If you have ever wondered what really happens during a creative retreat at Big Raven Farm, the answer is not found in the finished projects you see on Instagram. It is not hidden in a specific painting technique or a clever craft project. The true magic of these weekends is far more subtle. You will find it in the quiet, reflective conversations we have on Sunday morning, when the dust has settled and the heart has finally had a chance to catch up with the body.
Thursday evenings at Big Raven Farm are always a little different. Cars pull into the gravel driveway, bags come through the front door, and introductions begin over dinner. It is a mix of emotions every time. Some guests arrive buzzing with excitement. Others arrive carrying the heavy, invisible weight of stress: the lingering deadlines from work, the endless lists of family responsibilities, or simply the frantic, relentless pace of everyday life.
I see the same vulnerabilities at every start. Some guests are nervous because they are stepping out of their comfort zone alone. Some quietly wonder if everyone else in the room will be more creative than they are. Others have not picked up a paintbrush in years, feeling a mix of rustiness and longing.
Then, Sunday morning arrives. As guests pack up their artwork, exchange phone numbers, and promise to stay in touch, I hear the same six sentiments over and over again. Every retreat is unique, but these moments of transformation are strikingly consistent.
1. "I Wish I Had Done This Sooner."
This is, without a doubt, the sentence I hear most often. Life has a sneaky way of convincing us that taking time for ourselves is a luxury that must wait until everything else is finished. The house needs to be cleaned, the work project needs a final review, or someone else needs our immediate attention. We tell ourselves there will be a better time later.
Except, later has a funny way of never showing up.
Many guests tell me they spent months or sometimes years lingering on the idea of attending before they finally took the leap and registered. By Sunday, they are already wondering why they waited. It is rarely about a specific art piece they made. It is because they finally remember what it feels like to spend three days without rushing from one obligation to the next. They remember what it is like to eat a meal someone else prepared, to create simply because it brings them joy, and to wake up without a schedule packed from dawn until dusk.
The hardest part of a retreat is not the travel or the time away; it is giving yourself permission to say yes to your own needs.
2. "I Haven't Made Art Just for Fun in Years."
We attract a wonderful mix of people to the farm. Some are seasoned artists, some love to scrapbook or quilt, and others have not touched a creative tool since a high school art class. But by Friday afternoon, those labels dissolve.
There is no keeping score here. There is no grading, no expert looking over your shoulder, and absolutely no requirement for perfection. Some guests will finish three major projects, while others will spend the entire weekend experimenting with a single technique, finding delight in the color of the paint or the texture of the paper. Both are exactly right.
Somewhere along the way, many adults stopped creating because they felt it had to be productive, profitable, or perfect to count. A retreat is a gentle, necessary reminder that making something with your hands does not have to accomplish anything beyond bringing you happiness. And let me tell you, that is more than enough.
3. "The Other Guests Were the Icing on the Cake."
I hear this worry all the time: I am coming alone, will it be awkward? I completely understand that hesitation. Walking into a room full of strangers can feel intimidating. But the shift that happens here is almost magical.
Conversations start effortlessly while choosing paint colors. Someone asks to borrow a pair of scissors, and suddenly a new connection is formed. People naturally gather around the table after dinner, and by Saturday, strangers have truly become friends.
Suzanne, a past guest, captured this perfectly: "The other guests were icing on the cake to meet, learn from, and enjoy our creative time together." Friendships here are not forced; they blossom naturally when you spend time creating, laughing, eating together, and offering encouragement to one another.
4. "I Didn't Realize How Much I Needed This."
Most guests arrive thinking they need a weekend away to get some art done. They leave realizing they needed something much deeper: a reset for the soul.
That feeling of peace is not caused by one single thing; it is the environment. It is the combination of being surrounded by the quiet of nature, having delicious meals prepared for you, and having a soft bed waiting at the end of the day. No one is emailing you. No one needs you to solve their problems. You finally have permission to just be.
Randi, who has spent time with us, described it beautifully: "They have created a caring and nurturing space that fosters human kindness and the sharing of our stories through nature, art, laughter, movement..." That feedback means the world to me, because it is exactly what we have worked to build. Not a place for perfection, but a sanctuary where you can finally breathe again.
5. "The Food Was Part of the Experience."
Guests come expecting a creative retreat, but they are often surprised when the meals become one of their favorite memories. When Chef Darin begins to work his magic in the kitchen, the dinner table becomes the heart of the retreat.
It is where the deepest stories are shared, where ideas are exchanged, and where bonds are cemented. Good food does more than satisfy hunger; it slows everyone down. There are no grocery lists to manage, no pots to scrub, and no mental energy spent wondering what is for dinner. It is just another space to gather, nourish our bodies, and delight in the company of friends.
6. "I'm Already Looking at the Retreat Calendar."
This is the comment that always makes me smile. Guests do not ask to come back because they need another craft project; they ask because they want to reclaim that feeling of ease.
Karen, who has been a frequent guest at Big Raven Farm, summed it up perfectly: "Big Raven Farm always delivers! I can't wait to return for my third retreat at this beautiful place. I walk away feeling more relaxed than ever." People return because they remember how they felt while they were here: relaxed, inspired, rested, and profoundly connected. That Farm Glow is what stays with you long after the artwork is hung on the wall and the journals are filled.
Carrying the Glow Back Home
Don't get me wrong; I absolutely love seeing what everyone creates. I love the "aha" moment when someone masters a new technique or finishes a piece they never thought they could make. But if you ask me what truly matters most, it is not the art itself.
It is watching a guest’s shoulders finally drop away from their ears. It is hearing laughter echo through the studio. It is seeing strangers become friends who cheer for each other’s successes. It is watching someone remember that creativity does not belong only to artists; it belongs to every single one of us.
If you are worried that this feeling will fade the moment you drive away, I have written about this extensively in my guide, Bringing the Farm Home: How to Keep Your Retreat Glow Alive. The retreat is not just an escape from real life; it is a vital reminder of how we want to live once we return to our everyday routines.
If you have been telling yourself you will come someday, consider this your sign that someday does not have to be a distant, hypothetical date on the calendar. You deserve to prioritize your peace and your creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a professional artist to attend a retreat? Not at all! We intentionally design our retreats for every skill level. If you are feeling unsure, I have actually written a full post on this exact topic: Do I need to be a professional artist? Whether you are a seasoned creator or someone who has not held a paintbrush since grade school, you will find a welcoming space here. Our goal is to focus on the joy of creating rather than the technical perfection of the final piece.
I’m worried about coming alone—is that okay? Most of our guests arrive solo, and many tell us that was their biggest initial fear. By Friday afternoon, those barriers usually dissolve. You will quickly find that the environment at Big Raven Farm is naturally inclusive and friendly. You are never really alone once you join our community for the weekend.
What should I pack for the retreat? Once you register, we provide a detailed packing list tailored to your specific retreat. Generally, you just need to bring your comfortable clothes, an open mind, and any personal items that make you feel at home. We provide the studio supplies, the nourishing meals, and the space for you to relax.
How do I know which retreat is right for me? Each of our retreats has a unique focus, from painting and journaling to movement and mindfulness. We recommend looking through our upcoming retreat calendar to read the descriptions. If you still feel unsure, please reach out to us! We love helping guests find the weekend that best aligns with their current need for rest or inspiration.
Is the retreat an escape from reality? It is more of a reset. We believe the retreat is a place where you can breathe, find your center, and remember how you want to live your life when you return home. We don't want you to escape your life; we want you to come back to it feeling more rested, creative, and connected to yourself.
Ready to give yourself the gift of time? You don't need a perfectly curated life or a finished to-do list to deserve a weekend of rest. You just need to show up. Click here to view our current retreat calendar, find the weekend that speaks to you, and come experience the rest, inspiration, and connection that so many of our guests are talking about. As Suzanne said, "Book the retreat, you will not regret it. 10/10."