Sketchbooks full, heart full — and new work on the horizon.

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Gayle Kabaker is a painter, writer, teacher and visual storyteller Travel Tales, New Paintings & A Little Magic Sketchbooks full, heart full — and new work on the horizon. Gayle Kabaker Jun 10   READ IN APP   I began writing this a few days ago on a five-hour train ride from NYC back to Massachusetts. It took me two days to get home from Paris, and I was SO ready to hug my husband, my dog, and embrace my quiet country life for the summer! What a whirlwind three weeks it’s been. Teaching at Atlas Kasbah in Morocco with Jennifer Orkin Lewis for the second time was even better than the first — if that’s possible. Maybe it was the three hammams I squeezed in (only half kidding). Each of our groups is special in its own way, and this one was very open, hardworking, and brave. Jennifer and I have been easing participants into painting more slowly, starting with a lot of drawing, and the results have been incredible to witness. Paint What You Love is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Upgrade to paid This retreat is such a rich cultural experience too — from the beautiful tea ceremony hosted by the owners where we learn the history of the Kasbah, to watching the Berber women demonstrate how they make argan oil. We get to support their women’s collective by buying their gorgeous handmade products, and of course, we’re drawing it all. The wonderful Kasbah manager Mbak even gave us a lesson in Berber/Arabic writing! And on our final night, the spontaneous, heartfelt testimonials from our participants had us in tears. It’s a privilege to hold these creative spaces, and we never take it for granted. Portugal - May 28-June 4 If you’ve ever considered coming on a retreat with us, we have a few spots open for our Portugal retreat in May 2026 — you can check it out here. These truly are life-changing experiences! Yogi Chloe Ward will join us for this transformative sketchbook retreat set in the gorgeous Portuguese countryside. Explore your authentic creative voice and deepen or begin a sketchbook practice that helps you capture both adventures and everyday life. After three days in Marrakech and a week of teaching, I made my way to Essaouira for nine days of solo painting. I stayed in two different Riads: one with a breathtaking view of the ocean. The other one was tucked deep in the residential heart of the Medina. I loved both, but the second one truly stole my heart. My room was on the top floor with a sweeping view of the rooftops — and a bathtub overlooking it all! Riad Chbanate I love solo adventures like this — I never mind being alone. Along the way, I met some truly extraordinary people and felt the daily magic of Morocco. I loved Essouria SO much. The medina was way calmer than Marrakech and the earth colors were my favorite palette. One of my favorite discoveries was a tiny neighborhood bread bakery that supplies the city with fresh bread. Every afternoon, the baker would hand me a loaf straight from the wood-fired oven. One loaf, one dirham — about 25 cents. My lunches were often warm bread, fresh fruit, cucumbers and carrots, and either an olive spread or a dreamy almond-argan-honey butter from the market stalls. I painted so much on this trip and gathered some extra special photos for future paintings by showing people my art and explaining what I do — always asking permission before taking any photos of anyone close up. I was so happy a few times someone said yes! I was even able to show one man the painting I did of him. My son suggested that I gift the bakers a drawing and this guy seemed pretty pleased! Here’s a peek at some of my favorite paintings so far, and i plan to paint many more! I often sketch lots of ideas to figure out what I want to paint. This barber tried to shoo me away when he saw me about tot take a photo. It was such a wonderful scene I bravely showed him my painting and then both men said ok! I am not really a cat person but the cats are well fed and ALL over the place. So I had to paint them. And I swear sometimes I felt as if they were posing for me. I found I was inspired by a theme of doorways. Maybe this represents openings… I so appreciated those of you who wrote me (mostly on Instagram) during this time when I was alone. It seems that my solo adventures inspire some of you to think that you too could travel alone - and that makes me so happy! Yes, it can be overwhelming and scary sometimes traveling alone, but I find the REAL magic happens, the connections that are made, happen the most - when I am alone. I changed my flight home at the last minute because I decided I had to see the David Hockney retrospective in Paris. It was life-changing. My art pal Noah Woods met me there, and we spent two days at the show soaking it all in. Seeing Hockney’s work up close — the color, the scale, the compositions — blew my mind. I can’t wait to see how this seeps into my own painting. I’m feeling a pull to work bigger, maybe a new series from Morocco or my travels in general. To what end? A show? A book? Who knows. If you have ideas, I’d love to hear them! I also visited an Elizabeth Peyton show — she only paints small, so no one can say you have to go big to be a successful artist that shows in galleries and museums! I won’t include the Hockney show/Paris trip in this newsletter or I will totally overload you. Next one! I got so many compliments on my Red Dress Women scarf during this trip that I’ve reordered it. You can pre-order yours here. Lastly — Happy Pride Month! If you’d like a print (framed or unframed) of my very first New Yorker cover, you can check it out here June Brides in my shop . This was a lot! If you made it this far - THANK you! I realize I probably don’t mention this enough, but all my original paintings are available for sale, as well as prints. I’m a bit slow at keeping my shop up to date, so if you see something you love, please write to me! Oh wait. One LAST thing! There’s a spot open in my August 23-24 workshop! Aug. 23-34 in Massachusetts It was a very politics and news free three weeks away. Coming back to this insanity…is hard. Making art and keeping a sketchbook really helps. Wishing you all a beautiful, art-filled start to summer. XO Gayle Paint What You Love is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Upgrade to paid Invite your friends and earn rewards If you enjoy Paint What You Love, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe. Invite Friends   Like Comment Restack   © 2025 Gayle Kabaker 13 NORMAN RD, Ashfield MA 01330 Unsubscribe