I Didn’t Think I Needed an Artist Retreat

I was wrong

I never used to go on artist retreats. When asked if I was interested, I’d demur, usually citing cost.

While the expense was part of the reason, the main reason was that I didn’t see the point. Since I already spent most of my days creating graphic novels, I didn’t think I needed to get away in order to make art. I could do that at home, in the quiet and comfort of my own studio, where I have all the tools I need.

But then I moved to Minneapolis in 2020 and quickly became part of the vibrant artistic community here. So when my writer-friends suggested a retreat, I decided to give it a shot.

The retreats we go on aren’t usually anything fancy. We just rent or find a place to stay within a few hours of Minneapolis and structure it ourselves (I’ll talk more about how to make a successful artist or writers in retreat my post next week).

After retreats, I find myself energized, refreshed, and with so many new ideas.

I’ve gone from a retreat skeptic to someone who leaps at the opportunity of a retreat at any chance I get (it’s where I am the weekend this post comes out).

This autumn, I went on my first professionally organized writers retreat through Charlson Meadows¹ which was marvelous. There, I made this illustrated haiku:

This haiku is about saying goodbye to my deceased cat Huntington through a wind phone they have on the property. A wind phone is a disconnected rotary phone people use to talk to lost loved ones.

The haiku is really about release which is what retreats are about for me. Releasing patterns, stress, things we hold too tightly.

Here are the five ways I’ve found retreats most helpful:

1. Getting a break from responsibilities opens up space in your mind

When you’re at home, you always have responsibilities and errands you could run. Even if you’re not actually doing those things, they still occupy space mentally. When you go on retreat, you get a break from those responsibilities which helps make space for more creative thought.

2. Changing routine helps change thought patterns

When I’m doing the same thing every day, or in the same place, I tend to fall into the same way of thinking. Being somewhere new and unfamiliar encourages the mind to think differently which is so important to coming up with creative ideas.

3. Being in a calming place calms the nervous system

When you’re somewhere without clutter, your nervous system relaxes and has space to release and hopefully even play a little. This is one of the reasons I often return from retreats feeling refreshed.

4. Soaking in a new landscape expands horizons

There’s something about staring out at vistas that helps me be more expansive towards ideas in my graphic novels. For example, one time I had an epiphany for my story while sitting at an overlook called “Inspiration Point.” This amused me to no end, but the person who named that overlook clearly had the right idea—one could say they were even inspired :)

5. Connecting with other creators nourishes the heart

Since I spend most of my time alone, I always go on retreat with other creators. Being with others who understand what you’re going through creatively and emotionally is so powerful and heart-warming.

If you haven’t been on retreat lately, or have never been one, I encourage you to start planning one of your own. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Let me know in the comments what do you enjoy about going on retreat? Or what suggestions do you have for making a retreat of your own?

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If you want to explore working with me on your comics or graphic novel project, there are two ways I collaborate with creators:

1. One-on-One Coaching

2. Mentoring Group through Sequential Artists Workshop (SAW)

Star Tribune Article

I appreciate this article in the Minnesota Star Tribune featuring what Minnesotan authors and cartoonists, including myself, are doing in response to the ICE surge in our city.

The article includes one of my comics and this quote from me that I kind of love:

“Cartoonists are an opinionated bunch. We have strong feelings. And we don’t like bullies.”

Truth.

Quietest Places New York City

Watercolor artist and Substacker Nicole Kelner releases her gorgeous book Quietest Places New York City next week. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and was blown away by the art, hidden gems, and thoughtful research behind it. It’s a must read for people—like me—who get overwhelmed by the stimulation and noise of places like New York City.

Leif Love

After weeks of too warm weather where it was muddy and ugly, we got a gorgeous snowfall which Leif loved too.

Take care and keep creating!

-Katharine

1. If you’re in the Midwest, I cannot recommend Charlson Meadows for retreats highly enough! It’s a beautiful property on a lake with trails and labyrinths, your own room and bathroom, catered food, kind people, and it’s highly affordable. Unsurprisingly, their retreats fill up quickly.