Mallorca
October 17 - 25, 2026
with HEATHER CHONTOS
This retreat is SOLD OUT - click HEREto join the waitlist. If a spot opens up, we will contact people on the waitlist first, before our mailing list and social media. So don’t delay, get on the waitlist!
Join Heather and 10 artists only for an 8 day / 7 night intimate retreat experience in Mallorca in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains.
Heather Chontos
Step into a week of bold color, intuitive movement, and fearless expression with internationally exhibited abstract painter, Heather Chontos.
Heather’s abstracted compositions reveal the physicality of her process - raw canvas laid on the studio floor, her body moving relentlessly across the surface in sweeping gestures and layered fields of saturated color. Her paintings pulse with rhythm and motion, hovering somewhere between landscape and pure abstraction.
An episode of temporary blindness during her childhood may have been the quiet beginning of her artistic path. Fascinated by light and color ever since, Heather paints as a way of exploring perception itself - allowing intuition to take over as she builds depth through overlapping hues, balance, and harmony. Her work is less about control and more about surrender.
Unsatisfied with conventional tools, she paints with pieces of broken glass, found plastic cards, and other unexpected objects, creating long dynamic lines and richly textured surfaces. For Heather, painting is a full-body experience - one that lifts invisible burdens and reconnects her to something instinctive and deeply human.
After studying art history and conservation at University College London, Heather moved through careers in styling, design, and art direction before returning fully to the raw language of abstraction - where intuition leads and the body guides the mark.
Now based in Portugal, surrounded by expansive skies and dramatic landscapes, she draws daily inspiration from light, texture, and the emotional resonance of place. That same spirit of immersion and freedom infuses her retreats.
As she describes it…
“In my work, I like to bear witness to my surroundings. In my case, that is usually nature. I observe the light most of the time throughout the day and notice its shifts and movements over the hours of the day. I am curious about the way branches twist and turn from the trunks of trees and how plants rise brightly toward the sun. I notice the sheen of water and its millions of colors all collectively dancing around. These are the things that drive my curiosity and feed my energy to create. I don’t only paint as my creative practice, it is truly a way of life for me as I build most elements in my living space, make sculptures, sew linens, make a garden, bake cakes and care for many animals. All of these things form my creative life and drive inspiration.
I will ask you to reflect on your own curiosities and take notice of the things that feed your inspiration and consider them when we embark on this workshop together.”
About this Retreat
I start every workshop telling the participants that “I cannot teach you how to paint.” I am sure it seems a strange thing to say when people have come to a workshop to paint with an artist and to learn. But, it is a true statement. I cannot teach you how to paint, but I can share with you my great love and passion for art and for paint as a medium to create abstract artworks and further our understanding of the internal force that guides us and our creative voices so we can express ourselves artistically.
I will share with you some of my techniques and methods for painting and drawing and layering opacity and transparency with different mediums. I will share my approach to color mixing, developing colors in tones to compliment each other to create dynamic and sophisticated palettes. We will look at scale, working with both paper and canvas. And most important of all, we will learn to navigate our intuition and impulse, and find confidence in starting our artwork from the beginning of a blank white space to understanding when it is finished and completed.
Cy Twombly, one of my favorite artists, was quoted as saying “impulse is a request of the body to perform, to do something.” We are going to answer this request. The idea of using our impulse is a powerful recognition of our inner voices. We must trust ourselves in our creative endeavors, and we must play and experiment. This process will be fun and explorative for all of us.
I want to get to know you all and what you hope to achieve in your creative practice. We will of course work as a group and have many conversations about our process of learning, but I will take time to pay close attention and work individually with each of you and what you you may need more specifically to you.
I don’t like to arrange a strict schedule ahead of time, as I feel it is important to be open to each workshop group and their specific needs as they arise. However, in general, I like to start with approaching color and developing our palettes. Simultaneously, when we are mixing and choosing colors, we will start looking at some technique options for mark making in a sort of non-traditional way. We will need to practice and develop a comfortable approach to some of these techniques, so we will need to take some time around this and play with our potential color palettes.
From here we will begin developing our compositions and playing with our mark making on paper. Some of you will want to stay on paper, which is fine, but there will be an option to also move on to canvas.
I look forward to meeting you all in beautiful Mallorca!
"I have always found that the dynamic playfulness of light, the way it moves, how it fills space and gives color, all its varying shades in nature is the most magical performance. I can sit and watch the unraveling of light all day." Heather Chontos
What others have to say about Heather’s teachings:
“Heather is a wellspring of creative energy and resourcefulness, and studying with her was an extraordinary experience. The workshop was an open invitation to step into Heather’s intuitive, bold approach to painting--such a freeing place in which to learn and experiment and create. Heather shared her mark-making tools and techniques, and worked one-on-one with each of us on one of our pieces--getting to observe these sessions was like a workshop unto itself. Our group was very special and the environment created by our painting practice and free time with each other made for a wonderful week. I came out of the workshop emboldened and inspired and re-connected to my own creativity.”
Sam - (Austin, TX)
“Heather is the rare artist that allows you into her personal process. She shares openly and generously about how she creates with color, shape, line, products, process and state of mind. She is funny and witty and loves a dry martini.”
Jessica (Maine)
“A week with Heather is nothing short of transformative. Her use of colour, how she makes marks, her teaching, her encouragement; how this artist shares her joy is blooming INFECTIOUS. Don’t think twice. Just say yes. (And do it now before everyone else hears about it.)”
Julie (Costa Rica)
“Learning from Heather was such an incredible experience. Her unique perspective, authenticity and genuine passion for sharing her craft created a great atmosphere. I had so much fun and came away with new skills and a renewed confidence in my creativity and artistic ability. Run - do not walk - to sign up!!”
Shannon (Australia)
“I’d the wonderful opportunity to participate in Heather Chontos Mark Making/Painting class in Portugal last October. It was a great experience. Her instructions throughout the course/days were clear and insightful. Her demonstrations provided a visual instruction that seared the lesson to our understanding of her process. I am an Architect + Artist and I came away with a new level of inspiration and knowledge of a new process that I am holding onto and think about every day. It was a very special experience to have a concentrated amount of time to explore our inner intuition and express it with Paint. Everything she is, and everything she believes in, is evident in her Art + Life. She is truly an inspiration to all.”
Jennifer (San Francisco, CA)
The Place
Built on limestone and surrounded by oak trees and olive groves, the venue’s serene and minimalist architecture blends into the Mediterranean setting creating a sense of harmony and wholeness. Daily deliveries of fresh produce are complemented by organically grown vegetables and herbs harvested on-site to create a culinary experience with a Mediterranean focus, infused with influences from the Middle East and Asia.
Your mornings and afternoons will be spent painting and discovering all the nuances of color contrasts and applying them to your work.
This retreat is small and intimate for a reason.
This picturesque paradise will be your home for the week.
Morning and afternoon teaching sessions with Heather.
7 nights accommodation
All meals - made fresh daily with organic ingredients or sourced locally - wine included
Indoor painting studio with stunning views
Transportation assistance to/from the airport
Outing and dinner in the town of Pollenca, where you can explore the winding cobbled streets that lead you through centuries of charm. At its center lies the beautiful Plaça Major, home to a magnificent 13th-century church that sets the scene for this picturesque destination. North of the square is an iconic 365-step stairway guiding you to a serene hilltop chapel. The panoramic views from the top are absolutely worth the climb! Throughout the town you will find hidden boutiques, artisanal shops, and cozy cafés, restaurants, and bars, all brimming with local flavor.
Massages can also be arranged upon request for an additional fee
What’s Included
How it Works
At the time of booking, you pay a $500 (USD) non-refundable, non-transferable deposit.
The remaining balance is split into half
The first half is due 30 days from the date of booking
The remaining balance is due 30 days after that (60 days from the date of booking)
Note that images shown of rooms are for reference only and may not be the exact room you reserve
Accommodations & Costs
Single Occupancy
Queen Bed / Ensuite Bathroom
US$ 5,950
Double Occupancy
Twin Beds / Ensuite Bathroom
US$ 5,350
FAQ
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The retreat is located on the island of Mallorca approximately 1 hour from the Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI). Once you have registered, we will send you options for transportation services from the airport to the retreat center. Each attendee will be responsible for the cost of transportation to and from the retreat center but we will assist with the shuttle service arrangements.
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This retreat accommodates 10 artists with instructor Heather Chontos. There are single and double available. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Accommodations are on a first come, first basis and all reservations must be completed through this website.
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Accommodations for 7 nights, painting instruction with Heather (morning and afternoon sessions each day), meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and wine!
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Airfare, travel insurance (optional but highly recommended - please read our terms & conditions for more details), transportation to and from the venue, tips for staff, art supplies, travel before or after the workshop and/or any personal purchases made.
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We accept all major credit card. If you prefer an alternative payment method, please reach out to us at retreats@artfuelstudio.com. All payments are billed in US Dollars.
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Yes, to reserve your spot for the retreat, we require a US$ 500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. The remaining balance will be billed as follows:
The remaining balance is split into half.
The first half is due 30 days from the date of booking.
The remaining balance is due 30 days after that (60 days from the date of booking).
All retreat fees must be paid in full 90 days before the start of the retreat.
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If you need to cancel, we are happy to refund the amount paid (less your deposit), once the retreat is full and a replacement person takes your spot and has paid in full. Your US$ 500 deposit is non-refundable, non-transferable.
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Our retreats can often accommodate vegetarian, gluten free, lactose-free and other common food sensitivities. Please note that other specific diets (e.g. FODMAP, keto, vegan) cannot be accommodated. We will send a questionnaire prior to the retreat asking for your requests so the venue is prepared. Please reach out to us if you have any specific food diets not listed above prior to signing up so we can confirm we can accommodate your request.
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Travel insurance is optional but highly recommended. When you sign up for the retreat, you will need to agree to our terms & conditions and that you fully understand our cancellation and refund policy. Certain insurances protect your investment.
If you opt to insure your trip, please do your research to determine if you should purchase standard travel insurance or if CFAR travel insurance (cancel for any reason) is better for you. No refunds will be issued until the retreat is sold out and a replacement is found for your spot. CFAR insurance protects your investment if you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.
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Below is a short list of supplies needed, but you'll receive a full list in advance of the retreat.
Acrylic Paint (heavy body/fluid acrylics, ink)
Watercolor paper
Implements for drawing - chalk pastels, colored pencils, crayons
Mark making tools (brush options!!! :)
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Once you have paid your deposit, a receipt will be sent to your email immediately. A second email with more information about the retreat will arrive within 72 hours of booking. If you do not see these emails, please check your junk, spam, or promotions folder.
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To view the ARTfuel Studio Retreats full Terms & Conditions, please click HERE.
