Full Retreat Reviews and Testimonials

"Participating in Michelle's retreat was the perfect restoration of my creative energy. It truly felt like my perspective was resuscitated after being limited by the restrictions of daily life.

Her workshops were meticulous in detail and appeared to be well thought out. She accomplished a prudent middle ground between something that's accessible and something that persuades you to reflect. Michelle was able to take moderately advanced concepts and made them feel undemanding and manageable — while also taking simple concepts and creating a space for them to feel like there is an effortless focal point. Both allowed for ambiguity in terms of how the artist can interpret the comprehensive variety of prompts.

All of the workshops and prompts were well organized with printed copies so that we could continue to reference them even after the retreat ended. This was a real treat because she supplied so much inspiration that you definitely want the opportunity to continue playing with each and every idea presented.

Socially, the atmosphere was engaging and collaborative. There was no shortage of conversation, laughter, and overall fun. As someone who struggles to form connections with others, I was able to come out of the retreat having made new friendships, and strengthened the ones with people I knew previously. There were multiple opportunities for bonding and offsite activities, like: exploring the french quarter, shopping, going for cocktails, dinner, and of course her immersive ghost tour (which was another creative influence during the course of the retreat.)

The airbnb was truly beautiful and in a convenient location. The meals provided were ample and delicious — and she did a fantastic job of ensuring everyone's dietary needs were met. There were an abundance of snacks, drinks, fruits, wines, and more. There was also a pool and a hot tub, which was a huge bonus.

Michelle put a lot of thought and effort into making the experience a memorable one by not only fostering a creative and encouraging environment, but also with her thoughtful gift bags! All in all, I would highly recommend participating in one of her retreats if you're looking for a way to balance the expressive and the fun."

- Seneca Basoalto, 

author of Plums & Arpeggio, Screaming Bluebirds, and Kindred Folk & Paper Maps