The Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort & Spa is hosting a Painters’ Retreat from May 21 to 23. Lead by Nova Scotia artist Gillian McCulloch, it will give participants the opportunity to paint alongside a professional artist in a relaxed, scenic wilderness resort setting.
The name of the retreat session is “Lobster and Flowers Still-Life Painting.” A still life painting has a subject matter consisting of mostly inanimate natural or man-made objects. The items are typically commonplace to their surroundings. According to McCulloch, the Still Life is very good for a range of skill levels. “For people who are just learning to paint, the still life objects aren’t going anywhere, they’re not as complex as a live model, and with landscape, the lighting changes throughout the day.”
McCulloch says that painting together with other artists is helpful for all experience levels. “When you’re painting on your own, you sometimes wonder ‘Oh, how do I fix this, or that?’” McCulloch says that it helps having other artists around to give feedback. “It’s a nice opportunity to paint, chat with other artists, and get some tips.”
The retreat will be part of McCulloch’s two-week stay at Cabot Shores as Artist in Residence. Over the course of her stay she will be painting and interacting with other guests, in addition to leading the retreat. McCulloch looks forward to her stay, praising the location. “It’s a nice, scenic, relaxed atmosphere at Cabot Shores, perfect for making art.”
The Saturday evening will feature music, an artists’ reception, and a lobster feast.
McCulloch paints with a variety of mediums and styles, being particularly renowned for her portraits of individuals such as Dr. Helen Creighton, Mr. Justice Roland Ritchie, Father Donald Campbell, actress Mary Colin Chisholm and film maker Lulu Keating. In addition to her painting work, McCulloch has instructed a course in anatomy for artists at St. Francis Xavier University for the past 13 years.
To find out more about McCulloch and to view her works, visit her website.
Artists of all experience levels are encouraged to partake, and participants should bring their own gear. For more information and to book a place in the retreat, call Cabot Shores at 1-866-929-2585 or email hospitality@cabotshores.com
Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort & Spa is located north of Englishtown, on the edge of Indian Brook and the French River wilderness. In addition to providing a getaway location, Cabot Shores offers regular events programming and workshops for guests.
