In-Person Art Retreats and Workshops
If you have any questions or would like to book me for a workshop, or art retreat please don’t hesitate to email me at Mindy@MindyLighthipe.com
Maine Botanical Gardens
Boothbay, ME
Farmers Market Art Week: Bees, Banners & Harvest Botanicals
September 21–25,2026 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Join Mindy Lighthipe for a flexible, creativity-filled celebration of Maine’s autumn harvest using watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils. Each day offers a stand-alone subject—buzzing pollinators, heirloom vegetables, vintage hand-lettered banners, radiant sunflowers, and a full farmers’ market still life—using fresh, locally sourced produce and flowers provided on site. Choose just the days that inspire you or register for the entire five-day series to experience the full market from start to finish.
Instruction focuses on watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil techniques, guiding you from crisp botanical details to rich, layered compositions. Spend 1, 2, 3 , 4 or all 5 days in this fantastic setting to create your own farmers’ market masterpiece!
Registration is open! Not local? Email Mindy for a list of places to stay. Boothbay, ME is gorgeous this time of year and the tourists are all back home! Take advantage of the off season rates. If you are having issues with registration online at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden website call 207-633-8000 to register for any of the days.
A NEW Art Retreat
Ribatejo, Portugal
Botanical Mixed-Media Art Retreat in Portugal
April 24 – May 1, 2027
Escape to Portugal for 8 days of creativity, experimentation, and botanical mixed-media painting in the beautiful Ribatejo countryside. Guided by artist Mindy Lighthipe, you’ll explore innovative techniques using watercolor, gouache, ink, watercolor pencils, and colored pencils while drawing inspiration from the region’s flowers, orchards, gardens, and historic villages.
Through structured drawing, color exploration, and mixed-media layering, you’ll develop new skills, create finished artwork, and gain confidence in your artistic process. Along the way, enjoy cultural excursions, local cuisine, and the charm of a traditional Portuguese estate as you connect with fellow artists and discover fresh inspiration for your creative journey.
Multi-Media Butterflies & Insects
Bonita Springs, Florida
Mixed-Media Workshop – All About Insects
October 26-28 2026
Join me for a 3 day in-person Mixed-Media Workshop at the Arts Center at Bonita Springs, Florida. Explore the beauty and complexity of butterflies, moths and other insects while learning techniques used in natural science fine art. Through lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, study insect anatomy, wing structure, iridescence, and texture. Working with graphite, watercolor, gouache, and watercolor pencils, participants will create a final composition featuring butterflies, moths, or other insects. Students will have the opportunity to work from specimens and photographs provided during class. All levels welcome.
Testimonial
I have taken several classes with Mindy Lighthipe and have found her to be both a gifted artist and teacher. Her materials and lectures are organized and presented in a concise and systematic manner. She carefully demonstrates both materials and techniques with questions always welcomed. Mindy is very generous with her knowledge and students have all the information they need to move forward with projects. She takes each student where they are and helps them advance with a careful analysis of their work. I also learn by looking at the work of other classmates and listening to an analysis of their work. From my personal experience, I would highly recommend classes with Mindy.
Dianne D.- Maine