Cultivating Our Gifts: 6-Day / 5-Night Watercolor Painting & Surf Retreat in Bali

Date: Sunday, October 5 - Friday, October 10, 2025

AccomModation: Mantra Wellness Bali - a four-star hotel & Wellness center

You just got to appreciate everything. I think that’s one of the most important things in life, is just really appreciating it. Because you know, we only get to do this once. And it’s not for a long time, so enjoy it. -Jay Moriarity, Mavericks surfer

Creativity is the Universe’s gift to us. Using our creativity is not only a gift to ourselves, but a way of passing it on to others. The goal of this retreat is to cultivate our inner gifts through play, paint, movement and reflection while deepening our connection to self and nature.

Painting, surf and yoga classes are for ALL levels - beginner or experienced. Wherever you are in your practice(s), I would be honored to be a part of your artist journey, and perhaps, your healing journey. As author Julia Cameron says, serious art is born from serious play. Let’s paint together, surf together, and dream together!

Overview

In this retreat, we will stretch our bodies, our minds, and our hearts. A typical day includes morning breakfast, surf or yoga, and free time/relaxation at the wellness center (pool, sauna, cold plunge) or self-exploration of Uluwatu, Bali. The afternoon will be dedicated to painting (4-hour workshop) either on-site or plein air (at the beach, nearby temple, etc.). I will teach and lead the painting workshops with demos and supportive feedback. Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and closing dinner will be provided. We will also gather to write and reflect on our creativity, our dreams, and our discoveries of the week.

Retreat Fee & Inclusions

Regular fee is $2,200.

Early bird special (sign up by July 1) is $2,000.

The fee includes the following:

  • Five (5) painting workshops covering drawing technique, color theory, oceans, florals, urban sketching/plein air painting, etc.

  • One (1) surf lesson. Includes board rental, transportation to surf break, a student per instructor ratio of 2:1, and video analysis. Additional two-hour surf sessions are available as an add-on (lessons for beginners or coaching sessions for intermediate/advanced surfers).

  • Two (2) yoga classes. See yoga schedule here. Additional yoga classes are available as add-on.

  • Writing and reflection gatherings.

  • Accommodation - all rooms are private suites with pool or garden view and come with one double bed.

  • Airport pick up and drop off at a designated time. Fly into and out of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

  • Local transportation for plein air painting sessions within Uluwatu, Bali.

  • All breakfasts and two (2) dinners. On-site lunch and dinner options are available for purchase.

  • Complimentary access to wellness facilities such as swimming pool, sauna room, and ice bath/cold plunge at Mantra Wellness. Pilates classes and massage services are also available for purchase.

Disclaimer

The retreat will run with a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum of 11 participants, or when rooms run out.

If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, please let me know as soon as possible by sending an email to hello@janetmeinkelau.com. If someone fills your spot, your payment will be refunded. If no one fills your spot, you will not receive a refund.