The Artist's Garden Journal

An intentionally intimate creative retreat at Helena Hills Farm

Step into the world of a working flower farm for a day of observation, creativity, and hands-on learning. Throughout the day you'll experience the beauty of Helena Hills Farm while discovering how to translate what you see into loose, expressive pages that tell the story of your day.

We'll begin by exploring the gardens and gathering observations from around the grounds—late-season blooms, raised beds, charming outbuildings, wandering chickens, and the quiet details that give the farm its character. After a light lunch on the porch, our host, Chrissy, will demonstrate the art of creating a seasonal bud vase using flowers grown on the farm. You'll then create your own arrangement before continuing to develop your journal pages, weaving together the sights, colors, and atmosphere you've experienced throughout the day.

Rather than trying to record everything you see, discover how to recognize the details that speak to you and weave them into journal pages that capture the unique sense of place that is Helena Hills Farm—through your own eye, heart, and hand.

Through demonstrations, practical techniques, and individual coaching, I'll show you how to simplify what you see, work confidently in ink and watercolor, and compose pages that capture the spirit of a place without becoming bogged down in detail. Whether you're sketching a flower, a weathered garden shed, or your finished arrangement, you'll gain skills you can carry into your own travel, garden, and everyday journals.

Is This Retreat for You?

This retreat welcomes anyone with basic sketching skills through the seasoned artist. A little drawing experience is recommended, but polished skills are certainly not required. Our focus will be less on creating a “perfect” drawing and more on observing, simplifying, and choosing the details that speak to you—then weaving them into journal pages that capture a sense of place through your own eye, heart, and hand.

And, as always, there’s the wonderful camaraderie that develops when we spend a creative day together—exploring the farm, sketching side by side, exchanging ideas, and enjoying the many different ways each of us sees and interprets the world around us.

Suggested Supplies

• Watercolor or mixed media journal of your choice, 9x12 or smaller

• Travel set of watercolors

• Waterbrush or traditional #8 or #10 round and cup for water

• Drawing support (used to hold your journal and paints on your lap)

• Pencil

• Waterproof pen

• Paper Toweling and/or small towel

• Clips to hold journal pages open and fasten palette to drawing support

• Light camp stool

• Bug spray/Sunscreen

• Hat

If you are new to sketch painting outdoors and would like more details about the suggest supplies, please email Pam pjbartstudio@me.com.  

Rain Date & Weather Policy

The Artist's Garden Journal is designed to take place both in the gardens and on our covered porch. In the event of light or intermittent rain, the workshop will continue as planned, with activities adjusted as needed. If severe or sustained weather makes it unsafe or impractical to hold the workshop, guests will be notified and the event will be moved to the designated rain date: Tuesday November 3rd 10am-2pm. Please plan to be available for both the original workshop date and rain date when registering. If Helena Hills Farm must cancel the workshop and it cannot be rescheduled, registered guests will receive a full refund.

Cancellation Policy

Because this is an intentionally small workshop with limited seating, your registration reserves one of only a few available spaces.

Cancellations made more than two weeks prior to the workshop may be eligible for a partial refund. Registrations are non-refundable within two weeks of the workshop date. If you're unable to attend, your registration may be transferred to another participant. Please contact Helena Hills Farm in advance to let us know of the change. If the workshop is rescheduled due to weather, registrations will automatically transfer to the designated rain date.