Do you have moments of complete frustration with your work? We all do. In this course Melinda will help you to embrace those moments and learn to work with the idea of Chaos and ‘The Uglies’ in your paintings in order to achieve rich work with history and lasting interest. Are you looking for more personal expression? We will look at setting Creative and Conceptual Intentions in order to create meaningful, individual work. We will focus on the importance of contrast in our work by looking at the Elements of Design which will give you concrete ideas in abstraction. These Elements, mixed with several approaches to Figurative Abstraction will spark your creativity and give you lots to work on going forward.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Melinda Cootsona
Cost: $975+
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-633-7374

Barbara offers workshops in pastel or oil, or both, focusing on landscapes. Her workshops are primarily in the studio, but she may occasionally offer a plein air portion to a workshop if requested. All demos are in the studio. Her teaching style includes daily demonstrations, during which she talks through each step and allows questions. She provides exercises that have very specific objectives so that students are able to see achievable results and she offers plenty of individual assistance at the easel. Barbara holds Signature Memberships in Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society, is a Master Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America, and an Eminent Pastelist with the International Association of Pastel Societies.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Barbara Jaenicke
Cost: $975+
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-633-7374

Learn a non-traditional approach to oil painting or explore oils for the first time. Cold wax medium is an additive that thickens oil paint, speeds up the drying time (a bit), and neutralizes the paint so there’s no concern about “fat over lean” rules. We will be using R&F’s Pigment Sticks (compressed oil paints) along with tube oils to create paintings without brushes or smelly solvents. You will discover new tools and methods for creating rich and authentic small works on paper and Ampersand’s Gessoboard. With Arches oil paper as our primary substrate, you’ll have several paintings going at once. This workshop is fun, a bit messy, and will change the way you think about oil painting.
 
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Instructor: Julie Snidle
Cost: $975+
Sponsor: Artists Rising Creativity Retreats
Website, email, 860-633-7374