India in Full Color: A Journey of Art, Friendship, Chai and Indigo

It’s hard to believe it’s taken me over a month to fully process the experience, let alone put it into words—but how do you summarize something that felt like a dream come to life? My time in India on an art retreat with Michelle Fletcher Atelier and Kirsten Stingle was transformative in ways I’m still uncovering. It was a journey of vibrant color, rich tradition, deep connection, and the pure joy of creating—day after day—with kindred spirits.

From the moment we landed in Dehli, we were immersed in a world so alive it buzzed. The honk of tuk-tuks, the aroma of street food, the swirl of saris in every imaginable hue. It was sensory overload in the most exhilarating way. We began documenting everything—tearing, painting, stitching, layering into our travel journals. These weren’t just sketchbooks; they were living, breathing records of our days. Filled with textures, words, colors, and bits of the world we wandered through.

In Agra, we stood in awe before the Red Fort and the magnificent Taj Mahal, marveling not only at the architecture but at the enduring love and craftsmanship behind it.

In Jaipur, our rooftop studio overlooked the city, and it became a sacred space where we could reflect and create. We learned block printing and natural dyeing from artisans who had inherited their skills through generations. I’ll never forget dipping my hands into that beautiful indigo vat, pulling them out stained deep blue, feeling connected to something ancient and soulful.

The flower market was an explosion of scent and color—bundles of marigolds, sweet rose petals—and in a moment of unexpected magic, we were showered with petals ourselves, a joyful blessing I’ll carry forever.

In Pushkar, we stitched with the women of The Stitching Project, where language barriers disappeared in the rhythm of needles and thread. Craft became our common ground. And one evening, we rode camels into the desert, arriving at a humble chai stand in the middle of nowhere. The sun dipped below the horizon as we were serenaded by music—a moment of beauty so quiet and full, it nearly brought tears.

And then came Jodhpur, my favorite city. The Blue City, where rooftops stretch like sea foam across the horizon. Our studio overlooked an ancient stepwell, and we dove into bandhani tie-dye, wrapping ourselves in joy. The colors of that city—like its people—were warm, bold, and unforgettable.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, I felt something shift. A creative awakening. Surrounded by such bold, unapologetic beauty, I found myself leaning into color again—both on the page and in my wardrobe. Yellows, saffron, indigo, fuchsia. Shades I hadn’t reached for in years suddenly felt like home. India reminded me that color is joy, and expression doesn’t need to whisper. I came back not only with a suitcase full of handmade treasures, but with a spirit ready to create again—brighter, braver, and more alive.

Throughout the retreat, as always, something beautiful unfolded: friendship. Our group was a collection of women brought together by art and curiosity, and we quickly became something more. We laughed, cried, created, and supported each other in a way that felt both natural and profound. The conversations over sketchbooks, shared experiences and glasses of wine along with the quiet understanding as we shared creative space—it all felt like soul-level connection.

And the food. Oh, the food! Every meal was a celebration of flavor—spiced vegetables, fragrant rice, warm naan, fresh chutneys. I fell deeply in love with Indian cuisine, but even more so with real Indian chai. Sweet, spicy, comforting… chai will never taste the same anywhere else, but I’ll always be chasing that flavor.

As I flip back through my travel journal—filled with paint, thread, pressed flowers, bits of paper and color—I feel grateful beyond words. This retreat reminded me what it feels like to be fully alive, eyes wide open to the beauty of the world, heart wide open to connection and creativity.

To travel with artists. To see a place not just through the lens of sightseeing, but through making. To find inspiration in texture, color, and human kindness. That is the kind of journey that changes you, and it is why I do what I do. Creating a community one wander at a time.