Handwritten text that reads 'Artist Retreat' in black ink on a white background.

TRAILSIDE ON 20 SEVEN

CREATE • ESCAPE •CONNECT

A retreat built for artists who want to make money with their art.

Four people smiling and toasting with drinks at a casual indoor gathering.

Not your typical artist retreat.

This is different.

Everyone grows through the knowledge of others.

Friendly and peaceful environment to focus on your art, your career and your network.

A rainbow in a cloudy sky over a green field with a red barn and white fences.

Each of us is a unique piece to the puzzle, together we can ASSEMBLE the full picture. This retreat is about collaboration, connection, and building a network that inspires and uplifts.

Imagine yourself here, growing with other artists. This is YOUR space to dream and build your career and leave with actionable steps. The studio is waiting- the missing 🧩 is you.

I created this retreat—to share what I know and, create an open environment for fast growth. Together, we’ll collaborate and exchange ideas because, at the end of the day, we are the sum of all who cross our paths.

By the time we leave, we’ll be bonded as mentors and peers, each of us like a unique piece in an interconnected puzzle. 🧩

  • This is for you if…

    You have a passion for art.

    You have created art.

    You want to create more art.

    You want to hear how others art.

    You want to make some money with your art.

    You have a kind heart and open mind.

    All 2D mediums welcome. Beginner to expert.

  • 3.5 Days of studio time and creative conversation time. You will leave with a clear direction on how to make your art a business.

    24/7 Open Studio.

    All meals (home cooked) except one evening you are free to explore.

    Beverages: coffee, tea, water, soda, some wine and even a signature drink or two!

    Access to supplies, oil paints, aluminum panels (aka canvas), brushes. ••If you want something special, please bring it.

    Additionally, lodging is available.

    Additionally, airport transportation is available.

  • Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Chippewa Falls.

    Additionally, we offer transportation to and from this airport. You are welcome to rent a car also.

    You can fly into Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) and there are shuttle services that will bring you to Eau Claire where we can pick you up.

    Ideally, you will arrive before dinner on Wednesday night at 7PM.

  • We have been running our home as a vacation rental for 5 years during the winter and now a retreat in the summer. We receive compliments on its’ eclectic vibe all the time.

    We have 2 guest rooms with queen beds. You can have the bed to yourself or share it with a partner.

    There are also other vacation rentals close by and a couple of hotels in Ladysmith (4 miles).

  • Sample Retreat Schedule: 3.5 Days

    This retreat is meant to be fun. If you aren’t a morning person, no worries—stay in bed! We have an open kitchen policy with plenty of food and snacks. Basically, the schedule is pretty loose and flexible.

    If you wish to sleep in—DO IT!

    Want to work in the studio late at night? DO IT!

    Here’s a sample:

    WEDNESDAY: Arrival

    3:00 PM – 6:00 PM:
    Arrival for on-campus guests to settle into their rooms. Off-campus guests come check out the retreat space and the studio. Introduction to our collaborative art piece.

    7:00 PM:
    Welcome Dinner
    Join us for a delightful home-cooked meal and libations to foster introductions. Michelle may whip up a signature cocktail /mocktail.

    THURSDAY:

    8:00 AM:
    Breakfast

    9:00 AM:
    Creative Conversation - Is my art good enough?

    12:00 PM:
    Lunch

    1:00 PM:
    Studio Time – honing your skills with a focus on realism.

    7:00 PM:
    Dinner

    FRIDAY:

    8:00 AM:
    Breakfast

    9:00 AM:
    Creative Conversation - Consistency in your art, what is your story?

    12:00 PM:
    Lunch

    1:00 PM:
    Studio Time – honing your skills with a focus on realism. We’ll continue with our collaborative art piece.

    7:00 PM:
    Dinner on your own. We encourage you to check out one of our local restaurants for the Northwoods tradition of a Fish Fry or other local flavor.

    SATURDAY:

    8:00 AM:
    Breakfast

    9:00 AM:
    Creative Conversation - Creatively Finding Collectors

    12:00 PM:
    Lunch

    1:00 PM:
    Studio Time – honing your skills with a focus on realism. We’ll wrap up our collaborative art piece.

    7:00 PM:
    Amazing home-cooked meal and libations. Michelle may also treat us to a signature cocktail/mocktail.

    SUNDAY: Departure Day

    8:00 AM:
    Breakfast

    9:00 AM:
    Packing up and making shipping arrangements for wet paintings if necessary.

    11:00 AM:
    Check-Out

  • The weather in The North Woods is nothing short of AMAZING this time of year. The days typically are warm with abundant sunshine. Nights are ~55-60º, days are in the 70’s. Humidity is usually 50-60%. We rarely use the air conditioner in the house. Dress to be happy.

    Definitely bring clothes you don’t mind getting paint on or bring an apron if you prefer.

    Any special food or beverage you like. (There is a Walmart 4 miles from the Retreat.)

    Paints, brushes, mediums and substrates if you are a painter other than oil on aluminum panel.

    iPad or laptop is handy but not required.

  • We would be happy to reschedule you into another available time slot.

    Enrollment & Payment Deadlines:

    • A spot is reserved only with registration and deposit.

    • Full payment is due 30 days before the retreat. No refunds are given for cancellations made within 30 days of the start date.

    • If you need to cancel more than 30 days before the retreat, you'll forfeit your deposit but won’t incur additional fees.

    • Full refund of any payments beyond the deposit.

    Cancellations After the Final Payment Due Date (Less Than 30 Days):

    • No refunds, but attendees can transfer their spot to another person or another available date.

    Refund Policy

    • If the retreat is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., natural disasters, government restrictions), a full refund or a credit toward a future retreat date.

    Partial Attendance:

    • No refunds or credits for partial attendance or no-shows.

  • A cozy bedroom with a wooden wall on the left, white curtains over a window, a bed with a light-colored quilt and pillows, a nightstand with a lamp, and a mounted wooden display shelf.

    Country Sunrise Room

  • A cozy bedroom with a bed covered in light green bedding, a plush pillow, a wooden wardrobe, a white dresser with a mirror, a window with white curtains, and hardwood floors.

    Country Sunrise Room

  • A bedroom with a bed covered in a black blanket, decorated with pillows, and a throw blanket at the foot. A small side table with a lamp and a sign reading '66' is next to the bed. The wall has a painted design of two stylized, orange and white flames. A window with patterned curtains is on the back wall, and framed pictures and wall decorations are also visible.

    The Traveler’s Room

  • A small bedroom with a bed covered in a black textured blanket, grey pillows, and a decorative pillow. There is a wooden dresser and a sliding barn door on a metal track. The wall on the right has white informal closet doors, with a Harley-Davidson sign and a steering wheel decoration hanging above.

    The Traveler’s Room

  • A bathroom with a shower stall on the left, towels hanging on a rack, a white cabinet with shelves, a window with curtains, a cushioned bench, a sink with a countertop, a decorative mermaid wall sculpture, and wooden flooring.

    Bathroom

  • A dining room with a wooden table set for six, with plates, glasses, and a centerpiece of apples. There is a large window showing a green yard outside. A kitchen counter with bar stools is behind the table, and the room has a rustic ceiling with wooden beams.

    Dining Room

  • A cozy living room with a wooden ceiling, hardwood floors, a brown leather sofa, a green armchair, a white armchair, a coffee table on a geometric patterned rug, a bookshelf, a TV, and windows with curtains.

    Cozy Living Area

  • A kitchen with silvermist cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, a dark-colored kitchen island with a pineapple on top, a stove, a window above the sink, a coffee maker, and wooden flooring. There is a doorway leading to another room.

    Gigantic Kitchen and Gathering Space

  • A laundry room with a washing machine and dryer, window with curtains, green cabinet, small sink, ironing board, wooden desk, and a welcome mat.

    On-site Laundry

  • A rural landscape with a small red barn and white fences, green grass, and a rainbow in a cloudy sky.

    Just outside the studio door to the East

  • A peaceful river surrounded by trees with budding green leaves and some bare branches, reflecting in the water.

    The Thornapple River and it’s undisturbed banks.

  • A peaceful river flowing through a lush, green forest with trees and foliage on both banks.

    Just a short walk to the River

  • A rural scene at sunset featuring a red barn with white trim and a white fence, with green fields and trees in the background under a sky filled with large, fluffy clouds illuminated by the setting sun.

    I’m telling ya, these views!

  • A fawn with white spots resting in tall green grass and yellow wildflowers.

    A new born fawn in the yard

  • Deer standing on a gravel path surrounded by green trees in a wooded area.

    Doe on patrol!

  • A rustic indoor bar area with a wooden bar counter, four black bar stools, and a small workshop table to the right. There's a large orange 'Shell' logo sign on the wall, string lights hanging from the ceiling, and a sliding barn door on the left.

    One side of the studio

  • Sunrise over a green field with a small red barn and wooden fence, foggy atmosphere.

    Sunrise

  • Two rainbows arch across the sky above a line of green trees and a stop sign in the foreground.

    Double Rainbows are visible a few times a year.

  • Sunset over a grassy field with trees and a partly cloudy sky.

    Can you see why I love it here?

  • Weekly weather forecast showing high temperatures from 74°F to 82°F and low temperatures from 49°F to 63°F, with partly cloudy to sunny conditions.

    A sample of our weather in August.

  • A partially assembled pie on a dark, green marble surface. The pie crust is rolled out and shaped in a circular form. The pie top with a fluted edge is filled with a fruit filling, likely with chunks of apples or similar fruit, and appears ready to be covered with the crust for baking.

    Rhubarb Custard Pies

  • A bald eagle perched on top of a tall coniferous tree with yellow seed cones against a pale sky.

    Eagle sightings are common. Here is one in our yard.