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"You have an unmatched ability to bring any type of person into creative welcoming and joyous space. I am so grateful to spend so much quality time working under your positive influence." ~Carlin
"Wow, what can I say about an ordinary girl who thought she didn't have any creativity going to a 'Creative Workshop!' In my mind, I would think 'Are you crazy!' My journey through this workshop had opened a door to a world I would never have found. Thank you for unlocking my door." ~Nancy Fox
"My Taos experience was so exquisite! Jill wove such love and openness around us, allowing for a banquet of creative experiences." ~Mary Behr
Dear Creative Tribe Member,
There is something about a cozy winter day, surrounded by the majesty of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, snow falling outside, a fire crackling inside, high on the intoxication of being not only in Taos, but being at the Mabel Dodge Luhan house where creative greats came to restore their creativity.
Or maybe it's those five-star three-course gourmet meals Mabel's is famous for that inspire you to invest in pampering, good company and rejuvenation. Now for the first time we will have all dinners at Mabel's.
I can't think of a more
inspiring place to meet together
and celebrate our creativity, laughter, and friendship than five days and four nights
at one of the most treasured accommodations in Taos,
the Mabel Dodge Luhan House.
It is my pleasure to invite you to join me in another winter retreat to nurture your creativity and your life: Saturday - Wednesday, February 8 -12, 2025
If you are an intimidated beginner, seasoned expert, or anywhere in between,
you belong here to discover new ways to restore and deepen your creativity in a loose and liberated way and take a nurturing break from the chaos.
This year the retreat will be focused on how mindfulness can set us free in the creative process with Wild Abandon writing and art. Singer/songwriter Kate Mann will lead a class onn songwriting.
We will be also playing with photography, improv, guided imagery, and yoga to find words and ideas you didn't know you had.
Make it a Valentine's gift to yourself.
What's in it for you?
1. The Creativity Contagion - Learn from my experience in spreading creativity through training creative mentors since 2004, writing and illustrating books and plays,mentoring hundreds of creatives, teaching mindfulness/yoga, specializing in letting go of perfectionism and pressure, and finding humor in it all. Immerse yourself in the daily creativity activities to unleash your creative passions, learn to make more time for them as well as discover new methods for writing and art for writing. We sneak in the "backdoor" of creativity so doubts, resistance, and hesitation are foiled. I will provide you with brief mentoring in writing, art, and smart phone photography for tips and ways to expand.
2. A Creative Voice deepened or awakened from your authenticity in collaboration with irresistible, odd-ball creative prompts that trick you into going places you may not have thought to go. Loosen up your artistic and writing voice - especially if you have little confidence or are blocked and want to make it fun. No need to be clever, just willing. The pressure to be perfect or even good is lowered, paradoxically making it easier to find your best voice.
3. Easy Tools and writing tips that make it effortless to get started when you've been cranky or experiencing the natural feelings brought up by creativity: resistance, procrastination, stifling perfectionism, fear, difficulty finding the time, being unfocused, or captivity to habits that don't serve your creativity. For use long after the retreat is over reinforced with a creative Journal and little Reminder gifts with Jill's art.
4. If you don't think you are creative, you will go away knowing otherwise. If you're a writer you will find a New Flow and discover yourself as an artist. If you already are an artist or a writer you will experience new techniques to deepen your passion. Writing for artists will free up creativity you can apply to your art.
5. The Inspiration, Enchantment and Rejuvenation of being in Taos at Mabel's where many creative greats came to do the same. You will have space and time to wander creatively around the grounds or if you wish or go into town for inspiration. The Rio Grande Gorge is close-by for a thrilling experience.
6. A lot of Laughter and New Friends. My retreats attract authentic, down-to-earth, fun, unpretentious people - many introverts. Several long-term friendships have started at these retreats including some of my own. People come back year after year. No snobs allowed.
7. A Private Concert from local singer songwriter Kate Mann. Kate has been wowing us for the last 12 years with haunting, original music. Her songwriting workshop was a big hit last year.. Only two people were songwriters before her class, but everyone wrote a song and more than half sang it. (I didn't sing, thank goodness).
9. Pampering and nourishment with some of the most memorable food of my lifetime. A cozy room with lots of character and views of the plains, mountains, and the enchanting Taos sky.
10. Evening Salons One of the most special and poignant parts of our experience last year was our Salon. The sharing of stories, talent, photos, music, and laughter in the tradition of Mabel Dodge Luhan's salons back in the 1920s brought us all close together and in appreciation of each person's individuality. It can be as simple as a photo or elaborate as a story.
This retreat is NOT about: Writing critique, comparison, pressure, being perfect at anything, rigid schedules and high expectations, Tupperware, pressure to be anyone or anything other than the beautiful person you already are. It's a time to relax, rediscover who you are, and explore some new tools for both a creative mind and a creative life. Going into Taos to check out this creative town is part of the funn.
Your tribe is getting together at Mabel's[1] so the creative juju is turned up high. It could be because the energy of Georgia O'Keefe, D.H. Lawrence, Ansel Adams, Dennis Hopper, Martha Graham, and many more creative greats who have stayed there, is still lurking in the architecture. Let's swing in the rafters.[2] It's a great way to start 2025.
[1] The Mabel Dodge Luhan house was a home of artist Mabel Dodge Luhan and was a haven for artists and writers. "It is one of the earliest examples of Pueblo Revival style in Taos" and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1991. Each of the rooms is uniquely decorated and named after one of the artists, photographers, or writers who stayed there. It's kinda magical.
[2] For trapeze artists only.
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