An art & nature retreat · Nayarit, Mexico
DEEPEN
Seven nights between the jungle and the sea, hosted by Natalie Brake.
2027 dates coming soon
Slow down. Paint. Let the jungle and the ocean do the rest.
DEEPEN is a week for people who feel drained, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their senses and their joy. You'll paint, rest, swim and wander until you remember what lights you up.
It's open to complete beginners and seasoned artists alike.
Litibú & San Pancho, Riviera Nayarit · Fly into Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
Is this for you?
For the ones who hold everything together
Maybe you're the caregiver, the organizer, the one everyone leans on. Maybe you used to make things and life got loud. Maybe you just want to feel your feet in warm sand and your brush moving without a plan.
DEEPEN gives you a week where nothing is asked of you except to show up, slow down and see what comes through.
- You feel drained or over-scheduled
- You miss making things for joy
- You want nature, not a resort
- You'd like gentle structure, not a bootcamp
What's included
Everything you need for the week, all in one price
- AccommodationSeven nights in a three-bedroom home with ocean views, in a quiet gated area a short walk from San Pancho beach. Check in from 3pm on day 1, check out by 11am on day 8.
- Two chef-made meals a dayFresh, local Mexican food from our chef, Lupita Reyes, with dietary needs taken care of. Plenty, without overdoing it.
- Abstract painting with NatalieTwo three-hour art sessions. You'll leave with at least three paintings of your own.
- Jungle forest bathingA three-hour walk through a protected jungle reserve, guided by Katja, a biologist, to take in the forest with all your senses.
- Energy healing and somatic workGentle sessions to settle the nervous system and come back into your body.
- Beach daysUnhurried time on the sand and in the water at Litibú and San Pancho.
- Local cultureTime to explore the nearby towns, markets and food at your own pace.
- Sailing, if you want itAn optional afternoon on the bay. Ask about it when you book.
- Airport pickup and supportWe meet you in Puerto Vallarta, and the team is with you all week.
- An optional free nightArrive the evening before we start and enjoy dinner and the night on us.
Not included: flights to Puerto Vallarta, travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended), and personal spending.
The shape of the week
A gentle rhythm
Every group is different, but most days follow the same easy flow.
- 1
Arrive
Airport pickup from Puerto Vallarta, settle in from 3pm, a slow first evening.
- 2–7
Paint, wander, rest
One main activity a day, so there is room to breathe. Mornings at the beach, then painting, the forest or energy work. Afternoons for the towns, sailing or the hammock.
- 8
Go home lighter
Breakfast, pack up your paintings, check out by 11am.
2027 dates & rates
Be the first to know
I'm setting the 2027 dates now. Rates will be shared with the dates, with a choice of shared or private room, and the list hears first, including any early-bird rate.
A past DEEPEN group in the jungle garden, Nayarit
Your host
Natalie Brake
I'm a professional artist, coach and instructor based between Canada and Mexico. I spend my winters on this coast, and DEEPEN is how I share it: the light, the food, the people, and the freedom of painting without rules.
- Professional artist for 14 years, exhibited in Canada, Europe and Mexico
- Hundreds of students taught in abstract painting, resin and brushwork
- Commissioned by the former Head Scientist of the Canadian Space Agency
- Lives part of the year in Nayarit and speaks Spanish
Natalie
Questions
Good to know
Do I need to know how to paint?
No. DEEPEN is open to beginners, intermediate and advanced artists. The sessions are about expression, not technique, and I guide you the whole way.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. Many guests come solo. Choose a private room, or a shared room if you're coming with a friend or partner.
How do I get there?
Fly into Puerto Vallarta (PVR). Airport pickup is included, and the drive to Litibú is under an hour.
What's the food like?
Fresh, local and made by our chef, twice a day. Tell me about allergies or dietary needs when you book and we'll take care of them.
Is sailing included?
Sailing is optional. Let me know when you book and I'll share the details.
What isn't included?
Flights, travel and medical insurance (please get it), and personal spending in town.
How big is the group?
Small on purpose. The home has three bedrooms, so the group is usually no more than six people, which keeps it personal and calm.
Where will I stay?
A three-bedroom home with sweeping Pacific views in a gated area near San Pancho beach. Each room has its own feel: the Ocean Room, the Beach Room and the Moon Room, which has two beds.
Do I have to do every activity?
No. Everything is included, and you're welcome to join as much as you like, but nothing is mandatory. There's one main activity a day, so the days feel spacious.
Will I need my phone?
Only if you want it. Some sessions are phone-free so you can be fully present.
What's the weather like?
Winter is dry season on this coast: warm sunny days, cooler evenings and very little rain. Bring light clothes, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and a layer for the evenings.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. I speak Spanish and the team is with you all week, so you're looked after wherever we go.
Roughly what does it cost?
2027 rates will be shared with the dates. As a guide, the 2024 retreat was US$4,599 for a private room and US$6,359 for two people sharing, taxes included, with early-bird savings for the list.
How do I pay?
A 50% deposit holds your room. The balance is due 30 days before the retreat starts. If you book within 30 days of the start, full payment is due at booking.
What if I need to cancel?
Please let me know by email. The deposit is non-refundable, but if you cancel 60 days or more before the retreat, I'll turn it into a credit toward a future retreat, class or artwork, valid for 12 months. From 59 days out, the deposit is kept, and once the balance is paid (30 days out) payments can't be refunded. At any point, you're welcome to pass your spot to a friend instead. If I ever have to cancel the retreat, you'll get a full refund of what you've paid to me (flights and insurance aren't covered), so travel insurance with trip-cancellation cover is strongly recommended.
DEEPEN 2027
Save your spot on the list
Leave your details in the form below and you'll hear about the 2027 dates and rates before anyone else.
natalie@nataliebrake.comPlanning a retreat for your own group? See private retreats
NB ART · Painter / Self Expression Coach / Retreats