PRESSED & KEPT:
A BOTANICAL PRINTING EXPERIENCE
Spend two days gathering, pressing, and printing what grows nearby—
in a space intentionally set apart for creating, keeping, and quiet attention.
$895 FOR THE FULL TWO-DAY EXPERIENCE
You’ve probably told yourself you want to create more…
But it keeps getting pushed to the side.
The days fill up—
with responsibilities, people who need you, things that have to get done.
And by the time there’s a quiet moment, you’re too tired to begin.
Or you think:
“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
So the intention is there…
but it never quite becomes something real.
And over time, that starts to carry a quiet kind of weight—
Knowing you want to make space for creativity…
but not having a place for it to actually happen.
Because the truth is—
It’s hard to begin something new
without time set aside…
without a space prepared for you…
without someone guiding you into the process.
Left on your own, it stays an idea—
something you’ll get to “later.”
INSIDE PRESSED & Kept…
There is something anchoring about working with what grows nearby—
to gather gently,
to press what is fleeting,
to watch color and form leave their trace.
Over two days on the land, you’ll step into a space that has been thoughtfully prepared—
so you can work with your hands without distraction or urgency.
You’ll gather leaves and flowers,
press and print them onto paper and cloth,
and allow the natural world to shape what you create.
✧ During our time together, you’ll:
Create botanical prints on paper and fabric using gathered plant materials
Learn simple, approachable techniques you can return to at home
Explore watercolor florals through soft, responsive studies
Press and preserve botanicals for ongoing use
✧ Just as important, you’ll experience:
A dedicated, set-apart space where creativity is no longer postponed
Time that has already been made for you—so you can fully enter the work
A small, intimate group of just 12 women
✧ Every detail is held with care:
A covered outdoor setting on the land, allowing you to work closely with nature
All materials thoughtfully provided—paper, fabric, botanicals, and tools
Shared meals on Friday and Saturday, so you can remain present throughout the day
✧ And on Friday evening…
You’ll gather for a live musical experience with The Arcadian Wild—
a natural extension of the day, held in the same spirit of attention and presence.
About The Arcadian Wild
The Arcadian Wild creates music that feels both rooted and expansive—
layered harmonies, acoustic textures, and a sound that invites you to slow down and listen closely.
Their work holds the same qualities we return to throughout this experience:
attention, presence, and a deep appreciation for what is both simple and carefully made.
On Friday evening, their music becomes part of the landscape—
an offering that sits alongside the work of your hands,
and gives space to take it all in.
YOUR INVITATION
There’s no preparation needed…
everything has been thoughtfully arranged—
from the materials you’ll work with
to the rhythm of each day on the land.
All that’s required is that you arrive.
Step into a space where time has already been made for you…
where the details are carefully held…
and where your only focus is to gather, create, and take part in what unfolds.
If this has been something you’ve been meaning to make space for—
this is a place where that space already exists.
$895 FOR THE FULL TWO-DAY EXPERIENCELIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS
AN EXPERIENCE SHAPED WITH CARE
ROOTED IN PLACE
This retreat is shaped by the land itself—by what is growing, in season, and gathered with care. The materials and the making are guided by place, allowing the work to feel grounded and specific rather than generic.
A SLOWER, CREATIVE RHYTHM
The days are intentionally unhurried, leaving room for pauses, reflection, and return. Rather than rushing toward an outcome, the work unfolds through attention, patience, and presence.
SMALL BY DESIGN
With a limited number of participants, this retreat offers space for ease, shared meals, and quiet companionship. There is no performance here—only the freedom to make, rest, and listen.
$895 FOR THE FULL TWO-DAY EXPERIENCELIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTSPRESSED & KEPT: A BOTANICAL PRINTING EXPERIENCE
Pressed & Kept is a small, botanical printing + pressing retreat on Gabi’s farm in Middle TN, offering slow, hands-on, creative time with plants, pigment, paper, and seasonal rhythm.
DETAILS
Dates: October 2–3, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day
Location: Private farm in Middle TN (1 hour outside Nashville)
Included:
All materials (paper, fabric, botanicals, tools)
Lunch and dinner on Friday
Lunch and dinner on Saturday
Live music experience Friday evening with The Arcadian Wild
Breakfast not provided.
$895 FOR THE FULL TWO-DAY EXPERIENCELIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS
A NOTE FROM THE ARTIST
I came to this work in a season when I needed something steady—
something that allowed me to slow down, to use my hands, and to return to what felt grounding.
Working with natural materials became a way to pay attention again.
To notice what was around me.
To create without pressure.
Over time, I began sharing these practices with other women—
creating spaces where they could step away from the pace of everyday life
and return to something quieter, more present, and more their own.
Pressed & Kept is an extension of that work.
A space to gather.
To press and preserve.
To keep what matters, gently held.
I hope you join me.
THE EXPERIENCE, THOUGHTFULLY HELD
-
meals, thoughtfully prepared with local and seasonal ingredients
All supplies and materials for botanical printing and watercolor
A handcrafted flower press to take home
A curated list of recommended supplies for continued practice
An evening concert on October 2 by a local, Nashville band, The Arcadian Wild.
Transportation provided from the hotel to the farm each day (optional)
Ample, unstructured time for rest, reflection, and quiet making
Time to connect with a small community of makers who share a faith-rooted approach to creativity
-
Day One — October 2
Morning arrival and welcome at the farm
Introduction to botanical printing and gathering plants from the land
Midday meal shared together
Afternoon printing on paper and cloth, with space for rest
Early evening meal
Evening concert under the open sky
Day Two — October 3
Morning arrival and quiet start
Watercolor florals: soft sketching and layered washes
Midday meal
Pressing botanicals and learning simple preservation methods
Time to finish pieces, reflect, and gather work to take home
Closing conversation and departure
The days are intentionally spacious, allowing the work—and the participants—to move at an unhurried pace.
-
Pressed & Kept is guided rather than scheduled. Each day offers a loose framework—demonstrations, shared meals, and moments of gathering—held within generous open space.
Participants are invited to move between instruction and rest, between focused making and quiet observation. There is no expectation to produce a certain outcome or keep pace with anyone else. The work unfolds through attention, presence, and care.
This retreat is designed to be supportive, grounded, and deeply human—a place where creativity is practiced slowly, in conversation with the land and one another.
-
This retreat is for those who feel drawn to slower days and quieter work.
For those who want time with their hands in conversation with what grows nearby.
For anyone curious about botanical printing and watercolor, whether for the first time or as a return.It is for those who value presence over productivity, who welcome pauses, shared meals, and unhurried making.
For those who find meaning in natural materials, gentle guidance, and space to listen—to the land, to the work, and to themselves.
When Another Kind of Experience is Needed…
This retreat may not be a fit for those seeking a fast-paced or highly structured experience.
It’s not designed for those who need constant direction, tight schedules, or technical mastery as the primary goal.It may also not be the right season for those who feel uneasy with open-ended creative time, outdoor elements, or work that unfolds slowly and quietly.
-
(logistics, gently held)
Once you register, you’ll receive an email with suggested hotels in the area. Transportation will be provided from one designated hotel to the farm on both retreat days, allowing you to arrive and depart with ease.
The closest airport is Nashville International Airport (BNA). The suggested hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from the airport, and detailed directions and timing will be shared well in advance so you can plan your travel simply and confidently.
Much of our time together will be held outdoors, allowing us to work directly with the elements—light, air, and plant material—as part of the botanical printing process. Demonstrations and making sessions will take place outside whenever weather allows.Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably and in layers, and to wear clothing suitable for working with natural pigments and plant material. Comfortable shoes and sun protection are recommended.
In the event of inclement weather, alternative arrangements will be made so the retreat can continue with care and ease.
-
(beginner-friendly, gently guided)
No prior experience is needed.
This retreat is designed to meet you at the beginning—whether you’ve never worked with botanical printing before or are simply returning to a creative practice after time away.
Each step will be demonstrated and guided with care, allowing you to move at a pace that feels steady and approachable.
There is no pressure to produce anything in a certain way.
You are invited to learn, to explore, and to let the process unfold naturally.
-
(simple, light, and considered)
Very little is required.
All materials for printing and painting will be provided for you, thoughtfully prepared and ready to use.
You may wish to bring:
Comfortable clothing suitable for working with natural materials and pigments
Layers for changing outdoor conditions
A journal, if you enjoy writing or sketching alongside your work
Any personal items that help you feel at ease while spending time outdoors
The intention is to keep your preparation simple, so you can arrive without feeling burdened or overpacked.
-
(held, considered, accommodating)
Care has been taken to create an environment that feels both comfortable and supportive throughout your time here.
The outdoor workspace is covered and thoughtfully arranged, allowing you to remain connected to the natural surroundings while still feeling sheltered and at ease.
Organic meals are provided so you can stay present without needing to leave or plan.
If at any point you need to step away, rest, or take quiet time, you are welcome to do so.
If you have specific accessibility needs, dietary considerations, or questions about how to best prepare for your time here, you are invited to reach out in advance. Every effort will be made to accommodate you with care and attention.
The experience is designed to feel steady, welcoming, and gently held from beginning to end.
WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MEANING TO RETURN TO…HAS A PLACE HERE.
Two days, thoughtfully prepared—
to gather, to create, and to keep what might have otherwise passed by.
$895 FOR THE FULL TWO-DAY EXPERIENCELIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS