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April 29, 2023

The Forage Retreat, Sonoma 2023

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

FORAGE RETREAT, SONOMA 2023 with ALEX COLE + MEGHAN MARSH KING

A feeling I love:

Coming back from an artist retreat and living in the liminal space of

WAS THAT REAL LIFE?

or

WAS I DREAMING? 

That feeling of living soo. much. life. in the span of two and a half days.

Like camp time.  You’re exhausted and messy and it’s glorious. 

With that feeling comes the aftershocks. The little clips replay in my brain throughout the week. What do I want to keep alive from that time? How can I do it? 

My real life ran differently this week because I feel refueled after many strong connections at  The Forage Retreat in Sonoma this past weekend with fellow creatives Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King.   

I was also more present,

I started doing my morning pages again

and I connected more to myself this week than I have in A LONG TIME because I took the time to nourish my:

mind

body

soul

spirit. 

After a retreat, I always want to find a way to recreate that magic, and let me tell you I experienced A LOT.

What I will tell you FIRST is that I was overwhelmed with how beautiful everything was upon arrival.  Every single detail was carefully/beautifully considered. EVERYTHING DOWN TO THE PENCILS (which were my favorite btw).

The first night I got to spend cocktail hour catching up with my friend Emma and meeting other creative women. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

The property where the reception was held was so beautiful and there were so many fun things to look at. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

The afternoon light was stunning. Gave me chills! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Of course, we find the animals…

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

There was a mini pony named Party Girl! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

The food all weekend was exquisite.  Food by Andrea of Mortar Pestle Cooking.  I felt very cared for and well-nourished the entire time. Thank you so much, Andrea! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Dinner upstairs was all so beautiful. Flowers and mushrooms foraged for the table. 

We were given a chance to get to know each other and learn about local wine. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

All of the little details throughout the weekend didn’t go unnoticed.  I collected so many of them. You’ll see. 

Incredible dinner and good chats.  From the winemaker, the chef, floristthe photographer & the musician, Alex and Meghan helped us all see how wonderful creative collaboration is when you can share each other’s talents and gifts. 

Each person involved was able to share a piece of their creative journey with the attendants which made the meal/retreat so filled with meaning.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

YUM!  Andrea’s handwriting sample! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Such a beautiful start to a weekend of intentional play.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Everything felt like a painting!   That evening ended with a sleepover at Emma’s.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Day 2!  The fun begins. Rise and shine. A time for morning pages and foraging.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

This was under my place setting and it became my mantra for the weekend. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

It made me think about quality time being a love language. 

Quality time means your attention is undivided. 

Where does attention belong? Who does it belong to? 

Stepping away from my phone during this retreat helped keep my attention on the PRESENT and NOW.  Present Tracy is grateful for that past Tracy attention. 

Again…nourishment! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

We were split into two groups. One group forages while the other group writes. 

So many fun things to see on our foraging walk with Alex…including a super bloom in the field. Notice the yellows and oranges!  We also chatted with peacocks and said our hellos to a donkey and more goats. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Under oaks…wildflowers…pruning shears. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Something changes in your brain when you look at the world as a floral arrangement.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

I will always and forever remember to keep pruning shears in my car.

My Everyday Life Week 16 of 2023- a photography series by Tracy Benjamin of Shutterbean.com

This is the writer’s tent. I spent time working on my morning pages here and then writing again in the afternoon.  The dappled light was hypnotic. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

I’ve had morning pages in my morning routine for a while and in the past few months fell off of the practice because life got so lifey.  I am thankful Meghan got me back into the process that helps clear my mind in the morning. It was the boost I needed! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

I got it all out. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

After writing, we moved into PLAY. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

With what we foraged and the amazing art tools laid out for each one of us, we worked on a few things to be used for the following day. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Watching Alex teach was incredible. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she encouraged everyone to play with reckless abandon. 

I love her reminder that “there are no mistakes.”

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

All the patina, forever and ever! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

An invitation to begin. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Playing with lines to become something else. Never lifting the pen from paper. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Drawing without looking. Drawing while looking. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Color study and the process of watering paint down to build things up again. Texture party. Very appreciated. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

So many fun things to look at and get inspired by. Treasures at every turn. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Day 2 ended with a bunch of love and hard work…

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

And feet dipped in the pool with some wine and real connection. My day ended there while the rest went out for dinner. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Day 3 started with more nourishment. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

And a new writing prompt. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

I pulled out the happiness card and wrote about it.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Off I went to the tent. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Here’s what I came back with.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Later in the morning, we got to visit Alex’s studio. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Magic in her color moments. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Seeing her process and play. Notes scribbled while listening/working.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Seeing what inspires her. The beauty in the in-between. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

And all of the notes along the way…

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

I loved playing with COLOR. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin  

After painting, we had another beautiful lunch. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Back to work making our pieces. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Mine are both layered with messages under each layer.

A nice way to make a magic spell.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Some things I left up front. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

My hands looked like this by the end of the day which to means a JOB WELL DONE. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

So many things to think about while playing, painting, writing, and meeting new friends. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

I am so grateful to have experienced all that these two beautiful souls intended to create-

A safe space to meet yourself

where you are,

to check in with yourself

to figure out

who you will become. 

With art, writing, and magic too! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

I came home with an amazing gift bag that I was able to carry my treasures home in. This is part of the art I made over the weekend and the floral arrangement I foraged. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

My bouquet! 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

Pages in my notebook from the retreat. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

To summarize: 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

One of my pieces which I think is done.

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

This one I’m still working on:

A video of tiny joys

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Tracy Benjamin (@shutterbean)

Thank you for having me, Alex & Meghan.  My art practice is INFUSED with your inspiration now. 

The Forage Retreat Sonoma 2023 with Alex Cole and Meghan Marsh King - photos by Tracy Benjamin

You helped me get my smile back 🙂 

  • erica

    I am bookmarking this post for when I need inspiration! What a gorgeous collection of photos and your reflections are just as beautiful.I really hope the magical feelings continue!

  • Alex Cole

    I think my favorite part is knowing that I helped you get your smile back.
    Thank you so much for joining us this past weekend and sharing it. You dove into creativity, unplugged and reconnected. xo, Alex

  • Heather

    Such beautiful, peaceful, happy pictures and descriptions!
    Sign me up 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

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