What to pack for a week in the Caribbean

 What to pack for your week-long trip in the Virgin Islands with Caribbean Art Escapes:

The climate in the Caribbean is sunny and warm, with daily high temperatures in the upper 80’s and evening lows in the upper 70’s. The sun is quite intense so sunscreen is a necessity. I recommend lightweight clothing that provides SPF protection, as well as a hat and sunglasses. There will be opportunities for swimming and water activities every day, so be sure to pack a bathing suit and cover-up. Beach shoes are highly recommended for accessing the water in some of the rocky areas, or you can wear other types of water shoes, surf shoes, scuba socks, or other types of shoes that can be worn in the water such as Crocs. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes for other activities, but we won’t be doing anything too strenuous so your usual everyday casual footwear will be perfect for walking around town or touring the attractions on the island.

Pack light! You only need summer clothes, and not many of them. You know you will want to shop at the artisan markets and island boutiques while you’re here, so leave room in your suitcase to pack your vacation purchases and souvenirs for your return trip home.

St Croix is part of the United States Virgin Islands – a U.S. territory – so U.S. citizens don’t need a passport to travel here. More info about travel requirements HERE. However, if you want to take the ferry or the seaplane to visit any of the other islands while you’re here, you will need your passport. Side trips off-island are not included in your Caribbean Art Escapes package, but if you want to island hop or take a side trip while you’re here then we can help you make those arrangements. Info about island hopping HERE. 

There are only a couple of major airlines serving the Henry E. Rohlsen (STX) airport on St Croix with only one or two flights per day, and those flights are always booked full several weeks in advance. Flight delays are not uncommon. If you miss your connection you might find that there may not be another flight available, so be sure to schedule long layovers between your connecting flights! Click HERE for STX airport information.

Be sure to pack your cell phone and charger. Almost all major U.S. cellular plans work just fine here. Wifi is provided at the villa.

The coral reefs here are absolutely AH-MAY-ZING! We provide snorkeling equipment and you can walk out on a beach and see a fantastic assortment of tropical fish, turtles, octopus, and more in shallow water that is crystal clear. I highly recommend bringing a waterproof camera to capture the fantastic underwater scenery. If you’re not a swimmer, no worries -- we also provide boogie boards, kayaks, paddle boards, and other beach toys that you can float on, or you can just chill and hang out in a lounge chair under the shade of the palm trees.

Don’t forget your medications and any special items that you need. This is a very small island and shopping is quite limited. You may find that you can’t get a replacement here for something that you forgot to bring, so please make a list and double check it when you pack.

 

Packing list

* Light, breathable layers for warm weather

* Swimsuit + cover-up

* Wide-brim hat or cap (for sun protection while painting)

* Comfortable walking sandals or sneakers

* Water shoes (ESSENTIAL for rocky beaches or wading. Crocs or scuba booties can substitute)

* Daypack or tote bag for daily excursions

* Reusable water bottle (hydration is key!)

* Sunscreen (High SPF and reef-safe recommended)

* Sunglasses

* Phone/camera + charger

* Personal medications

* REAL ID or passport (passport is not required for U.S. citizens, but REAL ID is necessary)

* Health insurance card 

* Travel insurance info

* Copies of travel documents (digital & printed)

* Credit card and a small amount of cash (USD)

The recommended list of art supplies will depend on which type of workshop or retreat you have registered.

recent exhibitions and workshops!

 I was thrilled to receive an award for my painting "Three Faces of Annie" at the Philadelphia Watercolor Society 125th International Exhibition yesterday.

It was great to hang out with so many old friends at the reception -- Ken Call, Carmella Tuliszewski, Chris Krupinsky, and so many others. 

I also taught an online workshop for the Northern Plains Watercolor Society last week, and my students and I finished three different paintings in our process of exploring the different ways to add excitement to watercolor seascapes. 

Everyone enjoyed learning new techniques to depict a variety of seascapes. I still need titles for these new paintings, so if you have any ideas for me, tell me in the comments! 

I also went out and painted en plein air with the Philadelphia Watercolor Society at the Brandywine Battlefield in Chadds Ford.

And last but not least, I bought another kayak! I now have plenty of kayaks, paddleboards, boogie boards, snorkeling equipment, etc., for guests to use when they come to a workshop at Caribbean Art Escapes. I can hardly wait for the fun to begin! 

current exhibitions

 I'm excited to share that I am an invited Master Artist in the Watercolor International VII exhibition in Greece! The exhibit is on display in Thessaloniki, Greece, and also available to view online. 

Halcyon Days, 12x16 watercolor

I also just shipped off a painting to the Silk Road 11th International Biennial in China. I'm honored to represent the United States again in this prestigious event, and thrilled to have my painting joins the permanent public collection of the Republic of China. 

Knot Moving, 18x24 watercolor

I just shipped this painting off to Connecticut, to the Northeast Watercolor Society Juried International Exhibition, 

Out of Darkness, 12x9 watercolor

and next week I'm delivering this painting to the Philadelphia Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibition, 

Three Faces of Annie, 14x20 watercolor

I have several workshops and demos coming up, be sure to watch my website for links and listings. The next one is this one-day online workshop, you can register here:

Our new business venture -- Caribbean Art Escapes -- will start accepting registrations soon! Be sure to follow our progress on Facebook for the latest updates! 

big news!

 If you've been following me on Facebook or Instagram you've noticed all the posts about the Virgin Islands lately -- well, we're almost ready to move! We're house hunting for the perfect property to open Caribbean Art Escapes, an island business offering artist retreats and workshops on the island of St. Croix. The webpage will launch soon, and the Facebook page is here. 

We are going to have our first workshops and retreats in the Winter season of 2026/27, for small intimate groups of up to six artists. We are only going to offer a limited number of groups each season, so be sure to keep an eye on us for registration details -- coming soon! 

Guests will enjoy 8 days, 7 nights, all inclusive* stay in our exclusive private villa. This week-long artist retreat blends daily painting sessions with island exploration, giving you the perfect balance of focused creative time and unforgettable experiences. Each day, we’ll set up our easels in inspiring locations—from the pastel façades of Christiansted to windswept cliffs at Point Udall—learning to capture not just the view, but the feeling of the place.

Morning painting sessions are followed by afternoons swimming at the beaches, sightseeing, exploring local markets and boutiques, and touring the historic landmarks and incredible beauty of the island. Bring your underwater camera -- we'll go snorkeling and get up close and personal with the sea turtles, tropical fish, octopus, and other exotic marine life in the crystal clear water. 

Be sure to bring your bathing suits! The unspoiled beaches of the island of St Croix are among the best in the Caribbean. Snorkeling equipment is provided, as well as beach chairs, beach towels, boogie boards, floaties, kayaks, surfboards, and other beach toys for your entertainment.

From painting lush botanical gardens and historic sugar plantations to capturing the ever-changing blues of the sea, you'll experience the island through the eyes of an artist—brush in hand, surrounded by beauty. Each day blends structured guidance and personal time to create, reflect, and connect.

With a small, supportive group of fellow creatives, you'll leave not just with a refreshed portfolio, but with renewed artistic vision, lasting friendships, and a sketchbook full of sunlit memories.

Each morning begins with a new adventure—painting in tropical gardens, at historic sugar mills, colonial era forts, or right by the water’s edge. Whether you’re here to build skills or simply to soak up beauty, you’ll find yourself recharged, inspired, and surrounded by a community that shares your passion.

We are also now in the process of lining up more artist instructors to lead workshops for us! We plan to offer workshops in a variety of mediums for plein air painters, studio painters, and other types of creative, meditative, and inspirational pursuits. 

Guests will enjoy unlimited access to the art studio/classroom at our villa in addition to excursions to spectacular painting locations. Evenings are reserved for shared meals on the terrace, conversations around the pool and fire pit, and time to relax or reflect. 

I'm so excited to finally be able to announce this new venture! Keep an eye out for more news, coming soon. We're going to offer a special low introductory price for a very limited time and the inaugural events are going to sell out quickly, so be sure to watch closely for updates. 

*All inclusive: includes airport transfers and ground transportation, meals, lodging, wifi, and workshop instruction. NOT included: Airfare, travel insurance, and alcoholic beverages. 

Caribbean travels

 I had a wonderful time demonstrating for the Watercolor Society of North Carolina this week, here's my finished painting from that event. I could use some help titling it -- if you have any suggestions please send them to me! My painting demonstration drew a RECORD BREAKING attendance for the watercolor society with over a hundred people eagerly watching as I taught the techniques that I use for creating my award winning series of paintings. 

And now for some exciting news -- I'm off again to the Caribbean, and this time it's a house-hunting trip! I am going to open an art center and start offering artist retreats and workshops in the islands soon, so keep an eye on this page for more info as it evolves. These exclusive luxury tours for artists will feature small intimate groups with limited spaces available. 

Get ready to experience an relaxing, idyllic escape in a tropical paradise with activities such as painting, swimming, beach combing, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, or just laying about in the shade of the coconut palms. 

Set against the backdrop of turquoise waters, lush tropical landscapes, and the island’s rich cultural heritage, this immersive experience will offer artists of all levels a unique opportunity to slow down, explore, and create.

I'll be posting updates from this trip on my social media accounts so be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, X, Bluesky, Threads, and here on my blog to keep with with the adventure! 

upcoming events

 I have another online workshop coming up, this one is for the Northern Plains Watercolor Society in October, be sure to check their website for information about registering for it!

NPWS workshop, 2025

I'm getting ready for my online demo for the Watercolor Society of North Carolina next week and just learned that over a hundred members have already pre-registered to watch me paint! Once again, my demo is breaking a society's attendance records! I think I will paint koi next week, although I haven't quite decided. Maybe seascapes, or maybe koi. Or maybe something else entirely. 

I have a lot of workshops and demonstrations coming up, be sure to check out my website for dates and locations. Some are online and some are in person. Also, I have a lot more in-person workshops in the planning stages right now that will be held in New York, Arkansas, Maine, Morocco, and the Virgin Islands, so be sure to keep on eye on my website for news when they are ready to open for registration! 

Annie Strack teaching plein air painting at the Philadelphia Watercolor Society

In other news, I'm thrilled to announce that my painting "Three Faces of Annie" juried into the 125th Philadelphia Watercolor Society International Exhibition! 

Three Faces of Annie, 14x20, Annie Strack

Summer news

 

Annie Strack, painting en plein air at Winterthur

I had a blast painting live, en plein air, at Winterthur last week during their Summer Artisan Markets. I finished 6 paintings, and two of them sold off my easel before they were even done! My first painting sold so fast that I didn't even have time to take a photo of it. In all, five of my fresh plein air paintings sold at the event, including these two -- I only have a photo of one when it was barely have finished! Lol, I don't even remember what color I painted that unfinished fish. 

I also sold this one off the easel right after I barely started painting it, so the buyer got to choose the colors of the koi! 

I still have these four painting available that I painted last week at Winterthur, all painted with Sennelier watercolor and Dynasty Brushes on 9x12 Hahnemuhle paper. 

I haven't titled any of them yet, so I'd appreciate any suggestions you can give to me for titles!

Annie Strack, painting en plein air at Winterthur

and in other news, I'm thrilled to learn that my painting "leave it Behind" juried into the Southwest Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition!

Leave it Behind, 9x12 wc, Annie Strack

and my painting "Disconnected" juried into the Georgia Watercolor Society annual member exhibition!

Disconnected, 14x20 wc, Annie Strack

North Carolina Watercolor Society

 I'm excited to announce that I'll be performing a live painting demonstration online for the Watercolor Society of North Carolina on Wednesday, August 13, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. I haven't yet decided what I'll paint, but I'll let you know! This event is open to members of the WSNC, and you must be a NC resident to join their membership. 

WCNC 2025 Demo

Also, I'll be painting LIVE, in person, at Winterthur during their annual summer market on July 18, 19, and 20! Be sure to come out and enjoy the artisan market at Winterthur! 

And I just finished preparing for my one-day online painting workshop for the Northern Plains Watercolor Society, which will be Saturday, October 25th. Hopefully they will open it up for registration soon so be sure to watch their website for info on how to sign up.  

busy busy busy!

 It's been busy around here as the Summer plein air season gears up and I'm also in the process of downsizing my household to prepare for moving to the Virgin Islands next year. So much to do! In the meantime, I'm thrilled to announce that my plein air workshop for Baltimore Watercolor Society will be open for registration soon! This workshop will take place on October 14th, at Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore. Be sure to keep an eye on the Events Page of the BWS website for it, as my workshops for BWS always SELL OUT within hours of opening for registration! 

BWS plein air workshop

This workshop is for artists who want to excel at watercolor painting and take their paintings to a higher level. Annie Strack is passionate about teaching painting and will provide you with personalized instruction as she walks you through the essential techniques and the foundational concepts of plein air painting. Annie is known for her friendly teaching style, making classes both fun and informative. Learn how to mix colors, plan a composition, use values, manipulate the properties of pigments, use different types of brushes for effects, and more! All artists, whether they are new to watercolors or experienced painters, will benefit from watching Annie as she explains her techniques for creating spectacular paintings. Multiple watercolor techniques are covered, including glazing, washes, dry brush, masking, lifting, & more. Attendees will gain an understanding of the properties of different paints, learn how to successfully mix colors, and how to use values and color temperatures to enhance their compositions. learn how to break through the confusion of multiple elements in a scene, and how to plan a composition by eliminating distractions and focusing on shapes and values. Discover how to capture light and shadow, and how to create drama and interest in paintings. Watch and learn as each painting step and technique is explained and demonstrated with clarity that makes the lessons easy to absorb. 

Over my Shoulder, 16x12 watercolor

And in other news, I'm thrilled to announce that BOTH my entries - Over my Shoulder and Wait for me me, were juried into the 2025 Watercolor USA Honor Society Exhibition! These two paintings were shipped off today. 

Wait for Me, 14x20 watercolor

I'll be painting liv, en plein air, again at Winterthur on Saturday, June 21st, during their wine tour event. Be sure to come out to watch me paint and enjoy a glass of wine!