Abstract art, adventure, and the trip of a lifetime :

An Oil and Cold Wax

Abstract Painting Retreat in New Zealand

 

November 3-10, 2026

Pack your bags (and your paintbrushes) and join me in New Zealand!

🎨 Spend 7 inspiring days painting in New Zealand !
🎨 Explore abstract landscapes with oil and cold wax in a stunning working vineyard and Inn, our home for the week together.
🎨 Be surrounded by beauty — rolling hills, , vineyards, and a small group of like-minded artists
🎨 Savor clean air, the spirit of adventure, and creativity in the heart of New Zealand wine country.

This retreat will help us CONNECT, be INSPIRED, and learn. 

So pack your walking shoes, and your paintbrushes…

It’s my last international retreat of 2026, and there’s room for just 14 lucky painters to join us!

Save your spot!

This retreat is designed so that all you need to do is arrive with an open heart and a sense of curiousity. Everything else is taken care of for you.

What's included:

  • 5 full days of immersive abstract oil and cold wax painting with Lisa
  • 3 mornings of gentle and relaxing yoga
  • A wine tasting with a gourmet meal at the famous Mission Hill vineyard
  • There is a free day, midweek to explore the area. A trip to the local art deco town of Napier is included to explore the gorgeous architecture and local art scene
  • All meals and accommodation for 7 nights, 6 days

With hands-on guidance from Lisa, you’ll:

  • Discover new ways to find inspiration from the New Zealand landscape
  • Develop your color palette, refine your composition, and explore texture
  • Learn Lisa’s signature 6-step creative process- a proven and repeatable framework
  • Create a small cohesive series of abstract works you’ll be proud of

By week’s end, you’ll understand where to begin each painting, how to know when it’s finished, and how to stay loose, expressive, and confident in your process.

Save your spot!

Meet your instructor, Lisa Mann!

Lisa blends decades of classroom teaching experience with a bold, musical, imaginative, and playful sense of color. A lifelong learner, she loves the act of painting as much as the finished work and is highly skilled at helping students find their creative voice while giving them the tools and confidence to grow at every level.

After a successful 30-year teaching career in the U.S. and abroad, she transitioned to painting full-time. Working from her studios in Portland, Oregon, and Naxos, Greece, she creates abstract scenes with emotional depth, sensitivity to light, space, and mood, and a playful embrace of beautiful imperfection. Her work has been exhibited in galleries nationwide, earned multiple awards, and is held in notable private and public collections.

Teaching in New Zealand is a natural fit for Lisa: the light, air, and profoundly beautiful landscape resonate deeply with her colorist sensibilities. A lifelong traveler, she has lived, worked, and taught on four continents and now resides in Naxos and Portland. New Zealand holds a special place in her heart—over 30 years ago, she bicycled more than 2,000 miles from Auckland to Christchurch, and returning always feels like coming home.

Kind words from past retreat attendees:

Victoria R.

I am not a beginner with this kind of technique, yet I benefited immensely from the one on one real life human interaction with Lisa and all the others. The group size is intimate. It felt like a family gathering of artists. We learned the material and techniques and applied them through our own senses, each unique and expressive. Being in a room all day with other artists and a fabulous teacher was exhilarating. It brings you to a new level of confidence, creativity and discipline. I would recommend this retreat to anyone wanting to explore their unique expression.

Gwen J.

Trust the process - and Lisa. She really knows what she is talking about and is so generous with her time and expertise.
This experience will expand you in ways you would never have considered. Even if you never paint again, the experience of having a gifted artist guiding you is profound.

Virginia D.

My hopes were wildly surpassed. Not only was the content amazing, Lisa is a phenomenal teacher and connector. We all had such a great time and I feel like I have made lifelong friends. 

 Merideth C. 

I had never taking a painting class like this before and I was still able to learn and create alongside seasoned artists. Lisa masterfully created an environment where everyone felt successful and supported. 

Nancy G.

The intimate setting, the food, the company of fellow artists, and above all you and your family’s hospitality made this experience extraordinary!  Thank you again for an unforgettable journey.

Why This Workshop Is So Unique

This retreat offers a way to learn that goes far beyond a typical studio class.

Here, inspiration comes directly from New Zealand — its golden light, rugged landscape, fresh air, and gentle spirit. Lisa’s teaching approach helps you bypass creative roadblocks and dive right into intuitive, expressive work.

With her background in education (M.Ed.) and over 20 years of teaching experience, Lisa knows how to meet artists where they are and guide them toward breakthroughs that last long after the retreat ends.

And really — where better to loosen your brushwork and ignite your creativity than the wine region of New Zealand?

Class size is capped at 14 painters for a truly personal and supportive experience.


Where we'll be staying: Kiwiesque Luxury Vineyard Lodge in Hawke’s Bay 

Several hours from Auckland on the North Island, Kiwiesque Luxury Vineyard Lodge in Hawke’s Bay offers an ideal blend of elegance, relaxation, and adventure. This family-run vineyard and inn provides spacious, contemporary accommodations surrounded by lush vines and rural vistas. Nearby, you can visit world-class wineries, cycle the Hawke’s Bay Trails, and explore Napier’s Art Deco streets. Further afield, take in views from Te Mata Peak or see the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. Whether you’re after gourmet experiences, outdoor exploration, or peaceful vineyard serenity, Kiwiesque puts the best of Hawke’s Bay at your doorstep.

Cappuccinos, Connection, Creativity, and Culinary delights

Each day begins with fresh cappuccino and ends with shared meals and laughter under the New Zealand sky.

Enjoy delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners prepared by our hosts at the vineyard — plus a special meal during our stay at nearby Mission Hill Winery.

You’ll also have one free day to explore Hawke’s Bay and nearby Napier New Zealand, the art deco capitol. and indulge in a long gourmet  vineyard lunch or enjoy a walk along the breathtaking New Zealand coastline. 

The Area

Located on New Zealand’s North Island, Napier offers a refreshing escape from crowded tourist hubs, blending natural beauty and cultural charm in an unspoiled setting. You can wander sun-drenched Art Deco streets without the rush, enjoy peaceful, pristine beaches, and savor world-class wine and cuisine in relaxed, welcoming environments. The surrounding countryside remains untouched, with scenic bike trails, rolling vineyards, and rugged coastal lookouts ideal for slow exploration and quiet moments in nature. Warm locals and an easygoing pace make it feel like a true hidden gem—authentic, uncrowded, and captivating for travelers seeking beauty, culture, and tranquility without the tourist crush.

First time to New Zealand?

Consider combining this with a one or two week trip to discover the rest of this amazing country. Ideas for extensions include:

  • A few days to visit Auckland’s waterfront, Britomart & Viaduct Basin
  • Time to explore nearby Rotorua for geothermal wonders  and mud pools, along with Māori cultural evenings and meals
  • Redwoods Forest walk or canopy tour
  • More exploration of Hawke’s bay Region including Wine tastings at Craggy Range, Mission Estate, Black Barn
  • Visit Cape Kidnappers gannet colony tour
  • A trip to Queenstown and the Milford Sound for waterfalls, scenic flights dolphin sotting or even bunch jumping if you dare:)

Exploring, line, texture, composition...you will leave having a greater understanding of the tools to express yourself through abstract art.

Pricing and registration:

 SINGLE OCCUPANCY 

 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY* 

(Shared room with two single beds)
Single Occupancy
Double Occupancy

*If you have a preference for a roommate, please email [email protected].
If you do not put a preference down, Lisa will do her best to match you with someone she knows you will really enjoy having as a roommate 😊

Frequently Asked Questions:

Getting to Hawke’s bay, your home in New Zealand for the week: 


Once enrolled, Lisa will help you plan travel and provide tips for a smooth journey.

The closest airport is in Napier, which is a short flight from Auckland. Transportation will be arranged at a designated time from the Napier airport to get to the Inn.

Imagine This…

You wake to views of the Hawkes Bay Vineyards,
stretch into a morning yoga session,
paint surrounded by color and light,
share laughter and lunch with fellow artists,
sip wine as the sun sets,
and repeat — for a week of creative joy you’ll never forget.

Click the play button for a glimpse into the super creative, peaceful and connected vibe of these artists and new friends painting (and singing) together 😊

 

My dream is that together we could become...

  • A traveling community of artists
  • A group of abstract artists afoot
  • Connected to the shared journey in our creative expression

Watch the video below to get a glimpse into Lisa’s process and what the retreat is like 😊

 

I can’t miss this opportunity.

SIGN ME UP!