‘Floral Features and beyond’ with jacqui mair

4th - 7th September 2025

Floral Features and beyond

Suitable for all - beginners to experienced artists wanting to develop their technique

 “Things take the time they take. Don’t worry” - MARY OLIVER

Floral Features and beyond – is a starting point to compose our own set of still life objects imagined or otherwise and to consider what might also be seen beyond the window. We are residing in the warm and inviting Court House Farm and gardens which is steeped in history and set in a beautiful landscape The huge barn and courtyard, outbuildings, and stables all sit within a four-acre site with its decorative gardens which all will feed the creative juices.  Discover a new world of artistic possibility when you combine collage and paint with printing techniques. Our very own collage papers will become the starting point to produce a series of large collage pieces that take us beyond the expected.  

The Event

Floral Features and beyond – A collage retreat

Whether you are a beginner or someone that wants to improve on techniques, this course will teach you how to unlock your creativity, let go of uncertainties and boost your confidence to play with paper. You will have the opportunity to make artists books and collages that are personal to you. Explore composition and subject matter that goes beyond the still life in the studio. The workshop will be fast paced, fun , an opportunity to study colour, make papers to suit your colour palette , incorporate vintage ephemera if you want to and go home with a unique selection of artworks. Sometimes we just need time to be creative! Imagine the day starts, you feel inspired, the day ends and you don’t have to go home, you have a delicious supper, a beautiful bed to sleep in, you wake up and carry on with thinking, making, discussion and time to begin again. Come to Court house Farm and gardens to retreat and immerse yourself with Jacqui in paper………

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival for tea and introductions

Presentation of Jacqui’s collage work with discussion on how the workshop will unfold.
Small introductory activity in studio
Evening meal and getting to know one another

Day 2: Discussion of personal ideas and what we are intuitively drawn to as a still life and beyond.

Slide show / Introduction to collage techniques and inspiration from other artists.
Making printed collage papers and experimentation through simple printmaking techniques using gelli plates, mono printing, simple relief and planographic mark making on a variety of surfaces. These methods often create unpredictable results, encouraging experimentation and unexpected new directions.

Film: Collaging from start to finish showing Jacqui’s process.
Discussion of made papers and potential outcomes for collages /books
Introduction to construction of a variety of simple artist books

Plus wonderful food, tea and refreshments, some gentle yoga & wellness, plus a local visit

Day 3: Plan and develop ideas
Development of collage / book and final pieces.
Studio time

Plus wonderful food, tea and refreshments, mindfulness, art history talk and more

Day 4: Photography, Show and Tell of participants work.
Goodbyes

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Accommodation in a stunning medieval manor (1300sAD) or adjoining Tudor Manor house (1500sAD)….. the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere in a renovated country house, steeped in history.

• Fully catered, chef prepared meals, breakfast, ‘elevensies’, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with selected wines and all refreshments.

• optional trip: local cultural trip to Clevedon Pier- ‘the prettiest in England’

• Daily guided mindfulness sessions or low key yoga! (optional)

• Inspiring and engaging talks about relevant History of Art and Architecture

• Flower Picking and Arranging in our beautiful flower garden

• Fulfilling conversations with like-minded individuals

• plenty of opportunity for pottering to the high St, Marina and beautiful local walks by the stunning severn estuary to see the sunsets.

A little about Court House Farm…

Which isn’t really a working farm at all! It’s more of a lovely cluster of charming historic buildings, the site originally dating from pre doomsday. The remaining Manor and smaller Manor are medieval and Tudor, dating from 1350, with some characterful outbuildings. (you may be making things in the cowshed- but no cows and clean!) We have 4 acres of land around the buildings with a little flower farm, and we are right in the heart of a small estuary sea-side town of Portishead in Somerset ( with a lovely little high street, Marina and stunning coastal walks and the most fabulous setting suns ). Do look at more information on the website and for photographs of the interiors and exteriors. During your stay, we will have some additional fun interludes and entertainment ( we must show you our neighbouring little seaside town called Clevedon- with the prettiest Pier in England ) and of course plenty of flowers!

Further Details

• This is a 3-night residential retreat. The dates are from the 4-7th September. (3 nights accommodation and full board).

• The price is £1490 for single occupancy, own room with ensuite, £1350 for single occupancy own room sharing a bathroom, £1250 shared room (both attending the retreat booked together. Contact us if you would like a non-participating partner to attend).

• If you are local and would like to attend the retreat on a day-only basis the cost is £590. This includes all materials, delicious chef-cooked lunch, talks and visits. (evening meal and accommodation are excluded) . more information is below or Please contact Helen to book at: at.courthousefarm@gmail.com

• Please get in touch for the option to pay in instalments.

• The booking deposit is £500. ( please get in touch for other currency )

• The balance will be due 8 weeks prior to the retreat. Payments can be made by Paypal or Bank Transfer, (although we do charge for the PayPal fee)

• The Course Fees are non-refundable once paid, but of course, if we cancel for any reason all payments will be refunded, or mutually agreeable alternative dates offered.

• If you are coming from abroad or feel you may want to spend a day on either side of the retreat for rest and relaxation, do, please discuss this with us.

If you have a question or need further details please contact us using the button below.

Non- residential

As a day attendee, you’ll take part in:
 – Two full days of hands-on workshops (5th–6th Sept) with Jacqui, learning her signature collage techniques
– A half-day welcome and introductions on 4th Sept to settle in and meet fellow artists
– An optional half-day ‘show and tell’ on 7th Sept, where you’ll share your work, reflect on your experience, and capture your final pieces in the stunning surroundings of the farmstead and gardens

Cost: £590
(Includes all materials, expert tuition, lunches, refreshments, and calming retreat activities. Evening meals and accommodation not included.)
Deposit: £150
The balance will be due 8 weeks prior to the retreat. Payments can be made by Paypal or Bank Transfer, ( although we do charge for the Pay pal interest fee.)

More About Jacqui Mair

Jacqueline Mair studied Fine Art at Bristol Polytechnic UK and gained a first class with honours in printmaking. She went on to take her M.A. in print at the Royal College of Art London. U.K.  Jacqueline (Jacqui) was also awarded a French Scholarship to study for three months in Europe and this award started a long working relationship with Marseille, that still continues today. Over the past thirty five years she has combined lecturing at various institutions with her work as an artist. She has exhibited on three continents and has established an international career as an Illustrator and Artist.

Jacqui worked for the worldwide known card company Roger la Borde for over twenty years, and has illustrated numerous award winning children’s books on folk lore with Albion Press, Ebury Press and Cico Books. From 2005 -7 she concentrated on working abroad with Save the Children and UNICEF, running creative print workshops for children in fragile states in Africa, Liberia and Columbia.

Jacqui worked in the illustration department at the University of Portsmouth for over ten years raising the standard of professional practice and the international exchange programmes with Mexico City Universidad Iberoamericana and Maryland College of Art USA. She also taught as Senior Associate Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth UK in Fine Art, developing a drawing and print programme for new skills in the first year of the Course. As the Exhibitions Organiser for the School of Art and Design Gallery, Jacqui was recognised in 2008 with a Contribution Award, to acknowledge her inspiration in raising the profile of the Gallery and introducing an awareness of curation and exhibition in to the Illustration and Fine Art pathways.

Jacqui has been the External Examiner for the Illustration Department at Glasgow School of Art Scotland from 2010 – 2013 and Camberwell School of Art from 2016 -20 She taught as Professor of Illustration for Savannah College of Art and Design USA from 2011 – 16  and has also taught on Savannah’s study abroad programme in Lacoste France for five years, she continues to work part time on this programme in France. Jacqui now runs workshops on collage and works on commissions plus personal work from her studio in Southsea UK.