What does it mean to create a painting that is informed by the natural world around you, but is not exactly representational, where the essential feeling and energy is captured and expressed?

Come with an open mind and a desire to free yourself from overwhelming details or attachment to realism. Explore abstract painting through the lens of landscape painting. In this course, we will transform our reference imagery (bring a printed or digital landscape for reference) into rich, energetic, abstract paintings. This class is designed for the new and or experienced abstract artist working with acrylic painting materials. Techniques will include different types of paint application, reductive and layering techniques, mark making, shape, color, value, texture, and composition. We begin each session with warm-up exercises, and the remaining time will be an open studio with one-on-one time with the instructor. There will be no expectations, negative voices, or dismissive criticism. Get out of your comfort zone, let loose your creativity, and quiet that inner critic!

*We'll be using acrylic paint to allow for fast drying, mixed media, and layering. However the techniques learned in this class will translate to other media (oil, watercolor, collage, etc.) in your own studio practice.