Blooming Fantasy with Helen Dardik, a June 2025 art retreat at The Smiley Manse in Southern Vermont

Blooming Fantasy with Helen Dardik

DATES: June 17-22, 2025

Artists at every stage of their art journey came together to make beautiful things with Helen Dardik!

We spent the week with watercolours, gouache and acryla gouache, exploring a variety of techniques. Everyone painted from nature and from within, learning to see what’s there and what could be there, with lots of colour, nature and a bit of whim.

After a warm welcome, artists spent the first full day getting familiar with their materials, then moved on to exploring their own style. Midweek brought a monochrome composition, and then everyone created a garden mobile.

The final day was all about finishing touches and sharing work, with the barn studio full of colourful paintings and happy artists. It was a week at The Smiley filled with colour, nature and a bit of whim.

Watch the video on Instagram: day one of Helen Dardik’s June 2025 retreat at The Smiley Manse in Southern Vermont
Artist painting a blue and white floral design on paper taped inside a frame at the barn studio table
Stack of finished gouache paintings of florals, mushrooms and berries on bright blue and pink backgrounds
Helen Dardik painting florals at a table full of watercolor paints and tubes in the barn studio

Blooming Fantasy Retreat Schedule

TUES, JUN 17: Welcome

WEDS, JUN 18: Get Familiar with Your Materials

THURS, JUN 19: Style Exploration

FRI, JUN 20: Monochrome Composition

SAT, JUN 21: Garden Mobile

SUN, JUN 22: Final Touches & Sharing

Hand-painted floral welcome sign on the barn porch with paper lanterns and the lawn beyond
Artists painting with watercolors at a long table with a bouquet of flowers in the barn studio
Magenta peony blossom just opening in the lawn garden
Painted wooden butterflies in blue, yellow and pink on the studio table with artists working in the background
Slices of berry-topped cream cake on white plates with blue and white china in the background
Watercolor lupine studies on paper beside a white palette mixed with bright pinks, blues and greens
Low view of ox-eye daisies growing tall in the meadow
Bold gouache floral painting with striped petals, berries and leaves in vivid colors on watercolor paper
Retreat artists smiling around a long wooden dining table set with plates of salmon and noodles, blue candles and a bird and butterfly table runner

“Being able to participate was the best gift I’ve given to myself. Definitely learned a lot, but mostly I enjoyed painting with Helen, seeing everyone’s take on the process, and the amazing group of people you gathered!”

— Támara
Smiley Retreat Artist