Sketchbook Tour 2024
Chateau de Borie, Agen, France
Saturday September 14th – Saturday September 21st, 2024
Limited to 12 participants
Imagine yourself in a world away, surrounded by lush forest, cradled within the protective hug of a limestone cliff face, morning doves cooing and birds twittering.
As you enter the majestic house’s bright, sunny rooms, you hear laughter and feel the excitement of fellow artists from all walks of life who are gathering to share a meal, a glass of wine, their stories, and their creativity.
With your sketchbook in hand, you embark on a journey through Chateau de Borie and its surroundings, immersing yourself in the essence of the French countryside. Every stroke of your pen captures the essence of ancient buildings, vibrant communities, and fleeting moments.
In just seven days, you'll sketch, paint, learn, and revel in the company of newfound friends. Together, you'll embrace yoga, savor exquisite flavors, and marvel at the wonders of your surroundings. By the journey's end, you'll embody the enchantment that is Chateau de Borie.
Chateau de Borie
Chateau de Borie is located in Pont-du-Casse, just a five minute drive from Agen, located between Toulouse and Bordeaux in an area renown for it’s fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly its dried prunes. The area is a little off the beaten path for many tourists, but boasts beautiful countryside, proximity to two splendid wine regions, historic “Bastide” villages and incredibly fresh local food.
Agen and environs
The town of Agen is equidistant between Toulouse and Bordeaux and boasts a TGV train station, making it a 3-hour journey from Paris or a 1-hour journey from either Toulouse or Bordeaux. The town is fairly substantial with a population of 35,000 and has a wide array of shops, restaurants, bars, weekly markets and annual festivals. There is also a wonderful Art Museum and an Opera House, as well as several cathedrals, one of which has an intricately painted interior.
The surrounding countryside is known for its orchards and fruit growing, particularly its prunes, which you can find in all forms - stuffed, soaked in alcohol, or made into aperitifs.
The surrounding countryside is beautiful and dotted with many “Bastide” towns – fortified, medieval towns often built atop hillsides with a templated grid pattern (developed by the brother of one of the kings of France) with a main town square, surrounded by a covered gallery housing shops and restaurants. As part of the Sketchbook Retreat experience, we will visit a few of these towns for their ideal sketch value and have lunch.
About the Retreat
Lifelong friends, Abby and Nancy first conceived hosting a retreat together while on an art retreat themselves in Bali in 2019. When Abby bought the Chateau de Borie in August 2022, Nancy was one of her first visitors. It was there that the idea of a “sketchbook tour” was conceived.
The Goal of the Retreat
Our objective for the retreat is to provide a magical French Chateau experience that includes art, food, wine, travel, free time, new friends, dancing, music, yoga, and connections to French culture and people. It’s really about learning to have fun and rediscovering our playfulness through creativity.
Artistically, the goal is to learn to draw and paint confidently on location, no matter what the subject matter using a small pen/paint setup that will allow for quick sketches in any location. We will push through creative blocks and fears to draw people, food, architecture, and whatever else might catch our fancy in our travels.
We will explore the fundamentals of art, such as design, color, composition, and balance as we break through our barriers and cultivate the habit of an artistic practice, while nurturing the muse of Southwestern France as she nurtures us.
Who Should Sign Up?
We welcome beginner and advanced sketchers alike. We will be exploring various facets of creativity – how creativity shows up for us; the healing power of creativity and how creativity can be incorporated into our everyday lives. We aim to create a safe and positive artistic experience for people of all levels and artistic experience and our goal is to motivate and inspire your creative muse.
About Your Hosts
Abigail Carter
The owner of Chateau de Borie, Abigail Carter is a published author, artist and website designer. Her memoir, The Alchemy of Loss: A Young Widow’s Transformation was published in 2008, a cathartic expression after the death of her husband, Arron in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Her second book, Remember the Moon, a novel, was published in 2014 and is also based on themes of grief and loss.
After a difficult breakup in 2017, Abby returned to painting after a thirty-year hiatus, re-discovering another outlet for her renewed grief and self-discovery.
During the pandemic, Abby became obsessed with the idea of owning a chateau in France that could be used as a retreat center and managed to see the dream come to fruition in 2022 with the purchase of Chateau de Borie. The Sketchbook Retreat will be the very first retreat at the Chateau.
Nancy Orlikow
Nancy is a self-described “nomadic homebody” who loves traveling, architecture, design, nature, exercise, and making art. She’s enjoying a long-time career as an art therapist/expressive arts therapist currently in private practice in the Vancouver, BC area. Nancy discovered the joy of attending art retreats several years ago when she attended a large multiday “artfest” where she realized how wonderful it is to carve out creative time to spend with fellow creatives! Since that time she has attended several art retreats in Canada, the US, and Bali. Each retreat has provided a boost of creative energy and a few new skills to add to her creative tool kit – along with forming several friendships that have endured over the years. Nancy likes to paint and work in mixed media as well as children’s book illustration. During the pandemic, Nancy her partner had a magical little studio built on a lake in Washington State, which she’s dubbed “Frida House” as an ode to the creative muse Frida Kahlo. Nancy is thrilled and excited to be back teaching again at the second Chateau de Borie sketchbook retreat!
Haley Rae Derge
Haley Rae is a dedicated yoga teacher and realtor who believes in the power of safe community spaces. She completed her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in May 2018 and has been teaching ever since. In her classes, Haley focuses on the fusion of breath and movement, guiding her students to develop a deeper connection to their physical and emotional strength. Her philosophy of yoga is that it is a tool to prepare the body and mind for meditation, allowing participants to carry this sense of connection and strength into every moment of their lives. Haley strives to create inclusive classes for all levels, offering variations to challenge and explore the body.
Outside of her yoga practice, she extends her expertise as a wellness guide through her work as a realtor, helping people establish a sense of connection to their community and their homes. Through her yoga classes and real estate work, Haley is committed to helping others find a sense of belonging, both within their bodies and in their physical spaces.
The Retreat Experience
Each writer will be housed in a private room equipped with a desk. During your stay, you will enjoy the sweeping views of the French countryside, free time, intimate workshop mornings, and organized excursions to explore nearby sites and partake in the local wine and cuisine.
Sketchbook Inspiration, Instruction
Along with Abby and Nancy, delve into the joy of capturing stories, memories, and moments on a sketchbook page. We will be your guides as you practice using different drawing and painting techniques, work on honing your eye and pen, and learn new ways to express yourself on the page. All levels of artists are welcome. At the end of each day, you will have an opportunity to show your sketchbook to the group and discuss blocks, frustrations, breakthroughs, and ah-ha moments.
Yoga
Alternating mornings and early evenings, you are welcome to join Haley in the Grand Salon for an hour-long, slow-moving vinyasa yoga class, appropriate for all skill levels.
Fresh, locally-sourced French home cooking
Continental breakfast and family-style dinner will be served daily. Lunches will either be provided at the chateau or will be on your own during excursions. All meals will be prepared by a local French chef using fresh local ingredients. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available throughout the day. We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Sommelier Visit
Learn about and taste local wines from the passionate sommelier, Stephan who will come to Chateau de Borie bearing some wonderful wines of all types from a variety of areas including Cahors, Bordeaux, and other places you may not have heard of yet.
An afternoon in Agen
Agen is an easily accessible town that has an excellent art museum, opera house, two cathedrals, and lots of shopping along a pedestrian-only boulevard. After a visit to the local farmer’s market (see below), Abby will take you on a walking tour of Agen and afterward, you will have some free time to grab lunch and wander on your own.
Local Market and Cooking Class
Join us on an unforgettable culinary adventure with Seattle's esteemed chef, Nathan Gilmour. We'll explore the vibrant Agen farmer’s market, handpicking fresh produce alongside Nathan. Later, back at Chateau de Borie, Nathan will guide us through an immersive cooking workshop, crafting our evening feast. While Nathan's expertise lies predominantly in meat, we'll gladly cater to all dietary needs and preferences.
Nathan Colello Gilmour
Nathan Collelo Gilmour is a traveling charcutier, live fire chef, and strategy consultant based in Berlin. He brings deep experience in the charcuterie and butchery world in the French, Spanish, and Italian tradition. He has most recently served as the Chef-in-Residence at cooking schools in the Pacific Northwest. Nathan offers his experience from his time spent as a stagisti with Dario Cecchini’s Macelleria in Panzano and with Alice Waters’ Rome Sustainable Food Project in Rome. He is an engaging teacher and coach, a great road trip companion, and a wealth of (mostly) true stories. In addition to his years working with Kate Hill and the Chapolard Family in Southwest France, Nathan has also served as an international authority on all things meat – he’s judged national charcuterie competitions on both sides of the pond and taught his methods as far away as Bogota. He has earned an International Security Management Master at the Berlin School of Economics and Law, where his thesis research focused on international food defense, and is plotting his next moves in the food space with online charcuterie instruction, and entertaining offers from around the world.
Visit to Chateau des Milandes
The Château des Milandes, built in 1489, has stood as a symbol of grandeur and history in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. Yet, its most illustrious era came in the 20th century when it became the cherished residence of Josephine Baker, the iconic African-American entertainer.
In 1947, Baker purchased the castle, transforming it into a beacon of creativity and inclusivity. Here, amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Dordogne, Baker cultivated her vision of a harmonious world. Central to her mission was the creation of the "Rainbow Tribe," a multicultural family she lovingly embraced, symbolizing unity in diversity.
We will have the opportunity to tour the house and have lunch at the on-site Brasserie. It will be an excellent sketching experience.
Joséphine Baker et Jo Bouillon le 3 juin 1947, jour de leur mariage, au château des Milandes ©AFP
Dinner in a local restaurant
There will be a dinner at a nearby restaurant specializing in French cuisine with particular emphasis on farm-to-table and local specialties.
Ground Transportation
Pick up and drop off at the train station in Agen will be provided.
Transportation will be provided for all outings to local sites or events during your retreat week.
Not Included:
On-call transportation to local village or city. If you would like the freedom to explore the region at any time, we recommend renting a car.
Airfare
Train fare
The Details
Accommodations
You will have access to all amenities: a large, shared living room (Grand Salon), kitchen and dining room, garden, and terraces, with reading nooks and seating, and a wooded trail. There is WiFi throughout the Chateau, and laundry services are available.
NOTE:
The Chateau de Borie is multi-leveled, with no bedrooms on the ground floor. Good physical mobility is required for this sketch adventure, as the Chateau has one or two sets of stairwells depending on the room you choose, and we will be on foot on the cobbled streets around France. The physical ability to walk unassisted and stand for extended periods is necessary for this retreat.
Because of the proximity of the cliffs and the 7 springs on the property, mosquitos are an issue. Bug spray is highly recommended.
Chloe, my Boston Terrier will be in attendance. If you have any issues with small dogs, you might want to consider this before booking.
Payment
A deposit of €1000 is required to hold your spot. The balance must be paid in full by July 1, 2024.
Included in the price:
Pick up/drop off at Agen train station
Welcome champagne
All meals and wine except for lunches during excursions
Optional Yoga classes
Transportation to/from all excursions
Entry fees for all excursions
Market visit and cooking class
Dinner at a restaurant near the Chateau de Borie
Not included:
Airfare, train fare
Meals outside the villa except for the restaurant dinner.
Art supplies (Click for a list of recommended materials and supplies.)
Refund Policy
The €1000 deposit is non-refundable after July 1st, 2024.
All rooms are to be paid for in full by July 1st, 2024.
If you need to cancel after July 1st, 2024 we will offer your spot to people on the waiting list and refund 100% of your payment if we can fill your spot.
If we cannot fill your spot, we will refund 50% of your payment or you can transfer your paid fees to another retreat offered within 12 months.
Participant expenses incurred in preparation for the trip (e.g., non-refundable purchased airline tickets) are not the responsibility of the retreat organizers. It is recommended that you obtain medical/trip cancellation insurance for this reason.
Travel
Arrivals: Saturday, September 14th before 4 pm
Retreat/workshops: Sunday, September 15th to Friday, September 20th
Departures: Saturday, September 21st before 12 pm.
Class participants are responsible for their own flights and travel to Agen. The closest international airports are Toulouse and Bordeaux, France. It is an hour's train ride to Agen from both cities. You can also fly to Paris and take a 3-hour TGV train from Montparnasse station in Paris to Agen (via Bordeaux).
It is recommended that you purchase your train tickets ahead of time, as trains do fill up. We recommend using www.thetrainline.com or https://www.sncf-connect.com/ to book your connections.
You are welcome to rent a car at the airport, though we will be providing transportation for the various excursions, so unless you want to get out on your own, it is unnecessary.
We offer pick-ups and drop-offs from the Agen train station to/from Chateau de Borie.
NOTE: To arrive at the villa on Saturday, September 14th requires a flight departure from North America on Friday, September 13th.
What to bring
Art supplies are not included in the price of the retreat and you will need to bring your own. Click for a list of recommended materials and supplies.
The largest room available, Cygne’s second-floor southern exposure ensures it is bright and sunny all day long. Equipped with a queen-sized bed, a single bed, a mirrored armoire, and a dresser, this room has all the comforts. It has a private bathroom down the hall with a sink, shower, toilet, and a view of the garden.
The total cost of the room is €3600.
After the deposit of €1,000 is paid, the remaining balance of €2,600 is to be paid in full by July 1st, 2024.
The cost for an extra person is €2200 for the week which will be included in the room's balance payment.