Lori Siebert - April 20th to April 26th 2026

Bienvenue! Welcome!

Join us next spring for a joyful and creatively rich mixed media retreat in the south of Provence with the amazing artist, Lori Siebert! A week of exploring, discovering, creating, and tasting Provence. You will visit the historic towns and typical markets, take a tour of our gorgeous islands, participate in printmaking classes with Lori and much more. We will make sure that your experience in Provence will be one you remember forever!

When asked to define her artistic style, Lori Siebert says that she likes to be a bit of a chameleon. Constantly experimenting with different styles and mediums feeds her insatiable curiosity. She has a very whimsical design sense and loves to play with color to give each collection that and she designs its own unique personality.

She started taking private art lessons at the young age of 7 and continued to study art throughout high school. This lead to a degree in graphic design from the University of Cincinnati. She opened her own design firm just 3 years out of college in 1987. Her firm, Olika Studios, has developed branding and design programs for influential clients such as Target, Bath & Body Works, Nickelodeon and Universal Studios.

Lori began the art licensing arm of her business 20 years ago and has worked with several top manufactures in the gift and home decor industry. Her client list includes Demdaco, Creative Co-op, Studio M, Lang and many more. Her licensed products have been sold through many key retailers and small gift shops throughout the United States and Canada. She has been featured in “Where Women Create” and “Where Women Create Business.” She was also the co- founder of ArtBizJam and ArtBizJam Abundance, which provides helpful business tips and networking opportunities for women artists. And, she hosts and teaches at several creative retreats each year in the USA, Europe and Mexico. She most recently co-hosted a vibrant women’s conference entitled “Live Courageously: Rebloom” which was created to inspire and encourage women to live their best lives.

You will explore Provence with Lori, as well as your local hosts and guides Maria and Mathieu.

Activities will include:

• Participate in workshops with Lori and develop your unique creative skills

• Enjoy daily delicious meals prepared with fresh products and care by chef Mathieu and Maria

• Take strolls around unbeaten paths in the beautiful nature of Provence through the hills overlooking the old town

• Visit the littoral, the islands, and its breath-taking coves

• We will take you through the alleys of the historic center of Hyères, this magic city where numerous writers and painters have come to find inspiration since the dawn of time. Artists such as Edith Warton, RL Stevenson, Noailles, Picasso, and Jean Cocteau amongst others, contributed in their time to shaping the rich art heritage of Hyères

• Visit our coloured markets, discover and taste Provençal specialties

Feathers & Fleurs: A French Art Fête
Contour Drawing • Gelli Printing • Painting and Collage
Join us for a joyful and creatively rich mixed media retreat—Feathers & Fleurs—where nature meets art in the most colorful ways. Over the course of this immersive experience, we’ll slow down and take time to observe the elegant lines of flowers and express the joy of birds. We will bring them to life through contour drawing, expressive Gelli prints, and layered collage techniques. This retreat is designed to be approachable, energizing, and inspiring—no experience needed! You’ll leave with a collection of beautiful, textural floral artworks and the skills to keep your creativity blooming long after the retreat ends. AND… we will immerse ourselves in the beauty of Provence!!

Here’s what we’ll be doing each day:

Workshop 1 – Contour Line Drawing: Finding Beauty in the Simplest Lines

We’ll begin with the elegant simplicity of contour line drawing—focusing on fresh flowers, leaves, birds, feathers, and natural shapes. Through guided exercises in blind and semi-blind drawing, we’ll learn to trust our eyes and hands, capturing the essence of our subjects without overthinking. Don’t worry if you’re “not a drawer”—this workshop is all about expression, not perfection! You’ll explore fluid, organic lines using pens, ink, and pencils, creating graceful sketches that will later form the heart of your final mixed media pieces.

Workshop 2 – Gelli Plate Printing: Creating Patterned Collage Papers

Time to get messy—in the best way! In this session, you’ll dive into the magic of Gelli printing, a fun and accessible form of monoprinting that uses a gelatin plate to create one-of-a-kind patterned papers. We’ll use stencils, stamps, and natural textures (like feathers, flowers and leaves) to build beautiful layers of color and pattern. These custom papers will become your personal stash of collage materials—full of texture, depth, and joyful surprises!

Workshop 3 – Color & Composition: Building Your Mixed Media Palette

In this session, we’ll explore color play and intuitive composition. You’ll begin layering your contour drawings with paint and your printed collage papers, experimenting with transparent and opaque layers, and learning how color and shape can create balance and movement in your artwork. We’ll talk about how to build up a piece organically—responding to what’s happening on the page and letting the materials guide you.

Workshop 4 – Floral Collage Art: Bringing It All Together

Now that you’ve built a toolkit of techniques, it’s time to create your final floral art pieces. You’ll assemble your contour drawings, collage elements, and painted accents into rich, layered compositions. We’ll use matte medium to adhere pieces, add details with pencils and pens, and even incorporate metallics or ink splashes for that finishing touch. Whether you prefer abstract or more representational work, this session is all about honoring your creative voice and following your instincts.

Workshop 5 – Finishing Touches & Personal Projects

In our final session, you’ll have time to refine your favorite pieces, start a new project using your favorite techniques, or work on a small series. We’ll also talk about ways to continue your mixed media practice at home using simple materials. To close, we’ll host a relaxed group showcase where everyone can share their creations and reflect on the journey. Expect a lot of “oohs,” “aahs,” and proud smiles!