Month: December 2024

12/12/24

What’s in the box we found in an antique shop in France?

Above: See this odd little box? We discovered it at an antique shop in France

on my previous retreat. Can you guess what’s inside? Read on!

Why am I so crazy about antique and vintage shops? I bet you are, too.

Because as visual people, we love odd and delightful objects. Stuff we’re not accustomed to seeing. Different sensibilities. Lettering and design from a different era.

I find exploring a quirky vintage shop as exciting as going to a museum–sometimes even more so! Plus, in Europe, this American gal delights in all the old, old, old things. They tell stories. They reveal other times. And the typography! So gorgeous! That’s why we’ve included visiting some antique shops on my upcoming Lettering Retreat in Spain October 2025

On my previous retreat in France one of the gang discovered this intriguing black leather box. (I forget who it was. If you know, shoot me an email!)

And LOOK at what we discovered inside: three teeny paper boxes embellished with gorgeous lettered labels stuffed full of dip pen nibs, a sealing wax stick and seal, tiny vellum envelopes, a tiny faceted glass ink bottle. A postcard and very old stamps. We kept pulling things out of the thing and screeched with each new discovery.
Above: And this heap of goodness was what was inside!

That’s why I love European antique shops.

It now sits on my art table, a beautiful memory and a lifetime of nibs!

That’s why we’ve included a day trip to charming antique shops on the Lettering Retreat in Spain October 2025. We’ll wander the tiled and cobbled streets, stop for lunch, and poke around like the visual maniacs we are and love to be!

We’ll plow through old books, odd pharmaceutical bottles, maybe a tarot deck or two, lots of oddities and delights waiting to be discovered.

In addition to gobs of time to make art in our own studio, taking breaks for lovely meals, we’ll take our own comfy bus to special sites for our three half-day trips.

Oooh, I can’t wait to tell you about them—from vintage shops to an Andalusian botanical paradise to wandering the quaint streets of a Spanish seaside village. Read on.

BOOK YOUR TRIP HERE.

Day Trip 1: Almeria

A highlight of our trip to Almería is the chance to explore its charming vintage shops, or “tiendas de segunda mano,” where who knows what treasures we’ll

find. We’ll also bop into a local art supply store and obsess over any art supplies we don’t already own. If time allows, we’ll immerse ourselves in the enriching Museo de Arte de Almería, where the historical Museo de Arte Doña Pakyta showcases 19th- and 20th-century art, and the modern Espacio 2 celebrates contemporary works. We’ll wrap up our outing with a delicious lunch at a traditional Almería restaurant.

Above: We’ll take leisurely walks around the grounds and photograph or draw specimens for our journals. Later, it’s a treat to identify and letter the names of the plants in your new lettering styles!
Day Trip 2: Andalusian Botanical Gardens

We’ll begin our day as always with a delicious breakfast and coffee before setting off on our own comfy bus (I know; I said that already but I love that we get our own comfy bus and just to mention, on my last retreat, we all had a crush on our bus tour guide). Ok, so as I was saying, we’ll enjoy a peaceful journey to a hidden, quirky little Andalusian botanical paradise nestled in the rolling hills of Almería. About an hour’s drive away, this enchanting garden to an small, but eccentric, garden with 1,450 exotic and carnivorous plants. I didn’t make that up!

You can savor the beauty with your camera or simply with your actual eyes if you prefer, while we feel inspired by nature’s rather obsessive desire to wow us with originality.

Our guide will show us around and I know I’ll want to ask about the 1,450 EXOTIC AND CARNIVOROUS PLANTS!

Day Trip 3: San José by the Sea

After our morning art studio time, we’re off to San José, a charming bohemian village by the sea. Just a short 30-minute drive through the stunning Cabo de Gata Natural Park, this former fishing village is now a tranquil retreat known for its pristine beaches and authentic local cuisine. We’ll enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant before exploring at our own pace—stroll through the town, take in the views, or even dip your toes in the sea if the weather’s right.

As the sun sets over the azure waves, we’ll head back to the venue for a relaxed and delicious dinner, sharing stories, laughter, and perhaps a glass of wine with the group.

Read all about the day trips and all the goodness of this retreat here.

 

Above: Back ‘home’ for a little R&R, perhaps wine and conversation.
Let’s make some art, enjoy adventures, and make memories in Spain!

I can’t wait to spend a week with you—exploring, creating, and sharing our love of lettering in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

 

Let’s sip coffee in the garden, wander through the estate, and make art that feeds the soul.

Book your place here.

xo

Co-Founder, Instructor, Make Art That Sells

Instructor, Color Quest Art Retreat, Portugal, March 2025

Instructor, Lettering Art Retreat, Spain, October 2025

Instructor, CreativeBug

Columnist, Uppercase Magazine

Author, I Just Like to Make Things

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Can’t wait for the goodness? Want a fabulous retreat even sooner? Need a winter getaway? My Color Quest Retreat will captivate you! Hurry, there are a few spots left in my Color Quest Art Retreat in dazzling Portugal March 2025!
12/11/24

My next retreat revealed! Join me!

 

Guess what new mischief I’ve gotten myself into this time? I am so excited to announce my week-long lettering retreat in the breathtaking setting of Cabo de Gata Natural Park in the South of Spain October 20–27, 2025.

I’ll open up the retreat to the public really soon, but I first wanted to reach out to my newsletter subscribers with an exclusive invitation before it goes public. There are only 16 spots available, so now’s the time to nab your favorite room before they’re all gone!

We’ll get to be together (in real life!) in a dreamy setting where you can devote loads of luxurious, uninterrupted time to your art. We’ll dive deep into so many gorgeous lettering techniques, helping you fall in love with lettering or further refine your own lettering style.

I’m going to wow you with serifs and swashes and ascenders and descenders and embellishments and blocks and shadows that will delight you (that was fun to list all kinds of parts and pieces of letterforms!) I’ve got lots of tricks up my sleeve for making it fun, and as I say, I trick you into doing your best work!

So just imagine spending a week immersed in your art, with everything taken care of alongside 15 other like-minded creatives who just might become your new best friends. Plus, I’ll be there, ready to sip coffee with you, chat about your career or the latest art supplies, and–my favorite thing–uncover your unique magic.

If you want to level up your lettering, this is exactly the experience that will do the trick! Last time I led the lettering retreat, I was amazed at how everyone’s work blossomed.

Above: Everyone is capable of enjoying and mastering lettering. If you can hold a pencil then I can teach you any number of techniques, tools, and embellishments to find enjoyment in letter-making.

 

READ MORE HERE.

Above: Each participant will receive an inspiring, beautifully printed 25-card lettering deck. Have you taken a lettering class from me previously? The cards will have all-new images for this retreat.

 

Above: Let’s enjoy our morning coffee in this breakfast room together!

 

Above: We’ll take leisurely walks around the lush grounds and photograph or draw specimens for our journals. Then, it’s fun to letter the names of the plants in your new lettering styles!

 

KEY DETAILS:

  • October 20–27, 2025
  • Location: Níjar, Almeria, Spain
  • Limited to 16 participants
WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • A gorgeous venue: Our own private estate of Spanish Fincas, complete with a pool, beautiful gardens, and inspiring views.
  • 7 nights of private accommodations
  • All meals, coffee and delicious snacks to fit every food preference or allergies. (The food is incredible!)
  • Transportation for three art trips and excursions is included
  • Three unforgettable half-day trips. Read about them here.
  • Chef-prepared meals every day, plus snacks and drinks to fuel your creativity. All food preferences are accommodated.
  • Daily lettering sessions including demonstrations and lots of time to work in the studio.
  • Career guidance: Individual advice and support for your creative business gathered from my years as an agent mentoring top artists like Lisa Congdon, Sarah Walsh, Flora Waycott, Carolyn Gavin, Helen Dardik, and Suzy Ultman. Need help finding the right clients or agents? I’ll share tailored tips just for you.
SPECIAL BONUS:

 

  • Informal “Ask the Agent Anything” sessions, where I’ll share insider stories, career advice, and do tarot readings for anyone who wishes (always a hit!)

Questions about booking? The retreat is organized by the awesome folks at UpTrek. Take a look at the booking page and if you still have questions, you can reach out to them directly at contact@uptrek.com

Book your place HERE!

Above: You’ll discover your favorites lettering styles from this week-long lettering buffet! Plus unlimited coffee, tea and yummy and plentiful snacks while you work.
Above: Lettering by Fay Ford from our lettering retreat in France, April 2024
Fay writes, “As soon as Lilla sent out the newsletter announcing the Lettering Retreat (April 2024) I had my hand up to go! The opportunity to spend a whole week in the tranquil countryside of southern France, with delicious food and in-person teaching from Lilla Rogers was too good to miss! And it didn’t disappoint. Each day began with the excitement of opening our daily envelope of precious lettering cards to inspire our journalling.

Lilla shared so much of her art process during the week, including art demos and Q&A sessions. Plus there were lovely, extra special touches, like our embroidered name badges and bags, which will be treasured.

I think the fact that we all rushed back into the amazing studio space whenever there was any down-time, is testament to Lilla’s natural gift of creating such an inspiring, fun and relaxed atmosphere to create in.

I’ll never forget the sounds of the oohing and aahing with excitement, while sixteen like minded creatives wandered around the brocantes! It was magical.”

Thank you, Fay. It was dreamy!

 

NEW FOR 2025

  • In addition to hand lettering from vintage styles, this time we’ll also explore dip pen lettering, brush lettering, Chancery cursive calligraphy with italic nibs, and decorative borders.
  • Each participant receives an exclusive 25-card lettering deck featuring inspiring styles and prompts—with all new imagery, designed just for this retreat!
Above: Me. Ready to teach you!
Lettering has been both a joy and a lucrative part of my career—from my early days as an illustrator in New York for clients like Anna Wintour, Neiman Marcus, Rolling Stone Magazine and Chronicle Books; to lettering for my authored/illustrated book, I Just Like to Make Things and and my jewelry craft line; for course materials in my Make Art That Sells courses and my regular Uppercase Magazine column. Plus it’s my daily journaling regimen, which I’ll share with you in Spain.

Lettering is not only a meditative practice but also an in-demand form that can enhance your art and definitely boost your income.

Above: Where we’ll stay. I know, right?
Above: Art and lettering by Anne Heasell from our lettering retreat in France, 2024. Shown, some of the lettering inspiration cards from that retreat.
EARLY ACCESS FOR MY NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS

The retreat will open to the public soon, but as a newsletter subscriber, you get first dibs! The previous lettering retreat sold out immediately, so don’t wait—secure your spot now!

Read more and book your place here!

 

LET’S MAKE ART AND MEMORIES IN SPAIN!

I can’t wait to spend a week with you—exploring, creating, and sharing our love of lettering in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Let’s sip coffee in the garden, wander through the estate, and make art that feeds the soul.

Book your place here before the public announcement.

https://uptrek.com/retreat/lettering-retreat-agent-artist-lilla-rogers-spain

Questions about booking? The retreat is organized by my trusted partners at UpTrek. Feel free to contact them at contact@uptrek.com for any questions.

Can’t wait to see you there! It’s going to be amazing!

xo
Co-Founder, Instructor, Make Art That Sells

Instructor, Color Quest Art Retreat, Portugal, March 2025

Instructor, Lettering Art Retreat, Spain, October 2025

Instructor, CreativeBug

Columnist, Uppercase Magazine

Author, I Just Like to Make Things

 

Can’t wait for the Spain goodness? Want a fabulous retreat even sooner? Need a winter getaway? My Color Quest Retreat will captivate you and make your work sparkle! Hurry, there are a few spots left in my Color Quest Art Retreat in dazzling Portugal March 2025!
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Lilla Rogers | Mystic Lake | Arlington, MA 02474 US
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