Creative Retreat with Cristóbal and Johanna Schmal
from 30.04. – 03.05.2026 at Ebenrieder (Allgäu)
The course
In Bloom invites you to meet the essence of spring — a time of vitality, growth, freedom, and creative energy. Through all senses, we attune ourselves to its presence, exploring what spring means to us both individually and collectively, in the outer world as well as within. Drawing and painting serve as our media for mindful observation, playful discovery, and free experimentation. They sharpen our awareness of the subtle and fleeting, preserve traces, create connections, and give form to lived experience.
What images arise as we listen to birdsong, breathe in the scent of moist earth, touch the delicate surfaces of young leaves, sense the shifting light and temperature, and feel renewed movement stirring in our body?
This practice unfolds a multi-layered creative process, allowing us to experience the place at once as landscape and as a lived, seasonal moment.
Individual perceptions weave together into visual narratives that reflect both the surrounding and ourselves. In this way, a collection of impressions emerges — opening new pathways of relating to nature through artistic practice.
The teachers
Johanna and Cristóbal Schmal is a German-Chilean duo working across illustration, fine art and graphic design. Cristóbal graduated from the University of Valparaiso and between 2001 and 2008 worked as a graphic designer in Barcelona before developing his career as an illustrator and artist when moving to Berlin. His work has widely been published in international newspapers, magazines and books and amongst his clients are The New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Greenpeace, Lufthansa, Taschen a.o. Johanna graduated in architecture and expanded this discipline in 2015 with a specialization in children‘s book illustration at EINA Barcelona. She works across media in drawing, painting, illustration and textile art. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and artspaces in Germany, Portugal and Spain. Some of the topics inherent in their work such as playfulness, materiality, craftsmanship, experimental and holistic processes, place, nature, re-connection and transformation as well as a their personal passion for intercultural exchange, they pass on through their courses. Johanna completed a yoga teacher training (360h) in 2024 and has been sharing this practice in her workshops and retreats since then. After a decade in Berlin they live at the countryside south of Frankfurt a.M with their 2 children.
You can see more of their work here:
Cristóbal: www.artnomono.com / @nomonki
Johanna: www.studioschmal.com/work / @studioschmal
About the Retreat
In Bloom is a spring retreat in the Allgäu, inviting you to celebrate the energy of the season. Over four days, we immerse ourselves in an artistic process that explores this special moment in the cycle of the year via drawing and painting. You can deepen your personal practice and explore new forms of expression, while inner and outer landscapes serve as sources of inspiration.
Gentle movement accompanies the days through morning yoga and walks in the surrounding nature, supporting balance, vitality, and presence. Within the group, a supportive and appreciative atmosphere unfolds, shaped by shared time, exchange, and learning from one another.
The retreat takes place at and in collaboration with the lovingly restored guesthouse Ebenrieder in the Allgäu — a place to slow down, enjoy and be held by its unique atmosphere. Our stay includes 3 nights in this comfortable accommodation, delicious meals, and time to relax in the shared spaces, garden, sauna, and outdoor pool.
Prices
EARLY BIRD till Feb, 08 2026
Course fee + Yoga: 475€ (550€)
Accommodation + full board catering:
double room 495€ (570€)
single room 675€ (750€)
Total
970€ (1120€) DR / 1.170€ (1.320€) SR
It is possible to book the course without accommodation.
You can find more information and details HERE!
Registration and booking via
www.ebenrieder.de
