http://www.bathurstartretreat.com.au/
I was one of the first artist guests of the Bathurst Art Retreat. It was an amazing experience with a wonderful group of people in an isolated beautiful, place just outside of Bathurst. It was just brilliant!!!! Seriously amazingly brilliant.
This is a beautiful property that once used to be used by scouts and I can see why. A few buildings now stand on the flat spot where scouts used to pitch their tents, and which boasted this view of the river that passes through their property. I can just picture canoes lined up on the sandy river bank below during any camps or jamborees.
This is a beautiful property that once used to be used by scouts and I can see why. A few buildings now stand on the flat spot where scouts used to pitch their tents, and which boasted this view of the river that passes through their property. I can just picture canoes lined up on the sandy river bank below during any camps or jamborees.
Bathurst Art Retreat is location is 30 minutes out of Bathurst and the property itself has no mobile phone reception and the entry road is 4WD only - but don't be put off. It meant that I spent the entire weekend 'in the moment' and blissful in the serenity. Hosts Robbie and Steve Fayle warned us well in advance of the road conditions, and they have a parking area within their property where we parked our city cars at the start of the 4WD tracks, and they came with broad welcoming smiles to meet us and transport us and our gear back to our accommodation.
As the road swept over a big hill and down and round toward the buildings we could see a number of individuals in the distance down on the beach standing in front of their easels, looking in various directions up, down and across the river. Serenity.
As the road swept over a big hill and down and round toward the buildings we could see a number of individuals in the distance down on the beach standing in front of their easels, looking in various directions up, down and across the river. Serenity.
At every stage, where we needed it, we had help from caretakers Merv and Trish Burley to take gear to and from our chosen painting locations. We never had to carry anything if we didn't want to. This made it very easy for all of us to be able to work in front of what vistas inspired us.
At the water's edge we met fellow art students and our amazing tutor David Lake (you can find some information on David and his gorgeous art work by clicking on his name or here: http://bathurstartstrail.com/david-lake/).
At the water's edge we met fellow art students and our amazing tutor David Lake (you can find some information on David and his gorgeous art work by clicking on his name or here: http://bathurstartstrail.com/david-lake/).
David finished two demonstration studies each day - one first thing after breakfast and the second after lunch. That left us plenty of time to work on our own pieces. As we all worked, David moved continually between us all (sometimes across a distance of more than a km up and down hills) providing feedback and suggestions or merely positive noises of agreement (which made me smile to hear).
Between plen air sessions, we were fed and watered well. The food was very very very very good. It was abundant and way beyond what I expected. Robbie, Steve, Merv and Trish worked hard for us all weekend. And they were all so happy to be there with us. Nothing was too much for them to do. And the mealtime conversations were lively and interesting and everyone seemed to really enjoy each others' company. I think that speaks as much about the atmosphere created by the hosts as the wonder mix of students and tutor that were there.
Between plen air sessions, we were fed and watered well. The food was very very very very good. It was abundant and way beyond what I expected. Robbie, Steve, Merv and Trish worked hard for us all weekend. And they were all so happy to be there with us. Nothing was too much for them to do. And the mealtime conversations were lively and interesting and everyone seemed to really enjoy each others' company. I think that speaks as much about the atmosphere created by the hosts as the wonder mix of students and tutor that were there.
If there are some people you get on with well or if you are on your own... just take a chance and book into a retreat... where you can paint, sketch, lie down and listen to the birdsong, go for a walk along the river or up to the top of the mountain or just eat, drink and be merry. The Fayles and Burleys are wonderful company and all of our conversations lively and interesting. I feel like I have known them all for a very long time after only having met them two short days ago.It was utterly fabulous. I can't recommend this place highly enough.
Bathurst Art Retreat's next painting weekend is coming up on 19-20 November. The artist tutor this time will be Elfriede Barnitzky. Look at some of her work here: http://www.elfriedebartnitzky.com/paintings.html
Bathurst Art Retreat's next painting weekend is coming up on 19-20 November. The artist tutor this time will be Elfriede Barnitzky. Look at some of her work here: http://www.elfriedebartnitzky.com/paintings.html