You can embark on our Self-Directed art retreat any time of the year, subject to room availability and alignment with Elaine's schedule as your host. Available dates are displayed when you click 'Add to Cart' during booking. If the listed dates don’t suit your schedule, feel free to discuss availability directly with Elaine.

Elaine’s Intuitive Painting Retreat is suitable for painters of all levels.

This retreat is exclusively designed for adults; it's not suitable for children. Please note that participants must be at least 18 years old to travel and stay independently.

The retreat is primarily designed as a solo experience, tailored for one guest at a time. Occasionally, two people may attend together if they are a couple sharing the retreat. There is one dedicated ArtBnB room for retreat guests at The Hideaway.

A second room in the house may sometimes be occupied by a long term “art stay” resident. This person is typically an independent artist or creative spending time in the studio environment while working on their own projects. They are not part of the retreat program.

During your stay, you may also see Elaine moving through the studio as she works. At times, a local student may come by for a painting session, or a visitor may drop in for a short studio visit.

The house remains small, quiet, and residential in spirit, with the retreat guest at the center of the experience.

The main ArtBnB room used for the retreat is located upstairs and requires the use of a staircase, so it may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.

However, there is a ground floor option called The Simple Room, which may be more accessible as it does not require stairs. The downstairs bathroom is also equipped with a toilet rail for additional support.

The Simple Room is more modest compared to the upstairs ArtBnB room, but it offers a practical option for guests who prefer or require a ground floor stay during their retreat.

The art retreat with artist Elaine Wong is available in English.

No, this retreat welcomes all genders who are drawn to explore their creative journey in a nurturing and reflective space.

You will have your own studio set up in your ‘ArtBnb’ room. The studio will include an easel, table with drawers for art supply storage, palette, your toilet sink available, and a chair.

We recommend that you bring any art supplies that you typically use. Paint, brushes, mixed media materials, canvas, paper, etc. Art supplies will not be included for your personal practice, except for during your One-to-One guided sessions with Elaine.

There are a few art supply stores nearby in the suburb if you need things quick. Otherwise, it is recommended to go to the bigger stores in the city for wider range.

For Elaine’s guided sessions, you will be provided with mostly 300gsm cold pressed papers and small to medium sized canvases (for easy transportations).

If you’re planning to spend most of your time to work on your own art practice, we recommend working on unstretched canvas, paper, journals and/or small canvases. There are some stores where you can buy small canvases as well.

Of course! You can ship your art back to your home, or if you paint on unstretched canvas/paper, you can roll it up and bring it home in a tube. If you want to do this, we recommend you buy a tube with a carrying strap to easily bring home on the plane.

Absolutely! While the retreat primarily focuses on your solo painting practice at The Intuitive Art Hideaway, your spouse is more than welcome to accompany you.

We offer two double occupancy options: one for couples participating in the retreat together, and the other for partners simply staying in the room without engaging in the art activities.

Please make your travel arrangements to arrive after 2 PM on your check-in day. Check-out time is flexible as long as it is before 6pm on your departure day.

A washing machine and detergent are available in the house, and you are welcome to use them during your stay. There is no dryer, but our friendly tropical sun usually does the job well. Clothes can be hung out to dry in the open air.

You can book your retreat up to 6 months in advance. This helps us ensure availability and prepare for your personalized experience.

While payment plans are available, please note that all payments must be settled in full at least 14 days prior to the retreat date. Due to having just one room available for our solo retreats, we only accept guaranteed bookings with full payments.

Hence, it is recommended to plan ahead for your retreat. For instance, if you aim for a retreat in March, initiate your planning in January, granting you a two-month window for payment arrangements. Please note that your retreat may be rescheduled or postponed until full payment is received. Incomplete payments mean the booking is unconfirmed, and the reserved date may be allocated to another participant who completes full payment.

Kindly specify in the application form if you prefer to opt for a payment plan.

No, all retreat bookings are confirmed only upon full payment of the total retreat fees once the requested date is available.

All bookings are nonrefundable under any circumstances. Once payment is made, it is considered final. In the event of cancellation, regardless of the reason, no refunds will be granted. You can, however, reschedule the retreat to a later date; please communicate any changes as early as possible.

You also have the option to transfer or gift the retreat to a friend. However, your friend will need to submit their own application form as well.

In the event of a retreat cancellation due to force majeure or circumstances beyond artist Elaine Wong's control, she will promptly inform you, provide a full refund of the total retreat cost, or assist in rescheduling your retreat for another suitable date.

We happily accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets. Elaine herself is also vegetarian.

If you have other special dietary needs, kindly arrange your own meals, as we are not professionally trained in catering. Our focus is on home-cooked meals for our own enjoyment.

Meals are NOT included in the retreat. You prepare your own lunch and dinner throughout the stay. We do stock basic items like rice, instant noodles, pasta, oil, salt, peppers, basic cooking sauces in the kitchen for your usage). Malaysian eateries & restaurants are very convenient, cheap, and nearby (within walking distance).

Groceries stores are plenty around. Delivery services are abundant too. If you’d like to plan for meal delivery services, we can suggest our preferred healthy/vegan/vegetarian options. This is a getaway where you can enjoy the local restaurants and cafes on your own, or buy groceries and cook in our kitchen.

Yes, you may share the kitchen to prepare simple meals and store your groceries in the fridge.

Non-vegetarian food is allowed. If you prepare meat dishes, please dispose of the scraps (bones, wet trash) immediately after cooking, as our tropical humidity can easily attract pests.

Kindly refrain from heavy cooking such as deep frying or strongly aromatic dishes, as the kitchen does not have a ventilation hood and we try to maintain clean, neutral air throughout the studio house.

Please keep the kitchen tidy and clear any food waste daily so the space remains clean and comfortable for everyone.

Comfortable summer clothing works best for our tropical climate. You may want to bring slip-on shoes or sandals, lightweight pants, sweat-absorbing T-shirts, shorts, and a hat or cap. A pashmina, wrap, or travel scarf can be useful, as indoor spaces such as LRT/MRT trains and shopping malls are often quite cold. A light sweatshirt can also come in handy.

For getting around, a small daypack, sling bag, or tote is practical. It is also helpful to bring a travel umbrella or a light breathable rain jacket.

Since you will be painting, please bring a “house T-shirt” or painting clothes that you do not mind getting paint splatters on.

Our weather is hot and humid throughout the year, with rain appearing in most months. The period between September and December usually brings more frequent rainfall.

If you plan to paint on medium sized canvases during your stay, it helps to bring a hard shell suitcase so you can safely bring your finished pieces home.

Please also bring your own personal toiletries (for example deodorant, facial care items, toothbrush and toothpaste, sunscreen), any prescriptions, personal electronics, travel adaptors, sleeping aids, travel documents, cash or cards, and mosquito repellent. There are plenty of shops nearby where you can purchase additional personal care items or sundries if needed.

Some guests also like to bring small comfort items from home. Herbal teas that soothe the stomach can be useful if you are not used to Malaysian spices. Other simple comforts such as electrolytes, heat patches, tiger balm, or a hot water bottle can also be helpful if you are sensitive to travel fatigue, stomach discomfort, or menstrual cramps.

Having a few familiar comforts from home can make the stay feel more easeful while you settle into the rhythm of the studio.

Yes, absolutely! You can purchase this retreat as a gift for someone special. Just select the gift card option, and fill in the form when you click ‘Add to Cart’.

Yes. While the studio house is designed primarily for solo retreats, I occasionally collaborate on small group retreats hosted at other locations.

If you are organizing a retreat and would like to invite me as a guest facilitator for intuitive painting sessions, feel free to reach out to discuss the possibility.

Residency: A residency is typically output driven. The residency is for artists seeking longer stays to focus on independent projects. It’s designed for those who want uninterrupted time and space to develop their work at their own pace. While the environment is supportive of creative exploration, there are no structured sessions or guidance provided.

Retreat: The retreat is a short & more immersive and guided experience, led by Elaine, with intuitive painting sessions to spark creativity, personal growth, and self-expression.
You don’t need to be an artist to join, just someone open to exploring your creativity and reconnecting with yourself in a peaceful, nurturing space. The retreat offers the perfect blend of creative guidance and time & space to work on your own creative project.
The retreat is ideal if you’re looking for both creative guidance, a restful escape, self-explorations, personal reflections and relaxations.

Art Stay
At The Hideaway, there is also a third option called Art Stay. Art Stay is designed for longer stays of 14 nights or more.

Art Stay sits between a residency and a retreat. Unlike a residency, Art Stay includes gentle structure through weekly check-ins with Elaine, offering space for conversation, reflection, and guidance around your creative / intuitive art process.

If you are interested in the Art Stay option, feel free to reach out for more details.