The 2026 Art & Nature Retreat series began on a high note when I saw the weather report and decided to switch up the schedule to include more nature.
Four people attended – two “repeaters” as we say in Japan, and a mother and daughter who came all the way from South Korea just for the retreat. Sung In has been following me on Instagram for about a year and is interested in teaching similar workshops in her permaculture community. She had so many good questions that helped me to think about how I teach.
Forest Bathing and Color Matching
After introductions at 555, we made a quick drive to our starting spot at the top of the Mineoka Range gave us a secluded park where we tuned into our bodies, breath, and the world around us. With our senses heightened and minds relaxed, ee slowly walked the forest road for about 25 minutes, taking in the shapes, colors and sounds of the forest. Then a short off-road jaunt brought us to the top of Futatsuyama and its glorious view point.
We used this as a place to sit down and rest, have a snack, and engage our creativity by color matching objects in our environment – leaves, twigs, moss. (Tutorial coming soon).
Then it was lunch time. I noted on the way back down the mountain, that the car was almost silent. What a contrast from the ride up when we were all chatting away. During lunch we had a chance to catch up, talk about our lives, find out about one another and enjoy Gombei’s healthy, delicious food.
ISCO• Patterns & Self Portrait
After lunch, we gathered around the dining room table and did a two-part workshop on pattern making.
I have been teaching this workshop on and off for over a decade now – it was one of the first ones I developed after the coloring book & audio meditations. It’s the gateway to everything else that we do in Drawing Meditations and I thought it would be a good place to start the new year.
First did a worksheet to learn about ISCO•, the “five strokes that make up all art” and how to turn them into patterns. Then we started working on a guided drawing to build a drawing made of patterns. My role as guide is mostly about keeping time and moving us along through the steps – drawing a frame, adding sections inside it, and offering abstract concepts like relationships and emotions to turn into patterns. Everyone interprets the instructions in their own way.
What we end up with is a self-portrait in patterns. With time left at the end of the session, we took a few minutes to look at what we drew and briefly analyse it for insights. What does that pattern mean? How does it fit with or contrast with the others? Do the colors you used have meaning to you? What does the drawing say about you overall?
We shared our thoughts – always with surprising insights and such beautiful trust among the participants – and then it was time to pack up and go home.
The retreat always goes so quickly. I am already making plans for #6, which will be held on April 11th. Tickets are available now on the Mediatinker website: https://mediatinker.com/product/apr-11-2026-art-nature-retreat-6/