The poetry of place landscape painting workshop title page
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
Elaine Speirs quick study sketchbook
The Poetry Of Place | A Journey Of Intuitive Landscape Painting, August 6th-9th, 2026
The Poetry Of Place | A Journey Of Intuitive Landscape Painting, August 6th-9th, 2026
Elaine Speirs landscape sketches
Elaine Speirs sketchbook examples
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
Elaine Speirs landscape painting examples
The Poetry Of Place | A Journey Of Intuitive Landscape Painting, August 6th-9th, 2026
Inside a tent at Hunter Moon Homestead
View of the pond from inside a tent at HMH
Inside a tent at Hunter Moon Homestead
Private hammock and tent
Inside Cabin 2
View inside a cabin
Cabins by the pond at Hunter Moon Homestead
Inside the twin cabin
The pond at Hunter moon Homestead
The king bed at the Troy Cottage
Wolf Meadows Ranch House En Suite Bedroom
Wolf Meadows Ranch House En Suite Bedroom
Wolf Meadows Ranch House En Suite Bedroom
Wolf Meadows Ranch House basement apartment
Wolf Meadows Ranch House off-site accommodations
Wolf Meadows Ranch House Living Room
Wolf Meadows Ranch House Kitchen
Wolf Meadows Ranch House dining
Wolf Meadows Ranch House basement living room
Welcome reception
Sample dessert of preserved lemon cake
Nibble board and table setting at Hunter Moon Homestead
The gazebo set or dinner during an art retreat
The Palouse
The garden at hunter moon homestead
The bathhouse at Hunter Moon Homestead

The Poetry Of Place | A Journey Of Intuitive Landscape Painting, August 6th-9th, 2026

  • Live Workshop

Capture nature's essence through intuitive painting techniques in this inspiring workshop designed for artists of all skill levels, including complete beginners and those new to oil painting. Led by acclaimed artist Elaine Speirs, you'll explore the stunning beauty surrounding Hunter Moon Homestead, while building confidence in your creative voice.

Beginning with initial sketches and quick captures using watercolor, acrylic, and pencil, you'll learn through gentle, step-by-step demonstrations how to plan compelling compositions using foreground, middle ground, and distance. We'll explore color mixing fundamentals, working from base colors to complementary palettes that reflect the rich, seasonal hues of our natural setting.

These exploratory studies will build your foundation before transitioning to oil paints for two larger-scale works on matte board. Elaine's supportive teaching approach makes oil painting accessible to newcomers, while offering fresh insights for those with a more practiced hand. Her expertise in capturing fleeting moments and intimate connections with place will guide you in discovering your own poetic interpretation of the landscape.

Whether you've never held a brush or are looking to explore new mediums, this workshop offers a nurturing environment to experiment, learn, and create beautiful finished paintings that celebrate both technique and personal expression.

  • Gain confidence using a variety of painting medium
  • Translate your quick sketches and studies into larger scale works
  • Explore colour mixing fundamentals
  • Discover the play of using your brush as a drawing tool
  • Capture the fleeting moments of nature's changing palette

NEW CLASS TECHNIQUES WE’LL EXPLORE

  1. Quick studies using watercolour, acrylic and pencil to build up our confidence to create interesting compositions
  2. Step by step demonstrations showing how to plan our compositions using foreground, middle ground and distance
  3. Colour mixing from base colour to complimentary colours to create depth and the beautiful colours surrounding Hunter Moon Homestead
  4. Use our studies to create larger scale paintings on matte board
WHAT IS INCLUDED
  • 2 day guided instruction in the Bee House Studio, with free time to explore and be inspired in nature.
  • Most required class materials will be provided. An additional materials list will be sent prior to class.
  • Gourmet farm-to-table meals throughout your stay, using seasonal, organic produce grown on site.
  • Rustic luxury accommodations for 3 nights.
  • A welcome cocktail party
  • Evening camp fires.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Thursday

  • Check-in starts at 12pm.
  • Join us for a welcome cocktail party! Heavy apps and cocktails will be served.

Friday

  • Breakfast and coffee in the Bee House Studio
  • Sketches and studies in the studio and on the grounds 
  • Picnic lunch
  • Colour studies and continued sketching
  • Break for relaxation
  • Farm to table dinner served in the garden gazebo

Saturday

  • Breakfast and coffee in the Bee House Studio
  • Translate your sketches into larger scale works
  • Picnic lunch
  • Continued painting sessions outdoors or in the studio
  • Break for relaxation
  • Farm to table dinner served in the garden gazebo

Sunday

  • Farewell brunch served in the Main House
THE ARTIST
Visiting artist Elaine Speirs

Elaine Speirs

 

Elaine Speirs was born in Johannesburg 1967 and moved to Scotland as a child. Her childhood experiences in and between these two places spurred an interest in the themes of fragility, contradiction and reinvention that recur throughout her work.

Speirs explores the stark contrast she observes between the rich contours of female personhood and the depersonalised portraits of women that appear in the public sphere. Referencing a variety of imagery - ranging from nineteenth century literature to contemporary photography and film - the work reclaims the fleeting moments of humanity Speirs glimpse in these images, establishing a tentative connection between the distant and the intimate, between the universal and the personal.

Speirs attended Edinburgh College of Art between 1989 and 1993, and completed her MA at the Slade School of Fine Art in 1995. She lives and works in Edinburgh with her three daughters. A regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy of Scotland, Mall Galleries in London and represented by the Andgallery in Edinburgh. Her awards include, Caron Keating Memorial Award, John Purcell Drawing Award. She was shortlisted for the National Open Art Competition, The Threadneedle Prize, W Gordon Smith Award and selected for the BP Portrait Award. In 2021 she was elected as Professional Member for Visual Arts Scotland. Her works are included in private collections worldwide.

All Hunter Moon Homestead Workshops Include:
  • 2 days of expert guided instruction
  • Rustic luxury lodging for 4 days and 3 nights
  • A lavish welcome cocktail party
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout your stay
  • Afternoon snacks during workshops
  • Unlimited access to the coffee and tea bar
  • Access to the outdoor soaking tubs
  • Welcome gifts
  • Evening campfires

To arrange your own accomodations, please email us at hello@huntermoonhomestead.com

Continue below for additional details.

Regular price$2,100.00
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Rooms are offered on a first come, first served basis. Select your preference at checkout. Book early to ensure your pick of location! Double occupancy rooms include the cost for 2 participants. When booking for 2, please include the names for everyone attending in the notes section.

View detailed lodging info HERE.

POND VIEW CABINS

Our cabins provide a tranquil sanctuary, a place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the simplicity and beauty of nature. Prepare to be enchanted as you embark on an unforgettable elevated camping experience in the comfort of our inviting cabins at Hunter Moon Homestead.

We have three private cabin rooms located next to our 5 acre pond with either a luxurious Queen bed or two twins. The twin cabin is a double occupancy booking that must be shared with another guest.

Your every comfort has been considered. Each cabin is furnished with a pillow top mattress, down comforter and pillows, 100% cotton satteen sheets and fresh terry cloth towels.

Cabin guests are invited to use the shared bath house just a short walk away.

GLAMPING TENT

Take your camping to the next level! Canvas glamping tents are pitched on raised wooden platforms. Each is outfitted with a deluxe full size mattress, down comforter and pillows, 100% cotton satteen sheets and fresh terry cloth towels.

Tent guests are invited to use the shared bath house just a short walk away.

TROY COTTAGE

Located a quick 10 minute drive into the town of Troy, our guest cottage is a studio with small kitchenette, private bathroom and fenced yard.

WOLF MEADOWS

Located a scenic 20 minute drive to Helmer, this stunning modern property is a guest favorite. Surrounded by 190+ acres of wild Palouse. Enjoy one of 3 en suite bedrooms, a full kitchen and large shared living space. Perfect for a group that would like to enjoy the workshops together. VIEW MORE.

Getting to Hunter Moon Homestead is part of the journey! We're located just east of Troy, Idaho in the beautiful Palouse region. Known as the "Tuscany of America" for it's rolling hills and agriculture, you'll experience a serenity and quiet the closer you get to us.

Our closest airports are:

-Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (PUW)

-Spokane International Airport (GEG)

-Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport (LEW)

Visiting guests are encouraged to drive or rent a car at the airport to experience the scenic route to our location. Taxi services are limited and must be booked in advance. There are no ride-share options in our area.

Specific driving directions will be emailed to you with your retreat Welcome Packet.

The Bee House Studio was originally built as a grain barn around 1915. This barn housed food stores for working animals on this original turn of the century homestead, but is now our working artist's studio and retreat house!

We have restored the barn to include a beautiful kitchen, full bathroom, class room, a master bedroom suite, and a cozy bunk and lounging room.

All classes and breakfast service will be offered in the Bee House.

Unfortunately we are unable to offer refunds on events and workshops. All sales are FINAL SALE and no refunds will be issued after purchase. If you are unable to attend you may request to transfer your spot to the first person on our waitlist or gift it to a friend.

If you paid a deposit at the time of purchase, deposits are also non-refundable. The balance due for all retreats will need to be remitted by May 1st of the retreat year. You'll receive a reminder email to the same account that you purchased your retreat.

At Hunter Moon Homestead, we are committed to providing a tranquil and harmonious environment for all our guests. To ensure a serene experience for everyone, we kindly ask that you refrain from bringing pets onto the premises. While we understand the deep bond between humans and their furry companions, this policy is designed to maintain the peaceful coexistence of our guests and respect the diverse needs and preferences of our community.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Outdoor dinning at Hunter Moon Homestead

an immersive experience

Workshops At The Homestead

Not just a creative retreat, but an opportunity to be pampered, restored and fully inspired.

Enjoy seasonal, farm-to-table dining prepared on site, rustic luxury accommodations & curated instruction from global creatives.

LEARN MORE
simple yet refined

Pond View Cabins

Take glamping to the next level in one of our private cabin suites. Located next to our 5 acre pond, you'll be surrounded by nature views.

Each cabin is furnished with a pillow top mattress, down comforter and pillows, satteen sheets and fresh towels.

Cabin guests are invited to use the shared bath house just a short walk away.

Cabin 1: 1 King Bed (single occupancy)

Cabin 2: 1 Queen Bed (single occupancy)

Cabin 3: 1 Queen Bed (single occupancy)

next level camping

Glamping Tents

You've never had a camping experience like this one! Unzip your tent to a stunning sunset view over the pond.

Pitched on a raised wooden platform, our canvas tents are furnished with deluxe full size beds, sateen sheets, vintage blankets and fresh towels.

Tent guests are invited to use the shared bath house just a short walk away.

Tent 1: Double bed (single occupancy)

Tent 2: Double bed (single occupancy)

vacation stay

Guest Cottage

Make your stay a true vacation in our Guest Cottage. Located a quick 10 minute drive into the town of Troy, the cottage is our most private option.

This newly renovated studio suite offers a small kitchenette, private bathroom, on-site laundry facilities, and a fenced yard with a fire pit.

Dream in a luxurious king size bed fitted with pillow top mattress, satteen sheets and down comforter.

Troy Cottage: King bed (double occupancy)

MODERN OASIS

Wolf Meadows Ranch House

Escape to the serene beauty of rural Idaho at this breathtaking modern retreat, enveloped by 240 acres of pristine wilderness against a backdrop of majestic forests. A scenic 20-minute drive from Hunter Moon Homestead, this unique architectural showpiece seamlessly blends contemporary comfort with nature's majestic beauty. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring natural vistas that surround you.

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)