‘A Souvenir of Court House Farm’
With artist Janet Haigh

26th - 29Th August 2025
Court House Farm and gardens, portishead, UK

about this creative retreat

This creative retreat, led by artist Janet Haigh, is designed to draw inspiration from the rich and artisan surroundings of Court House Farm — from the vibrant flowers in the garden to carefully curated still lifes within the historic house.

Over the course of the retreat, you’ll be guided on a personal and creative journey — beginning with observational drawing and culminating in a unique, customised giclée print to take home.

Using a mix of group demonstrations, individual tutorials, and supportive “show and tell” sessions, you’ll explore how to translate initial sketches into richly layered textile responses using appliqué, stitch, and embellishment. You'll also leave with a personal sketchbook — a beautiful and meaningful record of your creative development throughout the retreat.

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This retreat is perfect for those curious to explore or re-ignite their love of drawing, especially when working from nature or still life. Whether you're new to creative sketching or looking to experiment across media, this workshop offers an inspiring space to play, reflect, and grow.

Throughout the retreat, you’ll be encouraged to document your journey through drawing, collage, samples, and stitched work — gradually building a visual record that serves both as a creative outcome and a springboard for future projects.

Day 1 — Setting the Scene

• Welcome introduction from Janet Haigh

• The story of Court House Farm and its gardens

• Drawing around the house and garden

• Janet introduces her own materials and creative methods

• You’ll begin sketching, exploring your own style while incorporating new tools or techniques

Day 2 — Making It Your Own

• “Show and Tell” group session to reflect on early sketches

• One-to-one tutorials to discuss individual directions

• Introduction of props and accessories (e.g. fabrics, backgrounds, ornaments, vases)

• Start creating still life setups or formal compositions to draw from

Day 3 — Developing the Story

• Experiment with new media and mixed materials

• Explore sources of inspiration: photographs, magazine cuttings, text, fabric swatches, and colour studies

• Begin stitching or layering, working toward your final outcome

Day 4 — Show & Tell + Goodbyes

• Final group sharing session to present work and reflect

• Time to photograph your finished pieces

• Farewell tea and creative send-off in the gardens

A LITTLE ABOUT COURT HOUSE FARM…

Court House Farm isn’t a working farm — not in the traditional sense, at least! It’s a beautifully restored cluster of historic buildings, with roots that go all the way back to pre-Domesday times.

The two main houses — one medieval, one Tudor — date from around 1350 and are surrounded by a handful of charming outbuildings. (Yes, you might find yourself making art in the cowshed — but rest assured, it's cow-free and spotlessly clean!)

We have four acres of gardens to explore, including a small flower farm, and we’re nestled right in the heart of the estuary/ seaside town of Portishead, Somerset. There’s a lovely little high street, a picturesque marina, stunning coastal walks — and some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll see.

During your stay, we’ll also enjoy a few light-hearted interludes — perhaps a visit to nearby Clevedon, our neighbouring seaside town, home to what might be the prettiest pier in England. And of course… there will be plenty of flowers.

For more images and information, do take a look around our website — we’d love to share more of this magical place with you.

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