward to playing all day. The feedback I got from Yvette was always kind and helpful, and I felt encouraged and guided and never criticized. She has mastered the art of gentle guidance on a timid ego!

Derek was a wonderful host, ensuring we had everything we could want, shuttling us faithfully to and from the grounds every day, and giving us wonderful dining choices in the evenings (every place he recommended was good, for dinner or for coffee!)

I absolutely enjoyed every minute and would recommend this retreat to anyone who feels an urge to explore their inner artist.

From the minute I stepped into Yvette's Studio it was obvious that this was going to be an extraordinary three days of learning and creating.
Yvette is such a gifted instructor with an abundance of knowledge and understanding from mixing your colors, to depth & perspective along with shapes & techniques that take you on a journey throughout each day of the workshop, providing you with a wealth of understanding as to how the creative process evolves and allowing you to come away with your very own Master Piece.
I encourage anyone that craves more knowledge and understanding for the "Artist" within them to consider joining Yvette at her Creative Life Adventures NW Workshops! I plan on signing up for more as well!
See you there!
Lynne Hamilton

What an inspirational 3 day workshop I just returned from! Yvette gives you the knowledge/tools to create your own art. She shared useful information on paints, mediums, and the ten basic design armatures that was and is very helpful to me as a beginner. I can now understand better how and when to use mediums with acrylic to create that dreamy depth I see in professional paintings.
She shows a nice balance of advising vs. letting you make your own missteps. It is very empowering to come back to your painting, say after one of their delicious lunches, and say "Hey, this part doesn't work here, I need to fix it. What was I thinking!" The empowering part is that I could see myself it needed to change.
The large converted barn that houses her gallery and workshop is gorgeous!
Yvette is just a lovely person and Derek is no slouch either ;-) Thanks to you both for a wonderful weekend of color, fun, and friendship.
Sign me up!
Mary S.

What an amazing time we had with Yvette and Derek and the class that Yvette taught! The setting and studio were gorgeous,Yvette is amazingly talented both as a painter and instructor, the food and snacks were fabulous, and the company we kept was lovely. The class is designed so that ANY level of painter can enjoy it and leave with a piece of completed art--- it was so fun to see this realized over the course of a few days (and boy, did it fly by!). Going into it I was a bit freaked out by the daunting task of creating an abstract painting on my own --- but by the end of the third day I left with a piece I was very proud of and was amazed at how it came together with Yvette's expert guidance. I left with new skills and new friends and the desire to return annually for the experience. What a wonderful discovery it was to find Creative Life Adventures and the good thing they have going!