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Nature calls

Developing your creativity with Trevor Weekes...
18 -20 October 2019 

Suitable for beginners and those with experience. 

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You've thought about it, maybe promised yourself "one day", so come Immerse yourself in a creative environment & develop your creativity at a weekend with this renowned Australian artist and teacher where you will:

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Spend time drawing under first class tutoring with a leading Australian artist, versatile in a

range of media - helping you connect with nature as you use it for inspiration,

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  • Enjoy the abundant wallabies, birds & plants at your door and use them for inspiration,

 

Learn how to use different media to capture a nature experience,

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  • Be inspired by local talent in a visit to the local art collective, art society & historic town of Dungog,

 

Try new artistic methods & develop old methods in new ways,

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  • Give yourself permission to spend time nurturing your creative side, 

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Increase your skills- if a beginner- BEGIN, if proficient learn from someone of great ability,

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Creativity is never just about a product or a medium it is also a journey of the soul, ("The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul"- Dieter F Uchtdorf) towards  depth, healing &  vulnerability, SO .....

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  • Make the most of a one-to-one session or a facilitated labyrinth walk to dream the next step in your creative life story, 

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Be encouraged & encourage others on the shared journey of Creativity,

 

  • Stay overnight and sit around the fire pit, under the stars sharing stories of success & failure, because this is where we learn the most (see Brene Brown's video on failure).

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 Limited to 16 places- this is a boutique experience with a small group at the artistic Fosterton Retreat. Both residential and non-residential places available. Keep reading to see your options. 

He's a
great teacher who loves to share what he knows with others & is good at it. So many artists illustrators and enthusiasts have learnt from him. Read more about him below.

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Save the date, come along to develop your creative skills using various dry media eg: pencils, charcoal, pastels & go deeper as a creative person (no matter what your skill level).

 

Not sure? We are so excited to present this weekend & are happy to talk about it with you so call or email us to see if this is a good fit for you & share this exciting weekend event with others.

Bronwyn & Max 

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0439 500 909 / fostertonretreat@outlook.com 

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For full terms & conditions for retreats click here. 

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LIFE by Trevor Weekes
apostle bird by Trevor Weekes

Early bird discount:

Book and pay the full fee before September 17th, 2019 to receive a 10% discount on the retreat cost.

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(Early BIRD Pun intended)

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul"- Dieter F Uchtdorf 

About our artist Trevor Weekes

Trevor: 

-LOVES animals and is inspired by them, (nearly every week he posts a cute, fun or inspiring animal story on facebook),

-Has taught numerous workshops throughout Australia, been senior lecturer in the world renowned Natural History Illustration Degree program, executed a number of 2-D and 3-D commissions and exhibited time and time again,

-Has won National and International awards, 

-Is an innovator, inventor and knowledgeable with a diploma, a masters and a doctorate in Fine Art and is currently represented by the Stella Downer Gallery Sydney, 

-Is a master at a variety of techniques ranging from sculpture, acrylics, pen & ink, watercolour, pastels, charcoal, graphic novels, you get the idea.

-Constantly works on new projects, his life has been one long line of creating- in fact he's created more great artworks than I've had hot dinners, with works in public galleries and private collections here and overseas.

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Friday 17th October

Make your way to the lovely Dungog region- make time to visit areas that interest you- the view, a little town in the shire, the Barrington Tops National Park World Heritage area, Chichester Dam, enjoy a meal in town, or a picnic by the river,

Arrive at Fosterton Retreat (only 10 minutes drive) Friday night & settle into your room, gather to meet Trevor & other like-minded people, then learn, experiment & play with art materials, flexing those creative muscles, as Trevor guides you into this playground, 

Later sit around the fire pit with Max & Bronwyn & dream your creative story,

 

Saturday 18th October 

Begin Saturday morning with a gathering out on the hillside to welcome the day, using gentle movement & a creative exercise to connect your physical presence & soul with nature around you,

Then enjoy a silent-self-serve breakfast before coming together to learn with Trevor,

Spend the morning out on the property putting those exercises from the night before into context,

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What to expect

For the full retreat experience arrive at Fosterton Retreat for a weekend of creativity, laughter and immersion in beauty.  

Wake up each morning to the sounds of birds and the stretching over the valley with paddocks and bush at this edge of the view that stretches to the Barrington Tops National Park World Heritage Area.

Use this time to be nurtured by nature and let it fuel your art & your deeper self.

At night unwind under the stars around the fire pit to allow all that you've learnt to sink deep into your being.

This weekend is not a stand-alone experience but something  to take home  & build on.

Organise with us to arrive by train- come from north or south to our Interwar Functionalist style railway station.

For full terms & conditions for retreats click here. 

Saturday 18th October (cont'd) 

After a casual lunch head into Dungog to be inspired by the local artists and the historic town,

Saturday afternoon visit somewhere else on the property where you will learn & apply new techniques & media,

Eat dinner in town at one of the boutique eateries & once again enjoy an 'under the stars fire experience' as we contemplate what gets in the way of our creating,

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Sunday 19th October 

Sunday morning gather on the hillside with art & physical exercises to let go of those things that stop us & hold those things that inspire us, again connecting & learning through nature around you,

Enjoy a silent-self-serve breakfast before coming together to learn more with Trevor, discovering new ways to deepen & develop that art you worked on yesterday. 

Move to another part of the property & apply these understandings.

After a casual lunch take part in a closing ritual to help you take your experiences from the weekend to relate & grow them into your everyday life.

Your investment for the weekend:

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Full Retreat Friday to Sunday includes:

A boutique retreat experience with limited numbers (15 max),

Tuition from Australian artist Trevor Weekes,

2 breakfasts, 1 evening meal in Dungog, 2 lunches,

Tea, coffee, 2 afternoon teas, 2 suppers,

Night time under the stars, around the fire pit (weather permitting) sharing stories of failure & success,

Morning pre-class activity connecting your creative side with the beautiful nature around you,

A one-to-one session or a facilitated labyrinth walk to dream about your creative journey,

Accommodation on the property with all linen provided,

Visit to the artistic & historic town of Dungog,

Access to the swimming pool & spa,

Accommodation at Fosterton Retreat (see options below).

Not included:

Alcohol & soft drinks

Transport to the retreat

Art materials

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Your investment for the full retreat =

$850 + your accommodation costs

Live locally & want to be a day participant? See below
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Choose your accommodation:

Well appointed cabins:

  • Valley View -2 people, Queen bed, 1 bath, $ 150 p/night

  • Mountain View -2 people, Queen bed, 1 bath, $150 p/night

  • In Mountain View bring 2 more friends to stay in the single bunk beds at only $50 ea p/ night

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Shared accommodation in the comfortable Fosterton House (5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)

  • King room- 2 people, King bed, $ 130 p/ night

  • Queen room- 2 people, Queen bed, $120 p/ night

  • Double room- 2 available, 2 people, Double bed, $100 p/ night

  • Shared single bed room- can take 2 people, Single beds, $40 p/ person / night

Non-residential day participants: $780  

Includes:

  • Tuition with renowned artist Trevor Weekes,

  • Limited numbers (15 maximum total),

  • Friday night supper,

  • A one-to-one session or a facilitated labyrinth walk to dream about your creative journey,

  • Visit to the artistic & historic town of Dungog,

  • Tea, coffee, 2 afternoon teas, 2 suppers,

  • Non-residential participants are welcome to join us in Dungog for dinner on Saturday night, at their own expense,

  • Only a few day places are available.

Non-participating partners welcome: $300

Includes: meals as per full retreatant & accommodation

Conditions apply: Partners must share the same bed & amuse themselves through the day without infringing on the art tuition.

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Cabin bedroom
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King Room Fosterton House
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Queen Room Fosterton House
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Swimming,  fishing & kayaking at the nearby Williams River

Bring:

Suitable clothing, footwear & toiletries

A sense of fun

A materials list will be supplied 1 week before the retreat for all paid retreatants.

For full terms & conditions for retreats click here. 

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Bunk room in Mountain View 
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Double Rooms Fosterton House
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Shared single bedroom- 2 bottom bunks available
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Visit the Barrington Tops National Park World Heritage Area

“I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.”  Vincent van Gogh

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