Solo without the FOMO - my Solitary Art Retreat

Solo without the FOMO - my Solitary Art Retreat
A week with no distractions, a sea view, and a studio all to myself. Heaven. I went to the North Wales coast, to a favourite place - where a tidal river meets the sea, and the beach stretches for miles.

Each day I walked on the beaches with RubyDog and then worked in my studio - responding to the lines and shapes of the boats and coast. Having brought limited materials with me, and a focus for my exploring, I could dive right into developing new ideas and outcomes.

I became more and more delighted by the sweeping curves of the boats, and I used my photos to inform the prints I was making. I cut stencils and used them in my printmaking. Every shape was a found shape... collected only that very morning.

It was like cooking with the freshest of ingredients

Although I was on my own I didn't feel any FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) because I was so engrossed in my own world, which was hugely enjoyable and satisfying to me. Being alone helped me quieten my mind,  focus and be incredibly productive. I hadn't set out with any goal in mind - I really wanted just time to play......but I did end up producing a lot of great prints.  I'll be making these available to buy in due course.

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Are you thinking of doing something similar - a Solitary Art Retreat?

Perhaps this checklist might help  you plan - here's what worked for me...

• Decided before what my focus was going to be.
• Purchased what I needed in time
• Bought with me limited materials but a huge stash of paper
• Took out accidental damage insurance in case …
• Floor protection down straight away
• Pre made healthy meals and froze them
• Bought enough food for the week, not planning on going shopping!
• Helpful things I also brought / folding table / extension cables / laptop and HDMI cable for TV (checked before what kind of TV it was – not a smart one. Unwinding with Netflix is essential for me / washing line / pegs to dry prints, but the rental had a folding clothes airer which was even better / mount for holding camera for studio filming / going “live” on IG.
• Booked it for the same week next year, going straight to the owner and getting a better deal (for both of us, cutting out the holiday cottage company)
• Met the owner after – who may now buy work for the property. 

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