ONLY 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Paint & Paddle
2-Day Plein Air Mini-retreat with
Visual Storytellers' Collective
&
Trupti Karjinni
Deep Cove, North Vancouver, BC - August 6 & 7 2026
Includes
Blue Pine Arts handmade watercolour paint
Watercolour paper
Two days of watercolour instruction & guidance
Kayak equipment & professional guide
Picnic lunch Friday
Round-trip transportation to Deep Cove
Immerse yourself in nature, make meaningful art, and spend two days surrounded by fellow creatives in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Join William Speake and internationally-acclaimed artist Trupti Karjinni for an intimate 2-day plein air watercolour mini-retreat in one of BC's most beautiful corners.
Throughout the retreat, students will learn Trupti’s personal approach to plein air painting through live demonstrations, guided outdoor painting sessions, personal feedback, and photography-based composition exercises designed to help you simplify complex scenery, capture light and atmosphere quickly, and create expressive paintings that feel alive rather than overworked.
What you will learn
How to simplify an overwhelming landscape.
How to catch light and atmosphere quickly before it changes.
Expressive brushwork, how to build a wash that actually glows.
How to compose a painting outdoors, and think about the story in it.
How to loosen up if your paintings tend to come out stiff or overworked.
Trupti’s own process for painting something that feels alive.
Come as You Are
You're a beginner?
No experience needed — with a brush or a paddle. Trupti will remove every barrier between
you and the painting you didn't know you had in you.
More experienced?
Plein air is its own discipline. The light moves. The scene shifts. You will be challenged and you
will grow.
Strayed from Art?
Come back. The brush will still be there in the morning
Walk away with new paintings; a new way of seeing; people you didn't know you needed; and a fire that doesn't go out when the weekend ends.
This experience was made for you.
Want a Peek Inside?
Thursday, August 6th, 2026
Day 1 - Paint then Paddle
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM · AFTERNOON PAINTING
Meet & Greet. We pass out your new art supplies, then Trupti leads a plein air demo session with time for everyone to paint. The stress doesn't disappear, but it has somewhere to go.
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM · SUPPER ON YOUR OWN
The Village is yours, and just a short walk away. Talk to the person next to you, or don't. Deep Cove has a way of slowing things down.
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · EVENING PADDLE
Your kayak is in the water. Two hours on the inlet with professional guides, as the light fades. On a good night you may witness glowing bioluminescence and moon jellyfish beneath the surface. The paddle is yours— silent or full of laughter. Nobody is keeping score.
8:00 PM THE CIRCLE
We gather to close the day. The water still close. Feelings raw. The stars will be real. And sometimes in British Columbia, so are the Northern Lights. Whatever came up on the water will show up in your art tomorrow.
Friday, August 7th, 2026
Day 2 - Now Paint What You Felt
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM · GUIDED PAINTING SESSION
Arrive Ready. Trupti leads a full plein air session with individual instruction and feedback. She carries the entire universe in her pocket and she will help you find yours too. Bring your paints and paper from the pervious day.
12:00 PM – 1:45 PM · PICNIC LUNCH & GALLERY VISIT
European deli-inspired spread, catered by DIP Co. Delights, eaten outside, in the company of people who just made something together. Then a visit to Seymour Gallery to see local artists and local work. Art that lives in the community you've been standing
in all weekend. Look slowly.
1:45 PM – 3:30 PM · GUIDED PHOTO WALK
A seeing exercise. William will show you how to use your camera to simplify complex scenery, find light, and frame the landscape the way a painter sees it. The images you take home become a genuine bridge back to your easel. Bring your best camera, bonus points for a film camera. If all you have is a smart phone, bring that.
3:30 PM · WRAP & SHUTTLE BACK
It doesn't end here. You'll go home to your studio, backyard, your kitchen table with reference photos, experience, more skill and inspiration.
The fire doesn't stay here, you take it with you.
The sadness you feel on the drive home on is not a problem. It is proof something real happened. That ache is the evidence.
This experience was made for you.
What's Included
Custom Blue Pine Arts handmade watercolour paint with a specially curated colour palette ($98 value)
Watercolour paper ($15 value)
More than 5 hours of instruction and painting time ($600 value)
Kayak equipment & professional guide through Deep Cove Kayak ($90 value)
Picnic lunch Thursday, catered by DIP Co. Delights ($18 value)
More than 2 hours of hands-on photo instruction through the eyes of an artist ($175 value)
Round-trip transportation to Deep Cove (priceless)
What's Not Included
Accommodations
Meals, other than Friday picnic
Additional art supplies
Brushes
Transportation to & from the shuttle pickup spot
$450 $375 EARLY BIRD SPECIAL UNTIL JULY 25
ONLY 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Upon registration complete list of what to bring will be sent to you
Meet Your Guides
Trupti Karjinni
WATERCOLOUR ARTIST - TEACHER - FOUNDER BLUE PINE ARTS
Trupti Karjinni is a watercolour painter, teacher, and founder of Blue Pine Arts — a line of artisanal, Canadian owned small-batch art supplies designed to take the frustration out of watercolour and help you paint with joyful flow. She has taught over 45,000 students through her online classes and immersive retreats — helping artists loosen up their paintings and fall deeply in love with watercolour again.
Inspired by the Canadian Rockies she now calls home, Trupti's expressive plein air paintings blend spontaneity with soul.
She is the reason Paint & Paddle exists. Visit her on Instagram.
William Speake
WATERCOLOUR ARTIST - PHOTOGRAPHER - FOUNDER VISUAL STORYTELLERS' COLLECTIVE
William Speake is an airline pilot as well as a watercolour artist and photographer. He picked up a brush during COVID with no background and no talent — just need. He painted every day for two years. He sold paintings. He built something he didn't know he was building. He built the Visual Storytellers’ Collective around one belief: creativity belongs to everyone.
He built Paint & Paddle for you. Visit him on Instagram
What past students have said
I feel Trupti is a wonderful teacher and her most important trait is to ensure that the students are having fun and learning from their mistakes instead of being perfect and this is perfect for beginners like me. The lessons have been organized well and explains the part of the painting really well.
FANTASTIC! This class is very well taught by a calm and encouraging teacher. Trupti walks her students slowly through each and every step reminding us to let the paint and paper do the blending and work for us. I can't say enough great things about this teacher-all of her classes are worth investing your time in. Well done!
I have worked with William for several years now both as an instructor and aparticipant, he really works hard to bring lots of value and fun to all his events. It's a perfect learning environment. He's a very good host and photography instructor.
Transportation
Round-trip transportation from a safe designated parking location is included in your ticket. The exact meeting point will be confirmed closer to the event.
For those travelling from outside the Lower Mainland: Deep Cove is located in North Vancouver, BC, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and about 45 minutes from Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Please note that parking in Deep Cove is extremely limited. We strongly encourage all participants to use the provided shuttle. If you live in Deep Cove or don’t require transportation, please let us know at hello@visualstorytellerscollective.com
Cancellation & Refund Policy
With each booking we take on a commitment to our vendors and venue that we’re obliged to honour, so our cancellation policy reflects that.
REFUND FOR CANCELLATION
If you cancel before July 23: You’ll receive a full refund.
If you cancel between July 23 and July 30: You’ll receive a 50% refund.
After July 30: No refunds will be given, though if your circumstances are exceptional, please reach out — we’re human and want to help where we can.
TRANSFER OF BOOKING
You’re also welcome to transfer your spot to someone else at no additional charge; finding that person is on you, but just send us their name before the event. You can email us at hello@visualstorytellerscollective.com
FAQs
Absolutely. Paint & Paddle welcomes artists of all skill levels — complete beginners who have never held a brush, intermediate painters looking to develop new skills, and even the burnt-out creative who needs to reconnect with why they started. If you’re looking for community with people who make things, you belong here.
No Problem. Before July 23 — full refund. July 23 to July 30 — 50% refund. After July 30 — no refund. If your circumstances are exceptional, reach out. We’re human.
Good footwear suitable for hiking, painting, and kayaking. A warm hoodie or jacket. A folding stool or camp chair. Sunscreen and a sun hat. Layers — Deep Cove in August can surprise you. Your best camera: DSLR, mirrorless, or film. Bonus points for film. A full packing list will be sent upon registration.
We are covered—literally. We’ll be painting under a covered pavilion, so a little rain won’t stop us. If the weather makes kayaking unsafe, the paddle will be cancelled and you’ll be refunded the value of that portion of your ticket.
Yes. Transfer your spot to someone else at no charge. Finding that person is on you — just send us the name before the event at hello@visualstorytellerscollective.com
Maximum 15 participants. Everyone gets real attention. Everyone gets seen.
English. If you require assistance in another language please contact us at hello@visualstorytellerscollective.com
Yes. Photos will be taken throughout the weekend for community and marketing purposes. If you’d prefer not to appear in published images please let us know at hello@visualstorytellerscollective.com
The event involves outdoor terrain, kayaking, and walking. If you have specific accessibility needs please reach out before registering at hello@visualstorytellerscollective.com and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
No experience necessary. The paddle takes place on flat water — no waves, no currents to fight. You’ll be outfitted with all the safety gear you need and matched with a suitable kayak. Professional guides with Deep Cove Kayak will be on the water with you for both instruction and safety. Most participants will be in a tandem kayak — one in front, one behind.
Included. Round-trip transportation from a designated parking location is included in your ticket. The exact meeting point will be confirmed closer to the event. Parking in Deep Cove is extremely limited — please use the shuttle.
Paint & Paper are included, however your will need brushes and additional supplies. A complete supply list will be sent to you upon registration. Details to follow.
Absolutely. Email us at hello@visualstorytellerscollective.com with your dietary preferences, allergies, and any other restrictions. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
Paint & Paddle is designed for participants aged 16 and older. It is not suitable for young children.
Accommodations are not included. Deep Cove is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, in the beautiful city of North Vancouver.
Once you register you’ll receive a confirmation email followed by a complete onboarding package with everything you need to know before the event.
Join the waitlist. If a spot opens up you’ll be the first to know.
No. Deep Cove has limited connectivity, and that’s by design. We encourage you to put your phone away for the weekend and stay present — the paddle, the paint, and the people are worth your full attention. If you need your phone for something important, that’s completely understood, we ask you to be discrete and respect the privacy of other participants.
My Story
MY JOURNEY
William Speake
on location Gros Morne National Park, NL
Airline pilot. Watercolour artist. Photographer. Lifelong outdoorsman. I picked up a paint brush for the first time in my life during COVID with no background and no talent — just need. I had nowhere else to put the fear. I painted every day for two years. I disconnected from the outcome, I just put paint and water on paper and looked at the pretty colours, until my soul began to appear. I sold paintings. I built something I didn’t know I was building.
I spent a career in service. Military. Airlines. Arctic communities where a plane landing was the best thing that happened that week. Nobody needed to know my name. They needed to receive what the moment made possible.
That’s what I do here.
I was born of fire, not abundance. So was The Visual Storytellers' Collective.
I was sitting in the Calgary airport the day I almost didn’t sign up for Trupti’s watercolour community. I agonized over it. It wasn’t expensive. I did it anyway.
I don’t know where I’d be if I’d gone the other direction.
I built Paint & Paddle so you don’t have to wander.
My first EVER art set
My first few paintings
My first painting where I saw myself — and was surprised I’d made it.
Painted from somewhere I didn’t know I could reach.
Proof the soul was still showing up
©2026 Visual Storytellers' Collective
Vancouver, British Columbia
CANADA
