Blooming Fantasy with Helen Dardik

DATES: June 17-22, 2025
FEE: $2,290

It doesn’t matter if you are at the very beginning of your art journey or a seasoned artist - we are going to make beautiful things together!

We will be using watercolours, gouache and acryla gouache and focusing on variety of techniques. We’ll paint from nature and from within and learn how to see what’s there and what could be there. If you love colour, nature and a bit of whim - you are going to have a wonderful time.

Blooming Fantasy Retreat Schedule

  • 4:30 pm | Wine + cheese mixer

    6:00 pm | Welcome dinner

  • We’ll familiarize ourselves with all the materials. A presentation on how to use them most effectively follows.
    Introduction to several techniques that we’ll be using and a painting session where flowers are both a subject and an inspiration. Composition and color… contrast and light… we begin.


    9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast

    10:00 am | Morning art session

    – break for lunch –

    2:00 pm | Afternoon art session

    6:00 pm | Simple in-studio dinner

    – post-dinner studio time is available –

  • The day to explore your style. Find within yourself the innate uniqueness and shaping it into a recognizable style. Color combinations that work best. Compositions that are easy on the eyes and library of shapes in the Rolodex of the mind. Looseness vs precision. Breathy vs toomuchery. Possibly a character or two might sneak in. What makes your soul sing?


    8:30 am | Early studio access

    9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast

    10:00 am | Morning art session

    – break for lunch –

    2:00 pm | Afternoon art session

    6:00 pm | Dinner at local restaurant*

    – post-dinner studio time is available –

  • Now that we’re getting a bit more comfortable with the techniques - let’s do a monochrome! Choose a colour and use all of its shades to create. It cold be blue, red, green, browns or even black. We envision and sketch first. This is a good day to dream up a whimsical scene and dip into a bit of magic.


    8:30 am | Early studio access

    9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast

    10:00 am | Morning art session

    – break for lunch –

    2:00 pm | Afternoon art session

    6:00 pm | Dinner at The Smiley

    – post-dinner studio time is available –

  • You will be provided 3 wooden shapes: Birds, faces, animals and of course – flowers. We’ll sketch out ideas. Watch a presentation on how to gesso and paint yours. Paint away!


    8:30 am | Early studio access

    9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast

    10:00 am | Morning art session

    – break for lunch –

    2:00 pm | Afternoon art session

    6:00 pm | Dinner at The Smiley

    – post-dinner studio time is available –


  • Enjoy a final painting presentation, followed by finishing up all the pieces that need to be finished and working
    on the favorite ones. A bonus show and tell on how to turn unsuccessful pieces into something new.


    8:30 am | Early studio access

    9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast

    10:00 am | Discussion and sharing

    1:00 pm | Light lunch & goodbyes

    – optional studio time until 5pm –

*Not included in retreat fee. Date of dinner out also subject to restaurant availability.

About Helen Dardik

Helen Dardik is a professional illustrator and a surface pattern designer based in Canada. Vibrant, folksy, playful toomuchery is a perfect way to describe her style.

Born by the Black Sea, Helen lived in Siberia for a time and then moved to Israel, where she studied art and design. In the early nineties she relocated to Canada, where she got a graphic design degree and found work as a designer and illustrator.

Helen mainly works in vector using the magic of imagination combined with the magic of Adobe illustrator... but, often, watercolor, oil, gouache, embroidery and vinyl find their way into her repertoire. Finding inspiration in her childhood, her 3 girls, nature, vintage books and midcentury design, Helen is determined to make her life into the most creative experience.

“I hope I remember everything! Most importantly, setting aside time when I never set time aside for anything (especially myself), and become fully immersed into a practice. Pressure is off and the creative atmosphere is contagious – I now understand why creatives enjoy retreats.”

— Abbey
2024 Smiley retreat participant

Where You’ll Be Creating

Springfield, Vermont
The Smiley Manse Barn

Nestled up behind the main property is the barn. This turn of the last century post-and-beam construction with a slate roof that rises to a massive walled cupola, the barn is noted as one of the finest carriage barns in the region. Learn more about the history of The Smiley here.

Inside, you’ll find large flat work tables, each a place to explore and express your individual creativity, yet the atmosphere encourages connection and dialogue. Whether it’s the sound of a paintbrush sweeping across the page or folks discussing technique over coffee, the barn serves as a meeting ground for artists of all levels to create and build lasting relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.

We strive to create a space where the act of making art is as much about building community as it is about self-expression. 

Join us for a chance to unwind and create in an idyllic setting.

Your Retreat Includes:

  • Custom designed art curriculum by Helen

  • 4.5 days of creative instruction

  • Extra studio access before/after each full day

  • All meals (except 1 dinner out)

  • Welcome wine mixer serenaded by a local musician

  • Tea, coffee, and snacks always available in the barn

  • Usage of our art supply stash during the retreat

  • Private FB group before/after the retreat

What’s Not Included:

  • Accommodations – there are several great options nearby!

  • Transportation to/from The Smiley

  • 1 dinner out at a local restaurant

Have more questions about the retreat first? Please review our policies & our FAQ page for lots more details.