My husband Jean and I came to this property we named Willow Pond in 2005 and fell in love with it upon seeing it. For me, there was a quality that reminded me of my South African roots. It felt comforting and familiar, despite being 10,000 miles and an ocean away from where I grew up.

We have now lived on California’s beautiful Central Coast for 17 years and counting. This is a personal record for both of us, as we have lived in many different countries across three continents, but only for a few years at a time. Willow Pond has grounded us; we hope it will do the same for you.   

Jean, a tech businessman with a knack for farm life, is a Californian native. I am a Zambian-born, South African-raised artist with a previous career in the advertising industry. You can view my work here.  

Our vision for this property is to host sustainably catered live-in workshops across all disciplines, bringing people together to foster dialogue and learning, stimulate creativity, and build community and networks. Our workshops will feature a broad spectrum of topics, including writing, painting, fiber arts, and more - each one led by a professional in their field. We want to welcome creatives and aspiring artists at all levels and disciplines to learn, share their knowledge, and break bread together.

~ Carol