How My Painting 'Andros' Was Inspired by an Artist Retreat in Greece

Taylor and I headed to Greece in September of 2023 for an artist retreat, and honestly, it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done! The focus of the retreat was to inspire creativity, and we got to experiment with carving marble—spoiler alert: it’s way harder than it sounds! But there’s something so satisfying about working with your hands and connecting with such a classic material. We also took a photography workshop, which was right up Taylor’s alley. He absolutely loved it.

The retreat was held on the island of Andros, a quieter, less touristy spot compared to some of the more well-known islands. It felt like a hidden gem, and I loved how laid-back and local the vibe was. Andros is filled with homes of local residents rather than swarms of tourists, and that made it feel extra special. There was something so refreshing about experiencing a place in its more natural state, without all the hustle and bustle that often comes with tourist hotspots.

The entire week felt like a dream. Everything was planned for us, which was a new experience for Taylor and me. We usually plan our own trips and enjoy figuring out all the details (well, Taylor does lol), but this was such a treat! It felt luxurious to just show up and not worry about a thing. We were so spoiled from start to finish.

Oh my gosh, I have to mention the food! Every meal was prepared by a private chef named Allegra , and her cooking was out of this world. Picture homemade pasta, fresh ingredients, and the most mouth-watering dishes you can imagine. I still dream about those meals—seriously. I haven’t had pasta that good since, and I’m pretty sure it ruined me for regular pasta forever!

Between the marble carving, photography, and the stunning Greek scenery, it turned out to be one of the best trips we’ve ever done and I created “Andros” in honor of that trip.