GREECE PLEIN AIR RETREAT 2026
Dear friends! I am excited to share some wonderful news: our second annual Greece Plein Air Retreat in Halkidiki has come to a successful close! It was another incredible week filled with inspiration, painting, music, the sea, and unforgettable memories.
This year, we welcomed participants from Australia, the United States, and England. We kept all the best elements of last year’s program while adding many new and exciting experiences. Among our new painting locations were breathtaking coves with crystal-clear waters and stunning views of Mount Athos, painting sessions in the cool shade of ancient olive trees, picturesque harbors filled with yachts, monastery lands with their peaceful and blessed atmosphere, and many other places that seemed made especially for artists.
Painting was, of course, at the heart of the retreat. We spent our days painting outdoors, sharing experiences and impressions, discussing art, and drawing inspiration from the beauty of the Greek landscape. I was delighted to share my painting techniques and insights with the participants—demonstrating different approaches to oil painting, discussing color, light, and composition, and showing how just a few well-placed brushstrokes can bring a painting to life and fill it with atmosphere. One of the most inspiring aspects of the retreat was seeing how each artist interpreted the same landscape in a unique way. That is the true magic of plein air painting.
Every day was active, productive, and creatively rewarding. In the mornings, we painted the sea, rocky coastlines, olive groves, and charming Greek villages. Throughout the day, we explored new locations and continued working on our paintings. By evening, we felt both the joy of artistic achievement and the pleasant fatigue that comes from a day well spent. Once again, Halkidiki proved to be a paradise for painters, with its extraordinary light, turquoise waters, silver-green olive trees, golden rocks, and vibrant sunsets.
This year’s retreat was also filled with music. In the evenings, we gathered in traditional tavernas, enjoying local delicacies and a glass of wine, singing songs, dancing syrtaki, laughing, and sharing stories. These warm evenings became a natural extension of our creative days, reminding us that art has a wonderful way of bringing people together.
One of the highlights of the retreat was our boat cruise around the islands of Halkidiki. Our participants were amazed by the vivid turquoise waters and repeatedly commented that they had never seen such beautiful sea colors anywhere else in the world. Swimming in those crystal-clear waters was pure joy. One of our stops was a floating beach bar, where guests could order a refreshing cocktail or iced coffee without even leaving the boat.
Another memorable experience was our beach picnic following a productive painting session. We cooked tortillas with grilled shrimp and vegetables over an open fire and prepared a traditional Greek salad with homemade olive oil. Enjoying a meal outdoors while breathing in the sea breeze and discussing the day’s paintings became one of those simple yet unforgettable moments that make a retreat truly special.
The retreat concluded with an exhibition of our plein air paintings at the hotel. Participants received certificates and special gifts before we headed to a seaside taverna overlooking the sunset to celebrate the successful completion of the retreat. Surrounded by the sounds of live bouzouki music and traditional Greek songs, it was the perfect ending to a remarkable week.
For me personally, each retreat brings something new and unique. Every group of artists creates its own atmosphere, and every experience is different. That is what makes these retreats so meaningful and rewarding.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful participants for their trust, enthusiasm, and creative spirit: Michelle Moor, Thalia Orfas, Sarah Meidan, and Sharon Sandel.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Halkidiki, where art, nature, and inspiration come together in perfect harmony.
Let's visit each other, communicate, laugh and enjoy real life!
Submit your appliction for the next Greece Plein air Reatreats here:
Friends, come to us on Halkidiki for unforgettable and wonderful experiences!
With love from Greece!
