©
with
Christine Hingston
& Anna Kwiecinska
26 JUNE - 4 JULY 2026
BOOKINGS NOW OPEN
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9 days / 8 nights
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26th - Day 1 arrival day - starts 3 pm
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3 nights in Sanur - ceramics 2 days in studio
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5 nights in Candi Dasa (Villa Nilaya) - painting 4 days
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4th - Day 9 departure day no program
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all accommodation included
LOVE PAINTING, BUT LOOKING FOR MORE POSSIBILITIES?
'Hunter Gatherers' is our newest offering to those of you who love to explore all the possibilities of your creative potential. Bring your curiosity, expand your creative horizons ... the world of tribal-inspired design, ceramics and expressive painting is calling!
Having known Christine for many years an as exceptionally multi-talented artist who has a well-known style, but never ceases pushing her artistic boundaries, I know this statement to be true.
I've seen her in action, and she's a powerhouse of inspiration, whist maintaining a beautiful sense of centeredness whilst she creates ... no prima donna artist stuff here, just real grit and talent making real art. Every day.
If this approach appeals to you, then a week to approach each day in our beautiful studio by the sea in Bali with a new artistic challenge, and plenty of knowledgeable tuition to see you through to the end of your work may be just the ticket!
This is the perfect mid-winter warm getaway to design and paint ceramics with underglazes and plan and paint a large canvas in Bali with Christine Hingston and Anna Kwiecinska at Villa Nilaya in beautiful East Bali and at a professional ceramics studio in Sanur.
See you there!
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This really special 9-day/8-night retreat offers you the opportunity to gift yourself a richly envisaged art experience inspired by the tribal designs which exist throughout the Indonesian islands.
We'll begin not too far from the DENPASAR airport, with 3 nights here, to experience 2 full days at a professional ceramics studio, with Christine sharing her techniques for you to design and decorate three pieces of tableware.
(more available if you wish).
On Day 4 we set out on our private bus through the beautiful hinterland between Ubud and the south coast, famed for its majestic rice filed views, visiting several art-related venues and artisans along the way.
You'll reach Candi Dasa this evening, where you have your chosen hotel by the sea for the next 5 nights.
For the next four gentle days by the sea, focus on expanding your painting skills and knowledge of materials - for those that attended in 2025, Christne will introduce new grounds and effects specifically suited to creating the tribal-inspired, large work on canvas which is the focus of your painting - and then voila!, you'll receive your painted, glazed and fired ceramics to take home, along with works on paper and a large painting on canvas (rolls provided to take home)
How does this retreat unfold?
You'll begin with a busy couple of days dedicated to ceramics in lively Sanur, with all its seaside bars, shopping and dining possibilities, followed by a travel day to the retreat hub of Villa Nilaya - near to Candi Dasa in the South coast of Bali - then a luxurious 5 nights where all you need do is turn up each day at 9 am, after breakfast (and perhaps an early-morning dip?
- the beach here is white sand, the water is gentle and warm. Then take a short walk to the villa for Art and lunch - and more art (or take a taxi if you don't wish to walk).
Lets' begin our day with some calm and focusing breathwork and a gentle introduction to gathering together each morning.
This is led by Anna, who has been introducing participants over the last 3 years of retreats to the A.W.E. technique of 'microdosing mindfulness' ... it's fully integrated into the week, and is not connected with any belief system.
Your painting studio is an airy sea-facing space beneath the soaring grass roof of Villa Nilaya.
Most materials are provided, and you will be provided with a small list when you enrol.
Our program includes a night out in Candi Dasa for some fine dining and cocktails, and on the three peaceful evenings when there is no after-painting program, you can discover the seaside dining venues in our village of Mendira near Candi Dasa
You can choose where you stay from one of three accommodations - from cute Balinese bungalows (AMARTA ) to luxe-plus resort suites at the Candi Beach Hotel, Both venues have dining facilities if you fancy a night at home.
Your retreat cost INCLUDES accommodation with breakfast in the retreat price. for both SANUR and CANDI DASA (8 nights).
There is nothing else to pay, except for dinners on the 'free nights' (4 dinners are included).
WE RECOMMEND AMARTA BUNGALOWS as they provide a helpful evironment, 8 minutes' walk from the villa and are right on a white sandy beach that is perfect for safe swimming. They're situated close to several good local restaurants (warungs), and have a good sea-side restaurant of their own. As value for money goes, this is a great choice, but if you're after something more luxurious, please consider CANDI BEACH RESORT HOTEl.
Christine and I warmly invite you to join our group in 2026 for this exceptional art experience By the Sea in beautiful East Bali.
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A desire to be present in my own mind, my own space and my own dreams allows my hand to interpret.
I look and I look again at shapes, patterns and colours. I look at shadows and light and dark in nature. For me this ability to see what is around me is the greatest gift I can draw on for inspiration in my abstract and representational work.
A lifetime of dreaming has led me to a daily practice of creating. Always pushing boundaries and experimenting with new techniques and materials.
Not everything works but that is the process of making art, always moving forward and challenging myself.
I work in oil on canvas, acrylic and watercolour on paper, and my passion - ceramics.
Christine Hingston
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MEET CHRISTINE HINGSTON
"Unless I am away from my studio I work every day. I don’t wait for inspiration, I go to my easel and find it on a canvas.
I use many techniques and materials in my paintings including oil and acrylic paint, rust paint and charcoal, gold leaf and collage.
Some paintings happen fast and some take time and are put aside to consider and come back to at a later time.
More recently I have had the opportunity to indulge my passion for ceramics working with stone wear clay and firing in gas and soda and wood fired kilns. I love the way that my painting will inspire my ceramic and the wonderful, sometimes unexpected results in my ceramics that inspire my paintings."
Creative Living Retreats by Anna Kwiecinska
With a background as an art historian and art gallery owner, my collaboration with artists continues to be a fascinating career which evolved into specialist art retreats designed to combine seriously good art tuition with authentic cultural experiences.
The practice of meditation has under-pinned Creative Living Retreats, as a source of focus for creative inspiration.
In 202o Anna was part of a pilot study group led by two reseachers in the bay Area of San Francisco, into the practice of 'microdosing mindfulness' .Dr David Amster a pain management specialist and Jake Eagle, life coach and counsellor, - both meditators - have since published their findings as "The Power of A.W.E', and it is this wisdom that we draw on in recent retreats.
I began this retreat program in 2011 and other than during the pandemic, retreats have happened every year. Over a decade, many retreatants have returned for our thoughtfully curated weeks of supported creativity, and I genuinely look forward to welcoming you to experience the depth of wellbeing that Creative Living Retreats have become known for, More info
What You'll Do
On this retreat you will create and execute your own designs to decorate 3 pieces of tableware. (more is available to decorate at a small cost), and you will be designing and completing a large canvas.
The theme 'Hunter Gatherers' is inspired by the tribal designs that abound throughout the Indonesian archipelago, some of which we will see on our travelling day - hunting for inspiration, and gathering the techniques and know-how to make a stunning collection of objects and artworks to take home.
Youi will be working on large sheets of quality paper and canvas - the same kind and quality that Christine uses in her professional work. You can roll your artworks and they'll be ready to frame at home.
Your STUDIO TIME consists of:
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4 x 3-hr sessions at the ceramics studio - a total of 12 hours
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7 x 3-hr sessions at Villa Nilaya for painting - a total of 21 hours
MASTERCLASS and DEMONSTRATIONS
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You will have guided tour around the ceramics production studio as a prelude to the studio time - it's an astounding operation,!
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Christine will demonstrate throughout the retreat and you'll see her work evolve side-by-side with your own
TECHNICAL SPECIFICS
- the aim of this retreat is to immerse yourself in a dynamic approach to geometrical design, to create abstract patterns on clay and on canvas where you'll be learning the uses of various grounds and the techniques to create an earthy, richly-textured canvas. The techniques and some materials will, therefore be differentt to those that participants in 2025 experienced.
Who Will This Retreat Suit?
If you love design, appreciate cultural diversity, are curious about new techniques and materials, then whether you are a ceramicist or painter already , or not, Christine's teaching will inspire you to approach these projects with confidence.
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Loved the whole thing. Food was amazing and plenty of variety. Staff amazing ... I just thought you did the retreat so well. I felt totally satisfied with the way you made it all happen and made us all feel very special. You really were the glue. Very professional.
The exhibition was just so beautifully put together.
Lyn Mowday, Busselton, Australia, Bali Art Retreat 2019
What does your Retreat include? Practically everything except your airfare !
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Tutoring with Christine Hingston - 36 hours over 7 days in two parts - 6 hrs ceramics, 24 hrs painting
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art materials
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airport collection
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3 nights accommodation in Sanur - with breakfast all days and 1 dinner include
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5 nights at your choice of accommodation and breakfast for 5 nights in Candi Dasa (retreat Hub is Villa Nilaya)
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A stylish night out on the town with fine dining and cocktails
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Short morning practice with sound and meditation with Anna
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A 60-minute deliciously restorative Balinese massage or reflexology treat with our expert masseuses using Sensatia's pure sweet almond oil infused with restorative Balinese essential oils
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Balinese Full Moon ceremony - we'll prepare and participate in this auspicious event
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A stylish night out on the town with fine dining and cocktails
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Exhibition night with Balinese megibung feast and entertainment
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2 lunches whilst at the ceramics studio
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1 lunch on the travel day
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4 gourmet Balinese lunches prepared at Villa Nilaya
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3 dinners - Sanur, Candi Dasa and Farewell Dinner
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Both locations offer you a wide variety of good restaurants within easy walking distance of your hotel for other meals & coffee
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retreat bag with arty gifts
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organised and curated, hosted and fully supported by Anna
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What's not included?
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flights
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taxi transfer from retreat
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all personal expenses incurred at hotel (laundry etc)
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4 dinners
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any trips, tours or transports not included in the description of 'inclusions'
ACCOMMODATION
This retreat takes place in two venues. Your accomodation in both venues is inclued in the retreat cost below.
IN SANUR (first three nights)- we will all stay at GRANDMAS PLUS SANUR, a super clean, comfortable and well-serviced hotel only a few minutes from the airport. All rooms are the same, and have everything one needs for a comfortable stay. A spa on the premises offers excellent massages. With this option, we are all together for transport and logistics travelling to and from between the hotel and the ceramics studio.
IN CANDI DASA (five nights) we offer you two hotels to choose from - both with beachfront locations and both about 8-10 minutes' walk from the retreat venue of Villa Nilaya, a spacious, fully-staffed private villa with large swimming pool, beachfront swimming access, painting studio, and lovely gardens. We are located in the quiet village of Mendira.
The accommodation iis shown here OR click on the images below to go to the hotel websites.
The retreat prices include SINGLE OCCUPANCY in ALL ACCOMMODATIONS and all of the items listed in 'Inclusions'.
COSTS
fully booked
Thank you Anna for once again hosting such a thoughtful, exceptionally planned and inspiring retreat.
Your attention to detail, your gentle and insightful guidance and calming presence was greatly appreciated. Many thanks .
Repeat Participant on Christine Hingston's Retreat
Bali Art Retreat 2025
