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Paint, wander & create with me in FRANCE this September 🎨💙🤍❤️ → SAVE YOUR SPOT

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Rachael King & Georgie Forbes welcome you to our "Painting to Pattern" Art Retreats

This retreat is perfect for the passionate creative and those interested in colour, art licensing and surface pattern design. Rachael and Georgie will guide you in discovering your unique artistic style, learning about key pattern design techniques by experimenting with Winsor & Newton Watercolours, choosing colour palettes, mastering the fundamentals of motif development, balance and contrast, pattern placement, print layout and hand creating repeat patterns. You will be given an introduction in how to capture and digitize your artwork, exploring and unlocking new possibilities for your designs. Rachael and Georgie love inspiring passionate creatives to explore the wonderful world of surface pattern design. Unleash your creativity in a friendly and supportive environment suitable for all experience levels, especially beginners.

Where & When: QLD Spinners and Weavers, 12 Payne St, Auchenflower, QLD 4066 from Sat 22 - Sun 23 August 2026. Starting @ 8:45am & finishing at 4pm. Morning tea & Lunch are provided +all day coffee & tea making facilities.

Skye Anderton


We’re also thrilled to have Skye Anderton from Ruby Olive joining us as a guest speaker, where she’ll share how she collaborates with artists to transform their work into beautiful, commercially successful products while staying true to creativity, colour and storytelling. Skye will take us behind the scenes of how ideas move from artwork to finished product, what makes designs connect with customers, and how artists can work more confidently within the world of product-based design without losing their unique voice or vision.

Fiona Mason


We’re also so excited to welcome Fiona Mason from Two Green Zebras as our second guest speaker. Fiona will share insights from her years of experience in the craft and textile industry, and how Two Green Zebras sources and champions beautiful, boutique fabric brands that help fuel creativity in the Australian sewing and design community. Expect a fresh, inspiring look at what’s happening behind the scenes in the world of textiles, and how thoughtful curation and creative partnerships can open up new possibilities for artists and makers alike.

KASEY RAINBOW


Also joining us is Kasey Rainbow, who will share her journey from self-taught creative to full-time artist. Kasey will talk about how she built a vibrant career in digital art and textile design after taking the leap from a “safe” office job in 2020, along with insights into developing your style, backing yourself, and growing a loyal creative community. Known for her bold use of colour and joyful approach to art, Kasey brings an honest and uplifting perspective on turning creativity into a meaningful and sustainable path.

Queensland Spinners Weavers & Fibre Artists 12 Payne St, Auchenflower, Queensland, 4066, Australia
Saturday 22nd Aug - Sunday 23rd Aug 23 from 9am-4pm
2-day Retreat Cost $495 per person (including all materials, morning tea and lunch each day)

What's included in your Art Retreat ticket?

  • All materials required for workshops are included in your retreat fee, although you are welcome to BYO art supplies
  • Finding inspiration & your own unique creative style
  • More than 10 hours of inspiring, supportive creative instruction and guidance from Georgie & Rachael
  • Understanding the foundations of the elements & principles of pattern design
  • Intro to using Winsor & Newton Watercolours and other art supplies products that we use/recommend
  • Multiple Watercolour sessions with directed guidance and tuition
  • Working towards creating repeatable designs using your artworks
  • How to capture your artworks professionally for digitising
  • Turning your artworks into a repeatable pattern design 
  • Demonstrations of artwork pattern repeats (using various programs) from beginner level to intermediate
  • Advice on launching your artwork into the world of surface pattern design
  • Inspiration for how to apply your own surface designs to textiles, products
  • Morning Tea & Lunch each day
  • Raffle prizes & Goodie bags
  • All day Coffee & Tea
Book your spot here

Why Choose Our Painting to Pattern Art Retreat?

Immersive Learning Experience

Both artistic growth and practical skills are the focus of our retreat. From fundamental painting techniques to intricate surface pattern design, you will learn it all. You will find your creative voice while getting practical insights into pattern development and how to apply it.

 

Expert Guidance

You’ll be led by 2 Australian artists - Lordy Dordie and Rachael King, both known as Australia’s premier surface pattern designers, who’ll share with you valuable tips and tricks you can apply directly to your artwork. We take a personal approach, providing personalised attention to ensure that every participant leaves with new skills and a new way to see things.

 

A Perfect Creative Escape

The retreat is set in Auchenflower, Brisbane, at the Queensland Spinners Weavers & Fibre Artists studio — a creative hub dedicated to textile and fibre arts. Surrounded by leafy streets and just moments from the Brisbane River, the location offers a peaceful yet inspiring setting to fully immerse yourself in your art.

 

Do You Need Art Supplies for Your Retreat?

All materials you need for the workshop are included in your ticket price, however, you are welcome to bring your own paints, brushes, and art supplies. If you are looking to make the most of your retreat experience, we recommend shopping some of our favourite art supplies.

Key Benefits of Joining Our Art Retreat

 

Learn from Professionals & Develop Your Artistic Skills

Our art retreat workshops are designed for all skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, so that everyone can learn something new.

 

Create Unique Surface Patterns

Turn your artwork into beautiful surface pattern designs, suitable for textiles, wallpapers, stationery, and more. This is an amazing opportunity to discover the business potential of your art.

 

Network with Fellow Artists

Meet like-minded creatives across Australia. Share ideas, get inspired, and form relationships that could last for years, potentially leading to future collaborations.

 

Relax and Recharge

Noosa is a tranquil place where relaxation and creativity go hand in hand. The natural beauty will bring you relaxation and renew your mind; come back home with replenished energy and inspiration.

Georgina Forbes

Georgie is a colourful Australian Artist, Surface Pattern Designer and the Head Honcho of creative business Lordy Dordie.

Georgie's designs are packed with contrasting but harmonious, vibrant colour combinations, abstract shapes, quirky and fun florals. Georgie strives to convey a positive, joyful and happy message in her art. Georgie's Lordy Dordie pattern designs have appeared in successful collaborations both in Australia and internationally. Follow Georgie on Instagram @lordydordie

Rachael King

Rachael is an colourful Australian Surface Designer, Author and Creative.

Rachael is drawn to bright, saturated colour in mostly floral themes that reflect living in Queensland. Rachael is a keen learner, mentor and passionate advocate of artists in the Surface Design industry. Rachaels books, Pattern Pulse 1 & 2, is a passion project that celebrates the world of Surface Design and the amazing Australian Artists working in that space. Follow Rachael in Instagram @rachaeldoesdesign

Painting to Pattern Art Retreat

Testimonials

  • Hi Rachael and Georgie, I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the weekend workshop in Noosa.  It was so good to meet people who are working in the industry.   There was a really positive energy and I felt like it helped me focus on what my next steps would be.  I think that having guest speakers in was informative.  It gave us an insight from different points of view and linked different aspects of the industry together.  I also found it helpful to get a list of businesses that offered different services. Thanks again for a wonderful weekend and all your valuable knowledge and experience you shared with us!

    Lidia - ATTENDED Sunshine Coast 2025 P2P RETREAT

  • Rachael and Georgie were the perfect pair of hosts for the Painting to Pattern workshop. Their skills complemented each other perfectly, creating such a well-rounded and insightful course on surface pattern design. Georgie’s knowledge of product development and building her brand was invaluable, while Rachael’s expertise in technology and seamlessly piecing together patterns was incredible to watch and learn from—not to mention their gorgeous artistic talent!   I’ve come home feeling like everything has clicked—I finally get it! I now understand how to quickly create a pattern, and I’m seeing so many new design possibilities that never even occurred to me before.   On top of that, the group of women who attended, along with Rachael and Georgie, were so supportive. The energy and vibe of the group made the experience even more special. Such a fantastic workshop—thank you both!

    Laura - ATTENDED Sunshine Coast 2025 P2P RETREAT

  • "Attending the Painting to Pattern" retreat was such a wonderful experience. I felt so welcomed and I learned so much with lots of hands on experience. It was just the push I needed to build my confidence and step out more in my creative journey. Rachael and Georgie were such fun and encouraging. I left feeling that yes I can be apart of this creative world. "

    Corrina H - attended Gold Coast 2024

  • "The ‘Paint to Pattern’ Art Retreat hosted by Georgina Forbes and Rachael King was such a lovely, relaxing event. The process from pattern to paper was demonstrated clearly and we were given multiple opportunities to put it into practice. While digitising the pattern is a big learning curve it was explained well and very beginner friendly. Georgie and Rachael are both fantastic teachers! They answered all of our questions, gave demonstrations, shared tips and tricks, and were genuinely friendly and approachable. The guest speakers were also amazing sharing their processes and insight into the industry. If you are thinking about this course, do it. You won’t regret it!"

    Emily S - ATTENDED GOLD Coast 2024 P2P RETREAT

  • Omg… what an amazingly, creatively filling weekend. Thank you both soooooo very much for sharing your time, knowledge and years of learnings with us to provide us with the tools, understanding and hope for the opportunities that are available in this colorful world. Thank you for taking the time away from your families to gift to us this wonderful experience, truly grateful.

    Fran & Emma - ATTENDED NOOSA 2025 P2P RETREAT

  • You two really are such a wonderful team and it’s women like you that help other women who have a spark .. find it again and believe in themselves and what they are capable of. I think I can confidently say that on behalf of every single woman that held space in that room over the weekend :) we all got so much more out of it than words can describe 💞

    Katrina -  ATTENDED BRISBANE 2023 P2P RETREAT

  • "I am writing to you both to thank you for the inspiring, extremely informative, and for me, lightbulb couple of days, that, with the content you covered, has absolutely propelled me to achieve my goal of 2023 and that was to learn how to digitise my art and get it to print. "

    Rebecca - attended Brisbane 2023 p2p Retreat