Join us for a creative all-inclusive 4 day/3 night retreat hosted by Renowned Artist Nick Bultman and Billie Gaura. The workshops take place lakeside on Deer Lake in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. You'll stay in a waterfront cabin and you'll attend workshops and gatherings where we will teach you, pamper you, feed you and encourage some genuine relaxation.
Nestled in the serene beauty of Deer Lake, this retreat is designed to spark your creativity, deepen
your technique, and connect with a community of fellow artists. Over a few immersive days, we’ll
dive into unique acrylic pouring methods, color theory, and exciting new ways to express yourself
through fluid art.
In the evenings, we'll share meals and giggles as we sit by the fire and talk all things art and life.
Friday October 8th
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12:00 noon
VIP Ground Transportation to Deer Lake
Transportation will be provided via our VIP shuttle with pickup at Spokane International Airport (GEG) on the Southwest Airlines curb. Please plan your arrival accordingly, or return to the designated pickup location if you arrive in Spokane prior to Friday.
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12:30 PM
VIP Shuttle Pickup at Davenport Tower
Our VIP shuttle will make a scheduled pickup at The Davenport Tower in downtown Spokane. Please be ready at the designated hotel pickup area by 12:30 PM for transportation to Deer Lake.
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1:00 PM
Welcome and Unwind
Kick off your retreat experience with a warm welcome. This is your moment to arrive, exhale, and connect with fellow artists in an easygoing lakeside setting. Claim a sunny spot, and let the rhythm of the water set the tone for the creative days ahead. As you settle in, you’ll spend a little one-on-one time with Nick for intention-setting and a personal creative check-in, paired with a soothing chair massage designed to help you come to center, fully lean in, and open yourself to the experience of the weekend.
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2:00 PM
Lakeside Lunch
Relax with your retreat family and enjoy a beautifully prepared meal crafted by our incredible Executive Chef, with the lake as your backdrop.
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5:00 PM
Happy Hour
After you get settled into your room, come have a beverage or two with Nick and your fellow artists. We'll have both alcohol and alcohol-free options available.
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6:30 PM
Dinner
As evening settles in, enjoy a Chef-curated dinner prepared by our Executive Chef.
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7:30 PM
Fireside Connection
Our fireside chats take place under the open sky, gathered around the dock fire pits with the water in sight. This is an unstructured, easy time for conversation, reflection, and genuine connection—where the best moments often happen naturally.
Saturday October 9th
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7:15 AM
Yoga
Step into the morning with a restorative yoga session designed to awaken the body, quiet the mind, and create space for a focused and inspired day ahead.
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8:00 AM
Gourmet Breakfast
Start the day with a relaxed, nourishing breakfast designed to ease you into the morning. Thoughtfully composed offerings paired with great coffee and an unhurried atmosphere.
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9:00 AM until 12 noon
Studio Session One: The Velocity Painting Framework
We’ll begin with a brief discussion about the philosophy behind my work—what inspires it, how I think through each layer, and how my social media content reflects the different stages of my creative process. I’ll then perform a complete velocity painting demonstration, covering my primary techniques while answering questions throughout. We’ll introduce the five-step framework I use to create every painting: Create expressive velocity splashes Photograph the artwork Build a digital world in Procreate Project the design back onto the canvas Finish with airbrush and masking Guided velocity practice Students will experiment with different strikes, movements, and velocity techniques while discovering what feels natural for their mobility, experience level, and creative style.
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12:00 PM
Lunch
A casually elegant lunch designed for refueling and reconnecting… carefully chosen ingredients, well-executed dishes, and time to reset before the afternoon.
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2:00 pm Until 5 pm
Studio Session Two: Gradients & Primary Painting
Students will create gradient backgrounds using the provided 16-inch brush, including: Linear gradients Beam gradients Radial gradients Freestyle gradients Students will then use the techniques from Studio Session One to create the velocity splash artwork that will become their primary project. Throughout the session, we’ll discuss color theory, composition, movement, and design principles. Our goal is to complete all wet work early enough for the paintings to dry overnight. Fans and heaters will help accelerate drying, and prepared backup canvases will be available if needed. At the end of the session, students will photograph their paintings and prepare the images for Procreate.
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5:00 PM
Happy Hour
Unwind and connect during happy hour with thoughtfully selected drinks and small bites in a casual, welcoming setting.
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6:30 PM
Dinner
Gather for dinner and enjoy a meal designed to nourish, connect, and reflect on the day’s creative journey.
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7:30 PM
Fireside Connection
As the day winds down, gather around the fire on the dock for an evening of warmth, laughter, and real connection. With the lake at your feet and the fire glowing, this is a space to relax, share stories, and simply be together.
Sunday October 10th
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7:15 AM
Yoga
Start your morning with a guided yoga session designed to awaken the body, clear the mind, and set a calm, grounded tone for the creative day ahead.
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8:00 AM
Breakfast
A carefully prepared breakfast featuring warm and light options to fuel creativity and conversation before the day unfolds.
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9:00 AM until 12 noon
Studio Session Three: Procreate Design & Airbrush Foundations
Students will import photographs of their velocity paintings into Procreate and begin transforming their abstract splashes into fully realized compositions and imagined 3D worlds. A Procreate tutorial will be provided before the workshop, and students will be strongly encouraged to watch it beforehand. Students will finalize their designs, project them back onto their canvases, and prepare their artwork for rendering. Airbrush foundations Students will begin learning: Airbrush setup and control Shading and highlights Creating dimensional forms Neon beam effects Masking techniques Geometric shapes and clean edges Whenever possible, students will begin applying these techniques directly to their primary paintings. Prepared practice panels will also be available.
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12:00 PM
Lunch
Take a pause and enjoy a relaxed lunch experience featuring comforting flavors and seasonal touches, crafted to recharge without distraction.
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2:00 pm Until 5 pm
Studio Session Four: Airbrush Rendering, Finishing & Reflection
Our final session will be devoted to airbrushing, masking, rendering, and completing each student’s primary painting. Students will receive individual coaching as they: Strengthen dimensional effects Add highlights and shadows Create beams and geometric elements Refine masked areas Complete final details Bring their paintings across the finish line We’ll conclude with a brief group reflection about what everyone created, what they learned through the five-step framework, and which techniques they want to continue exploring. The goal is for every student to leave with a finished piece, a repeatable creative process, and a weekend of meaningful experimentation and creative growth.
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4:30 PM
Happy Hour
Sip, snack, and settle in with an easygoing happy hour that invites connection and a little celebration.
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7:00 PM
Farewell Dinner
Evening dining at its best… a farewell dinner meant to be felt as much as tasted, honoring connection, creativity, and the final night we share.
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8:30 PM
Final Fireside Connection
As the day winds down on our final night together, we gather around the fire on the dock for an evening of warmth, laughter, and connection. With the lake at your feet and the fire glowing, this is a space to relax, share stories, and reflect—our quiet au revoir until next year.
Monday October 11th
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7:15 AM
Yoga
Start your morning with a guided yoga session designed to awaken the body, clear the mind, and set a calm, grounded tone for the creative day ahead.
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8:00 AM
Breakfast
We hope you head home feeling relaxed and ready to take on the rest of your week. Be sure to bring your suitcases and belongings with you as we'll be wishing one another farewell at the end of the final session. Please note that you will be getting on the VIP Shuttle with your boxed lunch in hand as one final nutritious hug from Chef.
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9:00 AM
Open Q&A
We’ll gather Monday morning for an open question-and-answer session before departure. Students can ask follow-up questions, revisit techniques from the weekend, troubleshoot their paintings, and receive guidance about continuing the five-step process in their own studios. This final conversation will help students clarify what they’ve learned and leave feeling confident about applying the process independent
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10:00 aM
VIP Ground Transportation to Spokane International Airport
Enjoy stress-free transportation via our VIP shuttle, designed to make arriving and departing effortless so you can focus fully on the experience. They'll pick everyone up @ 10 am. Please make sure your flight leaves anytime after 1:00 PM.
