Free Portrait Painting Retreat

Time to Soar

Create portraits you are proud of and nourish your soul

Retreat Has Closed: On-Line Portrait Retreat

Has life been challenging for you lately? Do you feel a bit stuck or overwhelmed in your creativity? Do you desire to deepen your art practice? Feel at peace? Be inspired? Do you love learning from others? 

It is time for you and your art. Time to reconnect to why you love painting. Time to learn more skills and move forward in your creative journey. You deserve time for you and your creativity.  

I invite you to grow your portrait skills, find relaxation, and meet like-minded women with this nourishing on-line retreat.



The Retreat

February 27th to March 10th, 2023


Enjoy from the comfort of your own home:

  • create your own beautiful portrait inspired by butterflies and moths (or imagery of your choice)
  • learn how to place features on the portrait from different angles
  • learn how to create dimension and shape in the portrait
  • be inspired and gain creative momentum
  • learn how not to compare your artwork to others and how to be kind to yourself as you paint
  • nurture your soul and express what is in your heart
  • create amongst women who are also learning to love their creative time


Video portrait demos emailed to you plus live paint along Zoom/Facebook session (replay available)

Simple set of supplies using acrylic paints


Special on-line event of the Medicine Circle Membership

Questions: Contact Me

Schedule

February 27th: Demo Video 1: Placing features from different angles

March 1st: Demo Video 2: Creating shape and dimension in the portrait

March 3rd: Demo Video 3: Overcome common challenges with blending in acrylics

March 4th: Live Zoom/FaceBook session (replay available): Paint your own portrait inspired by the butterfly. 

12pm LA, USA, 3pm New York, USA, 8pm London, UK, 7am Sydney, AUS, + day

Find your time zone here.

All videos available until March 10th



Your Guide

Hello, I am from the Squamish First Nation in Vancouver, Canada. My ancestral name is Tiyaltelwet, passed down from my great-great-grandmother. I live and work in my community, drawing from traditional teachings and ancestry in my art practice. I am also of Scottish ancestry. I believe we are all creative in our own way, and I’m deeply passionate about creating gentle, supportive spaces for women to engage with art-making. I am an experienced teacher and a trained Expressive Arts Practitioner. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute lessons to large, collaborative online art courses alongside artists I deeply admire, including Tamara Laporte, Ivy Newport and Kara Bullock. These collaborations have been a meaningful way to share art as a supportive, connective practice with a wide community of creatives. My 27 years of work in Indigenous health, along with experience in curriculum design and instruction, inform how I design my lessons. I guide the creative process with care — step by step — always mindful of pace, nervous system, and self-kindness. I believe art can be a place of rest. My work is grounded in nature, reflection, and the strength of women.

Melanie Rivers

Words from my Community:

"I've grown so much creatively, and on a personal level, through Melanie's classes. Her soothing voice and kind reminders o "be kind to yourself" while in the process of creating art has helped me push through creative blocks. I'm learning not to judge my art but to accept and love what emerges"-- Stephanie

"Melanie has the unique ability to make one feel they can do a portrait! I look back at my work and think "wow!", did I really paint this?" 

"Melanie's classes are relaxed and exploratory form of art, so whether you're a beginner or more advanced, you gain confidence in your art form"--- Rose Murray

"Melanie creates insightful, moving portraits that each tell their own story. Her insightful ways as a teacher fill me with inspiration." Margie O'Connor