“Small But Mighty” Painting Retreat in Santa Fe
April 18-20, 2025
Escape to the enchanting landscapes of Santa Fe, where art and nature come together for a truly rejuvenating experience. This intimate, small-format painting retreat spans three days, allowing you to create a multiple number of paintings. My motto is “work smaller, not harder.”
You will make a lot of art!
The spacious studio is the heart of the retreat, offering a light-filled, comfortable and inspiring space with large windows that overlook the natural beauty outside.
Each day begins with an easy sketching session, drawing from the surrounding scenery—the earthy textures of desert plants and vast skies. These sketches serve as warm ups for paintings and allow you to explore the environment. Tesia will give demos on composition, color and more each day, to spike your creativity.
Then, it’s inside to paint! A typical day will go something like this:
9-10 Sketching and Demos with Tesia
10-12 Painting In The Studio
12-1:30 Lunch
1:30-5 Painting in the studio
FAQ
Lodging and transportation to Santa Fe are not included. See lodging suggestions below.
Tesia will have space in her minivan for six people to and from hotels in Santa Fe in the morning and evening. If you want to ride with her, please note that in your registration.
The Studio is 11 miles from downtown Santa Fe Plaza. If you are not riding with Tesia, you will need a car to get there. Consider carpooling with other students.
You can bring your lunch daily or carpool into town to pick it up. The studio has a fully equipped kitchen, which you can stock with lunch items for the entire weekend.
Group “happy hour” at Tesia and Belinda’s house in El Dorado on Saturday evening.
Materials are not included in the retreat fee. Upon registration, you’ll receive a detailed list of recommended supplies. Since this is a small-format retreat, most painting will be done on the table. Tesia will have some materials on hand. Plan on doing several (or many!) small-scale paintings (8x10, 11x14, etc.).
Your registration fee is NON-REFUNDABLE. Due to the small class size, no refunds will be given. If you have to cancel, you will forfeit your registration fee unless you can find someone to fill your space.
I will send out email contact information for the entire group so you may carpool, get VRBO or AirBnB lodging, plan airport arrivals, etc.
Lodging Suggestions
The only hotel I’ve stayed in, many times, is the Courtyard on Cerrillos. It’s not a touristy Plaza hotel but it’s very nice and affordable.
If you have any questions, about lodging reach out. I know Santa Fe very well and can help with ideas.
Consider getting a house in El Dorado with other students on VRBO or AirBnB.
Airports
Both Albuquerque Sunport ABQ and Santa Fe Regional Airport SAF are nearby. Albuquerque requires a drive of roughly fifty miles. Santa Fe regional is very close to town.
Transportation to/from ABQ Airport
The Sandia Shuttle ABQ to Santa Fe runs frequently.
There is also the Rail Runner Train. Go here for more information here on the Rail Runner.
Suggested Materials
Of course, you can bring your favorite materials. Just think smaller scale. Here’s a complete list from my Amazon store. Santa Fe Materials
The minimum you will need is a small set of paints, fluids, or heavy body, at least 10 surfaces. This could be canvas panels, watercolor paper, stretched canvas, etc., just no larger than 11 x 14. My size preference is 6” x 6”.
"Small But Mighty" Santa Fe Retreat April 2025
Three-day retreat April 18-20, 2025. Class times are from 9 am to 5 pm each day.
Lodging, transportation, and materials are not included.
Your registration fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.
Questions? Text Tesia at 415-999-1565 or Email Tesia.
$525.00