NOVEMBER 9-12, 2026 |  TUCSON, ARIZONA
A CREATING WITH NATURE RETREAT 
LED BY EMILY JEFFORDS & TANYA VAL

You deserve to lose yourself in creativity

and find yourself again

4 days of creativity, rest, and deep inspiration in the Sonoran Desert

PLEIN AIR PAINTING. FORAGED PIGMENT. NATURAL INKS. BOTANICAL DYE. CREATIVE EXPLORATION. COMMUNITY. DESERT EVENINGS. INTENTIONAL MEALS. LAUGHTER OVER CANDLELIGHT. THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED VENUE. SPACE TO REST.

The desert has shaped our creative lives

Each time we return, we notice something new in the light, the plants, the stillness. It changes how we see and how we create.

We can’t wait to experience it all with you!

Explore inside
the retreat —

"Every detail, every need, was perfectly attended to, leaving me feeling truly nourished and cared for. This experience was not just unforgettable, but life-changing."

— KRISTI

Daily Rhythm

Structured enough to go deep. 
Spacious enough to breathe.

Morning — Intention + Exploration

We start slowly and gently. Coffee in hand, desert light coming in, no rush. Our mornings open with intention setting before moving into guided, hands-on, delicious creativity and learning. You might explore raw desert pigment, natural dye processes, or earth-based techniques you've never tried.

November light is softer and directional. The palette feels restrained and nuanced.


Midday — Creative Exploration Even with all the inspiration flowing, we gladly pause and gather for lunch. Our retreat chef, Mike (you’re going to love him), is dedicated to serving us the most delicious meals that also feel like works of art. Then we head back to our outdoor studios and into our creative exploration again, plein air painting, silk bundling, or styling and creating in our shady spots. Things begin to really flow now. The creativity and refreshment settle in, and you can feel the magic flowing. There's room to work independently and go deeper with guidance close by whenever you want it.

Space in Between

This part, the pause, breathe, rest part, matters more than you'd think. We value rest just as much as activity. This is your moment to escape. We know how rare this is, so cherish it! Go for an afternoon swim in the canyon pool, spend some time in the sauna, take a cold plunge, or take a walk beneath the open sky on the expansive trails.

Creative clarity often arrives in these pauses.

Evening — Gathering + Reflection

As the sun lowers, the landscape glows pink and cream. We gather for dinner, and conversations stretch into the night as we enjoy yet another decadent meal and rich conversation, laughter, and people who often become friends.

We close each day feeling focused and restored. Ready to create again tomorrow.

Meet us at

The Posada

A desert oasis bordering 
Saguaro National Park‍

Posada Inn, by the Joshua Tree House, is situated within 38 acres of open Sonoran landscape, towering saguaro, native plants, and long desert light. Sacred and quiet, yet easily accessible from Tucson. It is the kind of place where you exhale the moment you arrive. Even the drive to the venue will take your breath away!

We return here year after year because the land shapes the work, and few places feel as generous in their inspiration and gentle nurturing as this perfect inn set in this stunning landscape. 

There are extensive trails winding through the grounds for you to explore, or you can stay close and cozy in the retreat inn, which is glorious and impeccably designed, with spaces for conversation, reflection, and creative focus — shaded tables, quiet corners for sketching, and gathering spaces that feel intentional.

The retreat venue also has a spa courtyard with a sauna, cold plunge, canyon-style pool, and hot tub, which offers a place to relax between sessions.

The landscape isn't just a backdrop- it becomes part of the creative process

Save your spot here:

The Desert Retreat Reservation | November 9th-12th, 2026
$3,200.00
Limit 3 per order

We’re so excited to soak up the desert inspiration and creative energy that will fill this experience with you!

This reserves your place in this immersive retreat, including all inspiring and practical workshops, culinary delights, access to the luxurious retreat venue, stunning scenic views, and all excursions and activities.


All Desert Retreat Tickets include:
  • Access to all in-depth workshops taught by Emily + Tanya each day during the retreat

    • Creating Lasting Inspiration

    • Plein Air Painting in the Desert Landscape

    • Intuitive Photography

    • Foraging for Plant Dyes & Inks

    • Natural Bundle Dying

    • Natural Paint Making

    • Creating with Natural Inks

    • Mixed Media Painting Techniques

  • Full workshop supplies, tools, and materials, including canvases, silk scarves, pigments, dyes, brushes, paints, and everything we could dream of bringing for the most luxurious creative experience

  • Incredibly crafted meals, drinks, and refreshments during the retreat by our private chef

  • Access to the extensive retreat grounds, amenities, pools, bathhouse, walking trails, and communal areas during the retreat days and evenings (quiet hours between 11pm-9am)

  • A curated gallery of professional photographs from our time together

  • Thoughtful surprises woven throughout the experience

LOCATION

The private JTH Inn is bordering Saguaro National Park West. The closest airport is Tucson International Airport TUS (45 minutes), & Phoenix PHX (1 hour 30 minutes). We'd recommend renting a car from the airport if you're not road-tripping in to give you flexibility during your stay.

Where should I stay? Tucson has many lovely options. We love the Leo Kent Hotel. The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain and Canyon Ranch Tucson would be lovely options for a more luxurious, wellness-focused stay. Airbnb is a great option, too, if you'd prefer something that feels more like home. We're happy to help connect guests who'd like to share accommodations or coordinate travel together.

DETAILS + POLICIES
  • All accommodations are add-ons and not included in the basic retreat ticket. On-site rooms are limited and available first-come, first-served. Room selection is confirmed upon full payment.

  • Please review the complete policy carefully before booking, including details regarding payment schedules, cancellations, and ticket transfers. You may read more on the terms & policies page.

  • Please note that transportation is not included. A car rental is recommended (roadside adventures and photos are also highly encouraged!)

Let us nourish you

All food and drinks are included in the retreat! But this is coming from foodies, so our version of this is next level


Good food is something we take very seriously and genuinely love. Chef Mike has traveled with us for years, creating meals that have left everyone amazed and more than satisfied. He knows exactly the kind of nourishment that keeps creative energy alive.

As with everything at a Creating With Nature Retreat, the meals you enjoy will be created with local, seasonal ingredients inspired by the desert landscape — think bright citrus salads, roasted vegetables with warmth and depth, spices from Mike’s local spice shop, fresh tortillas, and sauces that taste as if they have been perfected over decades.

Drinks are just as thoughtful, from thoughtful wine pairings to NA afternoon refreshments to cocktails with desert botanicals woven in.

Evenings at the table are some of our favorite moments of the whole retreat. Unhurried, full of laughter and the kind of conversation that surprises you, these dinners usually last until only candlelight and starlight remain.

All that to say, we cannot wait to feed you well.

“This retreat feels like stepping into a romantic dream brought to life, a true feast for the eyes and the soul. I would return in a heartbeat."

— HELEN

What They Carried Home

FAQ: beauty in the details

Join us at the
Desert Retreat

Learn more about your

Retreat Hosts

We are fairly refined, tame humans (we promise), but something switches when we’re at a creative retreat. Our passionate love pours out when we’re together with you and surrounded by THIS MUCH BEAUTY. It cannot be contained, and our joy for art and creating with the earth is contagious.

We live across the globe from one another, but our connection is so strong and warm enough to span the distance. Each year, our travels bring us together, and we get to create these magical containers we call Creating With Nature Retreats for you to experience that too!

Activities such as natural dyeing, guided photography adventures, and painting lessons inspired by the surrounding landscapes aim to ignite creativity and encourage self-expression in harmony with the environment around us.

This retreat is a precious opportunity to connect with nature, unleash creativity, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and inspiration.

Come be a little wild and free with us.

Let’s run away to the desert and see what gifts she gives us