Paint in Costa Rica

WORKSHOPINTRO

I am excited to invite you to come explore your creativity with me at my new home in Costa Rica. As a senior facilitator with the Painting Experience I have been helping support painting workshops in cities and retreat centers throughout the United States and Canada for the last 18 years. I recently moved full time to the South West coast of Costa Rica and found a home to accommodate small groups to stay and paint together while also getting a chance to explore all the incredible nature and activities that Costa Rica has to offer.

Over the course of seven days I will host a group of up to ten painters to take a deep dive into the creative unknown with 26 hours of facilitated painting. This work will be supported by optional meditation, yoga, hikes and excursions. Meals will be simple, wholesome and reflective of Costa Rican culture. This will be an immersive experience in both painting and the surrounding environment.

MATTBELAY

I first was introduced to Stewart Cubley and the Painting Experience is 2004 while helping run the Hui Ho'olana Retreat Center on Molokai in Hawaii. Over the last twenty years working with the Painting Experience I have facilitated all over the United States and Canada. Before meeting Stewart I had spent the previous 10 years since graduating in Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech traveling the world doing personal study of spirituality, meditation, yoga and movement. After apprenticing with Stewart for years and supporting workshops, I spent the following ten years in my native Virginia remodeling houses when not facilitating. In the fall of 2022 I made the leap to a whole new lifestyle by moving full time to Dominical, Costa Rica. I now co-teach with Stewart in the United States hosting three to four in person workshops a year and I am otherwise focused on holding space for small groups to come appreciate the rich, amazing space I am developing here in Costa Rica.

ACCOMMODATIONS ANDSTUDIO

Casa Castillo

Casa Castillo is a 2 story 5600 square foot home that sits atop a ridge at 1000 feet above the sea level offering fantastic views of the jungle covered mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy waking up to parrots and toucans in the surrounding trees and howler monkeys in the distance. The house is remote and private yet a mere two miles to the little beach town of Matapalo and 15 minutes from Dominical.

Casa Castillo is a 5 bedroom home that was built with open air design. Each bedroom will accommodate 2 guests with views to the pool, jungle and ocean. There are five full bathrooms with large walk-in tiled showers as well as one half bath adjacent to the large central common area. The kitchen and living areas have huge glass windows and doors that meld the indoor and outdoor spaces together. Each of the floors has multiple covered porch spaces to sit together or find some private time.

Accommodations

Each person will share a room with up to one other participant. Rooms will either have a queen bed for couples or two twin beds. All rooms have amazing views through large screened windows. They also have ceiling fans. The house has high speed internet throughout but we will ask you to be mindful of others in the shared space and use it judiciously.

In addition to the 5 bedrooms there are several smaller private locations that can be used as sleeping spaces both indoors and outdoors.

The Studio

The painting studio will be moveable and we will either paint in the huge central living space or on the covered porch that looks out over the ocean depending on the weather. The painting space can accommodate twelve painters with painting table, individual lighting and several sinks for clean- up.

Pool

The 36-foot lap pool is private and just for our guests. Wake up early for exercise or relax and watch the sunset on the lounge chairs with friends. The adjacent "rancho" covered space also offers shade and Barbeque space.

Arrival SCHEDULE

You will fly into San Jose Airport (SJO) on Saturday and depending on your arrival time will either stay in one of the recommended airport hotels to await your domestic flight the following morning or walk directly to the domestic terminal. From there it's just a 15 minute scenic flight to Quepos airport. Upon arrival in Quepos our shuttle will meet you for the 30-minute ride to Casa Castillo where you can unpack and relax. If you wish to rent a car and drive yourself please contact me so we might assist in that rental. A 4wd will be required and would be recommended for travel anywhere in the country. The cost of the first Saturday night stay upon arrival will be the responsibility of the participant. If you choose to stay at Casa Castillo there will be a $75.00 fee for room and meals.

Daily Schedule

Sunday you will either wake up at your chosen hotel in San Jose and take a morning flight to Quepos where you will be shuttled to Casa Castillo or you will wake up to breakfast at Casa Castillo and an informal day to rest and relax while the remainder of the participants arrive. We will have a group meal Sunday evening followed by an orientation and introduction to painting.

Monday thru Saturday

Mornings start early in Costa Rica. The sky gets light at 5 am and the toucans and parrots will be making a ruckus and howler monkeys will be calling in the distance.

Tea and coffee will be available from 5:45

6 am Optional self-guided meditation (or just quiet time with your coffee or tea)

6:30 Optional yoga with local instructor

7:30 Breakfast

9 Morning Circle

9:30-12 Paint

12:15 Lunch

2-4 Paint

4:30-6 Relax and sunset at the beach

6:30 Dinner at Casa Castillo or a local restaurant

Sunday

Tea and coffee at 5:45

Breakfast will be available for those not taking early flights. We will shuttle people to Quepos Airport for morning flights, and checkout will be 10 am for those not staying on extra days

On two of the days- depending on the weather- we will substitute either the morning or afternoon painting session to have the opportunity for an excursion.

MEALS

Tea and coffee and light snacks will be available in the morning and throughout the day.

Breakfasts will consist of cereal, cut fruit and juices. We will also offer a typical Costa Rican dish each morning that might include eggs, rice, beans, tortillas etc.

Lunches during the days we have excursions will be taken outside at local restaurants. On painting days we will provide local dishes such as Casados, soups, sandwiches or salad.

Dinners will be held either at Casa Castillo as a group or at one of the many local restaurants where we will have the opportunity to try exquisite fresh fish and other local favorites. All meals will be casual.

Meals provided at Casa Castillo will be simple with the intention of giving a taste of traditional Costa Rican fair. All meals are included in the cost of the workshop. Any extra food or alcohol bought at restaurants or outside will be the responsibility of the participant. Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere. Discover and American Express are not taken in most places.

Meals prepared at Casa Castillo and at restaurants visited will have a vegetarian option but we will try also cater to specific dietary needs. Please contact us with specific dietary issues before booking.

EXCURSIONS

Depending on the season, we will take advantage of the best options that this incredibly diverse area has to offer. While not all excursions will take place during the week, if some participants are interested other excursions can be arranged after the retreat ends. Please

Whale watching and visiting Whale's Tale National Marine Park.

Hiking Nauyaca Waterfall- One of the most scenic waterfalls in Costa Rica

Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

Beach Exploration

Manuel Antonio National Park

Note: Excursions will be organized ahead of time and paid for as a group but if you do not wish to attend please notify us.

COST

The cost of the workshop includes:

-Airport transfer to/from Quepos

- 7 nights in shared accommodation at Casa Castillo

- 26 hours of Painting Facilitation

- All Painting materials

- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day

- Daily coffee, tea, and snacks

- Transportation to and from excursions

Total cost: $1800.00

Payment. $400 deposit at the time of signup via Paypal, Zelle, or Venmo Remainder to be paid in cash upon arrival in Costa Rica

The cost of the workshop does NOT include

- Cost of International transportation to/from Quepos, Costa Rica

- Cost of accommodation before or after workshop (ie the Saturday of arrival)

- Cost of excursions such as whale watching or waterfall hike

- Extra food or drinks brought to Casa Castillo

- Any alcohol bought at meals.

- Tips for staff (at your discretion)

SCHOLARSHIPS

There are a limited number of work scholarships available to reduce the workshop cost in exchange for kitchen prep work or assistance in the studio. Please inquire.

EXTRADAYS

Its possible for participants to stay on for extra days after the workshop to further explore the area and also have the opportunity to extend their painting experience. Depending on the group we can organize excursions and keep the studio up for continued painting. Please contact me if you have interest.

Note: The cost of accommodations and excursions after the workshop will be determined by interest.

Please contact me if you are interested to rent the space before or after the workshop as a private space with full use of pool and grounds.

CONTACT

If you have any questions or would like to register for the workshop, please email Matt Belay at belaymatt@gmail.com

PHOTOGALLERY