Gaia Lotus Bali Art Retreat
Gaia Lotus Bali Art Retreat dates to be announced!
Join us for this amazing
Mind Body Soul experience!
Please note, no art experience is necessary!
Hi, I am Susan Farrell, an intuitive artist and teacher.
I fell in love with Bali and her people a few years ago and ever since then a seed had been
growing in my heart, inspiring me to create not only an Art Retreat in Bali but also to make it an
uplifting holistic “Mind, Body and Soul” experience as well.
And that is exactly what you will experience. Although there is a focus on learning to paint, you also have the opportunity to relax, rejuvenate, and transform. We will be in beautiful Ubud, the idyllic artisan centre of Bali, up in the hills, away from all the hustle and bustle.
Ubud Bali is a truly spiritual place, and it is one of the most beautiful places on earth to connect back to your true self.
In scenes reminiscent of Eat, Pray, Love, we will be staying in traditional Balineses cottages nestled in lush gardens, overlooking green rice paddies.
You will have your own private room with air-conditioning and ensuite where you can completely unwind at the end of each day. Our meditations and painting classes take place in a beautiful open air yoga shala, in amongst the rice fields and lotus ponds. Wear your bathers and refresh yourself in the nearby pool when you need a break!
The Gaia Lotus Art Retreat Ladies from May 2023. We had such an amazing time!
Susan’s Bali art retreat was definitely a week of complete bliss. Everything was organised so well, and Susan and Jack did everything to cater for all our needs; it was very easy to just surrender and relax! The resort is very beautiful and serene. Our painting environment, the Shala, was truly lovely; we were immersed in Balinese life while we painted, with offerings, lotus ponds, mango smoothies, rice being harvested, children flying kites, all on our doorstep.
Susan is very generous with her knowledge – and her resources. She created a very caring, supportive and safe environment, and was empathetic and considerate of all our different needs. I love her technique and how it allows you to work at your own pace and level of expertise.
So much thought and effort had obviously gone into every element of the retreat – and I loved it so much, I have already booked my place for 2024!
I had an amazing time at the Bali Lotus Art Retreat in May 2023. Knowing that I was a nervous traveller, Sue went above and beyond to ensure I was well looked after – both in the lead up to the retreat and throughout. The group size was small and intimate, and we quickly became good friends. The art sessions were well structured, each allowing time to learn new techniques whilst having time to explore and play. It was lovely to be able to paint with like-minded friends, order lunch up to the Shala and go for a dip in the pool on our breaks. This was a fantastic way to spend my birthday week, and an experience I won’t forget in a hurry!
The 2023 Bali Art Retreat with Susan was beyond my expectations.
The painting & activities were great. Location was serenity, so peaceful surrounded by the rice paddies, at night time Ananda was beautiful.
Working along with Susan was fantastic & we had a lovely group of ladies.
We arrived a few days early which gave us time to stay a night in Sanur & then headed up to Ubud. We settled in & got to know our surroundings, local restaurants, supermarkets & markets. We also done a lot of sightseeing, elephant sanctuary, bird park & experienced the culture. We had a driver & I’d highly recommend that anyone going do so.
The people & culture of Bali were amazing. Everyone we dealt with were very friendly & welcoming.
Our Accommodation
The family owned resort that I have chosen for the Retreat is in Ubud. Known as the spiritual art centre of Bali. The resort itself is a rambling property with lovely authentic Balinese cottages nestled amongst gorgeous garden, jungles and rice paddies.
Each Cottage consists of two separate rooms downstairs and two upstairs. All rooms are air conditioned some have ceiling fans. Each room has its own bathroom, bath, wardrobe, TV, Kettle, Fridge, and lots of storage. You can have your own Private room with a Queen size bed or if you come with a Friend we can switch to two Twin beds and I am happy to discuss a reduced retreat price if you choose this option.
The Resort has 3 pools. One in particular, is quite close to where we will be painting and also to where our Rooms will be situated.
We have our own Yoga Shala where we can congregate to paint during the week. We can also paint on our verandahs or by the pool. The options and settings are endless. The vista everywhere you look is both breathtaking and blissful.
STAIRS: Please read before you book!
Our Resorts is surrounded by rice fields. Where our rooms are is quite flat with lots of easy paths to follow.
As we leave the last of the cottages the land falls away with a steep incline down to the main pool and our Shala.
So we do have a couple of flights of stairs to negotiate daily down to our Shala. It keeps us fit.
I just need to give you a heads up about the stairs . We can get help carrying our materials down though.
There are a few different staircases and one has a railing for extra safety. Bali stairs and paths can be uneven and you will need to be nimble enough to deal with them.
We all have wings but some of us don’t know why!
Costs covered by the Retreat
Welcome Goodie Bag
Seven nights accommodation in your private room with ensuite and air-conditioning in our beautiful resort in Ubud
Six days enjoying the gorgeous Resort and Ubud area.
Four days of Art Tuition/Mentoring with Susan in Yoga shala
Meditations. Food for the soul!
Two stretched canvases ( second canvas is optional)
A full buffet breakfast daily
( My favourite is the banana pancakes)
Welcome Dinner- Farewell Dinner
Water blessing by a local HolyMan ( unforgettable experience)
Day Trip and transfers to Bird Park and Elephant Park
One hour massage or treatment of your choice
Bali Offering Workshop with one of the Local Ladies from the resort.
An Adventure day mid week to catch your breath and do whatever you feel like!
As you can see, a beautiful week of relaxing, rejuvenating, and re-energising. Connecting with other like-minded women is priceless.
Remember , no experience is necessary. I will teach you all you need to know to create a beautiful painting.
If you have ever thought about taking a well- earned break and learning something new, or just spoiling yourself because you deserve it after the last few years, this is your opportunity to do something amazing and special, an experience you will always remember.
Exclusions:
You will need to purchase the following
Travel Insurance. COMPULSARY (Please see T&C below)
Indonesian Custom Fees ( each country is different) Australia fees are built into air ticket.
Visa On Arrival. $55
Airfares
Transfers from Airport to Resort. These should be around $65AUD
Meals ( Other than Breakfast and Two Dinners)
The Resort offers Room service ( which will be charged to your room and payable on check out) The resort restaurant is very reasonable has a variety a meals to choose from. Of course Ubud is a short taxi ride away where you have loads of restaurants and cafes. There are also a few cafes close by within walking distance of the resort. Ubud is a 25 minute walk.
What to Expect!
This is a Creative Wellness Retreat. With Wellness and Healing being an integral part of the experience. My wish is that everyone leaves feeling rejuvenated and uplifted, ready to take on infinite possibilities once they return home. On the first day we have invited a very special local Holyman to give our group a Water Blessing. This is an amazing experience and a beautiful way to commence the Retreat.
We are all asked to wear a sarong and sash which immediately bonded the Ladies last year. Lots of giggles and laughter as we tied our sashes. Be ready to get wet 
Time to just be still and listen to your hearts messages..
Yoga Shala
We will be using a lovely Yoga space for our meditations and group painting sessions. It is located quite close to our rooms and just a short walk from one of the swimming pools. It sits at the back of the property and is flanked by rice paddies. This is where Jack and I saw a beautiful Kingfisher fly through the treetops. It is a beautiful setting.
Meditation and Sister Circle
Everyone morning we sit in the Yoga Shala in our Sister Circle and chat. This was one of the things the Ladies from last year, said they loved the most about the retreat. The beautiful bonds and friendships that were made were so special. It was lovely to watch everyone share and support each other.
Before we start to create we do a short Meditation. I have written these Meditations especially for the retreat. Designed to really help relax us and tune into our creative intuition!
Oh and of course we do bring out the Oracle cards to be open to the messages the universe may have for us!!
Support, Share, Create!!
Day Trip to Bird Park and Elephant Park
We spend a full day visiting the Bali Bird Park and the Elephant Park (which is a rescue park) If you love Animals it is a real treat. You get to be really close to both the Birds and the Elephants. Lots of photo opportunities. So much inspiration for your paintings as well!
We learn how to make a Bali Offering
We also learn how to make the beautiful Canang Sari. Which is the traditional Balinese Offering. Every home and business display these offerings at their front door. They are Gratitude Offerings. Such a lovely tradition. Being grateful! Learning how they make them was very special!
About the painting experience
As most of you already know, I believe that everyone has the ability to be tap into their creativity and to paint.
This retreat is for women who have been looking for a chance and just the right environment to finally explore their creative potential. There are no rules or restrictions.
I encourage everyone to play and experiment. I can show you some easy ways to paint a beautiful background with layers of translucent paint and a few stencils. Our top layers and images will evolve through the Retreat and I am really looking forward to see everyone’s unique individual pieces and to see what images have inspired or captivated you. Whether it be a beautiful bird you saw at the Bird Park? An elephant or magnificent tree? Or even something more abstract? Just tapping into the essence of Bali and her beauty could be amazing.
Beginners and Fellow artists are all welcome.
What you need to bring along for your Painting
Art materials- Paints- Brushes- Pallet
I will send a detailed list once you register for the retreat
But it will be just a basic kit of acrylic paints-
Golden fluids/Atelier Free Flow preferred
A lightweight portable easel is optional. Fits in suitcase.
I will be bringing along lots of stencils to share.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please read before you Book.
Gaia Lotus Ladies chat about the 2019 Retreat
Testimonials from some of the 2019 Ladies
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my recent trip to Bali to attend your Gaia Bali Art Retreat. The accommodation and surrounds were so beautiful and I felt so relaxed and safe. Painting most days looking out over the rice paddies and vegetable gardens with the typical sounds of the wind chimes in the distance was beautiful. I loved the fact that we could walk just a few metres from our class and have a cooling plunge in one of the pools surrounded by such gorgeous gardens.
Your lovely gentle approach and meditation each day was such a lovely time before our class. We were thoroughly spoilt with a fantastic hour massage nearby, a blessing by a healer and making an offering basket full of flowers and of course our welcome and farewell dinners. I totally loved learning your painting techniques which have inspired me to do more art. We were all different levels and did some fabulous paintings.
What a week. Loved it so much I have booked for next year.
Warmest regards Jo
Sadly the Gaia Bali Art Retreat is over, it has been so much fun learning from my guru Susan Farrell! We have had such a wonderful immersion into Bali culture, been hugged by an elephant and created a beautiful painting! Thanks so much Susan and all my new art retreat friends
Thank you so much for a wonderful adventure Susan xx I enjoyed every second of it. If anyone is thinking of doing this you won’t regret it xx Leah
Susan’s art awoke my passion of art, creativity. I am so glad to encounter her art in my life. I love the way of her painting. It’s not only technical thing. Art is coming from our heart. And everyone is unique. I can create my wish, my fantasy through her painting technique. I pray deeply in my heart during my painting. She gave me a big change of my life. Thank you so much Susan
Once again I would like to thank you Susan, for giving me the opportunity to attend the retreat in Ubud. Given this opportunity was a new beginning for me as I have had a block for awhile and didn’t realise that I still hold within me some of the artistic creativity that I once owned. Even though I felt I was only a beginner in the retreat I have learnt a lot.
I will continue with my painting and I intend to register with you into one of your online courses in the future.
My advice to anyone thinking of attending this retreat is “Art is the most healing process for the mind and soul. Even if you haven’t done any art in your life and you have a calling to be creative, GO FOR IT, whatever ends up on your canvas, it is YOU that created this masterpiece, it is YOU. You don’t have to be an artist, just enjoy and let the colours flow, you will be surprised with yourself and what YOU have created”.
Regards Ann Z
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