Susan Mccreevy Marrakech Retreat 27 March – 03 April 2027
Join me for a week of gelli printing, collage, image transfer, and loose sketching in the colours, textures, and light of Marrakech. We’ll wander the markets, gather inspiration, and bring it all into your artwork in a relaxed, playful week of creativity.
A week for your creativity
Fancy a week of painting, exploring, and creating in Marrakech? Come join me. We’ll gather colours, patterns, and textures, and turn them into artwork that captures the spirit of this vibrant city.
Morocco has a way of waking up your senses, with the scent of spices, the warm desert light, the hum of the city, and quiet corners full of surprises. Everywhere you turn there is something worth sketching, collecting, or transforming into your own artwork.
Whether you paint regularly or just want to reconnect with your creativity, you’ll feel right at home. The week is all about enjoying the process, experimenting, and finding your own voice through a variety of materials and techniques.
Daily Painting Sessions
Delicious Gourmet Dinners
Daily Excursions
To Beautiful Locations
Painting, Printing, and Exploring
We will split our time between:
●Painting and sketching on location
●Gelli printing, image transfer, and collage sessions at the villa
●Wandering Marrakech to gather textures, patterns, and ideasThe city is full of visual inspiration: tiled courtyards, colourful markets, carved doorways, lush gardens, and magical desert light. We’ll collect ideas as we explore, then develop them back at the villa using gelli printing, collage, image transfer, and loose sketches.
Tip: Bring a sketchbook and your curiosity. Everything you see can become part of your creative work.
My Approach
I like to keep things relaxed. We will play with techniques, combine materials, and experiment freely. The aim is not perfection; it is to help you see things afresh and enjoy the process of creating.
Everyone is welcome, whether you paint daily or only pick up a brush once in a blue moon.
Potential Itinerary:
Flights – there are direct flights to Marrakesh from Houston, San Francisco, Newark, Atlanta, and Chicago. For our Canadian friends: direct flights are also often available from Toronto and Montreal.
Day 1: Arrival at the airport, transfer by private car to the domaine. Settle in, relax and explore the property. Lunch (if required) and evening meal at the domaine.
Day 2: Guided tour of the Medina, special lunch and tour of the palace/ruins
Day 3: Full-day trip to the Atlas mountains or desert with sketching
Day 4: Rest day, painting at the villa, optional trip into Marrakesh
Day 5: Visit to the YSL museum and gardens + sketching
Day 6: Morning painting at the domain, visit to la Koutoubia and Jemaa el Fna
Day 7: Visit to the Souks, sketching and souvenir buying + farewell dinner
Day 8: Breakfast followed by departure for the airport via private car.
There are equally lots of other activities we can organise depending on your group. More plein air painting, Camel rides, a visit to a Berber village, and other historical and cultural sites to visit in Marrakesh. Pottery or rug making. Atlas valley, ourika valley. Art galleries. Visit to old Jewish quarters.
The Experience
We will stay in a comfortable villa just outside Marrakech, surrounded by olive trees and with views toward the Atlas Mountains.
Expect:
● Inspiring painting and printmaking spots
● Hearty Moroccan food
● Time to relax by the pool
● Good craic with fellow artists
● Plenty of creative inspiration
It is a chance to step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in painting, printing, collage, image transfer, and a wee bit of adventure.
Why I love Morocco
I have always been drawn to the colours, patterns, and textures there. It is a place that seems to hum with visual ideas. Everywhere you look there is something to sketch, transfer, or use in a collage. That is what I hope to share with you during this week together.
The Accommodation
What’s included
Excursions
Daily trips to tailored locations chosen by the artist and their group. Opportunities to explore, shop, paint plein air or gather inspiration for studio work.
Tuition
Every day you will receive group and one-to-one tuition outside or in the studio in the form of demonstrations and individual feedback.
Food
Fresh baked goods, fresh fruit salads & continental style breakfasts every day. Locally produced, freshly cooked lunches and evening meals. We will visit a couple of restaurants at your own expense.
Accommodation
7 Nights lodging on ourluxurious domaine with use of the heated swimming pool as well as access to the olive grove and surrounding property.
A 5% early bird discount will be applied to these prices until End Of Day March 16th.
Shared bedroom & bathroom
€4100
This bedroom is for someone happy to share a bedroom and a bathroom. Female only. Ideal for 2 friends.
Private bedroom + ensuite
€4600
This bedroom is for someone who wants a private bedroom and their own ensuite bathroom.
Couple bedroom + ensuite
€7450
This is for a couple with a non-painting partner’s discounted rate.