# Unleash Your Creative Joy Art Retreat with Artist Kelly Rae Roberts in Italy

Join a nurturing creative mindfulness retreat with artist Kelly Rae Roberts in the stunning Tuscany region of Italy. Bring forth your sense of wonder and curiosity, learn to trust your artistic voice, and unleash the full force of your creative energies onto soulful mantras, and a meditative artistic exploration journal.Create alongside a group of supportive and encouraging like-minded souls in a gentle environment. Stay at a splendid historical estate, enjoy elegant rooms preserving the Italian rustic style, and nourish your body and soul with delicious Italian cuisine, prepared by a private chef, paired with fine Italian wine. Explore romantic towns such as San Gimignano and the Chianti Clasico trail through creative wonder scavenger hunts, and let your self-expression emerge to its fullest potential.

## Details

- **Dates:** April 15 – 22, 2024
- **Location:** Certaldo, Florence, Italy 
- **Starting Price:** $4,350
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Unleash Your Creative Joy
Join artist Kelly Rae Roberts on a soul-searching art retreat in the serene Tuscan hills of Italy. During this creative and spiritual adventure, you'll discover your innermost creative self, let your childlike curiosity and joy shine through, and tap into your heart's wisdom. You'll learn to silence the noise that blocks your inspiration, unleash your creative joy, and trust your voice and instinct. Express what your heart most needs to hear by creating artful loose mantras, and celebrate your growth through a creative exploration art journal. You'll experiment with mixed media, layering, collage, acrylic paint, mark-making, and many, many more techniques prepared by Kelly Rae, which will help you access your innate creative energy.Any and all levels of experience are welcome, even if you don't consider yourself an artist - if you're drawn to paintings and feel the need to unleash your self-expression, this is the retreat for you. Kelly Rae's style of nurturing, gentle, no-mistakes teaching will help you explore the artistic possibilities within you. Moreover, you'll get to bond and connect with a group of kindred creative spirits on this intimate retreat, who will encourage, support and celebrate with you.You'll also get to explore the romantic region of Tuscany through several art trips: to San Gimignano, a picturesque medieval village, and on the Chianti Clasico trail, covering several of the quintessential historic towns of the region. During these trips, you'll take part in a creative wonder scavenger hunt, which will help you see the world more mindfully, and live in the here and now. Please be mindful that the trips involve a lot of walking on uneven, cobbled streets. Therefore, this retreat may not be suitable for people with low and limited mobility.Some of the topics Kelly Rae will cover include:Creative mindfulnessSilencing the noise and tuning into what calls youEmbracing imperfectionCultivating wonder and curiosityTrusting your urgesMark languageStone paintingArt journallingMantra explorationExperimenting with mixed media and collageStamping, stenciling, layering...and many more.In addition to creating alongside Kelly Rae every day, you'll also have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the stunning Tuscan landscapes and share your experiences with fellow creatives over a glass of wine. To complement your adventure, you'll also partake in a unique wine-tasting experience with a sommelier, and enjoy the bounty of Italy with a traditional oven-baked pizza party.

### Day 1: Arrival
Land in time for your 3:00 PM transfer from Florence Airport and arrive at Tenuta di Sticciano. Make yourself cozy in your premium room, then join Kelly Rae and your art group for a tour of the historical estate at Tenuta. Discover the blooming gardens, the panoramas of the green hills of Tuscany, and the elegant common spaces. You'll celebrate your first day with an exclusive wine-tasting experience in the Holmo Garden, and with a three-course dinner masterfully crafted by your private chef. Get to better know your fellow artists and Kelly Rae, your instructor, and guide for this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

### Day 2: Art at the venue
Start the day with a nourishing breakfast, then join Kelly Rae and your kindred creative souls for a morning circle, where you'll check in with each other and focus your intentions for the day. Use this opportunity to ground yourself and open your heart to today's possibilities. You may also do some creative journaling, an exercise to tune you into your artistic spirit.The morning class starts with exercises designed to silence the noise and open your creative channels. You'll be invited via writing exercises to explore what it is your heart most wants to hear, an excavation of treasured mantras. Trust your voice, and unearth what your soul truly longs for. Kelly Rae will be there to encourage your creative ease to emerge.Enjoy a festive lunch with a traditional oven-baked pizza party, then join your group for the afternoon class - unleash your creative joy through a free-flow exercise on watercolor paper. Rummage through the wide selection of mixed media at your disposal and play with the materials, leaving room for curiosity and experimentation. Create marks, add collages and doodle; at the end, you'll have created the first couple of pages for your art journal.This inspiring first day of art ends with a delicious three-course dinner and the chance for you to connect more deeply with your fellow creatives over a glass of Italian wine.

### Day 3: Art at the venue
Delight your senses with a delicious breakfast, and join Kelly Rae and your group outdoors for another inspiring art workshop. You'll start with the usual morning journaling, which will help you tune into your heart, body, and spirit. Meditate upon your intentions for the day, then move on to the first class with Kelly Rae. You'll continue your mixed-media experiments of the day prior, with more doodling and mark-making.After lunch, you'll have your second class of the day. In this hands-on (literally!) workshop, you'll put your brush aside, and learn to use acrylic paint in all kinds of unique ways: painting with your hands, smudgies, drippies, stamping, collage, spray paint, or stencils... the world is your oyster. The focus of this class will be layering your journal pages with all sorts of media.Reflect on your experience so far during the afternoon leisure time, by taking a meditative stroll through the gardens or lounging by the pool. End the day with a scrumptious three-course dinner, and enjoy meaningful conversations with your like-minded fellow artists over a glass of wine.

### Day 4: Art trip to San Gimignano
Refresh with a tasty breakfast, then embark on a trip to the historical town of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany. Let the resplendent landscape and unique architecture inspire you as you explore the cobbled streets of the town in the morning. San Gimignano's most striking feature is its medieval skyline, where 15 magnificent towers reach towards the sky - this quality has earned the town the moniker of the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages".In San Gimignano, you'll also have your first creative wonder scavenger hunt, an excellent chance for you to uncover what elements of your surroundings speak to you. Tune into the here and now to look for combinations of colors that you love, patterns that resonate with you, or specific elements (like finding a heart-shaped cloud). After the scavenger hunt, enjoy lunch at one of the many trattorias in the old town of your choosing.Get transferred back to Tenuta di Sticciano for a relaxing afternoon. Enjoy your leisure time as you wish, strolling through the beautiful gardens, lounging by the pool, or sharing impressions with your fellow artists on the airy terraces.End the day with a delicious three-course dinner and a glass of fragrant wine.

### Day 5: Art at the venue
Replenish your energy with a delightful breakfast and begin the day with another journaling exercise to unblock your creative channels. Today's classes will help you find the messengers of your mantras. Kelly Rae will demonstrate how to add some personal imagery into your work - it could be a butterfly, a flower, or a dragonfly, or you can opt for something more abstract. Take your time, and remember that no choice is the wrong one.Take a well-deserved lunch break, then continue adding personal imagery in the afternoon. Nurture your artwork with kindness and care, and listen to your inner voice. Kelly Rae will be there to offer you guidance and individual help if you need a little nudge. Experiment with collages and paint markers, and open your heart to the possibilities within you. After the class, recharge by the pool, have a walk around the venue or simply take the time to reconnect with your fellow artists. Nourish your body and soul with a three-course dinner paired with wine, shared with Kelly Rae and the group.

### Day 6: Art Trip to Chianti Classico
Prepare for this adventurous day with a hearty breakfast, then embark on a journey along the Chianti Classico trail, a picturesque route through the splendid landscape of the Chianti region. The lovely town of Castellina is your first stop, known for its rich history, hidden shops, and cute cafes. Stroll through the historic center and begin the second wonder scavenger hunt, once again tuning into your senses, and viewing the world with childlike curiosity.The next stop is the Radda town in Chianti, perched on top of a hill and surrounded by vast vineyards. Take in the stunning views, charming squares, and impressive Palazzo dei Podestà adorned with different coats of arms of the Chianti League. Search for the elements that spark your creative wonder and snap a photo of your favorite findings - the quaint piazzas of Rada are a good place to go hunting for inspiring views. Take a breather and grab a bite in town at one of the trattorias.Ending on a calm note, your last stop is the peaceful village of Panzano, found along the road between Firenze and Siena. This location is perfect for meditating on your journey among the natural tranquility of your surroundings, and for taking in some awe-inspiring views of the endless rows of vines.Return to the venue in time for a well-deserved dinner, and share your findings with the art group and Kelly Rae, in a cheerful and nurturing atmosphere complemented by a glass of wine.

### Day 7: Art at the venue
The last day of your soul-searching adventure begins with a lovely breakfast, followed by the morning journaling session, adding the last entry. Join Kelly Rae and your art group for your last class, where you'll add the finishing touches to your mantras. Let this artwork be a reflection of the wisdom and joy your heart needs right now. Treat it with gentleness, and you'll have finished a piece to be proud of for years to come.After lunch, in the afternoon, you'll also bring your journal together and complete it. This creative exploration art journal will serve as a reminder of your time in Tuscany, and of the growth you have accomplished here, both artistic and spiritual. Join your art group and Kelly Rae for a closing circle where you may share your work and impressions with one another, in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Get inspired by the pieces your fellow creatives made, and celebrate your own progress. In the evening, partake in a special farewell chef-made, three-course dinner, paired with a glass of wine. Let the bonds you have created during this retreat and the joyful air warm you and recharge you for your future artistic journeys.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast with your art group, say your farewells, and get ready for your transfer to Florence Airport. Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

## Instructors

- **Kelly Rae Roberts** - Artist, author, mentor

## Accommodation

### Tenuta di Sticciano

### Shared standard ensuite room

### Shared superior ensuite room

### Shared bathroom - single room

### Single ensuite room

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/unleash-your-creative-joy-art-retreat-artist-kelly-rae-roberts-italy](https://uptrek.com/retreat/unleash-your-creative-joy-art-retreat-artist-kelly-rae-roberts-italy) to make a reservation.

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