Meditative Art Retreat in Puglia, ITALY
WITH JOHANNE BOSSMANN
23rd - 28th FEBRUARY 2027
This retreat is centered around a meditative painting practice. We will work slowly, intuitively, and without pressure to perform or produce. Surrounded by the sun-drenched silence of ancient olive groves and the minimalist beauty of a restored 17th-century farmhouse, we explore painting as a contemplative process rather than a result-driven activity. Using heavily diluted acrylics, water, transparency, and layering, we focus on being present with color, movement, and flow. Guided sessions alternate with quiet time for individual exploration, rest, and reflection. There is ample space to pause, wander to the nearby beach, and allow things to unfold naturally. No prior experience is required. This retreat is open to beginners and experienced painters alike.
During the week, you will be guided through my meditative painting approach step by step: (1) working with raw canvas and surface preparation. (2) understanding dilution, transparency, and layering, (3) painting with your hands, engaging in a direct, silent conversation with color and touch, (4) allowing forms to emerge from the stillness of the Puglia light, and (5) developing trust in your own rhythm and intuition
The process is gentle and unhurried. There is no expectation to finish or “achieve” something — each participant is invited to work at their own pace.We will also explore additional meditative techniques using watercolor, ink, and water, inspired by the textures and earthy tones of the Salento coast.
ABOUT JOHANNE
Johanne Bossmann is a self-taught artist based in Cologne, Germany. After 17 years of building and leading her own company, she faced a profound personal crisis that became the catalyst for a radical life shift. During this time, she rediscovered painting—not just as a creative outlet, but as a path to healing and clarity. This experience led her to leave her business background behind and transition into a full-time art practice.
Her journey is a testament to the belief that it is never too late to redefine oneself. Currently studying art therapy, Johanne’s work is deeply rooted in the restorative power of creativity and the courage to return to what feels essential.
About my work:
Johanne’s paintings arise from stillness. Using heavily diluted acrylics on raw canvas, she builds translucent layers that recall the softness of watercolor. Light and shadow move gently through the surface, creating depth, openness, and a quiet rhythm.
Her process is slow and intuitive—a silent conversation with color, water, and touch. Working without brushes, she paints with her hands, allowing landscapes, waves, and atmospheric spaces to appear and dissolve. In her work, nothing is fixed; forms remain open, inviting personal resonance rather than clear interpretation.
For Johanne, painting is a contemplative practice and a way of listening inward. Through her art, she seeks to translate inner states into visual space, creating moments of pause and inviting others to find their own sense of calm within the movement of everyday life.
PUGLIA, THE RETREAT LOCATION
Puglia or Apulia, is the southernmost eastern region of Italy. Its coastline, the Adriatic in the east, the Ionian south and west, is one of the most beautiful in all of Italy, with silvery olive orchards stretching all the way to the long sandy beaches touched by the one of the clearest and cleanest seas in the Mediterranean. It is an ancient land, and one which was invaded many times in its history. One can still see towers built to ward off invaders centuries ago.
MASSERIA SPECULA - THE VENUE
Carved into a gentle hill, our Masseria is surrounded by 20 hectares of exclusive private land, offering a tranquil retreat just 1km away from the enchanting shores of the Ionian Sea.
Masseria Specula is an exclusive retreat venue in Puglia, Italy, set within a beautifully restored 17th-century farmhouse dating back to 1611.
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THE ROOMS
At Masseria Specula, we’re lucky to have five Apulian women cook the authentic Italian recipes that their mothers taught them. We serve vegan and vegetarian food to help minimise the impact on the environment. In line with our ecological ethos, our chefs choose the best seasonal ingredients grown in the neighbouring fields.
THE FOOD
At Masseria Specula, we’re lucky to have five Apulian women cook the authentic Italian recipes that their mothers taught them. We serve vegan and vegetarian food to help minimise the impact on the environment. In line with our ecological ethos, our chefs choose the best seasonal ingredients grown in the neighbouring fields.
THE PROGRAM
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![A white building with multiple stories and small windows, illuminated by sunlight, located near a stone wall and arched in the foreground, under a clear blue sky.]()
DAY 1
Welcome drinks
Relax time
Dinner
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![A calm body of water with a few birds floating on it, bordered by green bushes and trees, with a distant hilly shoreline under a cloudy sky.]()
day 2
Breakfast
2 hour workshop with Johanne & stretching the canvases
Lunch
1 hour workshop with Johanne
Relax time / beach / hikes
1 hour workshop with Johanne
Dinner
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![A corner of a room with a black wooden table, a small wooden chair, a basket, and a framed picture on the table. There's a bottled water and an upside-down glass on a tray on the table. The wall is white with textured stone details, and sunlight creates shadows on the floor and table.]()
day 3
Breakfast
1 hour workshop with Johanne
Relax time / beach / hikes
Lunch
1 hour workshop with Johanne
Relax time / beach / hikes
1 hour workshop with Johanne
Dinner
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![Historical stone church with round clock and dome, surrounded by colorful flowers and a courtyard.]()
day 4
Breakfast
Excursion to Lecce
Packed Lunch in Lecce
Return to Masseria Specula
Relax time / beach / hikes
Dinner
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![Watercolor painting of a forest scene with trees, birds, a fox, and a sitting figure, created on a sketchbook page, surrounded by art supplies on a wooden table.]()
day 5
Breakfast
1 hour workshop with Johanne
Relax time / beach / hikes
Lunch
1 hour workshop with Johanne
Relax time / beach / hikes
1 hour workshop with Johanne
Dinner
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![Scenic view of white cliffs with caves along a turquoise harbor, ocean with boats, and clear water revealing rocks beneath.]()
day 6
Breakfast
Departures
BOOK YOUR SPOT
Single room at the main venue: € 2800 per person (3 spots remaining)
Shared room at the main venue (shared with 1 other person): € 2200 per person (4 spots remaining)
Shared room at the main venue (shared with 2 other PEOPLE): € 2000 per person (3 spots remaining)
Reserve your spot with a €1000 deposit.
The remaining balance is due by the 31st December 2026
What’s included:
Art classes with Johanne.
Art materials included.
Exclusive use of the entire property including all common areas, workshop spaces and gardens.
Accommodation at Masseria Specula.
Tables, chairs, glass jars, printer, ink and paper towels available at the venue.
All meals (freshly prepared breakfasts, home cooked lunches & dinners).
Complimentary water, coffee, tea.
Day trip to Lecce.
Self guided hikes to the beach or to a natural salt lake where flamingoes live.
Roundtrip airport transfer from/to Brindisi Airport (BDS) at one prearranged date and time with 1 minibus for the whole group.
All tourist taxes and fees.
What’s not included:
Airplane tickets.
Travel insurance.
Airport pick-up / drop-off from airports other than Brindisi Airport.
Anything not listed in the “What’s Included“ section above.
Send us a message to reserve your place: