UNEARTHING JOY: ABSTRACT LANDSCAPES
An Intuitive Painting Retreat in Central Italy
Montelparo, Italy
April 18 - April 25, 2025
Let’s paint colorful abstract landscapes in the hills of Italy!
We’ll spend 7 nights & 8 days in Montelparo, Italy. This central-eastern Le Marche region is known for its endless vineyards, green rolling hills, and picturesque medieval towns.
Using inspiration from our gorgeous surroundings and reference photos taken during our adventures exploring Italy, we’ll create richly layered abstract landscapes with acrylic paint and mixed media tools.
Prepare to be immersed in a once-in-a-lifetime art experience.
This is so much more than an art retreat
Want to make art in a welcoming and inclusive community where your identities and stories are celebrated?
This is an opportunity to gather with kindreds and find unbridled freedom and joy in intuitive painting. I’ll gently guide you every step of the way in the spirit of play, where experimentation is celebrated, and without judgment.
I infuse the space with loving guidance and encouragement, but the heart of the experience is the community we form together. The collection of creatives misfits who lift and support each other along the way.
This process will help you loosen up, tune into your intuition, release expectation, and invite joyful expression in painting and your daily life.
You’ll Experience and Learn:
My integration of a whole hearted practice, including meditation, journaling, and tarot
Painting demonstrations aplenty
Expressive mark making and layering techniques
My favorite paints and tools
Color mixing tips and tricks
Be bold. Let go. Get wild.
We're all artists! This class is for everyone, with no previous painting experience necessary.
You’re An Artist!
If you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or paint often, all levels are welcome.
This isn’t a paint by numbers class. Those serve their purpose, but I don’t want you to paint like me or everyone else. Here you’ll tell your own story and explore your unique style.
There are no mistakes here, perfectionism is a trap, and the possibilities are endless. We’ll focus on the process and not the end result.
I anticipate lots of laughter, making a big 'ol mess, and maybe some dancing!
Hailed as all-of-Italy-wrapped up into one region, Le Marche is the perfect once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list Italian destination.
Get Inspired By Your Surroundings
Montelparo is a beautiful hill-top village in Le Marche, Italy. Experience the daily life and all it’s history in the heart of Italy.
Set mid-way between the sea and the mountains, Montelparo, a small, picturesque, medieval town situated 588 metres above sea level and built of the lovely creamy brick so typical of southern Le Marche, is the perfect base from which to explore the entire region.
According to The Italy Magazine article on moving to Le Marche:
Of Italy’s 20 regions, Le Marche is an unofficial frontrunner for “most underrated of all.” Nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains on Italy’s east coast, you’ll find medieval villages to rival those of Tuscany, beaches to best Sardinia’s shores and food that’s on par with Emilia Romagna’s finest — but none of the crowds of any of those better-known regions.
Disconnect To Reconnect
8 days filled with adventure, relaxation, and creativity
What’s Included In The Cost?
Stay
Seven nights of accommodations at a Retreat Center & Small Luxury Boutique Hotel.
We’ll stay at the Hotel Leone, a historic palazzo nestled on the edge of a picture-postcard medieval, hilltop village in the heart of Le Marche and sitting elegantly between the Sibillini Mountains and the Adriatic Coast
With only 12 en-suite rooms, each room is individually designed and beautifully appointed blending luxury accommodation with contemporary decor and modern essentials. The only way the rooms are the same is in the high quality linens, services and amenities you will find throughout.
All hotel rooms are generously proportioned and designed with comfort in mind and offer full en-suite bathroom facilities, air-conditioning , heating, flat-screen televisions, fast and free WI-FI, complementary hospitality trays, hairdryers plus laptop size safes and luxury, organic, Italian Milanese skincare toiletries.
Nourishment
Imagine a sumptuous breakfast in the courtyard with freshly baked pastries, home-made breads and gorgeous Illy coffee, pre-dinner drinks on the terrace before our daily changing evening menu in the vaulted ceiling restaurant or under the stars in the courtyard – you will be well catered for.
All meals are provided, including breakfast, buffet lunch, and a choice of up to 4 courses from our daily changing gourmet evening menu.
You’ll sip delicious local wine, always included with our daily lunches and evening meals.
All our food is created and cooked on the premises and we use local suppliers, whenever we can, to obtain the best ingredients and we have a wide array of wines from Vineyards throughout the region.
We’ll also enjoy a ‘pizza-giro’ evening at a local trattoria within a few minutes walk of the hotel.
Sit back, relax, and let your taste buds enjoy all that Italy has to offer!
Transportation
Private group transfers to and from either Ancona airport or Pedaso (station or bus stop) are included.
You can get to the venue easily by car, train, bus, or plane. Ancona Airport receives regular flights from major cities in Italy, as well as from across Europe.
In our commitment to making your traveling experience as seamless as possible, we offer group pick up and drop off to and from Ancona airport and Pedaso train and bus stop and escort you to and from the hotel.
Day Trips
Bring your adventurous spirit and sense of wonder.
Together we’ll take multiple day trips to soak in all the beauty of Central Italy.
HANDS-ON PASTA MAKING CLASS: Meet three generations of one family, Nonna, her son, and his daughter, who together run a local Agriturismo. Learn how to make pasta from scratch - tagliatelle and ravioli which you’ll get to eat later as part of a four course meal prepared by the family.
TASTE OF LE MARCHE: A day dedicated to celebrating our regional food and wine. This gastronomic ‘meet the maker’ experience involves a tour of three local artisanal producers including sampling fresh olive oil at a local mill, visiting a local organic farm to taste their preserves, jams and even their own ketchup and, of course, wine tasting at a local vineyard.
BOTANICAL ECO PRINTING: Enjoy a guided visit to a wool farm in the a small village in the Sibillini Mountains owned and run by a young couple who have built this from scratch themselves and now have a small business to support themselves and their family. Discover the process of how a thread of wool is born - from animal, to the plants for dyeing to exploring the museum where the processing tools are all still in working order. After a tour of the museum, take a walk in the fields where you’re forage for plants to be used for the eco-printing.
DAY TRIP TO ASCOLI PICENO: Explore this beautiful town full of history, as well as fabulous boutique shops, charming cafes, and one of Italy’s most beautiful piazzas (lunch not included).
Paint
Unlimited use of air-conditioned studio where everything is provided - all you need to do is show up.
Paint, brushes, a variety of mark making tools, substrates (watercolor paper and canvas) will be provided.
We’ll work in acrylic paint and a variety of mixed media tools to create abstract paintings from start to finish. Through mind, body, and soul practices, we will enliven your already established creative practice or offer a start fresh. I will offer insight into the intuitive painting process, including prompts to get your started, tips for expressive mark making, techniques for building layers, lessons in color theory, ways to elevate your value, and contrast, and so much more.
While I'll share plenty of painting tips, techniques, and "rules", I'll also encourage you to break them all. The goal of the retreat is to help you tame your inner critic and release expectations so that you make more instinctual choices and create more freely.
Your Investment
Trip Price: Prices vary by rooms selection
Secure your spot now with a €350 deposit.
***Bring your friend or loved one with you, as this retreat will include a non-painter option at a discounted rate. They will join us for all meals and excursions.
Final Balance – the balance is due eight weeks before the date of arrival. If booking within the eight week period the full balance is due at the time of booking
OUR ITINERARY
Friday, April 18 (DAY 1):
Following your arrival we’ll have a private tour of Montelparo.
Becky and Madeline, our host for the week, will welcome you with with an orientation and guided tour of Montelparo that ends with an aperitif at a local bar followed by a welcome meal at Hotel Leone.
Saturday, April 19 (DAY 2):
Wake up to the smell of pastries and espresso and get ready for your first full day of painting!
After class we’ll enjoy a pasta making workshop - where we’ll learn to make pasta from scratch - that will later get prepared for us and enjoyed for dinner.
Sunday, April 20 (DAY 3):
Enjoy a local breakfast, including cappuccino, fresh baked pastries (or pasticciotti), and local produce at your hotel.
Home to, arguably, one of the prettiest piazzas in all of Italy, we’ll take a guided day trip and explore Ascoli Piceno.
After our excursion we’ll have a late afternoon painting workshop with Becky.
Another fabulous dinner at Hotel Leone highlighting their local wine and organic cuisine.
Monday, April 21 (DAY 4):
Following another delicious breakfast, we’ll head to the Sibillini Mountains for an Eco Printing Workshop at the farm of a family of weavers nestled in a small village. This will be an experience to remember.
Late afternoon return to our hotel for free time or open studio time followed by dinner and drinks at Hotel Leone.
Tuesday, April 22 (DAY 5):
A full day of painting! Using the inspiration we’ve gathered thus far and taking advantage of our gorgeous hillside surroundings, we’ll paint expressive abstract landscapes both inside and outside of the studio.
Wednesday, April 23 (DAY 6):
Following breakfast at the hotel, we’ll embark on a gastronimic experience to remember! We’ll have a full day visiting three local, family run, artisanal food & wine producers with a tour and tasting at each.
We’ll return in the late afternoon with time to relax or spend in the studio followed by a ‘pizza-giro’ dinner at a local trattoria.
Thursday, April 24 (DAY 7):
Leisurely morning and breakfast at the hotel and then a morning painting workshop with Becky.
After our usual break for lunch, we’ll return to the studio for your last class with Becky.
Late afternoon free time to pack and relax.
Meet that evening for a farewell dinner where we will raise a glass (or two, or three!) to our week in Italy. Cin-cin!
Friday, April 25 (DAY 8):
A fond farewell. After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes to this gorgeous town and depart for the airport.
We will send recommended and detailed arrival/departure information to make your travel as effortless as possible.
*subject to minor changes due to weather, group desires, or opportunities
Refund Policy
Due to the highly coordinated nature of this trip, no refunds are made. Cancellation will forfeit all deposits and payments.
Travel Insurance
For this trip, it is required that you obtain trip insurance and we suggest one that covers travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements.
We strongly advise that your chosen policy provides coverage in case of lost or delayed baggage, loss of personal belongings, trip cancellation, trip interruption, accidents, illness, injury, medical expenses, death, and emergency repatriation.
Terms and coverages vary depending on the specific insurance carrier. Carefully check before purchasing your policy.
Accessibility
Please note this retreat may not be suitable for participants with low or limited mobility.
Getting around requires short walks on uneven terrain (stairs, vineyard paths, cobblestone streets, etc.).
Safer Space
As a white queer cis femme woman with a professional background in gender studies and queer theory, I strive to create a safer space that promotes equity, open-mindedness, a willingness to learn from others, and affirmation of the unconditional value of all peoples.
My hope is that the space is both critical of the power structures that impact our everyday lives and allows us all to be free to grow, thrive, and express our individual identities.
Confirmation
Once you are enrolled in the retreat, you will receive several emails in the coming year to arrange transportation, schedule any remaining payments, and provide more retreat details.
Please feel free to email any questions to becky@beckyjoanspringer. I am here to help!
