Natalie Eslick Workshop 2027

22 April – 01 May 2027

Join me for ten days of transformative connection in France’s ancient Perigord region, where we’ll practice the lost art of deep observation through nature journaling and mindful wild-hearted art-making.
Like Victorian physicians prescribing sea air for restoration, this retreat is designed as medicine for the modern creative soul. We’ll explore how people lived on this land centuries ago, discover the stories of women who shaped local culture, and learn what the native flora and fauna can teach us about belonging to place.
With minimal supplies in hand, we’ll journal our way through medieval villages and wildlife sanctuaries, then develop these authentic observations into meaningful artworks back in our studio sanctuary. This isn’t about perfect paintings – it’s about remembering you’re part of the wild world and learning to see with an artist’s heart.

Plein Air & Studio Painting

Delicious Homemade Dinners

Daily Excursions

To Beautiful Locations

About Natalie Eslick

Natalie Eslick is an Australian wildlife artist, teacher, and advocate for sustainable creativity whose work bridges classical European painting techniques and realistic drawing with contemporary conservation consciousness. Based on the NSW coast, she creates intimate portraits of wildlife that invites viewers to see these remarkable beings as wild kin deserving of reverence.

Her recent solo exhibition “(t)here is still life” at Field Trip Gallery reimagined Dutch Golden Age still life paintings through a distinctly Australian lens, featuring threatened species like Tasmanian Devils and Gang-gang Cockatoos rendered in oil with classical techniques and dramatic lighting—a gentle questioning of colonial aesthetics and celebration of local magnificence.
Natalie’s illustrations are woven through the pages of Sharon Blackie’s acclaimed book “Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life,” where her graphite renderings bring elder-women archetypes to life. Her work has been featured in exhibitions and publications, including 2025’s Artists for Conservation juried exhibition book, bridging art and environmental advocacy.
Travel to wild lands across Nepal, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Italy, Scotland, the USA, and New Zealand has deepened her understanding of place-based creativity and cross-cultural approaches to honouring the natural world. She believes that when we slow down enough to truly observe, whether sketching a barn owl’s wing structure, a delicate seed-head, or noting how morning light catches on ancient stone, we remember our own wild hearts and our belonging to the living world.
Through her teaching, Natalie specialises in connecting women to their wild-hearted artist selves, emphasising curiosity and compassion over perfection, and sustainable practice over intensive production. Her approach integrates technical skill-building with mindset work, recognising that creating meaningful art requires tending both craft and creative confidence.



			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
A Day out Looks Like this:


You’ll start your day with a breakfast of freshly baked French pastries, homemade yoghurt, or fresh fruit, which you can enjoy in the conservatory as you watch the sun rise. We’ll head out around 9 am when the places we visit are quiet and the weather is perfect.


You can spend a morning exploring a new place by walking around the side streets to get a feel for the local atmosphere or by sitting in a quiet spot to do some sketching. There’s always a beautiful picnic lunch of fresh salads, quiches, homemade cookies, and much more waiting in the shade when you’re ready to eat (wine, of course!).


Then, in the afternoons, we generally head back to the studio for some creative time as well as some time to use the pool, nap or find a quiet spot for reading, sunbathing, painting or chatting.


In the evening, we put on a homemade, locally sourced 3-course meal complete with wine. Katel really is the star of the show; you won’t be disappointed with her cooking!


After dinner, you’re free to head back to the studio to paint, enjoy the sunset or use the hot tub. There are plenty of little walks to go on, lots of nature to experience or time to catch up with family and friends.


We design our workshops so that everyone gets what they want out of their time with us.



			

			

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				

			

				
				
				
				
				

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
Some Excursion Locations


Excursions may include but are not limited to the following

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				

					
					

						
Rocamadour

						
Part of the Camino Trail. Historical & religious significance. Breathtaking village perched on a cliff.

					

				

			

			

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				

					
					

						
Sarlat

						
One of the most well preserved medieval towns in France. Amazing market with local produce.

					

				

			

			

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				

					
					

						
Beynac Castle

						
Home of Richard the Lionheart, perfect for a picnic by the river and plein air painting in the shade.

					

				

			

			

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				

					
					

						
Saint Cirq Lapopie

						
One of the most beautiful villages in France. Incredibly picturesque. Perfect for shopping & painting.

					

				

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
Fill out the form below for pricing and more information relating to the workshop.