Join us for a creative all-inclusive 4 day/3 night retreat hosted by Fluid Artist Jessica Winter Strom and Billie Gaura. The workshops take place lakeside on Deer Lake in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. You'll stay in a waterfront cabin and you'll attend workshops and gatherings where we will teach you, pamper you, feed you and encourage some genuine relaxation while you expand your fluid art skills.
The setting is nestled along the east shore of Deer Lake, Washington, surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. Enjoy the view as we cultivate new friendships and make memories to last a lifetime.
In the evenings, we'll share meals and giggles as we sit by the fire and talk all things art and life.
The setting is nestled along the east shore of Deer Lake, Washington, surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. Enjoy the view as we cultivate new friendships and make memories to last a lifetime.
In the evenings, we'll share meals and giggles as we sit by the fire and talk all things art and life.
Location
Deer Lake, Washington
Date & Time
Friday, September 18th -
Monday, September 21st
Monday, September 21st
Friday
12:00 noon
VIP Ground Transportation to Deer Lake
Transportation will be provided via our VIP shuttle with pickup at Spokane International Airport (GEG) on the Southwest Airlines curb. Please plan your arrival accordingly, or return to the designated pickup location if you arrive in Spokane prior to Friday.
1:00 PM
Welcome and Unwind
Kick off your retreat experience with a warm welcome and a relaxed dockside lunch. This is your moment to arrive, exhale, and connect with fellow artists in an easygoing lakeside setting. Grab a plate, claim a sunny spot, and let the rhythm of the water set the tone for the creative days ahead.
As you settle in, you’ll spend a time with Jessica, paired with a soothing chair massage designed to help you come to center, fully lean in, and open yourself to the experience of the weekend.
As you settle in, you’ll spend a time with Jessica, paired with a soothing chair massage designed to help you come to center, fully lean in, and open yourself to the experience of the weekend.
2:00 PM
Lakeside Lunch
Relax with your retreat family and enjoy a beautifully prepared meal crafted by our incredible Executive Chef, with the lake as your backdrop.
5:00 PM
Happy Hour
After you get settled into your room, come have a beverage or two with Nicole and your fellow artists. We'll have both alcohol and alcohol-free options available.
6:00 PM
Dinner
As evening settles in, enjoy a Chef-curated dinner prepared by our Executive Chef.
7:30 PM
Fireside Connection
Our fireside chats take place under the open sky, gathered around the dock fire pits with the water in sight. This is an unstructured, easy time for conversation, reflection, and genuine connection—where the best moments often happen naturally.
Saturday
8:00 AM
Gourmet Breakfast
Start the day with a relaxed, nourishing breakfast designed to ease you into the morning. Thoughtfully composed offerings paired with great coffee and an unhurried atmosphere.
9:00 AM until 12 noon
Studio Session One :: Scoop & Drag
This session focuses on controlled movement and intentional mark-making using scoop-and-drag techniques. You’ll learn how to load, place, and pull paint across the surface to create soft blends, ribbons, and layered transitions that feel both fluid and deliberate. It’s about understanding pressure, direction, and paint weight so you can guide the outcome without overworking it… letting the piece evolve while still staying in charg
1:00 pm
Lakeside Lunch
A casually elegant lunch designed for refueling and reconnecting… carefully chosen ingredients, well-executed dishes, and time to reset before the afternoon.
2:00 pm Until 5 pm
Workshop Session Two :: Hide & Reveal
This is where depth gets interesting. You’ll build layers with the specific intention of partially concealing and then exposing what’s underneath, creating contrast, intrigue, and visual tension. Through strategic pours and selective manipulation, you’ll learn how to let certain elements disappear while allowing others to break through… giving your work that “there’s more going on here” quality without turning it into chaos.
5:00 PM
Happy Hour
Unwind and connect during happy hour with thoughtfully selected drinks and small bites in a casual, welcoming setting.
6:00 PM
Dinner
Gather for dinner and enjoy a meal designed to nourish, connect, and reflect on the day’s creative journey.
7:30 PM
Fireside Connection
As the day winds down, gather around the fire on the dock for an evening of warmth, laughter, and real connection. With the lake at your feet and the fire glowing, this is a space to relax, share stories, and simply be together.
Sunday
8:00 AM
Breakfast
A carefully prepared breakfast featuring warm and light options to fuel creativity and conversation before the day unfolds
9:00 AM until 12 noon
Workshop Session Three :: Embellishments Over Pours
Now that your pour is dry, we’ll take it further. Using acrylic techniques, you’ll enhance shapes, define movement, and introduce subtle realism or focal points that elevate the piece beyond the initial flow. The goal is refinement, not rescue… adding just enough intention on top to make the artwork feel complete and unmistakably yours.
1:00 pm
Lunch
Take a pause and enjoy a relaxed lunch experience featuring comforting flavors and seasonal touches, crafted to recharge without distraction.
2:00 pm Until 5 pm
Workshop Session Four :: Open Studio
This is your time and space to experiment, revisit techniques, or push something new with support nearby. Whether you’re refining a piece, starting fresh, or combining methods from earlier sessions, the studio is fully yours to use. Guidance is available as needed, but the focus here is on exploration, repetition, and building confidence in your own decision-making process. Monday: Q&A A relaxed, open conversation to close out the weekend. This is your time to ask questions, get clarity on techniques, talk through challenges, or dig into the “why” behind what you experienced. It’s less about instruction and more about integration… helping you leave with a deeper understanding of your process and what’s next.
5:00 PM
Happy Hour
Sip, snack, and settle in with an easygoing happy hour that invites connection and a little celebration.
6:00 PM
Farewell Dinner
Evening dining at its best… a farewell dinner meant to be felt as much as tasted, honoring connection, creativity, and the final night we share.
7:30 PM
Final Fireside Connection
As the day winds down on our final night together, we gather around the fire on the dock for an evening of warmth, laughter, and connection. With the lake at your feet and the fire glowing, this is a space to relax, share stories, and reflect—our quiet au revoir until next year.
Monday
8:00 AM
Breakfast
We hope you head home feeling relaxed and ready to take on the rest of your week. Be sure to bring your suitcases and belongings with you as we'll be wishing one another farewell at the end of the final session. Please note that you will be getting on the VIP Shuttle with your boxed lunch in hand as one final nutritious hug from Chef.
9:00 AM
Q & A with Jessica
A relaxed, open conversation to close out the weekend. This is your time to ask questions, get clarity on techniques, talk through challenges, or dig into the “why” behind what you experienced. It’s less about instruction and more about integration… helping you leave with a deeper understanding of your process and what’s next.
10:00 aM
VIP Ground Transportation to Spokane International Airport
Enjoy stress-free transportation via our VIP shuttle, designed to make arriving and departing effortless so you can focus fully on the experience. They'll pick everyone up @ 10 am. Please make sure your flight leaves anytime after 1:00 PM.
Deer Lake, Washington
Deer Lake, Washington
46893 East Deer Lake Way, Loon Lake, WA, USA
46893 East Deer Lake Way, Loon Lake, WA, USA
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