Portrait of Bali

Nadine Bastow (Australia)
& Anna Kwiecinska

1 - 8 June, 2024

Mixed Media Art Retreat

"A portrait is first and foremost a painting. The subject is secondary" - Aaron Shikler

A retreat by the sea exploring mixed media techniques on canvas and paper to create a canvas that reflected our personal experience of Bali, starting with guided portraiture basics with our beautiful Balinese models, and combining a variety of mixed media to add layered complexity to your painting.

Probably the most elusive and challenging aspect of figurative painting, Nadine Bastow presented an innovative program where the theme was a portrait, but the final painting represented our collective experiences of East Bali, combining our drawings, the East Balinese culture and way of life and the beautiful surrounds at Villa Nilaya.

What a success this retreat was! ... have a look...

What they're saying ...

Painting, print-making, boating, touring, restaurants, live music, cultural visits, yoga, meditation, great food, laughter and a stress-free week away from it all by the beach PLUS a fabulous big painting to take home to hang on your walls … what are you waiting for?

More About Nadine Bastow

Nadine is a highly experienced Arts Educator and very skilled communicator. Her 30-year career has been a combination of practicing art and teaching art to both adults and teenagers in Perth, country WA, and internationally.

Scenes from her 2023 solo exhibition in Melbourne Australia follow ...

Oh How I loved this retreat with Nadine at Villa Nilaya!

I had not painted for many years, but could not resist the temptation of trying again in such lovely surroundings - the gorgeous gardens and sparkling sea - wonderful food and a most amazing teacher, Nadine.

She inspired us to create beyond our imaginings, and taught us techniques with gold leaf and how to make our own block prints and use them as part of our artworks.

How delighted I am with my masterpiece! I have ofcourse, returned many times - how could I resist ?

Lelle Taffyn, Perth, Western Australia (a repeat retreat participant at Villa Nilaya

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

A luxurious week where all you need do is turn up each day after breakfast (and perhaps an early-morning dip? ... the snorkeling is fabulous), having taken the short walk in our pretty village to Villa Nilaya.

Flowers are integral to Balinese spiritual life; colours signify cosmic directions and the gods residing there. The many-layered spiritual world of the Balinese people - Hindu, Buddhist and animist traditions all combined into a distinctive form of island Hinduism. This week, you too will embrace these beautiful blooms to create an abundant and multi-layered vision of Bali, together with real-life Balinese models for exploratin and tuition in portraiture.

Choose from one of three accommodations - from cute Balinese bungalows to luxe-plus resort suites, all venues have dining facilities if you fancy a night at home. Your 8-nights' accommodation with breakfast is included in the retreat price. There is nothing else to pay, except for a few nights; dinner See the Accommodation

Nadine and I warmly invite you to join our group in 2024 for this exceptional art experience by the sea in East Bali.

WHO WILL THIS RETREAT SUIT?

Coming to this course with an open mind and a preparedness to get the most out of the detailed instruction, even as a complete beginner, you'll find your way into making surprisingly sophisticated artworks.
If you have some prior art-making experience at any level, then this retreat is rocket fuel for your practice!

Creative Living Retreats by Anna Kwiecinska

With a background as an art historian and previous 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 yoga has under-pinned Creative Living Retreats, as a source of focus for creative inspiration - so whether you join us as a novice or a yogi, each day presents a new yoga journey with our intuitive teachers to Live Creatively.

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's Included?

A/C Airport Taxi collection with name board on arrival at the International Airport
Accommodation in YOUR OWN ROOM with Breakfast for 7 nights in your choice of beachside hotels and bungalows
30 Hours of Art Tuition with Nadine Bastow over 7 days.
All Art Materials these are the same professional materials that Nadine uses in her professional work.
You should bring a sketch pad - more details in pre-retreat information
Breakfasts 7
Lunches 5 - buffet, provided at Villa Nilaya during the retreat. We serve really fresh food, with an emphasis on vegetarian, tofu and seafood protein, and not too starchy (quinoa and red rice often replaces white rice).
Morning and afternoon teas each day
Filtered Water available throughout the retreat
Dinners 4 including:
‘Welcome Dinner BBQ' at Villa Nilaya (dietary restrictions catered for - please advise)
Exhibition Night Dinner and concert performance
Cooking and Cocktails with our executive chef Pak Dewa Ardika
A fine dining experience in town
Balinese Massage or reflexology treatment in house at Villa Nilaya