# Calming Nature Journal Retreat with Artist Amy Maricle in Spain Immerse yourself in the practice of nature journaling in the peaceful countryside of Cabo de Gata with artist Amy Maricle. Surrounded by soft hills, quiet paths, and the distant shimmer of the sea, this retreat welcomes artists of all experience levels into a slower rhythm of seeing and creating. With Amy’s guidance, tune into the beauty of the natural world, drawing and painting what you observe with presence and care. Whether you are among the wild cliffs of southern Spain or noticing leaves in your own backyard, this way of working invites a deeper connection with your surroundings.Throughout the retreat, Amy will encourage a calming approach to art, where slowing down, looking for beauty, and drawing it becomes a grounding daily practice. You’ll explore techniques that draw from the natural flora around you to create beautiful botanical pages in your art journal that reflect your personal experience. Each session opens space for watercolor, pen work, and botanical ink. You will create bold, beautiful nature journal pages you never imagined you could paint.Stay in your own private room at a tranquil finca surrounded by gardens, shaded terraces, and the still presence of the surrounding hills. Between studio sessions, wander through Almería’s historic streets, notice the details of sun-worn architecture, and feel the rhythm of the land in the wild beauty of Cabo de Gata Natural Park. Savor the flavors of regional Spanish dishes and wine, drawing inspiration from the colors, textures, and stories that shape this soulful retreat. ## Details - **Dates:** June 1 - 8, 2026 - **Location:** Níjar, Almería, Spain - **Starting Price:** $5,450 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Slow Art Journaling Retreat Immerse yourself in the practice of nature journaling in the peaceful countryside of Cabo de Gata with artist Amy Maricle. Surrounded by soft hills, quiet paths, and the distant shimmer of the sea, this retreat welcomes artists of all experience levels into a slower rhythm of seeing and creating. With Amy’s guidance, tune into the beauty of the natural world, drawing and painting what you observe with presence and care. Whether you are among the wild cliffs of southern Spain or noticing leaves in your own backyard, this way of working invites a deeper connection with your surroundings.Throughout the retreat, Amy will encourage a calming approach to art, where slowing down, looking for beauty, and drawing it becomes a grounding daily practice. You’ll explore techniques that draw from the natural flora around you to create beautiful botanical pages in your art journal that reflect your personal experience. Each session opens space for watercolor, pen work, and botanical ink. You will create bold, beautiful nature journal pages you never imagined you could paint.Two special day trips will guide you further into the landscape and stories of the region. One journey leads you to the city of Almería, where you'll visit the ancient Alcazaba fortress, walking through shaded gardens and along stone paths that open onto wide views. With the presence of a local guide, explore this layered space, pause for a drink in a beloved café, enjoy a quiet lunch at a traditional restaurant, and spend time sketching or painting in the calm of the afternoon. The second outing follows the coastline of Cabo de Gata, where volcanic rock meets the sea at the Reef of the Sirens. This dramatic stretch of land invites stillness, reflection, and a sense of wonder.Amy Maricle, a compassionate and experienced teacher, will hold space throughout the week for you to slow down, notice more deeply, and connect with your creative practice in a new way. Her thoughtful and supportive guidance offers inspiration and care for artists at every stage of their journey.The topics covered during your lessons will include:Drawing flowers and flora from the natural world in gorgeous, colorful pagesPracticing watercolor foundations, including color mixing, washes, bleeds, and moreCreating expressive botanical forms in ink that make pages popCalming the inner critic, helping to focus on the joy of creatingLearning to connect with the natural world through mindful drawing techniques that embrace imperfection and allow you to draw more accurately than you thought possibleApproaching art with a mindset of mindfulness and calmUsing reflective writing to deepen your art practiceRediscovering the playful spirit within your creative process...and much more!Nestled in the heart of Cabo de Gata Natural Park, your retreat venue is a peaceful oasis surrounded by the region's dramatic natural beauty. With its rustic charm, gardens brimming with native plants, and panoramic views of the rugged terrain, the finca offers endless sources of inspiration. Whether exploring its tranquil pathways or relaxing in the welcoming common areas, you’ll find the perfect setting to immerse yourself in your art and connect with your surroundings. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Almería Airport (LEI) and catch your 3:30 PM transfer to the retreat venue, a short 30-minute journey. Settle into your comfortable room, take some time to relax, and get ready to meet Amy and your retreat group. Join an orientation tour to explore the bright studio, peaceful gardens, inviting terraces, and the refreshing pool. Over a fabulous welcoming dinner, enjoy a relaxed conversation about the week ahead while savoring local Spanish flavors and a glass of regional wine. ### Day 2: Art at the Finca Begin your day with a nourishing breakfast, embracing the quiet hush of morning as soft light fills the spaces around you. Soon after, gather with everyone over coffee for a gentle check-in, arriving together in stillness and setting a calm, grounded rhythm for the creative path ahead.Under Amy’s gentle guidance, you’ll practice calming the inner critic and approaching art with a mindset of mindfulness and calm before settling into the studio’s shaded patio.Begin your art journey by diving into watercolor. Learn to mix your own colors, capturing the beauty you see, and learn techniques like wet on wet, glazing, dry on wet, erasing, watercolor mark making, and more. A relaxed, nourishing lunch follows. The afternoon opens into unhurried time in the studio learning to see with new eyes. Choose a natural object, and learn contour drawing, where you will capture gorgeous details and surprise yourself with the honesty of your drawings. Mindful breathing and playful exercises remind you that embracing imperfection often leads to surprising accuracy—and to a deeper, more joyful connection with what you see.With quiet attention, your creative practice becomes a steady rhythm, unfolding gently without pressure or expectation.As the sun begins to lower, take time to rest or reflect. In the evening, gather once more to share a delicious three-course dinner and the joys of the day. Conversation drifts easily, accompanied by the warmth of Spanish wine and the peaceful energy of the land that surrounds you. ### Day 3: Trip to Almería & drinks at a special establishment As sunlight warms the horizon, a peaceful morning begins with a nourishing breakfast before setting off toward Almería, where stories live in stone and sea air stirs the senses.With Amy and your guide, wander through the historic center, camera in hand, gathering reference images and inspiration from tiled facades, winding streets, and the gentle rhythm of daily life. Walk beneath the palms of Nicolás Salmerón Park and along the port, where light and movement offer moments worth capturing. At the heart of the day stands the Alcazaba, a vast 10th-century citadel overlooking the city and coast. Its gardens, archways, and intricate stonework offer breathtaking views, rich textures, and sacred forms that echo the meditative patterns explored in your artwork.Pause for a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant, then have some time to either take more reference photos or settle into quick sketches inspired by the sights and feelings of the day. Before heading back, unwind with a drink at a cherished neighborhood café known for its character and charm. The moment invites you to sketch freely, capturing gestures, light, or the feeling of stillness that lingers at the edge of conversation.Return to the serenity of the venue, where a warm, chef-prepared dinner awaits. As night falls, gather with fellow artists to reflect on the day’s creative path, surrounded by the gentle hush of the Spanish landscape. ### Day 4: Art at the Finca Following a nourishing breakfast, gather with Amy and your fellow artists for a gentle morning check-in, creating a mindful and open space to set intentions, share creative questions, and reconnect with your artistic rhythm.In the calm of the studio, ease into the day’s mindful practice, centered around practicing capturing botanical forms in deep, inky brushstrokes. Through slow observation and gentle coaching, you’ll learn to connect with the natural world through mindful drawing techniques—studying subtle shifts and movements in your subjects. Each brushstroke becomes an opportunity to notice, breathe, and enjoy the simple act of ink meeting paper.After a satisfying lunch, you’ll practice layering your ink techniques in real time as you respond to the surrounding flora. Amy will guide you through letting go of perfectionism and focusing on the process, helping you build confidence in your mark‑making and painting. The rhythm of brush to page becomes meditative, and you may find that drawing more accurately than you thought possible comes naturally when you allow yourself to truly see, rather than strive.As the evening settles in, gather for a relaxed three-course dinner, sharing stories, reflections, and gentle conversation. ### Day 5: Trip to the Cabo de Gata Natural Park On the fifth day of the retreat, begin with a hearty breakfast before setting off on a peaceful journey through the untamed beauty of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park.Walk slowly through this protected UNESCO Geopark, where volcanic cliffs, desert paths, and wild vegetation shape a landscape full of ancient stillness. Follow winding trails between ochre hills and sculpted rock formations, noticing the textures, shadows, and silence that stretch across the land. Pause often to take reference photos, make loose sketches, or simply stand in stillness and absorb the atmosphere. Visit the stunning seaside town of San José and the Reef of the Sirens, and spend the morning allowing the landscape to speak to you.Share a relaxed lunch at a traditional Andalusian restaurant, enjoying simple regional dishes in a warm and welcoming space. When you return to the venue, settle into a slow afternoon of art with Amy. Draw from the impressions of the day as you move gently into drawing and painting with watercolor, pen, and ink. Sketches of blossoms, seed pods, and twisting vines evolve into gorgeous, colorful pages as you draw flowers and flora from the natural world with lines that follow the contours of your subjects and capture beautiful details. Amy will guide you in mindful techniques that invite calm attention and curiosity. Work slowly, with care and openness, allowing the experience of the landscape to unfold through your hands.As the day softens into evening, gather for a chef-prepared dinner and a glass of local wine. Share stories with fellow artists and rest with the peaceful rhythm of retreat life, surrounded by the stillness of the Spanish hills. ### Day 6: Art at the Finca The day begins softly, with golden light filtering through the stillness as you make your way to a nourishing breakfast. A relaxing coffee check-in with Amy and your fellow artists follows, creating a calm space to share intentions and gently arrive in tune with the rhythm of the day.Spend the morning continuing work on earlier pieces, taking time to reconnect with what still feels alive in them. Amy will guide you to release any need for outcome, encouraging a mindful openness where your creativity can move freely. As your practice deepens, you may feel drawn to begin something new, shaped by a moment that still resonates within you. Each gesture becomes a reflection of where you’ve been and how you’ve listened.After a restful lunch, return to the studio for a session of bold mark-making, creating expressive botanical forms in ink that make pages pop. Using bamboo brushes, brushes, and even twigs gathered on yesterday’s art trip to Cabo de Gata, you’ll rediscover the playful spirit within your creative process: splashing, spattering, and letting unexpected textures emerge. Quick gestural studies loosen the wrist; slow contour lines steady the mind. Throughout, prompts for kindness toward yourself keep that inner critic in check, so experimentation feels expansive rather than risky.As the afternoon fades into evening, take time to rest in the calm of the finca. Later, come together for a nourishing dinner prepared by the private chef, shared with a glass of local Spanish wine and the beautiful companionship of those who have journeyed with you through the week. ### Day 7: Art at the Finca Soft light gathers across the finca as you share a nourishing breakfast, settling into the rhythm of this final full day with a sense of calm presence.Return to the studio with Amy for a relaxing and mindful morning session that weaves everything together. A silent wander through the gardens leads into reflective writing to deepen your art practice—short journaling bursts that capture sensations, insights, and intentions.Back in the studio, you’ll layer watercolor, drawings, and ink, weaving words among images to create a luminous spread that celebrates a week of seeing, feeling, and making. You’ll have time to complete and refine your journals, adding final layers, textures, and details that bring together all the mindful techniques you’ve explored throughout the retreat. Immerse yourself in each element, moving with care and curiosity, allowing the journey to come together through color, shape, and story on the page.In the afternoon, enjoy a tiny surprise from Amy.As the day draws to a close, come together once more for a farewell dinner, filled with warmth, connection, and joy. Surrounded by the peaceful beauty of Cabo de Gata, the evening marks the closing of this shared experience, held in memory through the art, presence, and stories you carry home. ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy a light breakfast, bid farewell to Amy and your art group, and board the 10:00 AM transfer to Almería Airport (LEI). You'll reach your destination at around 10:30 AM. ## Instructors - **Amy Maricle** - Mindfulness Artist ## Accommodation ### Spanish countryside estate ### Single standard ensuite room ### Single superior ensuite room ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/calming-nature-journal-art-retreat-artist-amy-maricle-spain](https://uptrek.com/retreat/calming-nature-journal-art-retreat-artist-amy-maricle-spain) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*