This retreat is designed to restart your creative process and dive into an art medium, style, and technique. Welcoming beginner to expert level artists, develop skills to create your own sophisticated works and leave refreshed with new techniques that inspire innovative pathways of working. The weekend retreat will offer an intimate and collaborative setting for artists seeking stimulation and expertise. Attend three unique painting classes taught by seasoned art professionals with a focus on acrylic and oil painting. Enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan’s lakes and rolling scenery all while relaxing in the luxurious accommodations of Hotel Walloon. Package rate starts at $1,075. Additional guests are $375 per person.

Package Includes:

• Two nights’ accommodations at the award-winning Hotel Walloon
• Three unique painting class lead by seasoned artists – Acrylic Landscape Painting, Acrylic Floral Painting, Abstract Oil Painting
• Art materials for all painting sessions – three canvases to take home
• Networking and collaboration with fellow artists
• A Small Custom Artwork by Cindy Awrey, Beth Charles, or Kathy Mohl

Included In Your Stay:

• Hotel Walloon Accommodations
• Four Daily Food Presentations including breakfast, afternoon snacks, evening hors d’oeuvres, and desserts
• Complimentary Valet Parking
• Guest Only Access
  • Private Beach & Patio
  • Hearth Room Bar
  • 24 Hour Fitness Center
  • Billiards Room
  • Heated Outdoor Spa
  • Outdoor Firepit
• View All Amenities  >>

Schedule of Events:

Friday

• 4 PM – Check-in at Hotel Walloon
• 7 PM – Fireside Welcome Reception with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails (cash bar) – Meet the Artists

Saturday  

• 7-9 AM – Breakfast at Hotel Walloon
• 9 AM – ‘Fresh, Fast, and Loose’ Floral Acrylic Painting Class hosted by Beth Charles
• 12 PM – Artist Demonstration at Hotel Walloon
• 12:30 PM – Lunch break and exploring Village/local area on own – options available at Barrel Back Restaurant, Walloon General Store, and Walloon Junction
• 4 PM – Evening Paint & Sip Oil Painting at Talcott hosted by Cindy Awery
• 7 PM – Dinner and exploring Village/local area on own – options available at Walloon Lake Inn, Barrel Back Restaurant

Sunday

• 7-8 AM – Breakfast at Hotel Walloon
• 8 AM – Contemporary Landscape Acrylic Painting Class hosted by Kathy Mohl
• 11 AM – Check-out & Departure
• 11 AM – Artist Retreat Closing Seminar & Project Finish (optional)

Artist & Class Information:

 “Fresh, Fast, and Loose” Floral Painting Class (Acrylics)
with Beth Charles

 In this class, students will learn how to create a vibrant, colorful floral using my “Fresh, Fast, and Loose” technique.  Beginning with a floral demonstration from Sweetwater Floral, the unique qualities of acrylic paints will be demonstrated before students begin. Each participate will complete an 11”x14” canvas. All supplies provided.

A resident of west Michigan for 30 years, Beth has been a professional painter for as many years working in oil, acrylic and mixed media. Knowing she wanted to be an artist from a very early age, Beth dreamed of going to college to study art. After receiving her BFA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1987, she married and moved to Holland, MI where they raised their son. Beth then joined the local art community and opened Beth Charles Art where she worked, taught classes and mentored other artists.

Beth continues to work from her studio in Holland where she shares space with 8 other artists and continues to teach classes and workshops while also mentoring other emerging artists.

Oil Painting Class
with Cindy Awrey

Participants will paint a simple still life from a photograph. This will be a follow along, step by step process. Students will learn Cindy’s style of painting from beginning to a finished painting. All supplies included.

Discovering her passion for painting in 2013, Cindy received her formal training in illustration at Kendall School of Design. After starting her career illustrating for the Ohio Art Toy company, she began working as a children’s illustrator before moving back to Michigan to work as the creative director for H.H Cutler children apparel company. After 15 years in commercial art, Cindy started her fine art journey by learning oil and acrylic painting.

Cindy’s work is on display at Lake Effect Gallery and Galleria Gallery and Studio 2. She has been in numerous juried shows and won the Holland Tulip Time poster award 2018, and best of show for the Holland Friends of Art juried show 2019.

Contemporary Landscape Painting Class (Acrylics)
with Kathy Mohl

Participants will learn how to build a strong composition and simplify a scene with an emphasis on values, color mixing and brush strokes. We will work from a photograph and learn how to paint “alla prima” also known as “wet-on-wet” or direct painting. All supplies included and all levels welcome.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Kathy has studied and practiced art throughout her life, attending Oberlin College and Kent State University. She worked as a graphic designer until she focused on painting after moving to Michigan. Her contemporary landscape paintings are inspired by nature, light and color. She has been exhibiting her award-winning work in galleries and juried shows for over twenty years. Her artwork is included in many public and private collections. Her home and studio are in Caledonia, Michigan.

“My work is inspired by nature, light and color. There is a spiritual element present in the landscape, a gentle mystery and powerful energy that I seek to reveal. I am driven to paint what is unseen and create a place for the soul to wander.”