A woman with short pink hair smiling, wearing a colorful apron with various cartoon faces, in a vibrant art studio with colorful paintings and paper flowers surrounding her.
A woman with pink hair is smiling, wearing a colorful apron with cartoon faces and rainbow patterns, standing in front of a table with colorful painted flowers and artwork.
A woman with pink hair is smiling, wearing a colorful apron with cartoon faces and rainbow patterns, standing in front of a table with colorful painted flowers and artwork.

brave blooms

portland

1 DAY ABSTRACT PAINTING WORKSHOP
March 17, 2027
9am-4:30pm

SECURE YOUR SPOT
Close-up of a yellow squiggly line pattern on a black background.

I’m thrilled to be teaching again at Art & Soul, an in-person mixed media retreat bringing together artist and makers for a week of making, learning, and connection.

With workshops taught by talented instructors across a range of mediums, you can take as many or as few classes as you like and create at your own pace. I’ll be teaching two intuitive painting workshops this year: a three-day Wild With Wonder abstract workshop and this Brave Blooms workshop.

Medium
We’ll work primarily in acrylics, along with a variety of mark-making tools, to create abstract painting from start to finish.

Process
This is intuitive + abstract painting, so rather than working from reference or following prescribe composition, we’ll learn to respond to what’s happening on the canvas. You’ll experiment with color, shape, line, texture, layering, and composition while learning to trust your instincts and make decisions as the painting evolves.

During the workshop, you’ll experience:
🎨 Live painting demos with step-by-step guidance
🌈 A welcoming, community-centered atmosphere
🖌️ All the art supplies are provided - my fave paints, tools, and mixed media materials
✨ Meaningful connection with fellow music lovers and creatives
💃 A playful experience full of joy and self-expression

I’m teaching at the Art & Soul Mixed media retreat!

A collage of images showing a group of people with painted and decorated hands, individuals holding colorful floral paintings, and floral illustrations, with the quote 'No Rules. No Perfection. Just you, the paint, and what wants to come through.'
JOIN the workshop
Abstract painting of a colorful bouquet in a vase on a pink surface.
Abstract painting of a colorful bouquet in a vase on a pink surface.
A group of ten people, mostly women, wearing colorful aprons and casual clothing, standing together indoors in front of a large red and blue cow painting.
A group of ten people, mostly women, wearing colorful aprons and casual clothing, standing together indoors in front of a large red and blue cow painting.
Abstract floral painting with pink, purple, blue, and green colors on canvas.
Abstract floral painting with pink, purple, blue, and green colors on canvas.

Who is this for?

Colorful, hand-painted flower with five petals

No experience necessary!
Participants come from all walks of life, across cultures, identities, and creative paths, and everyone is warmly welcome here.

Haven’t picked up a paintbrush since childhood?
Perfect! You’ll fit right and and be gently guided to let go of the fear of beginning and dive into the intuitive painting process. There are no mistakes here, perfectionism is a trap, and the possibilities are endless. We’ll focus on the process and not the end result. While I'll share plenty of painting tips, techniques, and "rules", I'll also encourage you to break them all. There is zero judgement here and only good vibes!

Paint often?
Enliven your already established creative practice and discover how to tame your inner critic and release expectations so that you make more instinctual choices and create more freely. 

Come solo or with friends!
Some participants arrive solo, others come with friends or loved ones, and it doesn’t take long before the whole group feels like a supportive, inspiring community.

JOIN the workshop
Abstract colorful flower painting with pink, purple, green, and blue hues against a black background with pink splashes.
Close-up of pink and red candies with a decorative pink and white patterned tea towel.
  • Abstract artwork featuring a pink eye with a blue and yellow iris, surrounded by small golden circles

    “Joyful! Engaging! Full of spirit, energy, light, and happiness!

    This retreat was a gift that helped ignite the creative spark I was looking for. I leave wanting to learn more and ready to explore my next canvas. This class also made me reflect deep within my soul. ”

    — Shelley Michaels

  • Colorful childlike rainbow made of painted paper or cardboard with pink, yellow, blue, and green arcs.

    “I felt surrounded by people ready to create and express with joy and without judgment.”

    Becky was amazing and led us through the process with a light and loving heart. I adored her workshop space, my retreat mates, and just the whole vibe.”

    — Adam Gorman

  • New List Item

    Description goes here
Multiple colorful rainbow illustrations in a horizontal pattern.

What to expect

Abstract floral painting featuring red flowers with dark green and black leaves on a textured turquoise background, surrounded by pink circular accents and a light pastel border.

petals, paint, and possibility

Let’s paint bold and colorful florals together in this one-day, hands-on workshop exploring intuitive painting and abstract expressionism through florals.

We’ll use flowers as our starting point, but this isn’t about painting them realistically. It’s about loosening up, making bold choices, and using color, shape, movement, and mark-making to create expressive paintings that feel like you.

I’ll guide you through my intuitive painting process and share the tools and techniques I use in my own practice, including meditation and journaling as part of a whole-hearted creative practice, painting demonstrations, mark-making and layering techniques, color mixing tips and tricks, and my favorite paints and tools. We’ll also explore how to use fresh flowers and reference photos as inspiration without getting stuck trying to recreate what we see.

This is a chance to experiment, take some creative risks, and make paintings with more freedom, authenticity, and courage.

Come paint flowers. Leave with more freedom in your practice.

Materials + Supplies

Materials Fee: $15, paid at the beginning of class

Your materials fee includes:

  • Class handouts

  • Acrylic paint

  • Gel Medium

  • Stabilo All pencils

  • Blue shop towels

  • A variety of mark-making tools

What to Bring

  • Watercolor or mixed media paper, 9x12 recommended. I love Canson XL.

  • A variety of acrylic paint brushes in different sizes

  • A palette pad or any surface you like to use as a palette

  • A water container for rinsing brushes

Don’t have everything on the list? Don’t worry. I’ll provide the key materials you need to get started and will have plenty of tools and supplies available to experiment with.

Colorful painting of various flowers on teal background with added pink and purple decorative elements.
Pattern of colorful rainbows with pink borders, repeated across the width of the image.
Colorful floral abstract art with pink, white, orange, green, and blue brushstrokes on a square canvas.
Colorful floral abstract art with pink, white, orange, green, and blue brushstrokes on a square canvas.
People creating arts and crafts at a table with paint, paper, and scissors in a well-lit room.
Bright pink and white flowers on green stems against a gold background in an impressionist style painting.
Abstract colorful painting with shades of pink, purple, green, and blue, featuring thick brushstrokes on a teal background.

Secure your spot

Colorful cartoon bird with blue body and red and yellow wings

$185 USD PER PERSON

Plus a one-time $60 Art & Soul registration fee and a $15 supply fee, paid at the beginning of class.

lets paint together

Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
8235 NE Airport Way
Portland, OR 97218

Come ready to let go, make a mess, and create something unforgettable.