Wild Heart Painting as a Spiritual Practice
Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6, 2026
Are you looking for a way to learn to trust your self on the deepest levels?
Are you hoping to make some long needed changes, to nurture yourself and your own creative vision for your life?
Did you know that you can learn to create without judgment, goal or expectation ?
Did you know that unleashing your natural creative energy, which is really the life force itself, and simply allowing yourself to be more creative is one of the most powerful tools available for making necessary and profound changes in your life?
And that you don’t have to be talented, follow the rules or even know what you are doing in order to tap into this potent, transformative energy?
Are you looking for a place to combine the freedom of creative self expression with the sense of safety,community and support that comes from being with like minded souls who are also on the path of psychological healing and spiritual exploration?
Then this workshop might be just what you are looking for!
As we travel more deeply into the lands of great change and uncertainty that seem to be the fundamental quality of this mid 21st century, many of us are experiencing a growing hunger to be living from a place of greater authenticity and deeper relationship with soul and spirit.
We are longing for a sense of connection with something larger than ourselves and are searching for ways to strengthen that sense of divine presence in our lives.
And one of the ways to develop that relationship is through a more profound relationship to our creative process. Since creativity and spirituality come from the same source you can use your creative practice as a way to open to spirit and vice versa.
Painting as a spiritual practice is another tool for those of us on the path of spiritual and emotional healing and transformation that allows us to tap directly into that source.
In this weeknd workshop we will explore the profound connection between our creativity and our spirituality, using the power of the intuitive painting process to get more in touch with that Point of Greatest Aliveness which is a hallmark of being connected to our essential nature and spiritual core.
Wild Heart Painting As A Spiritual Practice allows you to recognize that you are not just your personality. You are also consciousness itself. It allows you to find your way back to that exquisite sense of yourself as more than your name, rank and serial number. To remember that your spirit is so much greater than your worrying, fretful, judging mind.
You will experience the power of your creativity as a tool for developing greater self compassion and self awareness. The magic of the painting process will also encourage you to be much more fully present and fully alive.
And even though what we will be doing in this workshop is painting, what we are really learning is how to be creatively and spiritually engaged in every area of our lives.
All the habitual mechanisms that hold back your full creative energy…. all the times that you play small on the page in front of you… or let fear override your authentic creative expression… these are the same places that are blocking your creative energy in your daily life.
The endless ways that you control yourself, judge yourself, don’t trust yourself, refuse to surrender, let fear win out, and are not gentle, loving and accepting of your self on the canvas show up in the world outside of the studio.
Through the process of intuitive painting you will discover how to creatively to tap into that mystical and magical place of spaciousness, stillness, expansiveness, healing and sacred compassion that is the root of Radical Self Acceptance.
Like all spiritual practices, this approach to painting takes you on a journey into the inner worlds of numinous inspiration and holy imagination.
It develops and strengthens your intuition, frees up stagnant energy so that you can live your life from a place of being intensely, passionately and joyfully alive, and sends deep taproots into your connection with the source of all that is that can lead to wholehearted experiences of trusting yourself and your own internal guidance.
Painting from our intuition is the core of this practice and we will spend the bulk of our time with a paintbrush in our hands.
But we will jump start our connection to our intuitive self before each painting session. We will be playing with all kinds of wild and wonderful practices to deepen our relationship to our spiritual energy such as ritual, meditation, drumming, music, moving and stretching our bodies and guided visualizations.
This two day intensive will also include lively, inspirational, informative and brief teachings on different aspects of Wild Heart Painting As A Spiritual Practice such as painting and presence, reclaiming our shadow, embracing the unknown, painting from the dream time, the wisdom of no mistakes and the development of radical self acceptance.
Dates
Saturday, December 5, 2026
through
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Location
Root and Bloom Institute
2307 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Transportation & Parking
RBI Transportation Guidelines
Cost
$600
What Happens At A Wild Heart Expressive Arts Painting Workshop?
The retreat is limited to 14 participants so you get to part of an intimate and dynamic creative healing community of wild hearted painters that will inspire you to go to your creative edges and beyond.
We spend time every morning getting out of our heads and into our bodies using music and movement, dancing and breath, presence and meditation.
We meet once a day in a sacred circle of support where we get to be witnessed with compassion, share our wisdom, tell our stories, laugh, cry, whine, celebrate and be held by a community of wondrous wild hearted creative folks.
We paint. A lot.
There will be daily inspirational talks where you will learn about things like what is intuition, the wisdom of no mistakes, how to discover the secret language of painting, the myth of inspiration, finding your juicy creative essence, and ways of effectively dealing with the pesky inner critic.
You absolutely don’t need to have ANY art experience at all to participate in and to benefit GREATLY from this retreat.
Schedule
The workshop begins on Saturday at 10am and will end Sunday at 5:30pm.
Saturday
10am – 1pm: Greeting ritual, movement, and painting session
1pm – 2:30pm: Lunch break
2:30pm – 5:30pm: Meditation & afternoon painting session
Saturday
10am – 1pm: Movement, and painting session
1pm – 2:30pm: Lunch break
2:30pm – 5:00pm: Meditation & afternoon painting session
5:00pm – 5:30pm: Closing circle
Location
We will be meeting at the Root and Bloom Institute in Berkeley, CA.
About Root & Bloom Institute
Root & Bloom Institute (RBI) is a center for somatic practices, psychotherapy, and expanded states of consciousness in Berkeley. Our spaces are designed to support healing, learning, and community through thoughtfully curated trainings, workshops, and gatherings.
Event Location
Root & Bloom Institute
2307 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Transportation & Parking
RBI Transportation Guidelines
Meals
There will be an hour and half each day for lunch and there are a number of great restaurants nearby. Suggestions will be included in the welcome letter upon registration.
About the Studio…
We provide large, 4x 6 foot standing easels.
- A wide variety of tempera paints.
- Pastels.
- Brushes.
- Chairs/stools.
- Water containers.
- Painting rags.
- Very high quality, large sheets of paper to paint on.
- Painting smocks.
All of these materials are included in the cost of the workshop. You are more than welcome to bring your own brushes or smocks but we ask that you don’t bring any acrylic, glitter, or other types of paints.
Wild Heart Painting as a Spiritual Practice
Dates: Saturday, December 5, 2026 through Sunday, December 26, 2026
Location: Root and Bloom Institute, 2307 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. Transportation & Parking: RBI Transportation Guidelines
Cost: $600
Please note that daily facilitation and all art supplies will be provided. However, meals and transportation to the venue are not included in the price.
Policies, Disclaimers, and Agreements
Cancellation Policy
The registration fee is non refundable and non-transferable to other services, events, or workshops within 30 days of the start of the event. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel. Please note that we will not give refunds, credits, or transfers for any missed days of the event regardless of the cause.
Accommodations
Lodging is not provided at this event and we are unable to reserve or arrange lodging for you in the community where this event is being held. We recommend that you check with any local hotels or short term rental businesses to reserve your lodging for the duration of this event.
Transportation
Transportation is not provided to or from the event destination.
Food
Meals will not be provided at this event but there are a number of good local restaurants nearby. Information and recommendations will be sent in the Welcome letter upon registration.
Art Supplies
Unless otherwise noted, all necessary art supplies will be provided at our live in-person events. We provide non-toxic water soluble paints and paper. The materials that we supply are chosen to enhance the intuitive process and your direct experience of creativity instead of emphasizing the outcome or product. You may bring your own additional water soluble non-toxic personal supplies such as brushes, colored pencils, or chalk pastels if you choose. However, please note that we do not allow oil paints, acrylic paints, spray paint, solvents or any toxic or permanent materials at any of our events. In addition, we do not allow loose glitter at any of our events due to the work and expense involved in clean up. If you plan on bringing additional art supplies not listed above please contact us before registering.
Alcohol & Drug Policy
All of our events, trainings, and workshops are intended to be healing experiences. Your successful participation in any of our events requires that you show up fully to yourself, your feelings, your creative process, your inner life and other members of the circle in a respectful and meaningful way. As a result we do not tolerate the use of alcohol or recreational drugs during the event. Our expectation is that you will not drink alcohol or use any other kind of recreational drug during the time that we are together so that we can all be focused on healing, learning and growing. If it comes to our attention that you are abusing alcohol or drugs during one of our events you will be asked to leave immediately without a refund or credit.
Non-participants and Pets
We do not allow pets, friends, relatives, or other people to attend our events during our time together as they can be a distraction for you and other attendees that will keep you from focusing and participating fully in the event.
Health and Wellness Issues
We support and will accommodate those with special needs to the degree that we are able. However, you must fully disclose any health or mental health related issues that might interfere with your attendance or participation at any of our events. We expect that you will be able to take full responsibility for yourself and will follow any and all doctor’s recommendations regarding medications, treatment plans, or other health guidance. Failure to do so in a way that puts yourself or others at risk will result in you being asked to leave the event immediately without a refund or credit. We do not provide nursing or psychiatric care services at our events. Please communicate all of your relevant health needs with us before registering.
Illness Protocols for in Person Events
Hopefully, everyone will be healthy by the time we get together but we do ask that if you are feeling sick within 2 weeks before the start of the workshop that you notify us of your condition so we can discuss options with you. If you want to wear a mask during the workshop, that is up to you. But it won’t be required.
Fragrances and Scents
Our events are not strictly fragrance free. However, for the comfort and health of ourselves and of all of our attendees, we request that you don’t wear perfumes or use other heavily scented products. If you have any concerns about scents or fragrances please contact us before registering.
Agreements
By registering and attending one of our events you agree to abide by all of these policies.
Disclaimer
By participating in any events planned and controlled by Chris Zydel, Timothy Lajoie, or Creative Juices Arts, you agree to the following:
- Creative Juices Arts events are provided with no special warranty either express or implied. The Organizers, including but not limited to Chris Zydel, Timothy Lajoie, the Owners, Assistants, Vendors, and Sponsors, of Creative Juices Arts events assume no liability for any loss, theft, damage, or injury to property or persons, including death, whether arising in contract, negligence, equity, or otherwise.
- You assume all risks when participating in Creative Juices Arts events. All participants must use care and good judgment and must obey all rules and regulations specified by Chris Zydel, Timothy Lajoie, Creative Juices Arts, or their Assistants. You will comply with all requests made by representatives of Creative Juices Arts. You must obey all laws of the State of California. We reserve the right to eject any participant who does not comply with the terms of this section. Ejected participants will not be entitled to a refund or any further recourse.
- You will defend, indemnify and hold harmless Chris Zydel, Timothy Lajoie, and Creative Juices Arts and its organizers, directors, employees, consultants, agents, assistants, affiliates for any and all legal actions arising out of participation in Creative Juices Arts events. You further agree to pay all legal fees incurred by Chris Zydel, Timothy Lajoie, or Creative Juices Arts that arise due to this agreement.
- You give Chris Zydel and Timothy Lajoie authorization to use and post any photographs, videotapes, recordings or any other record of our events, including full names of any participants, before during or after the event for promotional use, reporting to the media and to publish on our website or blog. You will not be entitled to any compensation for our use of your name or image.
- Refunds for any reason will be at the discretion of Chris Zydel or Timothy Lajoie
- Chris Zydel or Timothy Lajoie reserves the right to exclude anyone from becoming a Creative Juices Arts event participant should they choose not to accept this Agreement.
Rave Reviews From Happy Painters
My experience at this retreat was life altering. It was a gift to myself at a time when I was reconnecting to my creative life which had long been neglected and was fighting for space. The voice inside just kept getting louder and louder. So I answered it by dedicating time to paint — paint my emotions, be present for my yearnings and desires and respond to them, and be quiet and reflective through the painting process. I planned to do this on my own yet the magic of life brought me to the Painting from the Wild Heart retreat at Mountain Home Ranch and the supportive environment was a perfect [new] beginning. 
The experience was nothing short of divine. I felt taken care of emotionally, physically and spiritually and I adored every minute of it. I felt and continue to feel alive and am showing up in my life with a renewed energy and motivation — I have already spent time painting every day since the retreat. I am inspired … I cannot thank you enough for providing me the space to breath new life into my body and soul.
Wow-weeeeeeeeeeeee … YES!!!!!! Having the dedicated time, space, and guidance away from the daily routine really supported opening my creative channel in a BIG way. In the wake of the workshop, I continue to express myself creatively on and off the canvas. Painting in community for the first time since high school, was a wonderful and revelatory experience. Highly recommended!
The workshop was marvelous beyond words! I too was blown away by the level of immediate trust and safety we all felt with each other. All of you will be in my heart forever! Actually, the intuitive process for painting was easier to follow than I expected. Of course, that doesn’t mean it was easy to keep open to what came up. Sometimes the things that wanted to show up on my paper really ticked me off! But as I went with it I found such freedom and release that now I think I am addicted to this process. Thank you for leading us in it, Chris. Your responses were affirming, challenging and always right on! And I am so glad my daughter and I could do it together. We keep the work in our relationship up to date so we didn’t have any big dark issues to wrestle through but I think we both learned something new, fresh and beautiful in each other. She is a wonderful painter as well as song writer! I am SO proud! And it was a special gift to see all of you respond to her with the same level of respect and joyful delight that I feel for her!
Amidst the natural setting of oak and redwood trees, I felt free to discover my inner self. Through painting with Chris, I also felt safe enough to discover and express my deepest and truest creativity. The natural and bucolic yet almost rustic setting is reminiscent of an earlier time, with a slower pace and wonderfully tasty and nutritious home cooked, organic meals provided in a family atmosphere that welcomes and nurtures the soul!
What a treat to spend a weekend surrounded by the beauty of nature and a community of fellow artists … to be nourished by wholesome cooking as well as Chris’s supportive guidance … and to have the opportunity to immerse myself in my creative process. I feel that I’ve returned from the retreat with fresh eyes for the forms and colors in the world around me … as well as a deeper insight into my own inner landscapes. I’ve experienced the joy and peace that comes from trusting my own intuition … and learned a few tricks for recognizing and banishing the critic, at least temporarily! I am amazed and humbled by what shows up on the paper when I am willing to trust the process. What a great metaphor for living, too! Just trust … be bold … go with the flow. Thank you, Chris!
Like Chris mentions, people are drawn to her retreats at specific times of their lives for inexplicable reasons. That’s exactly how it happened for me.
I was guided at just the right time, a time of transition for me, with just the right people and I’m beyond grateful that I followed through and trusted my intuitive shout to go to learn from her! Chris shares beautiful wisdom and gives clear guidance and loving support toward allowing what needs to come forth, to come forth and what needs to shed, to shed at your own pace.
Plus, having a set up studio space brimming with hundreds of brushes, paint colors (yes, Glitter!) and unlimitted paper to ‘go bigger’ makes it like a playground to be free in and to safely explore!
I’m in awe really of what happened there and how life shifting it’s been for me. Connecting to our inner wisdom and painting from there is magically healing, inspiring and promotes loving and caring at deeper levels. Chris (and Tim) are changing the world for the better with their work. Thank you both for being the wise, laughter-filled, loving creatives you are!
For me the Calistoga retreat was like summer camp for grown ups, but in the middle of winter. The ranch had a kind of old style charm. Big fireplace in the main room, friendly owners and beautiful country all around. Of course the food was anything but summer camp style! I ate so much! I find that when I am intensively creative, as was the case during the retreat, I am famished by the time each meal rolls around and having wonderfully prepared food certainly encourages my eyes to believe that I need huge servings of everything! Being surrounded by such a lovely place was an added extra plus to the excitement and loving energy that everyone brought. It wasn’t planned or expected, it just happened. We all got together the first night and relaxed, got to know each other a bit and shared our hopes for the next few days. Something about having the intention to create consistently with little or no distractions produces so much energy! I wanted to get painting right away. Even though fear mixed in with the excitement, I couldn’t wait. 
Often when I paint with Chris I work through difficult emotions, and of course that’s okay. It’s all part of it. During this retreat however, I was able to stay in a place of humor and lightness. I don’t know if the group energy, the beautiful country side, or Chris’s way of encouraging and listening to what I needed and wanted, helped me reach this playful place. Perhaps it was all three and then some. Whatever it was, I felt so much joy and freeness. At one point while painting I looked around and saw that everyone was completely present with their own process. It was inspiring and encouraging. I felt so much love for everyone along with a kind of collective pride. I thought, yeah, look at us! Look at what we’re creating! This is amazing! We’re creating so much healing energy! I feel transformed! One day during a painting break I went for a walk down the French Toast Gulch. It was very cold that weekend but the sun was out and the colors of nature were crisp and clean. Ice had formed along the path and tiny crystals attached themselves to the thin blades of grass. It was quite something. I felt alone and not alone all at once. Yes, I loved this retreat. The collective energy, the conversation, the quiet, the beauty, the painting into the unknown, Chris’s unending support, the food, the rustic cabins. All of it.
I was a woman in need of a local retreat. My Google search offered me Wildheart Painting with Chris Zydel or a Buddhist Monastery. I grew up terrified of painting and drawing, yet what I was experiencing that required retreat, made painting seem less terrifying; besides the Buddhist Monastery would always be there if painting didn’t work out. The retreat was only 2 weeks away, and I wondered if there would still be room for me. Thank Goddess there was. The time came and I packed a bag of causal comfy clothing and drove off to Calistoga. I was met by a longtime student of Chris’, who asked me if I’d ever done process painting before. Process painting, yikes! I didn’t see those words on the website. For the next 6 days I processed and painted, and processed and painted with as much paint and paper as I needed; it would be 30 2’x3′ sheets by the end of that week. I learned a lot about myself and about paint, and what kinds of shapes and lines and strokes the brushes and I could make together. It was work and fun, and love and hate, and hot and cold, and blue and green. I learned to love red and orange, made a mess, and then cleaned it up. I worked myself into a frenzy and into tears, into trance and out of terror. It was an inside job, expressed onto the outside world through paint. Thank the Goddess again! The environment is safe, and very quiet. It flows with the energy of others painting and processing, and it flows beautifully. Chris Zydel is a genius. She claims the studio a temple where there is no talking or visiting, and no studying or discussing our paintings. This creates a container free of judgement, and what can be created in the freedom from judgement, especially self-judgement, is amazing, and healing, and freeing, and expansive. Chris’ attention to our individual moments of being stuck or confused in our painting process were deftly supported in side-by-side witness and brief discussion. She offers humor and hugs, and gentle reminders that we are all artists, no matter what. I stepped into the retreat 6 days earlier, a bit shattered and certainly in an emotional spin over the change in life events that had recently occurred. I left that retreat with my self-confidence restored, emotions processed and clear headed. One week in the Wildheart Painting retreat changed me and freed me. A week in a Buddhist monastery might have achieved the same, but I wouldn’t have traded my experience with paint and paper, and my inner artist. There is power in putting paint to paper, and in experiencing and expressing that inner power, I am changed, and freer than before. Thank you Chris and thank the Goddess, again.
Chris Zydel and her Mountain Home Wild Heart workshop was the most amazing transformational week of my life. Chris pulled me deep into myself and created a space for my intuitive self and my deepest feelings to emerge and gain a larger voice that will continue to grow long after the retreat. Being together with Chris, other soul sisters, and the redwood trees, pulled me right through a threshold that I have been standing at for quite a while.
Great food, great hikes and the support of amazing people allowed me to release and rocket into the next phase of my personal development. Was it intense! Yes! Was it fun! Absolutely! Was it worth it! It was a priceless experience filled with support and love that gave me the courage to feel and explore and transform myself.
Thank you Chris and Tim.
Diane Prescott, attorney and lightworker