A Week-Long Encaustic Retreat in Mulranny, County Mayo
Luminous Terrain is a week-long immersive encaustic art retreat rooted in the wild beauty of Mulranny, Co. Mayo. Guided by artist Isabelle Gaborit, participants will explore how the Irish landscape can be distilled—through observation, memory, gesture, and transformation—into abstract encaustic artworks that hold energy, luminosity, and tactile history.
Nestled between tidal estuaries, heathered boglands, and the sweeping silhouettes of Croagh Patrick and Clare Island, Mulranny offers a landscape shaped by shifting Atlantic light and ancient geological forces. It is an environment perfectly suited to encaustic painting, an art form that thrives on texture, transparency, atmosphere, and depth.
Throughout the retreat, participants will alternate between guided outdoor excursions and studio-based creative development.
Over walks across cliffs, boglands, and tidal zones, artists will gather visual and sensory impressions through quick sketches, notan studies, photography, and intuitive mark-making. These raw observations will later be transformed in the studio into layered encaustic pieces inspired by place and experience.
In the studio, Isabelle will introduce a range of encaustic techniques, including:
Luminous transparent layering to evoke shifting weather and atmosphere
Subtractive carving, incising, and scraping back to reveal traces and histories
Geological mark-making inspired by erosion, tidal movement, and the textural terrain
Distillation of place through value studies, directional forces, and simplified forms
Balancing active, textured passages with quiet fields of rest
Intuitive decision-making, improvisation, and personal interpretation
Across four studio days and three exploration days, participants will create a cohesive body of encaustic work reflecting their own emotional, sensory, and imaginative engagement with Mulranny.
The resulting pieces often resemble internal maps—luminous topographies shaped by memory, movement, and the energy of the land.
This retreat is suitable for artists of all levels, including complete beginners and experienced encaustic practitioners. The intention is to offer a spacious, enriching environment where technique, landscape, and personal creative voice meet.
About Isabelle Gaborit
Isabelle Gaborit is a contemporary visual artist based in the west of Ireland, where she works from her studio nestled between the sea and a lake.
Her chosen medium is encaustic—a process as ancient as it is immediate—using molten, pigmented beeswax manipulated with a blowtorch. This tactile and sensuous method lies at the heart of her process-driven practice, allowing her to respond directly to the raw natural forces that shape the wild Atlantic landscape around her.
Originally from La Rochelle, France, Isabelle studied sculpture, drawing, and painting at l’École des Beaux-Arts in Poitiers before completing a BA (Hons) in Fine Arts in Ireland in 2006. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including France, Northern Ireland, the USA, Germany, and China.
With over two decades of teaching experience, Isabelle has led workshops and retreats across Ireland and internationally, including the International Encaustic Conference in Massachusetts, Mulranny Arts, Leitrim School of Art in Ireland, and kunstfreiraum in Switzerland. She is a core instructor with R&F Handmade Paints, contributes to the online program Painting with Fire, and serves on the board of the International Encaustic Artists (IEA). In 2024, she joined Mastrius Masters as a mentor, supporting emerging artists in developing their creative voice and professional presence.
Reviews
From all of us here at EOM
You are warmly invited to stay a while.
We invite you to imagine standing on the panoramic hillside of our studio, taking in the spectacular views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s holy mountain).
Open your heart to the profoundly moving drama of the constantly shifting Atlantic skies, reflecting an ever-changing light show on the bay. The wildness and grandeur of this spectacular area belie the peace and connection you will feel to Ireland and to this very special place.
Lie on a blanket in the heather and watch the stars emerge on a clear night, or walk along the rocky shores to gather shells, driftwood, and memories. Feel yourself letting go of the stress of everyday life as the mystery and beauty of this land awaken your senses.
This unspoiled landscape provides a haven of inspiration and experimentation, a place to stretch your skills in whatever medium you are working with, all within an amazing, state of the art studio.
Join us in Mulranny, Ireland.
Set in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way, Essence of Mulranny Studios provides a sanctuary for creativity—where the rugged beauty of Ireland’s west coast becomes both backdrop and inspiration. Surrounded by stone walls, sea air, and the deep-rooted myths of the land, you’ll find the perfect setting to truly immerse yourself in your work and your growth.
Local Villages
Meet the local people, warm, friendly and always happy to chat and share a story or a cup of tea. While you're here, take some time to explore the charming village of Westport, where you can shop at the quaint stores and perhaps stop by a local pub or two.
Connect with Nature
Finding something to inspire you is not hard with the richness of the various eco systems surrounding Mulranny - from marine to mountain landscapes, with grasslands, bog and heather hills - this enchanted land casts a spell on any artist.
Enriching Excursions
Visit historic sites. Learn about the infamous Irish Pirate Queen and visit one of her many castles. Hear the story of our Stone Age ancestors and experience the myths and magic of Irelands spiritual roots while standing in one of the ancient stone circles. This is indeed a land of legends!
Find Your Inspiration
Make sure to pack your camera and sketchbooks because you're about to embark on a journey that will capture your heart and fill your mind with boundless inspiration. Prepare to be swept away by the sights, sounds, and stories that make this place truly magical.
Your Time with Isabelle at EOM
Your 8 days will be a beautiful blend of studio time, delightful excursions, cultural experiences and of course, plenty of free time to rest and explore!
You can arrive, unpack your suitcase (and your art supplies) and truly relax, at the gorgeous Essence of Mulranny Retreat center, operated by yours truly. We will be visiting enchanting villages, strolling along the beautiful coastline, touring ancient castles and ruins, picnicking in the heather fields and creating all along the way! The creative inspiration will be all around you!
Your general itinerary for your time in this magical place.
There may be a few changes here and there, depending on weather usually but we will let you know.
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We will collect you all at Westport Train station at 4pm and whisk you away to Mulranny, about 30 mins drive. After a champagne reception, we will gather for dinner and sharing and get you settled in to your rooms at EOM or DeBrun house.
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The MAC studio will be open from 9am to 8pm and is a short walk from the residence areas Class will be from 9:30am to 4pm.
We will serve lunch at 1pm each studio day at the MAC.
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This day is an all day trip to Achill Island. Lunch will be at a lovely little restaurant (your expense)
Dinner will be served back at EOM.
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Class will be from 9:30am to 4pm.and dinner will be at a lovely little pub in the Village (included)
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We often have a special entertainment on this evening but it depends on availability. We will let you know.
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1⁄2 Studio day and a trip to local attractions including Westport and the Old Irish Goat center. Dinner will be at the Famous Nevins restaurant (your expense).
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1/2 Studio day and finishing up work. Delicious dinner with wine and sharing.
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The bus will take you to Westport train station for a 9:45 departure to Dublin or the Galway bus.
Your home for the week.
This beautiful learning center is complete with well equipped mixed media/encaustic art studio, private bedrooms, a cozy gathering room with fireplace and group kitchen for those midnight snacks!
All meals will be included and prepared by an on-site private chef and will focus on delicious, healthy cuisine. For larger groups we house students in the village, in apartments with spectacular views.
October 12th - 19th, 2026
Luminous Terrain: Distilling the Irish Landscape in Encaustic with Isabelle Gaborit
US $4,295 for a private bedroom & bathroom
US $3,995 for a private bedroom/shared bathroom
Included in your retreat:
Workshop instruction
Some supplies (will be specified closer to trip)
7 nights lodging
Transportation from Westport to the Studio (it is recommended to fly into Dublin airport and get a train to Westport where we will meet you to take you to Mulranny).
All meals except - 1 lunches & 1 dinner
All tour & excursion fees
New friends and an art tribe!
Not Included:
Travel costs / Airfare
Passport fees, photos and processing where applicable
Additional nights lodging
Ready to reserve your spot?
A US $500 deposit will secure your place.
It is advisable to have insurance to cover your travel to Ireland and to cover your workshop fees for your possible cancellation in the event of illness. There are no exceptions for this policy. Read the cancellation policy here.
$500.00