While enjoying picturesque surroundings, beginners and experienced artists alike will make observations, sketches, and notes to create a memory journal.
Nature is our muse: An Introduction to Plein Air Painting and Journaling.
Turn off the inner critic and tune into nature. No previous art experience is required to enjoy time observing the beauty of Rancho La Puerta. The goal is to not to create paintings for the Louvre, rather to create a small journal of sensory memories.
Session One: Awaken your artistic senses with a sketch walk
Awaken your artistic senses with a sketch walk. Picturesque Rancho La Puerta offers a peaceful setting to enjoy nature while learning to sketch. Every child loves to draw while adults often internalize a belief that they “can’t draw a straight line.” Making art has nothing to do with straight lines and everything to do with allowing yourself to experience the joy of creating art. With sketchbooks in hand, we’ll tune into nature, relax and have fun. Jot down a few words while listening to birds sing and smelling the sage and you’ll have the beginnings of a journal.
Session Two: Nature is our muse. Using your artist’s eyes to make observations
Nature is our muse. We’ll observe light and shadow while making simple color sketches and add word clouds to our journals. When we look with our artist’s eyes, we begin to spot abstract patterns in nature and notice gestures in the landscape. A stout and sturdy oak tree hugs mother earth differently than a palm tree waving in blue skies. As much meditating as painting, we’ll use all of our senses to capture the essence, movement, and emotion of a subject rather than precise detail. In this joyful process, we’ll appreciate the beauty of nature, without expectations of artistic outcomes.
Session Three: Letting go of expectations of what you think your art should be
We’ll to make observations that inform and inspire, with a focus on color. People don’t often pay attention to how different the greens in oak trees are from grass green or how the blue in the sky changes from horizon to overhead. We’ll take the time to reflect upon nature’s variety of colors, then learn some simple techniques for color-mixing. When we make art in nature, our senses enliven and the experience seems to flow through the brush. Letting go of expectations allows us to become more fully immersed in the moment. We’ll add written observations to journals.
Session Four: Putting together a memory journal to take home
This session we will be back in the studio to put some finishing touches on our sketches and journals. Looking at the art we’ve created in nature, we’re reminded of the warmth of the sun we felt while painting, or the cry of the hawk that flew overhead while observing the clouds. Guests may want to collage with some collected items, such as fallen leaves, postcards, and other items participants will be encouraged to collect. Combining memorabilia along with the words and art elements created throughout the week, participants can put together a unique memory journal to take home.
After a successful career as a graphic designer and illustrator, Marjorie Taylor returned to her first love—painting—and embarked on a fine art career in oils. Her plein air painting adventures and exhibition opportunities have taken her throughout North America, Central America, Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. Her work has been exhibited and collected both nationally and internationally. An experienced educator, she has taught painting, drawing, and a variety of art classes for children and adults in San Diego and Mexico. In recent years, she has expanded her artistic practice beyond oil painting to include watercolor, acrylic, and printmaking, while continuing her work as a writer.
https://www.taylorpaintings.com
@taylorpaintings
Juan Pablo Andrade, a prominent Costa Rican pianist, enjoys a dynamic presence both on stage and in the academic realm. Recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Costa Rican National Prize of Music— the highest honor bestowed upon a musician by the Costa Rican Ministry of Culture. He has also received top honors at international competitions like the Artlivre International Piano Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the Carlos Enrique Vargas National Piano Competition in Costa Rica. With a performance schedule that spans several continents, Andrade has played as a soloist with various orchestras. He is also a familiar face with the Costa Rican National Symphony. His recital tours have taken him through the Americas and Europe, with standout performances at the Yehudi Menuhin Forum in Bern, Switzerland, the World Piano Conference in Novi Sad, Serbia, and a solo recital tour in South America. His CD “War to Peace” with violinist Betul Soykan, has been warmly received by critics, including a notable review in Fanfare magazine. In the academic realm, Andrade serves as a Professor of Piano at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he brings his rich performance experiences into the classroom. His commitment to music education extends beyond his university role, frequently serving as a guest faculty at international festivals and founding the La Frontera International Piano Conference in Brownsville, Texas. This event underscores his passion for enriching the cultural tapestry of the region and providing platforms for musical exchange.
Linda Chávez is a distinguished Mexican-American pianist. She holds degrees from the University of Texas at Brownsville and Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A laureate of an impressive array of awards, grants, and scholarships, Miss Chávez has crafted a career that epitomizes excellence in both performance and education. Her talents have garnered her coveted invitations to international festivals as diverse as Costa Rica, Italy, Aruba, Austria, Puerto Rico, and Lincoln Center in New York City. Currently, Ms. Chávez is the principal pianist for the Valley Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she is the visionary founder and enthusiastic proprietor of the Brownsville Piano Studio, South Texas’ premiere institution dedicated to piano education. Under her guidance, the studio provides instruction to over 225 students each week. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led to the creation of Ananda Music Experience, an innovative online music program tailored for adult women who aspire to learn music in a mindful and enriching environment. Linda Chávez continues to inspire and make a profound impact in the world of music; fostering positive change through music is a hallmark of her distinguished career.
Martha Aarons’
Lev Polyakin
Cellist Joanna Morrison
Adrienne Youdim, MD, is a physician, author, TEDx speaker specializing in medical weight loss and nutrition. Her mission is to empower people to adopt scientifically backed mind-body techniques to enhance greater mental, emotional and physical health and wellbeing. She holds multiple board certifications awarded by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists, the American Board of Obesity Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Her book Hungry for More: Stories and Science to Inspire Weight Loss from the Inside Out explores the emotional and spiritual hungers that present as a hunger for food. Dr. Youdim currently sees patients in her private practice in Beverly Hills. She also hosts the Health Bite podcast, ranked amongst the top 5% most listened to globally. Dr. Youdim is a national speaker sought after by the media and has been featured on The Doctors, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, ABC news, Inside Edition, National Public Radio among other news outlets. Dr. Youdim lives in Los Angeles with her high school sweetheart, three kids and labradoodle.
There are spirits and then there’s spirit and Christa Cotton embodies both. Born in the South and built in New Orleans, the brand is led by Christa, a South Georgia native who spent much of her childhood with her family in and around New Orleans. Her deep connection to both places shapes El Guapo’s personality—equal parts grit, charm, and hospitality. From our ingredients and sustainable practices to our personality and business ethos, everything we do is rooted in a love for good people, bold flavor, and a damn good story.
Jenni Lynn Patterson-LaCour is a renowned leader in the aquatic fitness industry, recognized for her high-energy teaching style and innovative programming. She is the founder of S’WET™, a dynamic aquatic fitness format that challenges perceptions and elevates water-based training. As an AEA Aquatic Training Specialist and NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer, Jenni Lynn has spent two decades educating instructors and inspiring global participants. Her approach blends functional movement, interval training, and creative resistance work, while keeping classes fun and effective. A proud recipient of the 2024 AEA/ATRI Global Instructor Award, Jenni Lynn continues to shape the future of aquatic fitness through the S’WET™ Squad and her work in instructor education. She is dedicated to changing the way the world experiences fitness in the water.
Mari Ricker MD, Dr. Ricker is a nationally recognized leader in integrative medicine, wellness, and primary care. As Director of the Integrative Medicine in Residency Program at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona, she is dedicated to advancing whole-person, evidence-informed care and helping patients and clinicians achieve greater health and well-being. She also serves as Associate Director of the Primary Care Accelerated Medical Pathway at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Dr. Ricker completed her Family Medicine Residency at Oregon Health & Science University, where she served as Chief Resident. She also completed the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.
Some of the best discoveries are made by accident and that’s what happened in the fusion of the musical talents of Judi Jaeger and Bob Reid. They unwittingly found that perfect harmony while standing next to each other at a music camp jam in the summer of 2015. Their musical spark quickly caught fire and was noticed by those around them – and the successful collaboration between Jaeger and Reid was born. Judi grew up near Montreal, Canada, where her world was filled with music; her mother and brother sang and played guitar and she listened to Leonard Cohen, Peter, Paul & Mary, Pete Seeger and many others. She began her career as a performing songwriter as an expression of her loss after the death of her mother and has written songs for her local domestic violence prevention organization. Bob is a fourth generation Californian, and like Judi, Bob also grew up surrounded by music. Bob’s mom performed in coffeehouses in the 1960’s, while his father was a gospel concert promoter. Bob has been a California Arts Council Artists in Schools, performed at the United Nations in New York, in concert, at festivals and in schools across the United States. His original songs have been sung by Pete Seeger, Bill Harley, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer and many others. Bob was chosen by the Seeger family to perform at memorial concerts for both Pete and Toshi Seeger in New York. Bob has a keen eye for musicality, empowerment, appreciation of nature and social causes in his writing. Jaeger & Reid have been performing around the United States, in Canada and France in a variety of venues, indoors and out, including house concerts.
Dr. Bonnie Goldstein is a psychologist, educator and author who has been part of the RLP community for two decades, offering innovative and engaging programs that promote wellbeing and foster meaningful connections among guests. As founder and director of the Lifespan Psychological Center in Los Angeles, she blends traditional psychotherapy with progressive somatic and mindfulness practices to facilitate connection and deep relational healing. She is part of the faculty at the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, collaboratively developing and teaching a series of workshops for mental health professionals addressing trauma, developmental issues and family therapy. She has published numerous professional articles, co-edited three professional books and co-authored a forthcoming book with Dr. Pat Ogden, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents and Families (November, 2026).
Loren Judaken studied both Interpersonal Communication and Environmental and Interior Design at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She incorporates creativity into her exploration of the effects of psychological, sociological, and environmental conditions on individuals and relationships. Loren specializes in leading workshops to empower and inspire people, and help them design the life they most want to live especially through creative expression. Her personal creative endeavors include sculpting, collaging and writing, especially poetry. She has been published in numerous books, magazines and online, and has spoken extensively within the non-profit and wellness communities, as well as doing live poetry readings at the Wallis and Greenway Court Theaters in Los Angeles.
Robert Linkul is the owner of TOA (TrainingTheOlderAdult.com) a personal training studio and online continued education provider for fitness professionals in Shingle Springs, California. Robert is an internationally known continued education provider for fitness professionals with his area of expertise being in resistance training strategies for the Older Adult with physical limitations and/or decreased quality of life. Linkul has his master’s degree in personal training, is the NSCAs 2012 Personal Trainer of the Year award winner, a 2017 NSCA Fellowship inductee, was voted on to the 2021-2024 NSCA Board of Directors (Personal Trainer Position) and is the Director of Education for Fit Body Boot Camp.
Jen DeMarco has taught yoga since 1990 and has a lifelong dedication to exploring and sharing the depth of yoga practice. For the past 15 years, she has 
Wade Brill is a Mindfulness and Leadership Coach, Author, Podcaster, and Speaker who helps busy professionals experiencing stress and overwhelm be more present, productive, and energized. At the age of 21, Wade survived Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while simultaneously losing her mother to Leukemia. This major life interruption inspired Wade to realize how precious life is and that practicing radical self-care is smart, not sel
Ilene Brenner Schaffer fell in love with The Ranch in the 70s as a young girl when her dad was a regular speaker on holistic health. She is thrilled to return to share her expertise in life transitions and positive psychology (the science of wellbeing). Ilene’s greatest joy is helping clients flourish through life’s constant changes. She loves witnessing someone’s confidence grow as they embrace their strengths, deepen relationships, and step into their power zone. In addition to her life coaching practice, she leads a global executive coaching firm dedicated to leadership and well-being. She is also the host of the weekly podcast “What’s Possible.” Ilene is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation, has a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters in Counseling Psychology with a focus in Life Transitions from the University of San Francisco. She is a mom to two young adult daughters and lives in San Diego with her husband where she regularly enjoys a great beach walk with friends, family, and clients.
Firoozeh Dumas is a New York Times bestselling author and humorist. She has written three books, articles for the New York Times, a one-woman show, pieces for National Public Radio and is currently working on a screenplay. Firoozeh is a storyteller who believes that everyone has a story to tell and everyone’s story counts. In addition to her writing, Firoozeh is active on the lecture circuit, traveling the world reminding her audiences that our commonalities far outweigh our differences, and doing so with humor.