Write. Paint. Passion. Purpose.

A Mixed-Media Creativity Retreat to Jumpstart or Restart
your Creative Dream (in the Lap of Luxury)

Dear Creative Soul,
After 20 plus years of designing and leading all manner of creative workshops and retreats, here and abroad, and even more years as a working artist, I want to invite you to join me for something extra special. It’s extra special because of what we’ll be doing, and where we’ll be doing it.
I'm inviting you to the exact retreat I do for myself (yes, I use my own tools!) to keep myself happy, inspired, creative, alive and well. Especially in these times!

the workshop

What we’ll be doing: we will write, paint, and play with all manner of collage and mixed-media supplies, including photography. But not in ordinary ways. That’s the passion and purpose part.

What I’ve put together is the best, most powerful creative activities I've developed so far. It goes way beyond art journaling or visual journaling to encompass writing, painting, photography, collage, sketching: all of the mixed media goodies, all with a transformational orientation. You know, making cool stuff, but with meaning. It's the stuff I do to keep my creative mojo workin', or to get it back, as is sometimes needed.

It's also, by the way, a wonderful start to the new year. I don't know where you live, but January is a very good time for a tropical retreat.

the takeaway

You will leave our week together with several types of visual journals so overflowing with inspiration, they will call you to keep working with them. There are a huge variety to the types of visual journals I make and use, and I am pulling out all the stops to show you my very best tips, tricks and techniques. Then you can take it all and use it to make your own lasagna.

If you are familiar with my workshops or teaching style, you understand what happens in these experiences. If you haven't yet studied with me, I hope this workshop description* conveys to you the excitement and wonder of what you'll get: creative tools you will take away to use for a lifetime of rich, unique, absolutely authentic expression that serves your higher purpose.

can I say "fall in love" in a workshop description?

Simply put, I want to show you how you can create with abandon, free of self-consciousness and fear, and fall in love with the act of writing, painting, and creating, whatever your level of experience. When you learn how to do this, anything is possible. Which brings me to the bit about Creative Dreams.

about creative dreams

I think that having and nurturing a creative dream is one of the most important things any human being can do, whether or not they consider themselves “artistic”. When we learn how to do this, the effects spill over into other areas of our lives in wonderful and unexpected ways. Plus, it just feels good. That's the passion part.

It doesn’t matter how seemingly small or lofty that dream is. Maybe you just want to find a way to face a blank page without paralysis. Or learn to develop your own visual style. Or make a living from your art. Or develop a new body of work. Or learn how to infuse your creativity with more meaning. Or nurture a new idea. Or boldly try something new. Or just get away from it all and have some fun. What is your creative dream?

so bring an extra suitcase

You will leave with several (or many, depending upon how you work!) custom-created visual journals brimming with texture, pattern, color, and verbal and visual cues to kick start your imagination, along with plenty of inspiration and support to keep going long after the workshop.

I am taking you on retreat in the most nourishing environment I have ever been. It’s a place I go, over and over again, to fill my own creative well, get inspired, and just deeply, deeply rest. To retreat.

That place is Mexico, where I have been traveling and teaching and mingling with the local artists and culture for the past decade.

Specifically, this retreat is held in the most unique of environments, a private hacienda designed by an artist for artists. (If you don’t think of yourself as an artist, that’s OK. If you just have some creative inklings...or might even be a little nervous about the title “artist”, then you will find kindred spirits here.)

• A colorful, stimulating environment created by artists for artists inside the walls of a restored private hacienda where the cooking and cleaning is done for you, and you get to just lay back, relax, have fun and create!
• Private gardens and patios surrounding a swimming pool where you can rest and recharge
• Gorgeous studio spaces overlooking the gardens where you can work indoors or outdoors in the perfect Puerto Vallarta weather
• Space and time just for you and your creative ideas
• On-the-spot coaching when you have questions or hit snags as you work
• A group of fun, courageous, and creative kindred spirits who, like you, want to Write. Paint. Photograph. Play. Rest. Recharge. With Passion!
• Time to explore the Puerto Vallarta boardwalk, galleries, shops and amazing restaurants to gather even more inspiration and recharge your batteries

why I love this place and go back over and over again

Hacienda Mosaico is a three-dimensional experience of creativity made real. It is the living dream of artist and artist-nurturer Sandra Leonard, aka Sam, who followed her creative dream to build the ultimate artistic retreat for herself and other artists.

You experience art everywhere from the moment you walk up to the walled garden and ring the bell to be let in. Sam expresses her creativity in everything from the funky, colorful interior design, to the lush gardens filled with intimate private spaces for relaxation and reflection, to the abundant, delicious meals, all prepared with ingredients fresh from the farmer’s market and artfully presented.

• 5 full days of workshop sessions
• 6 nights lodging
• delicious full breakfasts and lunches served poolside
• unlimited studio time
• welcome reception with cocktails and traditional Mexican appetizers
• Trip insurance is strongly advised.

how to register

Lodging space at Hacienda Mosaico is extremely limited. If you want a private room (for an additional charge, ask Sandra when you call), or to guarantee lodging on site, please make your reservation now. Lodging is available off-site nearby, when rooms are full.

To register, call Sandra at 908-891-2057 or send her an email:

"If you are having trouble jump starting or taking your work to the next level, this is the class for you. Even the every day challenges of life improved for me with the tools this class provided. I came away clear as a bell on my objectives and super charged with creative ideas like never before!

Lisa Sonora Beam is a dynamic and engaging facilitator who really knocked my socks off! After attending her Mexico retreat, I came home revved up and ready to make big changes in my life, feeling clear headed and totally focused on possibilities that I had never before imagined.

Everyone should have these tools! This amazing clarity is more valuable than gold. If you are making your way towards a dream, Lisa Sonora Beam is just the person to help you reach it."

For information about accommodations
contact Sam @