‘Floral Features and beyond’ with jacqui mair

4th - 7th September 2025
Court House Farm and gardens, portishead, UK

ABOUT the retreat

Suitable for all - beginners to experienced artists wanting to develop their technique

 “Things take the time they take. Don’t worry” - MARY OLIVER

Floral Features and Beyond is a creative starting point—an invitation to explore still life arrangements both real and imagined, and to consider what lies beyond the frame, beyond the window.

Our home for the retreat is the warm and welcoming Court House Farm and Gardens, steeped in history and surrounded by beauty. Nestled in a four-acre site, its historic barn, stables, outbuildings, and decorative gardens offer an inspiring setting designed to awaken your senses and stir your creativity.

Through a combination of collage, painting, and printmaking, you’ll discover a new world of artistic possibilities. Using our own hand-made collage papers, you'll create a series of expressive, large-scale pieces that venture beyond the expected.

Whether you’re just beginning or looking to refine your style, this immersive retreat is designed to help you unlock creativity, release self-doubt, and build confidence through playful exploration.

Over the course of the retreat, you’ll create artist books and collages that reflect your personal story. You’ll dive into composition and subject matter that moves beyond traditional still life—developing your own colour palette, experimenting with mark-making, and incorporating vintage ephemera if you choose.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Accommodation in a stunning medieval manor (1300sAD) or adjoining Tudor Manor house (1500sAD)….. the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere in a renovated country house, steeped in history.

• Fully catered, chef prepared meals, breakfast, ‘elevenses’, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with selected wines and all refreshments.

• optional trip: local cultural trip to Clevedon Pier- ‘the prettiest in England’

• Daily guided mindfulness sessions or low key yoga! (optional)

• Inspiring and engaging talks about relevant History of Art and Architecture

• Flower Picking and Arranging in our beautiful flower garden

• Fulfilling conversations with like-minded individuals

• plenty of opportunity for pottering to the high St, Marina and beautiful local walks by the stunning severn estuary to see the sunsets.

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival & Introductions

• Arrive in the afternoon for tea and a warm welcome.

• Introduction to the retreat and a presentation of Jacqui’s collage work.

• Group discussion on how the workshop will unfold.

• Gentle studio warm-up with a small creative activity.

Day 2
Inspiration, Exploration & Play

• Group discussion around personal ideas and what draws us to particular objects or imagery—still life and beyond.

• Slideshow presentation: collage techniques and inspiration from a variety of artists.

• Create printed collage papers through hands-on experimentation with gelli plates, monoprinting, simple relief, and planographic techniques on a range of surfaces.

• Film screening: Jacqui’s collage process from start to finish.

• Group reflection on materials made and possible directions for your collages or artist books.

• Introduction to constructing a variety of simple artist books.

Day 3
Development & Studio Time

• Planning and developing individual ideas.

• Focused studio time to begin creating your own collage works and artist books, with guidance and support.

Day 4
Reflection & Celebration

• Time to photograph your work.

• Group show-and-tell of participants’ pieces.

• Final reflections and goodbyes.

About Court House Farm

Which isn’t really a working farm at all! Think of it more as a charming cluster of historic buildings—beautifully atmospheric and full of character. The site itself dates back to before the Domesday Book, with the remaining Manor and smaller Manor tracing their roots to around 1350. You'll find medieval and Tudor architecture, plus a collection of quirky outbuildings (yes, you might be creating in the old cowshed—but don’t worry, it’s clean and cow-free!).

Set across four acres of land, Court House Farm includes a small flower farm and sits right in the heart of Portishead, a lovely estuary seaside town in Somerset. There's a bustling little high street, a marina, stunning coastal walks, and some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see.

You’ll find more details and photos of the interiors and grounds on our website.

During the retreat, we’ll also enjoy a few fun little extras—perhaps a visit to our neighbouring seaside town of Clevedon, home to what might just be the prettiest pier in England—and of course, plenty of flowers to inspire you throughout your stay.

testimonials