Judy-Ann MacMillan's Art Retreat

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

She is known and celebrated internationally as one of Jamaica's foremost painters. This is no surprise as, having hosted over 31 woman exhibitions plus participating in a number of group shows, her most prolific pieces having been immortalised in the format of a coffee table book. Artist Judy-Ann MacMillan is truly at the top of her game.

Considered by many as one of the most prolific contemporary artists of our time, the fame has brought added pressure, as her works are among those most stolen by Jamaican art thieves. But that is a distinction that the artist would no doubt prefer not to have to endure.

But MacMillan's works are not just collectors' items. There is a growing national and international demand for her work and her skills which has led to many requests for private tutelage.

A realist in her creative expression, MacMillan has been painting all her life, but professionally since her very late teens. She has resisted the call to take up the baton as a teacher - at least until very recently.

Fearing an invasion of her artistic and creative spaces and idyllic retreat and getaway - MacMillan has been adamant that she would not embrace the role of teacher.

However, a recent epiphany decided otherwise. Having grown a little jaded by the intellectual stagnation of the art scene, and nurturing a yearning to give back to the community, she recently yielded to the prodding of friends, and numerous requests, and decided to share her knowledge, skills and expertise.

Art Retreat

And so it was that the Judy-Ann MacMillan Art Retreat was born.

A relatively novel idea, art retreat is hosted at her beautiful country residence located in the hills of St Ann, near the village of Higgins Town.

Now dears, the last such retreat took place just before the Easter holidays, and precious angels, what a beaut of an experience the two-day retreat proved!

Luvs, in a word or two - awesomely stimulating!

Now, for those of you who are familiar with the hills of St Ann, particularly Higgins Town, we are talking beautifully picturesque countryside here. Its a locale celebrated both for its beauty and chilly climate, which makes winter clothing a necessity at times.

Named Rockfield, MacMillan's retreat and country home is a thing of architectural beauty. Set in a somewhat Georgian frame, it has a majestic and commanding view of the north coastline, starting east of Ocho Rios and stretching to just west of Chukka Cove. Y'all know we are talking a thing of beauty here, and then some!

Well my dears, it's against this backdrop of awe-inspiring natural beauty that MacMillan plays host to her retreats. Guests are advised to pack clothing they are not particularly fond of, and wisely so, as each pupil found out. At the end of the day, there was more paint on one's garments than on the canvas - but it all added to the beauty of the experience.

Now this being a weekend retreat, it lent itself to a familiarity that made for a beautiful sense of camaraderie. But this was enhanced by the fact that, without planning it, the pupils in attendance for this particular retreat were friends and acquaintances.

Now, for those who have never painted, my dears there is nothing easy in this venture. This was manifested by the many starts and stops of the would be Picassos, Raphaels and/or Monets in attendance who simply could not get the hang of it in the time they thought they should or could!

Mind you, there were one or two 'supposed' students who were off and flying once they received the necessary supplies. Needless to say, their ease at the easels was more than cause for discombobulating the true novices.

Now, as a painter, MacMillan is superb! Her works over the years document her mastery of her chosen subjects - her understanding of the continuum of time and space, and more important, her sympatico. The beauty of taking her master class is that all her students get to learn that all those assets and attributes are not just character traits employed for her work, but are the very core of her being, hence, the beauty, charm and appeal of her
work.

And so it was my dears, as students chose their
subjects and tried getting into character, it was the coaxing, nurturing
and guidance that MacMillan provided that got the novices through their
first hours of utter frustration.

By lunchtime, most
had settled into accepting that we were not at all as talented as we
thought!

But by day two, most had found their own
rhythm, with the majority distinguishing themselves by displaying more
than elementary mastery of the idea and concepts of painting. In the
end, all could have been reasonably proud of their
achievements.

But dears, one of the beauties of the
retreat was the discovery that MacMillan is a chef of the finest order.
Her breakfasts are prized time to gather; her lunches culinary
symphonies and master creations, and her supper, even more delightfully
so, if that were at all possible. Her Hawaiian chicken salad,
Mediterranean tuna salad; French onion soup; and vichyssoise - not only
proved memorable - they were to die for! Not to mention the accompanying
wines; home-made juices; tarts; and other adorable
goodies.

And so it was two days of not just painting
lessons, but life lessons - the sharing of culinary skills; her vast
repertoire of bon mots, especially from her world
travels. MacMillan truly hosted a weekend retreat that was a
master-class and nothing but! And with the next retreat scheduled for
the end of April, not even a champagne feast could keep this here scribe
away!