Abstract Art is a 20th-century movement characterized by the reduction of natural appearances into simplified forms,; making art using basic geometric shapes or intuitive gestures. Likewise, Nonobjective Art by definition doesn’t depend on the appearance of the visual world as a starting point; the assumption is that art doesn’t have to be about anything other than formal elements: shape, color and emotions. This workshop is for artists who are motivated to learn more about creating expressive, simple yet bold encaustic abstract monotypes. We will start with some color exercises, discuss the weight of color, painting techniques, and experimentation and discuss, geometry, repetition and “What holds everything together”. Lots of time for action-filled painting and personalized attention.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Jorge Luis Bernal
Cost: $395.00 tax and materials included
Sponsor: Encaustic Art Institute
Website, email, 505-989-3283

This is an exceptional opportunity for advanced painters and intermediate to advanced level photographers to retreat, learn and share their perceptions and responses to the environment of Taos, New Mexico. We will stay at the incomparable Mable Dodge Luhan House and absorb its structures and surrounding landscape. This location has inspired many artists, writers, dancers and others who celebrated the arts in the early to mid 20th century. We will explore and create in this place that nurtured the work of such luminaries as Georgia O’Keefe, D.H. Lawrence, Willa Cather, Ansel Adams, John Marin and others in the very home that provided both haven and inspiration for so many creative souls.
 
Location: Taos, New Mexico
Instructor: Lisa Pressman & Barbara Tyroler
Cost: $2,600 private room & bath; $2,100 shared room
Sponsor: Cullowhee ARTS
Website, email, 828.342.6913

This annual workshop retreat is held in my personal studio. It is limited to only 8 artists and many folks return every year to refresh their inspiration and tune up their creative muscles. It is an action packed four days but we also relax on the deck or by the pond. Find inspiration in the garden, renew friendships and make new best friends. As you can tell it is about more than just painting techniques. The time in Santa Fe is very special and we use it to refill the well and inspire our muse. We also eat delicious food, find art on every corner and bask in the beauty of the mountains. Join us!
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Sandra Duran Wilson
Cost: $900
Website, email, 505-954-4179

This 3-Day Workshop is the perfect opportunity to discover and or develop new and different Cold Wax painting skills. We will “push the limits” of this wonderful medium and welcome the surprises along the way. Once comfortable with the basic techniques, through a series of directed exercises, we will look at form and content, deliberate and accidental mark making, starting points and working in series. Technique demonstrations combined with student experimentation, group discussions, presentations, and printed resources add to the experience, raising awareness and appreciation for the content and the meaning of constraint and simplification in art. This workshop will enliven your art practice and unleash your creative voice!
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Jorge Luis Bernal
Cost: $560.00
Sponsor: Encaustic Art Institute
Website, email, 505-989-3283

This workshop offers artists the opportunity to explore and discover new shapes and ideas while using a “Monochrome Approach.” Mark-making expressions (gestural marks) help direct the artist to focus on process-oriented abstraction using patterns and emotions as a source of inspiration to create a narrative. To begin, we explore the line, negative space and expression through a series of directed exercises using India ink, charcoal and graphite. We then look and discuss the power of color to convey and communicate meanings and content. This workshop will offer discussions/demos, studio painting time, as well as individual critique concerning your own personal direction in your art making.
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: Jorge Luis Bernal
Cost: $395.00
Sponsor: Encaustic Art Institute
Website, email, 505-989-3283

Have you ever wondered how to Loosen-Up your painting style? Paint with more Freedom? Be more Spontaneous? Be more Expressive? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then my Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting Workshop is for you! I will also teach you the design fundamentals of shape, value, color, edges and center of interest. Here is some of what we’ll cover: • How to loosen up and paint spontaneously with no pre-planning • How to use big brushes and lots of juicy paint • How to paint from your heart, not your head • How to create fresh beautiful color without making “mud” • Art business information • And much more!
 
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Instructor: David M. Kessler
Sponsor: Artisan Expo
Website, email, 505-954-4179