YOU’RE INVITED TO THE ISLAND ART ADVENTURE THAT IS
THE ART OF CREATIVE LIVING RETREAT
FOR CREATIVE HEARTS WHO ARE READY TO NURTURE, EXPRESS & REPLENISH THEIR CREATIVITY
Lady Elliot Island
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Monday 12 August – Saturday 17 August 2024
Carve out time to reconnect with yourself, nurture your creativity and paint in tropical paradise.
The Art of Creative Living Retreat on Lady Elliot Island is the perfect way to slow down, tune inwards, connect with other creative hearts and enjoy the supportive guidance of an encouraging mentor skilled in teaching painting and creative expression.
During this five-day immersive retreat, you’ll enjoy time for creativity and painting, and if you choose, swimming and snorkelling in the stunning island surrounds.
Carefully crafted to support you to dissolve creative blocks, develop your intuition, nurture your creativity and be kind to yourself, this retreat is designed to help you come home to yourself.
Your days will include a mixture of playful, creative activities and non-structured time to relax and explore the island where you’ll bask in the blissful sunsets, swim in clear blue water, see lots of turtles and nestle into soft ocean breezes.
Snorkelling on Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef is an experience not to be missed. The island is home to an abundance of marine life, including turtles, manta rays and colourful coral. The clear waters make for perfect snorkelling conditions, and there are plenty of spots to explore. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced snorkeller, Lady Elliot Island is the perfect place to enjoy this amazing underwater world.
You’ll stay at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, on the Southern Tip of the Great Barrier Reef
A short forty-minute flight from Hervey Bay in Queensland, Australia, you will feel transported to an island getaway. The eco resort features a lagoon on one side of the island and coral gardens on the other, with waterside accommodations and a restaurant complete with outdoor seating and beautiful water views.
Your Art of Creative Living Retreat includes:
Six-day facilitated retreat
Five nights accommodation at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Return Airfare from Hervey Bay to Lady Elliot Island (*optional flights from Redcliffe or Gold Coast at additional cost)
Full buffet breakfast - daily
Full buffet dinner - daily
Painting & creative living workshops with Nicola Newman
Guided reef snorkelling tour
Mask, snorkel and fins & snorkelling lesson if required
Scheduled Island Tours (Reef Walking, Fish Feeding etc.)
Surprise goody bags + gifts
All painting + art supplies
Personal time to explore and/or rest as needed
Connections, memories, and adventures to last a lifetime!
Optional Extras
Glass Bottom Boat Tour
Scuba Diving
Private mentoring session with Nicola
Does Not Include
Travel to/ from Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
Alcoholic Beverages
Lunches (cafe menu or buffet option available)
Wetsuit hire
Travel Insurance
Book Your Place
FEEL THE DESIRE TO BE CREATIVE BUT
CRAVING INSPIRATION?
THAT’S WHERE THE ART OF CREATIVE LIVING RETREAT COMES IN
Does your heart long for more creativity in your life?
Would you love to pick up a paint brush, mix beautiful colours, and allow yourself to paint and PLAY?
Do you want to feel safe to express your creativity in a supportive group and be guided through the whole process by an award winning artist?
If you’re like me, you’d also love to feel connected to your creativity in the way you did as a child. When it was safe to explore, get messy, discover new things and surprise yourself with what you could paint.
There’s no doubt our lives tend to be busy. Our responsibilities to work, our families and ‘getting ahead’ can easily overtake the simple pleasure of painting, spending time listening to our heart and expressing ourselves.
Yet, a part of our heart still yearns to slow down and carve out time to express our creativity.
Listen to that nudge, that yearning…
It’s calling you to experience life, and yourself, in a deeper, more fulfilling way.
The Art of Creative Living Retreat Can Help
I’m Nicola Newman, professional artist, painting teacher and creative living mentor.
I’ve been exhibiting my artwork since 2002 and I adore pulling out my brushes, squeezing out some paint, turning on my favourite tunes and painting the day (or night!) away.
I’ve taught creatives around the world how to paint, tap into their intuition, navigate through their inner critics’ harsh words and finally let go with a paint brush in hand and be delighted by what they can create. I’d love to help you do the same.
Painting is a soul nourishing form of self care and pure self expression.
I invite you to give yourself the space to slow down, tune into your heart, play with watercolour paints, and unleash your creativity in a way you’ve never experienced before.
If that sounds like medicine for your soul and music to your ears, The Art of Creative Living Retreat is for you.
Let’s play & PAINT, together!
Watch my vlog from
Lady Elliot Island
See the magic of this truly incredible island and get a glimpse of what is in store for you at The Art of Creative Living Retreat!
WHAT MAKES THE RETREAT EVEN MORE LOVELY IS THE…
ISLAND LOCATION
IT’S PARADISE FOR PAINTING, SNORKELLING & RELAXING
Lady Elliot Island is a Truly Magical Place
The sealife is absolutely breathtaking. Snorkelling with manta rays, spotting starfish and gliding through schools of iridescent tiny blue reef fish, Lady Elliot is a place that you will never forget. Plus, the sunsets over the ocean, sandy beaches and warm water fill your senses with beauty and relaxation.
During the retreat, you will have the opportunity to explore the island, book a snorkelling tour if you like, relax on the beach with a good book, and of course, pull out your paints and have a play!
We will be making time to soak up the island’s beautiful surroundings as a group and individually.
I’m soooo excited to be sharing this stunning location with you!!!
Start (or Restart) Your Regular Creative Practice
The Art of Creative Living retreat will help you to start (or restart) your creative practice, and give you the tools to continue with your creative expression well beyond the 6 days we’ll be spending together.
You will go home with a beautiful watercolour sketchbook journal, a set of quality watercolour paints, professional watercolour brushes and 100% cotton paper so you can easily pull out your journal and have a paint, even for just 5 minutes, during your daily life.
Along with the mindsets and practices you’ll learn about navigating creative blocks, you’ll have everything you need to make creative living a practice that supports you in all areas of your life.
Carve Out Time For Yourself
When we are focused on work, family and ‘adulting’ it’s so easy for self-care to take a back seat. The Art of Creative Living Retreat is a beautiful way to ensure you have time to focus on yourself and your own well-being.
After running VIP retreats for over six years and as someone who loves to travel, I have seen how much difference it makes to take someone out of their usual environment and carve out time for themselves.
Fresh inspiration, ideas and possibilities surface when we create space. And being in a new place (away from daily routines and washing machines) always sparks new inspiration and energy.
And of course, there is something very special about connecting with new friends and cementing new friendships — all in tropical paradise!
LADY ELLIOT ISLAND ECO RESORT
ACCOMODATION
RELAX, REJUVENATE, CREATE
This Location Really Is Unlike Any Other…
We’ve been sailing the east coast of Australia for years now, and I have to say, Lady Elliot Island has to be experienced to be believed. It is my favourite place on earth (true story!)
The crystal clear lagoon, stunning coral gardens, beautiful blue water, bird life, manta rays and whales (!) are an absolute delight to the soul. I am so excited to be sharing this extra special place with you. Visiting Lady Elliot Island is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Plus, combining the location with daily creative play dates, painting workshops and relaxation will mean you go home feeling refreshed, inspired and re-energised.
The retreat will open your heart & mind to new possibilities, bring you home to yourself & give you the practical tools to enjoy painting and expressing your creativity
Your Retreat Includes
CREATIVE RENEWAL
Profound, yet gentle exercises to bring self-awareness, compassion and playfulness into your creative life. Solid foundations you can then create from with confidence, presence and heart. Reclaim your creativity and set your course to flow in the creative process during the days ahead, and ongoing in your creative life.
CREATIVE PRACTICES
Multiple painting excursions, exercises and workshops, spread out over five days. You’ll play with watercolour paints, learn new techniques, discover the world of colour and paint multiple paintings you’ll be proud to hang on your walls. Learn how to trust the process and start seeing results you’ve only dreamt of up until now.
CREATIVE MAPS
Leave the retreat with a clear map of how to nurture your inspiration, follow your heart and keep the momentum going in your creative life. Together, we will craft a unique creative map, hand-tailored specifically for your creative life.
ENCOURAGEMENT,
SUPPORT
& TEACHING
You will receive bucket loads of support, encouragement and guidance to tap into your own creative flow. One of my core values is to be a cheerleader for Creative Hearts who are brave enough to nurture and express their creativity. You will be held, celebrated and acknowledged for every step you take, big and small, in your creative adventures during our time together and beyond.
Carve Out Time For Yourself
EXPLORE, SNORKEL & CREATE!
Hear From Past Retreat Guests
These guests were part of the retreat on Magnetic Island in 2022.
Hear what they would say to anyone who is considering coming to The Art of Creative Living Retreat...
Happy Clients
-
Fiona Jefferies
FOUNDER OF DIVA WORKS WWW.DIVAWORKS.COM.AU
“Thank you for bringing me back to life, I feel like a giddy kid again, delighted by colour, texture and so many possibilities.
My business had experienced massive growth and I could no longer afford the time to noodle about coming up with design solutions. In fact, I was deep in a mourning phase and so the offer of the one-on-one retreat came at the perfect moment.”
-
Susana Frioni
“Spending a couple of days with Nicola painting in her studio was one of the most liberating and therapeutic experiences of my life. At the time, I was grieving the loss of a dear friend and wanted to channel my emotions onto the canvas. Nicola not only taught me some great painting techniques, but she gave me the permission I needed to get messy, make mistakes and to let go of how I “think” it’s meant to be.”
-
Emma Shields
What has changed is my mindset. My skills appeared when I freed myself from the inner critic & took a playful, compassionate & experimental approach. I’m taking time out for me, daily now.”
-
Beth Cregan
“Intuitive Painting with Nicola takes your logical, left brain off the hook completely. Her teaching style is open and supportive and in this space, you immediately relax and begin to explore colour, texture and mark making. There is no right or wrong – just endless, playful possibilities. Nicola’s painting process is both simple and tremendously powerful. From the moment you mix your colours, you start a journey of learning to trust your creative heart. I experienced a great sense of freedom and alertness – I was totally engaged in the process for hours! I have never painted before so I was amazed at the results. I’m totally hooked! And what’s more – I’m seeing this playful and intuitive process cross over into my teaching and my writing.”
-
Georgie McNee
“I’m definitely listening to my inner voice more. I’m feeling braver to experiment with things in my life, for example, things in my family and options for work. I’ve also learned lots of new skills in writing, meditation, photography and other creative outlets. My life now looks braver and more creative. Once a week I want to paint instead of watching TV!”
-
Amanda Rootsey
OF SHINE FROM WITHIN
“I absolutely love Nicola and the experience of painting with her opened up a new way of expressing myself. I was so surprised by how moving it was to simply let go and paint and I couldn’t have even tried it without Nicola’s gentle guidance. For me, exploring creativity in this way was more about letting go of inhibitions and finding a new way to ‘speak up’ – something I struggle with at times. After painting with her, you’ll feel proud, energised and, I dare say, free.”
-
Fran Simon
“I feel more bold to try new techniques and combine techniques. I learned a lot about brush strokes and color theory that helped me advance my work. I am more inspired and engaged. I can’t stop painting! I think you offer an amazing value and you are a great teacher who makes it fun and inspiring!”
-
Jocelyne Clemencon
LIFE COACH & GRAPHIC DESIGNER WWW.JOCELYNECLEMENCON.COM
“I’ve followed Nicola now for several years & have found her such an inspiration. So when she released Flourish! I truly wanted to be a part of it. I learned I shouldn’t be harsh with myself and when I painted, I felt peaceful and grounded.”
What Fellow Creatives Are Saying About Painting With Nicola
Travel Details
Return Flights Departing From Hervey Bay Airport*
*You may depart from Bundaberg or Redcliffe at an additional cost. Please email for details prior to booking.
Arrival Day
Monday 12 August
Flight from Hervey Bay Airport
Check-in after 1pm
Dinner (included)
Opening Circle
Typical Day
Daily
Beach Walk (optional)
Breakfast (included)
Painting / Creative Living Workshop
Lunch (cafe menu available)
Personal time / Snorkelling / Guided Reef Walk / Swimming (optional)
Dinner (included)
Personal time
Departure Day
Saturday 17 August
Beach walk (optional)
Breakfast (included)
Closing Circle
Check Out by 10 am
Fly back to Hervey Bay
PLAY!
Book Your Place
The art of creative living retreat is for you if…
You have a creative heart that needs love and attention, and you need direction and inspiration
You want to take positive action to nurture yourself and your creativity
You sense being part of a supportive community of like-minded people would help you get started
You’ve spent hours on Pinterest & Instagram looking at artists’ paintings, but don’t know how to begin
You think it might be incredibly rewarding, soul-satisfying and fun to let go and let yourself paint (you’d be right!)
You’d love to explore painting in a safe, fun-filled environment
You’re looking for support and are open to learning new things
And… what if you’ve never painted before?
I’d love to teach you how!
During The Art of Creative Living Retreat I’ll teach you how to boldly take the first move and make a mark on your blank page, right through to using composition, colour and balance to complete a minimum of three original abstract paintings you can take home to proudly hang on your wall or keep in your sketchbook.
Retreat Options
Reef Unit
5 Nights Accommodation
Private Room
Return Flights ex Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
Breakfasts & Dinners
Located approximately 10 meters from the beautiful coral cay Lagoon, the Reef Units are the closest resort rooms to the Beachfront Dining Room.
Features polished timber floors, ensuite bathrooms and a balcony to make the most of the island surroundings. The units are fan cooled and have a mini fridge and tea and coffee-making facilities.
GST included
Australian Dollars
$7500
Eco Cabin
5 Nights Accommodation
Private Room
Return Flights ex Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
Breakfasts & Dinners
Situated within 20 to 30 meters walk from the Lagoon, our newly upgraded Eco Cabins have solid walls, louvres for maximum air flow, a large front glass sliding door and shared bathroom facilities.
Lighting and power points are available in every cabin as well as a ceiling fan. The deck is furnished with two chairs for added relaxation.
GST included
Australian Dollars
$5900
Garden Unit
5 Nights Accommodation
Private Room
Return Flights ex Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
Breakfasts & Dinners
Situated within 20 to 30 meters walk from the Lagoo, Garden Units feature polished timber floors, an ensuite bathroom and a balcony set amongst the resort gardens to make the most of the resort views.
The units are fan cooled and have a mini fridge and tea and coffee making facilities.
GST included
Australian Dollars
$6500
Book now (deposit $500, balance due 3 months prior)
Click the button below to pay a $500 deposit now, or contact us at info@nicolanewman.com if you would like more information or would like to chat about the retreat.
Important information:
Airfares, transfers and travel insurance not included in pricing.
Secure your place with a $500 deposit.
Please read our retreat terms and conditions here.
Secure Your Place Now!
Click the button to pay your $500 deposit. You will then receive an email with details about selecting your room option.
MEET YOUR HOST
NICOLA NEWMAN
ARTIST, CREATIVE BUSINESS COACH & MENTOR
Award-Winning Artist, Mentor, Coach & Founder of Flourish: The Art of Creative Living
Nicola is a professional artist and qualified painting teacher who specialises in teaching mindfulness and creative expression in her year-long creativity school, Flourish: The Art of Creative Living. Known for her down-to-earth, encouraging and authentic teaching style, she has guided people around the world through her popular creative workshops, retreats & courses.
She is also an author, podcaster and founder of the Creative Hearts Community. Her work has been featured in Australian Country Magazine, ABC Organic Gardener, The Sunday Mail, Gentleman’s Quarterly, Nature & Health and more.
Her passion is demystifying the creative process and supporting others to be kind to themselves, follow their hearts and find meaning and fulfilment through creative living. Ready to nurture your creativity, pull out some paints and have a play? Join Nicola for five nights in tropical paradise and leave feeling refreshed, renewed and re-inspired in your creative life.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The Art of Creative Living Retreat is from Monday 12 August – Saturday 17 August 2024
-
Yes, you can read the terms and conditions here.
-
I’ve created retreat to be perfect for beginners. If you feel you’ve never been able to express your creativity, are looking for a safe environment to explore new skills, or if you’d like to learn painting as a totally new skill, this retreat will be perfect for you. I take you right through the basics in a fun and engaging way, so you can get your feet wet and dive into the joys of painting with watercolour paints.
-
I’ve taught doctors, lawyers, yogis, public servants, retirees, children of all ages, veterinary surgeons and town planners how to paint and express their innate creativity. You don’t have to have any art experience. I’ll teach you how to tap into the creativity you may never even know you had. You’ll have a whole new world of art, painting and creativity open up to you. And it will be great fun!
-
As a fellow creative, I know what it’s like to look for fresh inspiration. We can all learn from each other and I promise to share with you techniques I’ve developed over the years to keep me engaged with my artistic process. If you’re looking for fresh inspiration, you’re in the right place!
-
We will be painting on watercolour paper and in our sketchbooks for this retreat. These will be easily packed in your bag to take home. Be sure to pack leaving space for your art materials on the way home, as they are yours to keep!
-
You’re welcome to bring your favourite paints, however all materials, including paints you will be able to keep and take home, will be supplied at the workshop. Just wear clothes you’re happy to get paint on!
-
The average low temperature on Lady Elliot Island in August is 17°C, and the average high is 22°C. The month of August usually only has 5 days of rain.
-
Your Art of Creative Living Retreat includes:
Six-day facilitated retreat
Five nights accommodation at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Return Airfare from Hervey Bay to Lady Elliot Island (*optional flights from Redcliffe or Gold Coast at additional cost)
Full buffet breakfast daily
Full buffet dinner daily
Painting & creative living workshops with Nicola Newman
Guided reef snorkelling tour
Mask, snorkel and fins & snorkelling lesson if require
Scheduled Island Tours (Reef Walking, Fish Feeding etc.)
Surprise goody bags + gifts
All painting + art supplies
Watercolour palette with Daniel Smith Watercolour paints (yours to keep – $100+ value)
Professional quality watercolour brushes (yours to keep)
Sketchbook journal (yours to keep)
100% cotton watercolour paper
Personal time to explore and/or rest as needed
Connections, memories, and adventures to last a lifetime!
Optional Extras
Glass Bottom Boat Tour
Scuba Diving
Private mentoring session with Nicola
Does Not Include
Travel to/ from Hervey Bay, QLD Australia
Alcoholic Beverages
Lunches (cafe menu or buffet option available)
Wetsuit hire
Travel Insurance
-
After you’ve registered you’ll receive an email confirming your place, along with details of the retreat with information you will need to plan your trip and prepare for the retreat.
We will send further emails with additional details as the trip approaches.
-
With regular walks to the beach and around the resort, and optional snorkelling and swimming, this retreat will be quite physically active.
However, if you have a disability or particular mobility requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact me and ask about your particular situation. I have made special arrangements with the resort in the past for clients who needed transport on the island. I would be delighted to do all I can to support you to enjoy this truly memorable and special place.
-
The buffet offers a wide range of dietary options, including vegetarian dishes. Email us for more details if you have specific dietary requirements.
-
You will need to arrange for individual transportation to Hervey Bay Airport. Parking is available at the airport. You are welcome to email us for more details.
-
There is no internet coverage in the resort. You can occasionally get reception and wi-fi under the lighthouse on the other side of the island. If you require internet, you can purchase internet usage for the computers in the kiosk.
We encourage you to take as much time away your devices as possible to replenish and recharge.
-
To secure your place, a $500 non-refundable deposit will be payable 10 days after booking. The balance will be required no later than 90 days prior to the retreat start date.
You will receive an email with a link to pay the balance of your retreat which will be due no later than 90 days prior to the retreat.
If we haven’t received your full payment by 13 June 2023, you will forfeit 100% of retreat fees paid and we will open up your spot to our waitlist as per the retreat terms and conditions.
-
The Art of Creative Living Retreat has two options:
Eco Cabin: $5900*AUD
Garden Unit: $6500* AUD.
Reef Unit: $7500* AUD
* includes GST
$500 deposit and balance due 90 days prior.
-
Yes, partners are very welcome to come too. Partners are welcome to join the group for meals and snorkelling activities, however, if they would like to attend the painting workshops, they will be required to book a full retreat ticket. Please email me for prices for either the accommodation and flight-only option or the partner’s retreat price info@nicolanewman.com
-
The island has mainly crushed coral pathways, so there is limited wheelchair access. We do have use of an awesome buggy to make the 10-minute walk into a 3-minute ride from one side of the island to another. Please free to email me with questions at info@nicolanewman.com and I’ll be happy to assist.
Carve Out Time For Yourself
IT’S GOING TO BE PLAYFUL, GENTLE AND SUPPORTIVE.