Handmade shoes in Marrakesh souk
It was a trip of a lifetime.
It was a creative entrepreneur retreat with surface pattern artist Cat Coquilette in magical Morocco. And, I could not let this opportunity pass me by. So, I bought plane tickets, made plans to meet up with a few fellow artists a few days early in Marrakesh, packed art supplies in my rolling carry on and the adventure began.
Trip highlights include: Made new friends, visited the market (souk), rode a camel, saw snake charmers, visited the Sahara desert, had goat for dinner (okay - just one bite), visited with fellow creatives by the fire at night, painted with watercolors by a gorgeous pool, learned more about Procreate on my Ipad, ate traditional Moroccan food, celebrated a traditional Moroccan tea, and the last night … had a fun send off by a local Berber folk band.
Moroccan souk (market)
Painting sessions with Cat Coq by the pool
Watercolor painting
Cat was an amazing leader and shared her ideas and vast knowledge about creating surface patterns and licensing. Merci!
TRAVEL NOTES: flights to Morocco are not convenient, roosters crow all night long… not just in the morning, Morocco has a closed currency, and European airlines often consider our rolling carryon suitcases too large to carry on.
Have you been to Morocco? Please comment below and if you would share my blog on social media, it would mean the world to me.
Camel rides in the Sahara
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Marrekech & meet up with a group of artists that are also heading to the retreat
Day 2 - Tour with local tour guide & dinner with fellow artists
Day 3 - Arrive at the retreat in Agibar & check in
Day 4 - Art session & Traditional Moroccan tea ceremony
Day 5 - Head to Souk El Had (marketplace) & art session
Day 6 - Art & Berber women visit and demonstration
Day 7 - Art session & Sahara desert visit
Day 8 - Art session on beach in Taghazout
Day 9 - Art session & Farewell dinner with Berber folk band
Day 10 - Head home
La Maisson Arabe Rooftop
Art Retreat Leader: Cat Coq
Retreat accommodations: Atlas Kasbah
Hotel in Marrakech: La Maison Arabe