with
Becky Blair
& Anna Kwiecinska
April, 2026
8 days/7 nights
Day 1- arrival day - Welcome dinner
Day 9 - departure day - no program
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6 Days with Art Program
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Curated tours and cultural experiences with artisans
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AIRPORT is MARRAKECH
Say it slowly and savour the sound ... Marra ... kech ....
What do you think of when you hear the word 'Marrakech'?
Desert reds? earthy ochres? Labyrinthine souks overflowing with wares from far away artisans? Or are you seeing arched arcades, mosaic walls cool to the touch, mint tea waiting on a sparkling brass table ...
Marrakech, deep in the southern part of Morocco and home to largest public square in Africa, is all of these things and much, much more.
Here, elegant, refined Moroccan culture meets Berber nomads who bring their wares wrapped in bedsheets.
It's where Yves St Laurant made a home - where he said he was happiest - (you'll visit his fabulous new museum), and on this art retreat with artist Becky Blair you'll visit splendid gardens (not only those of Jacques Majorelle), souks, and take a day trip to the Atlas mountains to lunch with Berber women as you learn from them the cultural principles behind their designs.
It's this insight into culture and looking beyond the obvious that will serve you well as you work alongside Becky Blair.
Seeking the elements which make you curious, which catch your eye, and which, with Becky's guidance into how she transmutes the experienced into a symbolic lexicon for her own works' meanings, you'll thus create your own visual language.
This retreat is perfect for anyone seeking to augment their stylistic repertoire, for any form of visual communication - be it as an artist, designer, glass artist, jewellery designer ... join us, see in a new way!
The Background
Becky Blair and Anna have a long art-related relationship, going back to the time when Anna offered Becky her first exhibition in Australia, some 20 years ago. It was an instant success, making 'Becky Blair' into a household name in Western Australia - far from her home in the UK!
Together they held annual exhibitions for many years and an art retreat when Becky taught her way of painting at one of Anna's early Creative Living Retreats at her home in Bali - Villa Nilaya .
Fast forward, Becky has continued her full time career as an artist and designer in the UK, and Anna has created a vibrant program of art retreats and cultural tours in places that she has lived and knows well - Morocco, Hydra, Bali (see what we did in 2024).
Now we are thrilled to be able to bring two lifetimes of art and travel experience to this fabulous week on Hydra - at a gentle time of the year.
This sketch-booking through observation is an ever-evolving process, and keeping a collection of books over time is an incredibly satisfying thing in itself, but these books become a precious repository for all of your creative endeavors to follow.
In Marrakech, it's early Spring, the sun is not yet stinging, it's very comfortable to be outside.
Each day will take you to a new location inside Marrakech medina, and outside into gardens renowned for their design and ability to delight.
You'll need to be quick to secure your place on this special week with only 12 places available - staying in your own room in a beautiful riad (an accommodation where the rooms are arranged around a central private courtyard - this one with a swimming pool and shady palm trees), hand-picked by Anna and chosen for ease of access, views, delicious breakfasts and a unique terrace studio for making art (see the gallery of photos further down this page).
We can't wait to share amazing Marrakech with you!
You have organised us beautifully, Anna!
Huge thanks for every day you pulled together for us
WHAT YOU'LL DO
This 8-day/7-night retreat offers you a quietly relaxed week to focus on creating two beautifully full and potent personal visual journals of your explorations, discoveries and meaningful moments in Marrakech, with the guidance and inspiration of British artist and designer Becky Blair, whose lively and eclectic style, combined with her vivid use of colour and dream-like reflections, has seen her highly-sought-after work sold through exhibitions and private commissions internationally.
With 18-hours of art tuition (3 hrs art time per day for 6 days), in various settings) sharing Becky's techniques and processes for exploring the motifs and things you’ve noticed, re-creating them in an abstract way by playing with them and evolving them into a personal lexicon of forms from which you can draw on in all of your following work. You will also, later in the week, use these motifs and methods to create works on paper which you'll be able to take home, ready to display.
You will take home a collection of works on quality paper, providing not only souvenirs of a memorable holiday on this unique island, but as a compendium of enhanced motifs which you'll be able to draw on and even elaborate on in your own studio work.
Gina S. U.K,- Hydra Art Retreat October 2024
WHO WILL THIS RETREAT SUIT?
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Coming to this course with an open mind and a ravenous curiosity, even for the quotidian details of life on Hydra will serve you well!
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If you have some prior art-making experience at any level, then this retreat will add to your repertoire of motifs and ways in which you can apply them
WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE?
Becky and I warmly invite you to join our group in 2025 for this exceptional art experience by in Marrakech and beyond.
This is a season of mild weather in Marrakech; in March the average temperature is 24 degrees Celcius, rising to 25 degrees in April.
You'll be comfortable in layers during the day with a wrap for the evening on those terraces.
When I was in Marrakech in March this year (2024, there was a tree day heat wave of 35 degrees - everyone was out on their terrace soaking up the warmth, but it quickly resumed a normal profile ... so, be prepared for anything, but expect mainly mild, dry weather.
MEET BECKY BLAIR
Becky Blair, whose lively and eclectic style, combined with her vivid use of colour and dream-like reflections, has seen her highly-sought-after work sold through exhibitions and private commissions internationally.
Her paintings evolve through a complex layering of glazes, textures, drawing and printing. Her compositions are formed from pools of overlapping colour, and the use of negative space, adding and taking away elements to create a surface that has its own history.
Known as an artist who sees the beauty in things which may otherwise seem ordinary, she draws inspiration from the everyday, as well as her travels through India, Australia and Europe.
"I like the back streets. I like to wander. I’m curious to everyday happenings, and this is reflected in the way I travel."
Anna has a long histroy with Morocco, designing retreats and leading tours
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.
Over the last 14 years, hundreds of people over dozens of retreats have experienced the depth of wellbeing that being creative can foster.
Creative Living Retreats are a source of focus for creative inspiration, with our intuitive teachers guiding you to Live Creatively, and genuinely underpinned by my belief that creativity flows when we are in flow, so my retreats always include a meditative start to our day.
Anna has designed and led several tours in Morocco since 2018.. Most recently, in 2024, she curated and led a tout through the north leading to an art retreat in Fes, and then this was followed by another tour across the Sahara to Marrakech and beyond.
catch up with my Morocco stories here
Over a decade, many retreatants have returned for our thoughtfully curated weeks of supported creativity, and I very much look forward to welcoming you to Morocco More info
Loved the whole thing ... 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, 2019 on a BALI RETREAT
How does the retreat work?
The working part of our program will happen mainly in the lovely spacious palmy courtyard of our riad, or in the dedicated terrace studio, where you'll be able to leave all of your art materials out, and can access them to work in your own time, any time.
Each day we will explore a new destination, chosen to bring you into contact with a new aspect of Marrakech life and culture. In the medina we will walk to locations for on-the-spot inspiration, and we also have an 'away day' to two garden locations, including the Jardin Majorelle.
In all, the retreat comprises 18 hours of 'class time' with Becky Blair, and after this art session concludes, usually before lunch, you're free to lunch, explore, continue with your art, or visit any of the many museums that Marrakech has to offer - Anna will give you a comprehensive list of possibilities, and is available to assist you finding them or getting there.
On one day we take an all-day tour into the Atlas mountains to visit a womens' cooperative - possibly two - who specialise in rug making. With them we'll take lunch, and possibly continue onto a second community for an afternoon visit. The purpose is not to 'see ' as much as possible' but to experience as much as possible from these personal encounters, so our pace is determined by this rather than a strict timetable - we ask for your flexibility on this day as we try to optimise your experience.
Dining possibilities abound, and your Welcome and Farewell dinners are nothing short of fabulous!
Where does the retreat take place ?
The retreat hub offers accommodation, breakfast and relaxed and private places for relaxing ... two ground floor salons are filled with Moroccan treasures with forms to inspire.
The courtyard has a swimming pool, and on warm days we can work outside, but if it's cooler or even wet, our terrace studio is perfect as we can leave all of our art gear there throughout the week, and you are free to work anytime..
The spacious riad is in the medina, near the Bahia Square, it's quiet, not on a crowded thoroughfare, and will be easy for you to find after the first time.
What does your Retreat include?
see all the inclusions >
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Accommodation with Breakfast for 7 nights in a luxury riad within the medina of Marrakech
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Gala Welcome Dinner
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Gala Farewell Dinner
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18 Hours of Art Tuition with Becky Blair over 6 days
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Some Art Materials
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Jardin Majorelle and Berber Museum entrance
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Yves St Laurent Museum entrance
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AMIMA Garden entrance and day trip for drawing inspiration
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Visit to mountain Berber Womens' mountain cooperative for lunch and exchange
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porterage
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gift bag with art goodies
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Anna's full time assistance during, and arrangement of all activities before the retreat
What's Not Included
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airfares
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airport transfers ( these can be arranged with Anna - cost applies)
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meals not described in the list of inclusions
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your personal insurance
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all alcoholic beverages
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any entrance tickets to places not described in the itinerary supplied on this site
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all personal expenses laundry, telephone etc.
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any extra activities
Thank you Anna for convening this fabulous experience.
Your style, grace and attention to detail made everyone feel important. Sharing your home for those days of art and food and armchair yoga will be a special memory for me to hold.
You have gathered an amazing staff around you ... thank you again.
Gloria C. Queensland, Australia.
ART RETREAT in Bali 2022
What's not included
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airfare
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travel insurance
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personal expenses
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return taxi after arrival at Piraeus port on retrun
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return boat from Hydra to Piraues as you may wish to stay on Hydra longer (this can be organised by Anna for you)
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GETTING THERE
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You fly into MARRAKECH AIRPORT
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YOUR RETREAT STARTS on DAY 1 (25 March) when we meet for our welcome drink prior followed by a Welcome Dinner
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The RETREAT FINISHES after breakfast on DAY 8 (1 April)
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Extra nights may be available at the retreat hotel - enquire with Anna - please mention this on your booking form.
ART MATERIALS
A detailed list with links and images is available when you book, or on request
Supplied:
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A5 concertina sketch book with a hard cover, with quality paper for watercolour work
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A5 and square single sheets of 300 gm quality watercolour paper
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extra pencils and coloured pencils, tape, glue sticks, gold and fluoro inks, paint mediums
You bring a basic watercolour set with travel notebook a couple of calligraphy brushes and a good pencil or two
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1 x A5 or small square hard-back cartridge paper (minimum quality) sketch book
Becky Recommends: Seawhite 140mm Square Travel Journal - Seawhite of Brighton Ltd (or click the image)
This one has cartridge paper which is perfect for roaming around, as opposed to the similar shape and sized book with watercolour paper (so watercolour paper is not recommended for this).
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1 x A6-A8 pencil Becky Recommends BLACKWING extra smooth pencil (all the Blackwing pencils are beautiful … one can’t have too many!)
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1 x soft pencil: Becky recommends BEROL KARISMACOLOUR
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1x eraser with good edges
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1x sharpener (Blackwing make their own extra special sharpener)
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1 watercolour set - you are welcome to bring your own, or another brand, but Becky says the vibrancy and saturation of these KURESAKE sets give a better effect for the processes she’s teaching.
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Becky recommends – The Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolour set with 18 pans is a good starter set (Jacksons from Euro 19 – 24 depending on sales) is for professional artists with extra large pans suitable for sketching etc.
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This set of 18 colours contains vivid colours with creamy consistencies, which are all extremely lightfast.Kuretake : Gansai
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Tambi Japanese Watercolour : 18 Colour Large Pan Set | Jackson's Art (jacksonsart.com)
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This is the exact pigment that Becky uses in her work; there are several sets available offering 18 to 48 pans of colour
Why do we suggest you buy your own watercolour set?
“Because watercolours are often mixed quickly from one pan of colour to the next, so that pans can get quite messy – this is very personal, and I suggest that you have your own personal set so that you can be as precious or messy as you like”, says Becky.
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1 x large calligraphy brush
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1 x small calligraphy brush
There are three sets shown here - from a fancy set with several brushes to a simple 2-piece set which becky says she has used in the past.
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Our riad is on two floors and has comfortable stairs, but no lift. All rooms are furnished to a similar high standard, but each room is unique - the building is an original road in the medieval medina.
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Non-participating partners are welcome to join in our group activities - fee applies
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we reserve the right alter costs if our hotels increase their prices between now and the retreat.
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