Peaceful Painting: Abstract Watercolor & Mixed Media Botanicals

For me there is nothing more joyful and relaxing than making art! I love selecting a harmonious color palette of watercolor paints, grabbing a handful of mixed media tools, and allowing my intuition to guide me as I develop a work of art. I also find so much inspiration in nature, and I love including natural forms and textures, along with botanical elements, in my artwork.

I invite you to join me at this Artists Rising Creativity Retreat to develop a series of abstract watercolor & mixed media paintings. Over the course of the workshop, I will demonstrate and provide guidance through many of my favorite abstract watercolor & mixed media techniques. We’ll create custom blends of color, learn techniques for layering and adding texture to our watercolors, explore the fundamentals of composition, and take lots of inspiration from the Connecticut springtime blooms.

This low-stress, enjoyable way of painting is ideal for beginning painters, or anyone wanting to freely explore the fluid, unpredictable nature of watercolors in an abstract format. I will demonstrate a number of techniques, but there will be plenty of time to practice and experiment with the materials. Participants can expect to complete at least 4 paintings in the workshop.

In this workshop you will:

• Observe and practice a variety of abstract watercolor techniques, including adding texture, enhancing granulation, and layering 
• Explore the fundamentals of composition
• Prepare paints and mix custom blends of color
• Gather resources for adding botanicals in your abstract work
• Select and experiment with a variety of mixed media materials
• Learn how to embrace “mistakes”
• Make bold color choices
• Develop unique marks and embellishments
• Receive personalized guidance
• Build your confidence as your skills grow

*Note: I have included a list of recommended materials, and you are welcome to bring your own supplies to the workshop. However, I am also offering to put together a kit of all the supplies needed for the workshop, including paper, paints, and brushes, along with pens, pencils, collage materials, and all the other supplies we’ll be using. I believe that high-quality materials go a long way towards making your painting practice enjoyable and satisfying, and I will be including many of my favorite go-to materials. This kit will be yours to keep at the end of the workshop. The at-cost price of this kit is $185. If you choose to purchase the kit, make sure to mention that when you are registering

If you had told me five years ago that at this point in my life I’d be a full-time artist; selling paintings, exhibiting my work regularly in NYC galleries, and leading painting workshops; I would have shaken my head in disbelief! Although I’ve always considered myself a creative person, I spent most of my life believing that I had no “talent” for visual arts.

I was an actress during my teens and 20s, and a jewelry designer for a short time, before arriving at my long-time career as an elementary school teacher. Then in the spring of 2020 - when we were all in lock-down and I was stuck at home teaching remotely - I picked up my first set of watercolor paints.

At first painting was just a diverting pastime. I watched numerous YouTube videos, and tried to follow along as the teachers demonstrated how to paint realistic flowers and landscapes, but I was never entirely satisfied with my results. This led me to the realization that I typically prefer abstract art over representational art, and I decided to start looking towards abstract artists for inspiration. The work of Kandinsky and Klee, Hilma af Klint and Georgia O’Keeffe, and many other ground-breaking artists was a revelation to me, and their artwork lit a fire in me. I loved being able to express myself creatively in a freeing and relaxed way, without the pressure to make my work realistic. I started painting intuitively; playing with lines, colors, and shapes; bringing in botanical elements; and developing my own signature marks and embellishments. Through daily painting sessions I discovered that painting brings me both peace and joy, and I typically choose to make art that feels soothing and uplifting. I work primarily in watercolors with mixed media elements, and I find that layering an unexpected mix of materials to create a cohesive whole gives me endless possibilities for creative expression. What started as a Covid hobby has become a passion, and an absolutely essential part of my life.

Now I have retired from my classroom teaching position to dedicate myself fully to making art, but interestingly, I have found that my inclination for educating is still alive and well. Along with my daily painting practice, I have become compelled to develop courses, videos, and workshops, primarily geared towards beginning artists. I love sharing the techniques I’ve developed, and providing guidance and inspiration for other artists who are just starting on their own creative journeys. If I can introduce other artists to the transformative power of making art, I consider that a job well done! I hope you’ll choose to come to Connecticut in the spring of 2025 to paint with me!

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