The setting, the food, the art instruction — it was superb. Figs on the Funcho is a memorable location offering a chance to truly retreat and attune to birdsong and fresh air. The hosts, Cheryl and Graham, are the kindest, meeting every need. The cooking is so delicious it merits praise and photos. And, having Lael’s instruction over an extended period of time differs qualitatively over having her in shorter classes. She was well organized in planning different demonstrations each day and met students in their individual style and place. Highly recommend!

The art retreat with Lael exceeded my expectations. The food and surroundings at Figs on the Funcho were wonderful. Cheryl and Graham, our hosts at Figs, took care of everything so we could focus on painting. Lael organized the days with a nice balance of lessons, inspiration from the surroundings, and painting. I was able to re-familiarize myself with many fundamentals of painting and have some nice stretches of uninterrupted painting time, something that it’s hard for me to get at home. Lastly, i could not have had a more inspiring group of women to paint with. They were great to get to know, laugh with, and paint with. I had a wonderful time!

Such a wonderful trip! Figs is a beautiful setting for painting. We were well taken care of by Graham and Cheryl. Amazing food and such lovely company. I loved all the workshops organized by Lael who is so inclusive and inspiring.

Lael chose an amazing spot to teach us how to see the world as artists. While I was the least experienced painter on this retreat I never felt like I didn’t belong. The setting was lovely, the accommodations really nice, the food was 5-star. Lael’s art instruction was very clear and helpful. We started with the foundation and built our way up. Highly recommend.

Our time at Figs on the Funcho was extraordinary! The hosts provided excellent accomodations, delicious food and interesting trips in the Algarve area. The painting teacher, Lael Har, inspired all of us daily to paint wonderful landscapes. Her encouragement could be seen as all of us grew as painters over the course of one week.