DEEP | TAOS

Week long painting immersion at the historical Mabel Dodge Luhan House.

July 25 - 31, 2027 | Taos, New Mexico USA | Registration Now Open

There's a house in Taos, New Mexico that remembers.

Adobe walls, three stories, a solarium that catches the last light off the mountain — and inside those walls, for over a century, women have been arriving seeking and leaving unmistakable.

In 1919, Agnes Pelton, one of my favorite artists, came to Mabel Dodge Luhan's door. She was painting pretty, polite things — portraits, pastoral scenes, work that asked for approval. Something shifted in her while she was there. She left different. Soon she was painting the paintings only she could paint — luminous, otherworldly canvases that had nothing left to prove to anyone. Agnes never went back to painting small.

Ten years later, Georgia O'Keeffe walked through that same gate. Worn down, half-erased by a life and a man that were taking more than they gave. Mabel gave her a studio of her own. That one summer — eighteen paintings. The summer that turned her from "Stieglitz's wife who paints" into Georgia O'Keeffe.

Neither woman found something new in that house. They found permission to stop hiding what was already true — they went deep.

In July 2027, I'm bringing DEEP to that same house. Not to recreate what O'Keeffe or Pelton did, but to stand in the same rooms, under the same high desert sky, and ask the question they each had to answer for themselves:

What do I actually want to paint? What is my Artist Soul longing to express?

What to expect from DEEP

At DEEP you bring your own intention — the reason you're called to paint in Taos. You bring your own container — the substrates, the materials, the scale that's calling you. What you paint is yours to answer, not mine to assign.

What I bring to DEEP is the structure to hold it, the 30+ years of mentoring to help you deepen it, and the community of kindreds to inspire and sustain you.

We'll move through the week guided by my four phases of the creative process:

WATER: Experimentation, play, gathering of ideas, sifting through the subconscious.

AIR: Spending time with your work. Deciding what you want to breathe life into. Receiving a different perspective.

EARTH: Doing the heavy lifting, showing up, making the work that feels deep and true. Playing with limitations while expanding your point of view.

FIRE: Identifying the intuitive narrative and deeper currents flowing through your work. Sharing your week's Vision with yourself and our community.

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DEEP's Daily Schedule

The DEEP daily schedule is designed to feel nourishing to your body, mind, and Artist Soul. There is time to be fully in the studio, engage in soulful discussion, break bread together around an old wooden table, sneak away to nap, meditate, or sketch, and of course sleep under the stars and let your dreams speak to you. At Mabel Dodge Luhan House you have 24 hour access to the studio — so you are welcome to be in there outside of the hours listed below.

Monday, May 10, 2027

Online Mini-Workshop opens.
I will guide you through a process to help you decide upon your intention and the materials and substrates to bring. Plus in the mini-workshop there is a private space to connect with your fellow painters to coordinate shuttle rides, car pools, or little adventures before and after DEEP and loads of info on how to pack and prepare.

Sunday, July 25, 2027 | WELCOME

3:00 - 6:00 PM Check-In
6:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner + Orientation
7:00 - 9:00 PM Introductions + Apron Ceremony

Monday, July 26, 2027 | WATER

8:00 - 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Workshop + Painting
12:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch + Break
2:00 - 5:00 PM Open Studio + Mentoring
6:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner

Tuesday July 27, 2027 | WATER (No Dinner)

8:00 - 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Workshop + Painting
12:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch + Break
2:00 - 5:00 PM Open Studio + Mentoring + Labyrinth

Wednesday, July 28, 2027 | AIR / EARTH

8:00 - 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Workshop + Mid Visions
12:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch + Break
2:00 - 5:00 PM Open Studio + Mentoring
6:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner
7:30 - 9:00 PM Salon of Desires & Truth

Thursday, July 29, 2027 | EARTH / FIRE (NO DINNER)

8:00 - 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Workshop + Painting
12:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch + Break
2:00 - 4:00 PM Open Studio + Mentoring
4:00 - 5:00 PM VISIONS

Friday, July 30, 2027 | FIRE

8:00 - 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pack up, clean studio, set up VISIONS
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM VISIONS
12:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch + Break
2:00 - 5:30 PM VISIONS + Group Photos
6:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner

Saturday, July 31, 2027 | FAREWELL

8:00 - 9:00 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM Check-Out

THE ELEMENTS OF DEEP

At DEEP I, Connie Solera, will be providing daily workshops, mentoring, and a salon. Below is a brief description of what you can expect from these different elements.

WORKSHOPS

My workshops for DEEP will consist of juicy discussions, creative exercises, and small group projects intended to expand the way you view your painting practice, support your body of work, deepen your intuitive decision making, and simply have fun!

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING

At DEEP you can expect loads of daily one-on-one mentoring where I will meet with you individually and review your work by providing gentle constructive feedback, a different perspective, and inquiry to help you think deeper about the meaning, voice , and reception of your work. I will support you and challenge you to take risks, be more bold in expressing yourself honestly in your work.

GROUP MENTORING

One of my favorite forms of mentoring is group mentoring where including various points-of-views and insights adds to the richness of our process as artists. At DEEP we are guided by a set of communal guidelines that ensures each artist, no matter where they are in their development and journey, is held and met with kindness, curiosity, and an environment that respects diverse backgrounds, beliefs, political views, and faiths.

OPEN STUDIO

Open studio will be a designated time to work in the studio uninterrupted. I, Connie Solera, will be there to provide any support, feedback, or assistance you may need — but this is a time for you to really sink into your process wholeheartedly.

APRON CEREMONY

I have been hosting retreats since 2008 and the one ritual that has stuck through the years is my opening apron ceremony, where each artist is required to state their name, where they are from, what called them to this retreat, and describe their relationship to their painting practice. This ritual is an act of claiming our space in a long lineage of women who make time and space for their Artist Soul.

MID-VISION

Our DEEP Mid-Visions take place on Wednesday morning. Each artist will be mindfully placed in a small group where you will receive supportive feedback, constructive insights, and questions on the body of work you have created so far. Mid-Visions are intended to provide a different perspective from like-minded kindreds and help you decide what ideas, concepts, or threads you wish to breathe life into.

SALON OF TRUTH & DESIRES

On Wednesday night I will host a Salon of Truth & Desires where we will engage in a soulful discussion and presentation on how truth and desire play an integral part in going deeper. Mabel Dodge Luhan herself was known for hosting lively robust Salons where artists exchanged ideas, told stories, and shared their work. We will follow in her footsteps.

LABYRINTH

Right next to the studio at Mabel Dodge Luhan House is a beautifully made labyrinth that we will walk meditatively on Tuesday as part of our ritual of transitioning from the Air phase of the creative process to Earth.

VISION

Our final DEEP Visions are held on Thursday and Friday where each artist will have 15 minutes to share their body of work and receive valuable insight and feedback on it from Connie and the artists in DEEP.

There’s a simple recipe for going DEEP: Set an intention, decide on a container, do the work.(Wink, wink.)

DEEP IS FOR ARTISTS WHO...

Artists who want mentorship that speaks directly to their Artist Soul — honest, individualized, unafraid to name what your work is actually circling.

Artists who are done waiting for permission to take the time their process actually needs. Who want the days, the silence, the room to let the work unfold at its own cadence — not a deadline's.

Artists who already know how to make the work alone. You don't need to be taught how to generate an idea or hold a paintbrush. What you're craving is community, mountain light, and eyes beside you that can see what you can no longer see in your own work.

Artists fiercely devoted to their own evolution — because staying the same has stopped being an option.

Artists who take risks that make their hands shake a little. Who go looking for awe, not certainty.

Artists who never believed painting was just about pretty pictures. Who've always known there's more — and are ready to linger in the deeper currents until they find it.

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~ TESTIMONIES ~

Painting alongside like-minded artists in community is a gift of time and creativity you give to yourself. With Connie's supportive wisdom and enthusiasm, you'll pursue your own work, which becomes interwoven by emotion, color, and design as your story, vision, and artistic voice unfold. Connie serves as a mentor, offering advice when needed and knowing just when to push you further along your journey. — Sharla Hicks, California, USA

Thank you Connie. I always feel I grow as an artist when I attend one of your retreats. I loved it! The connections you make with the other artists stay with you. And as always, the reflection opportunity on our final day was so insightful. Looking at the body of work I created during the retreat was invaluable. I saw themes and connections between pieces that I hadn't realized were there. — Maureen Kelly, Alaska USA

I warmly recommend Connie's retreats because they are pure magic! Every time I participate in one, I walk away feeling deeply nourished. Connie is an alchemist who will help you expand your relationship to your own visual language and show you how to extract it's treasures like never before! Every time I work with her, she blows my mind! She is the teacher you need to help you tap into your true, raw and genuine self expression. — Mylène Piché., Quebec, Canada

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Mabel Dodge Luhan House | TAOS, New Mexico | July 25 - 31, 2027

The Mabel Dodge Luhan House is more than just an inn — it’s an artist’s sanctuary, steeped in history and creative energy. You’ll sleep, paint, and gather in the same adobe walls that once held O’Keeffe and her wild, creative women friends.

You’ll be surrounded by the rugged beauty of Taos: open skies, ancient cottonwoods, and the hum of spirit that seems to buzz through the land itself. There is no better place to hear the whispers of your Artist Soul — and to answer them with paint.

Each room is single occupancy with a private bathroom and either a full or twin sized bed that will be pre-assigned based on first come, first served basis. The room you are assigned is not necessarily the room pictured below. Please let us know ASAP if you require a ground floor room.

SINGLE ROOM WITH FULL SIZE BED $3,998

$1,998.00 DEPOSIT

~ 13 SPACES TOTAL ~

Located in the Historic House, the Gate House Cottage, or Juniper House. Your room will have a full, queen, or king size bed based on first come-first served availability.

MAKE A DEPOSIT $1,998.00

SINGLE ROOM WITH TWIN SIZE BED $3,898

$1,898.00 DEPOSIT

~ 7 SPACES TOTAL ~

Located in the Historic House, the Gate House Cottage, or Juniper House. Your room will have a twin size bed. Where your room is located is based on first come-first served availability.

MAKE A DEPOSIT $1,898.00

YOUR DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE & NON-TRANSFERABLE.
YOUR FINAL BALANCE OF $2000 IS DUE BY APRIL 30, 2027

PLEASE READ ALL THE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.
YOUR DEPOSIT ACTS AS AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS & POLICIES LISTED BELOW.

BASIC DETAILS

STARTS: Sunday, July 25, 2027 at 6 PM with dinner, orientation, and an apron ceremony. Check-in to your room is from 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

ENDS: Friday, July 30, 2027 with dinner from 6 PM - 7 PM in the dining room.

CHECK-OUT: Saturday, July 31, 2027 by 10 AM. Breakfast is provided on this day from 8:00 - 9:00 AM.

PLACE: Mabel Dodge Luhan House — a historic inn and conference center, renowned as a retreat for artists, actors, writers, and musicians for nearly a century.

ONLINE MINI-WORKSHOP: Receive access to an online mini-workshop starting Monday, May 10, 2027 to help you begin your creative process by dreaming into your body of work, selecting materials, initiating any necessary research or sketching, and valuable guidance on packing and preparing for your Intensive.

COST: $3,948.00 - $3,898.00 USD depending on lodging

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 20 ARTISTS.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE, CANCELLATIONS, & REFUNDS

Registration for DEEP is $3,948.00 / $3,898.00 USD depending on lodging.

A Deposit of $1,998.00 (Room with Full Size Bed) or $1,898.00 (Room With Twin Size Bed) will save your spot.

The remaining balance of $2,000.00 is due by or on Friday, April 30, 2027. We will reach out to you two weeks before April 30th with a final invoice. If you are not paid in full by Saturday, May 1, 2027 we reserve the right to offer your space to my waiting list and/or the public, and to retain your deposit.

Because registration is highly limited and significant planning goes into this event all deposits and payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

PLEASE READ BELOW FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS.

All cancellations must be done in writing by emailing Connie at Support@ConnieSolera.com.

If you cancel BEFORE your final payment is due: We'll offer your space to the waitlist and the Paint Wisdom community. If the space sells, we'll refund your deposit minus a $250 cancellation fee. There is no guarantee that your space will sell.

If you cancel AFTER your final payment is made: You have the option to sell your space to another artist, at your selling price or below — that choice is entirely yours. We will announce your offer to the waitlist and the Paint Wisdom community once, but it's your responsibility to collect payment for the space. There is no guarantee that your space will sell as well, but many times it does if you offer it at a discount.

In the case of acts of God, pandemic, disaster, war, border closure or unforeseen circumstances, we reserve the right to retain your fees and reschedule or make any necessary changes to the event.

If you need to cancel your trip, cannot attend, or must leave the event for any reason — including illness, injury, family emergencies, airport delays, weather-related disruptions, or any other last-minute circumstances — Connie Solera cannot provide any refund of any amounts you paid. It is highly encouraged that you purchase sufficient travel insurance to provide protection from these possible risks.

WHAT IS INCLUDED & NOT INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION

INCLUDED IN DEEP | TAOS

Access to an online mini-workshop starting Monday, May 10, 2027 to help you kickstart your creative process by dreaming into your body of work, selecting materials, initiating any necessary research or sketching, and valuable guidance on packing and preparing for your Intensive.
6 nights single occupancy lodging at Mabel Dodge Luhan House with 24 hour studio access. (Sunday, July 25 - Saturday, July 31, 2027).
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners served at Mabel Dodge Luhan House.
Workshop instruction, individualized one-on-one and group mentoring from Connie Solera.
An intimate glimpse into Connie Solera's painting process as she builds a body of work.
Pre-trip notes and guidelines.
A collectible DEEP 2027 apron
Advice on travel plans before or after the trip if desired.
Loads of fun surprises and hand-picked goodies from Connie.
Friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
A body of work that will make your cells sizzle.

NOT INCLUDED IN DEEP | TAOS

Airfare
Ground travel
Travel insurance
Two dinners
Tips for kitchen & cleaning staff
Art materials — we will review what art materials to bring in the online mini-workshop, but basically you will want to bring materials and substrates that you are excited to work with and explore.

SUPPLIES

SUPPLIES ARE NOT INCLUDED. YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN SUBSTRATES & ART SUPPLIES.

For DEEP | TAOS we will discuss supplies and your body of work more thoroughly in the online mini-workshop I have prepared for you. You will receive access to this online mini-workshop on Monday, May 10, 2027.

Basically you will want to bring materials and substrates that you are excited to work with and explore — including substrates that you can travel with easily, painting materials, oil pastels, markers, and collage materials.

The only requirement is to have a designated sketchbook for our creative exercises and a studio log for writing notes and reflections in. I highly suggest one of the Canon Mixed Media hardcover sketchbooks (THIS ONE or THIS ONE). But any mixed media sketchbook will do.

CONFIRMATION & COMMUNICATION

Within 24 hours of making your deposit you will receive a welcome email. This is your registration confirmation and contains helpful info to help you start planning your trip to Italy. Please keep this email in a safe place. It is recommended that you print it out.
IMPORTANT: All retreat information will be emailed to the email address you used to register with. If you require the materials to be sent to an alternate email address, please email Support@ConnieSolera.com and let us know right away

TRAVEL INSURANCE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly encouraged for attending DEEP | Taos. A policy with a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade is highly encouraged, so you're covered if you need to cancel for a reason outside your policy's standard terms.

Do your own research before purchasing, but here are a few companies known for offering comprehensive travel insurance with CFAR upgrades: Travelex Insurance Services, Trawick International, and IMG (International Medical Group).

It's best to purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after booking — most CFAR upgrades must be added within a set window (often 14–21 days) of your first deposit, so waiting could mean losing the option altogether.

LODGING & MEALS

At DEEP | TAOS you have a choice between a room with a full size or twin size bed based on availability. Each of the rooms at Mabel Dodge Luhan House are single occupancy with a rustic, Southwestern charm. Your room will be in the Historic House, the Gate House Cottage, or Juniper House based on first come, first served basis.
In keeping with the feel of Mabel’s era, there are no telephones, televisions, internet or alarm clocks in the guest rooms. A telephone and internet access are available in the common area of the Historic House.
MDLH is not air-conditioned, but windows can be opened and fans are available.
Taos is at an altitude of approximately 7,000 feet above sea level. Please contact your doctor before your arrival if you have any chronic health issues.
You also receive 24 hour access to the studio space which is a short walk from your room.
Also included in the DEEP | TAOS registration is 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners, and refreshments including coffee, water, tea, and cookies.
Two of the evenings are left open so you can enjoy exploring the amazing restaurants Taos has to offer. A list of local restaurants will be included in the mini-workshop.

TRAVEL TIPS

TRAVELING FROM OUTSIDE THE US

In most circumstances, Canadian citizens do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States, either from Canada or from other countries. There are, however, some exceptions to this situation. CLICK HERE for more information.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. CLICK HERE for more information.

NEAREST AIRPORTS

Arriving at the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ) it is approximately a 3 hours drive to Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, New Mexico.
Arriving at the Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) it is approximately a 1.25 hours drive to Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, New Mexico.
Arriving at the Denver International Airport (DEN) it is approximately 5-6 hours drive to Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, New Mexico.

RENTAL CARS, SHUTTLES, & CAR POOLING

TAOS RIDES is a shuttle service with shuttles from Albuquerque and Santa Fe to Taos.
Prior to attending, many artists that attend Connie's retreats coordinate car pooling before/after the retreat. Please let us know if you are interested in doing so and we will help connect you.
If you prefer to NOT rent a car, the Mabel Dodge Luhan House is approximately a ten to fifteen minute easy walk to the historic Town Plaza where restaurants and shops are located.
Uber, Lyft, and Taxis are available in Taos, but are very sparse.

ARRIVE EARLY / STAY LATE

The Mabel Dodge Luhan House is a popular retreat and conference center with events booked back-to-back throughout the year. If you wish to arrive early or stay later before or after DEEP | TAOS you must call MDLH directly at 1-800-846-2235 or 575-751-9686 to check availability and pay for your room. Taos also offers many beautiful Airbnbs and hotels to stay in as well.

A LITTLE ABOUT TAOS

Taos has a long history of attracting artists. The Taos Society of Artists, founded in 1915, played a crucial role in establishing the town as a major art colony.
The renowned painter Georgia O'Keeffe spent significant time in Taos and the surrounding area, drawing inspiration from the landscape for her iconic works.
The ancient Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a glimpse into the lives and traditions of the Native American community, inspiring many artists with its unique architecture and culture.
This scenic route around Wheeler Peak, Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, the highest point in New Mexico, provides stunning landscapes that have been a source of inspiration for countless artists.
Harwood Museum of Art, affiliated with the University of New Mexico, features a diverse collection of works by Taos artists, including those from the Taos Society of Artists, the Taos Moderns, and contemporary artists.
Taos is known for its exceptional natural light and breathtaking landscapes, from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the Rio Grande Gorge, providing endless inspiration for painters, photographers, and other visual artists.
San Francisco de Asís Mission Church, an iconic adobe church, located in Ranchos de Taos, is famous for its stunning architecture and has been a subject of numerous paintings and photographs, including works by Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams.
Taos is a popular destination for hot air ballooning, providing stunning aerial views of the desert landscape and mountains.
Green and red chiles are a staple in Taos cuisine, reflecting New Mexico's rich culinary traditions. Dishes like green chile stew and enchiladas with red chile sauce are local favorites.
Traditional New Mexican dishes are widely available, including tamales, posole, and carne adovada. Many restaurants in Taos offer these authentic flavors.
The Taos area is home to several wineries and vineyards, such as Black Mesa Winery, offering tastings of locally produced wines, often featuring unique blends and regional varietals.
Green Chile Cheeseburger is a must-try in Taos, the green chile cheeseburger is a local favorite, combining the spicy kick of green chiles with a classic cheeseburger.