MAGIC, KNIGHTS & PRINCESSES
DARK ACADEMIA EXPERIENCE
Families, Friends, Solo Travelers Welcome
7 Nights All-Inclusive
Relaxed, Restorative Pace
All Levels Welcome
All-Inclusive
Intimate Class
Size
3,995 €
SEPTEMBER 2nd - 9th, 2023
RETREAT TO THE CHATEAU
Led by Master Painter Johanna Spinks
An experience unlike any other
At The Lady of the Chateau, we provide a unique experience that combines art and hospitality. With daily painting classes and beautiful candlelit meals, you can transport yourself to another era and enjoy the long-forgotten delights of a slower pace of life.
Learn from a master painter
Our painting instructor Johanna Spinks will guide you through each step of your creative journey. From teaching classical techniques from edges, value, composition and color to setting up inspired french still lifes, landscape compositions, portraits and more, you’ll develop your art and connect with the chateau environment in a completely unique way.
Unlock new perspectives
At The Lady of the Chateau, we believe in unlocking new perspectives. Step out of your daily life, meet a group of kindred spirits, and explore a new culture, cuisine, and creative process with us.
Double Occupancy 1,950 €
Single Occupancy 2,665 €
10% VAT Not Included
ALL INCLUSIVE
Full-time Art Instruction
Master Painter Johanna Spinks will be at the Chateau full time, giving morning and afternoon instruction in painting, watercolor and sketching, as well as sharing meals with all attendees and participating in any activities and entertainment. She will also do painting demos.
Art support and cleaning supplies provided: Easels, tripods, palette scrapers, aprons, art stools, carrying baskets, gamsol, paper towels
Private Chateau Bedroom & Bathroom
Large Historic Bedrooms with Queen or King size beds
Immersive Château Experience
Activities and entertainment, day-trips, full use of all common salons and rooms, grounds, gardens, outdoor games, swimming pool, grill space, & more
Gourmet French Dining
3 classic french meals, wine & beer, all-day coffee, tea, snacks
Ground Transportation
Pick up and drop off at train station in Angouleme, all transport to any day trips during retreat. Assistance with travel booking & more.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WELLNESS
The Portrait Society of America awarded Spinks a Certificate of Recognition for her dedicated volunteer work as its’ California State Ambassador, a three year term. In 2008 Johanna was awarded The Daler-Rowney “Excellence in Painting Award at OPA National.
Johanna has painted notable sitters from Kip Forbes to Kevin Costner and has five portraits in the permanent collection of The Players’ Club of New York including Norman Rockwell, Rex Harrison and actress Angela Lansbury. In addition to her vast portfolio of commissioned work, Johanna has worked on three widely-celebrated public portrait projects in the cities of Ventura, Malibu, and Charleston, each time working with a different local newspaper, with each sitter being interviewed alongside a painted life sketch. The 58 paintings that made up the “Face of Ventura” now sits in the permanent collection of the Museum of Ventura County and earned Johanna a Mayor's Art Award for "Artist in the Community" 2012.
The “Face of Malibu” comprising 61 oil portraits painted from life, and the subsequent “Face of Malibu Rebuilds” ,17 watercolor portraits and interviews by conducted by Spinks capturing people who their lost homes in the Woolsey Fire resulted in Johanna receiving a Dolphin "Citizen of the Year" Award 2019 for her artwork contribution to the community. “The Face of Malibu “and “The Face of Malibu Rebuilds “ were accepted into the permanent collection of The Boone Special Collections.
