February 3 - 13 , 2027
MIX MEDIA MADNESS
A Retreat in Colour, Collage & Creative Play
with Holly McWilliams
Workshop description:
aJoin artist and educator Holly McWilliams at the breathtaking Casa Buena Artist Retreats for 10 unforgettable days of art, inspiration and creative adventure along the tropical coast of Nayarit, Mexico.
Surrounded by tropical gardens, vibrant flowers, colourful buildings and sweeping ocean views, you’ll discover how to gather inspiration from the world around you and transform it into artwork that feels playful, expressive and uniquely your own.
Throughout this mixed media retreat, we’ll throw perfection out the window and dive into acrylic painting, collage and creative sketchbook journaling with curiosity and a sense of adventure. We’ll play boldly with colour, shape, pattern, texture and design—embracing the funky, the unexpected and those wonderfully creative outcomes you could never have planned. That’s where the magic happens!
Mixed media is one of my favourite ways to create because it offers so much freedom. This retreat is all about loosening up, trying new things and becoming excited about the creative process. You’ll be encouraged to follow your curiosity, embrace happy accidents and discover new possibilities without worrying about getting everything “right.”
Whether you’re an adventurous beginner or an experienced artist looking to recharge your creative spirit, you’ll enjoy personalized instruction, a welcoming community of fellow art lovers and plenty of laughter, sunshine and artistic discovery.
We’ll make and gather materials that can be layered into endless combinations, using the gardens, landscapes and vibrant surroundings of Casa Buena as inspiration. We’ll also experiment with a few unexpected project ideas designed to spark your imagination and make your creativity sing.
There is absolutely no pressure to create a masterpiece—although one may sneak up on you while you’re busy having fun.
Come ready to play, explore and see the world through an artist’s eyes. You’ll return home with new skills, fresh inspiration, meaningful memories and a collection of artwork that captures the colour and creative spirit of Mexico.
At Casa Buena you'll find:
Enjoy 3 delicious, freshly prepared meals a day
A spacious hacienda-style home with colourful verandas and breezy open-air spaces
Private, comfortable rooms so you can rest deeply after a day of creativity
Lush tropical gardens full of birds, flowers, and fountains — a living sketchbook waiting to be captured
A sparkling saltwater pool perfect for an afternoon dip
A private beach just steps away that changes with the seasons — sometimes rocky, sometimes pure white sand, always stunning
If 10 days sounds like it might be a little long,
don’t worry!
Our creative time will be beautifully balanced with gallery tours, sightseeing in San Blas, a river adventure and plenty of glorious beach time. There will be lots of inspiration, but also plenty of time to relax, explore and soak up the magic of Mexico.
Whether you're here for the artistic growth, the cultural richness, or the sunshine, you'll return home with new work, new skills, and renewed creative energy to carry you through the winter months.
Workshop Instructor: Holly Mcwilliams
Contact info:
Email: holly@indigoarts.ca
www.indigoarts.ca
instagram : indigoholly
Facebook : Holly McWilliams - Indigo Arts
YouTube : Holly McWilliams - Indigo Arts
Her style of teaching portrays her total love and devotion to art, which she easily passes on to her students. Holly happily unlocks the way to a world students couldn’t reach without help making it seem easy and effortless. She has been a consistent, strong, positive influence to the many people who have crossed her path over the two decades she has been an educator.
Holly’s life long passion is for painting and creating art. The wisdom she learns through her personal work she passes down to encourage and empower others. She has the ability to lead and inspire others in a seemingly effortless way that builds confidence and a contagious inspiration to her students.
Her teaching methods are extremely practical and personalized, demonstrating extensive knowledge in nearly every 2D medium. Beyond being a fantastic instructor, Holly also encourages artistic development through personal growth. Her classes are not only educational, but also extremely therapeutic in a way, which facilitates artistic exploration.
Holly has been an art educator since 2000. She has taught a wide range of people including children, adolescent and adults. She has developed an extensive amount of classes, workshops and programs that are geared to the beginner artist all the way to advanced professionals. To date, she has literally, successfully taught thousands of people how to hone their artistic skills and express their unique inner artist.
She excels at diving in deep with her students to bring out personal aesthetic and artistic style. Her prime motive as an educator is to teach students how to paint and create art in a way that feels authentic to them. Not to copy her style or copy another artists. Holly has a way to teach a student how to think like an artist and make connections that are as individual and unique as they are. She teaches the technical aspects of making art as well as encourages her students to pursue individual interests and concepts.
Holly has a way of communicating complicated ideas and concepts in a very easy to understand way. She is kind, funny, professional and consistent. She knows how each individual learns and teaches accordingly. She is forthright and direct while being considerate which fosters a classroom environment that is supportive, encouraging and empowering.
HOLLY’S WORK
Tentative Itinerary
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary might change due to travel restrictions and other unforeseen circumstances
Wednesday
Arriving to Puerto Vallarta Airport
Taking taxi to your hotel,
Meeting at the hotel Lobby at 5:30
for Art Gallery walk and dinner
Thursday
8am - 9am Breakfast
3 hour scenic drive North to Los Cocos, Nayarit, where Casa Buena is located.
Stop at La Penita Art Market
Lunch at Casa Buena
Settling in
Happy hour
Dinner
Friday
7am - 9am Breakfast
9:30am - 4pm workshop
Dinner
Art discussions or movie in the Casa
Saturday
7am - 9am Breakfast
9:30am - 4pm workshop
Dinner
Art discussions or movie in the Casa
Dinner at Casa Manana
Sunday
7am - 8am Breakfast
8:30- 9:30
Visiting the Local Market
9:30am - 4pm workshop
Dinner
Art discussions or movie in the Casa
Monday
DAY OFF
7am - 9am Breakfast
Exploring and shopping at San Blas
Lunch in San Blas
relax for the rest of the day, going boogie boarding in the ocean or return to you studio to paint
Happy hour
Dinner
Tuesday
7am - 9am Breakfast
9:30am - 4pm workshop
Happy hour, siesta
Dinner
Wednesday
Early start at 7:00, light breakfast,
7:30 - 10am organized tour to the Jungle
Plein Air painting at Las Islitas
Lunch at the beach
Thursday
7am - 9am Breakfast
9:30am - 4pm workshop
Happy hour, siesta
Dinner
Friday
7am - 9am Breakfast
Self Guided painting day
Happy hour, siesta, free time
Dinner
Art Show and Tell
Saturday
7am - 9am Breakfast
Transport to PV Airport
Art supplies for the workshop
Casa Buena provides some supplies for the workshop
Studio easels and chairs, containers for your water or turps, extra paper towels,
for each retreat
A. for a workshop participant: $3950.00 CAD
including 10 days 9 nights accommodation, 6 days of Instructions, some art supplies,, transportation from and to Puerto Vallarta, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners after arriving to Casa Buena, entertainment and a field trip to the Jungle.
B. for a non painting partner or a friend: $3200.00 CAD
including 10 days 9 nights accommodation, transportation from and to Puerto Vallarta, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners after arriving to Casa Buena, entertainment and a field trip to the Jungle. We can arrange other activities, like fishing, whale watching, bird watching, etc upon request for an extra fee.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS FEE
Airplane ticket to PV and back, your stay at hotel on the day of your arrival, taxi to the hotel and meals in PV, all alcohol beverages, personal shopping, medical expenses, tipping of staff.
CANCELLATION POLICY
A. If your workshop is cancelled due to Instructor's unavailability, you will be notified immediately and you will receive a full refund.
B. If you can't attend your retreat and notify us 45 days prior to the retreat, you are welcome to transfer 100% of your full payment to another Casa Buena Art Retreat within 2 years of the date of cancellation. You can transfer your payment to another person or any other options that Casa Buena has to offer.
C. If you can't attend your retreat and notify us 30 days prior to the retreat, you are welcome to transfer 70% of your full payment to another Casa Buena Art Retreat within 2 years of the date of cancellation.
D. If you can't attend your retreat and notify us 14 days or less prior to the retreat, Casa Buena Art Retreat will not issue any refunds or transfers to other session. Your only choice is to transfer your payment to another person.
PLEASE NOTE: Administration fee of $100 apply to options B,C and D.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
A. Pay in full upon registration
B. Make a deposit of $750.00 CAD and pay balance 45 days before the retreat.
PAYMENT METHOD
A. Etransfer your down payment fee to holly@indigoarts.ca
B. Send your check (Money draft or certified check if outside of Canada) made payable to Jane Romanishko (contact Jane for her mailing address)
C. Pay via Paypal (please contact Jane for Pay Pal Invoice)
NOTE: There will be 5% extra transaction fee added for using PayPal.
