A woman with short pink hair, laughing with her mouth open, sitting in an art studio. She wears a black and white patterned shirt. The background includes colorful paintings and drawing of bright pink, purple, and blue flowers and abstract elements.
A woman with pink hair, tattoos on her arms, and wearing a black and white floral shirt, is smiling and holding paintbrushes in an art studio with colorful paintings and floral cutouts in the background.
A woman with pink hair, tattoos on her arms, and wearing a black and white floral shirt, is smiling and holding paintbrushes in an art studio with colorful paintings and floral cutouts in the background.

wild with wonder

portland

3 DAY ABSTRACT PAINTING WORKSHOP
March 19-21, 2027
9am-4:30pm

SECURE YOUR SPOT
Close-up image of a yellow wavy 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 one-day Brave Blooms workshop and this three-day Wild With Wonder abstract 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!

Group of women holding colorful abstract paintings in a gallery, with floral illustrations and the quote 'No Rules. No Perfection. Just you, the paint, and what wants to come through.'
JOIN the workshop
Two women smiling and holding paintbrushes in a room with art supplies, colorful paintings, and a table.
Two women smiling and holding paintbrushes in a room with art supplies, colorful paintings, and a table.
Abstract colorful painting with swirling streaks of paint in shades of blue, pink, purple, yellow, black, and white.
Abstract colorful painting with swirling streaks of paint in shades of blue, pink, purple, yellow, black, and white.
A group of people participating in an art class, creating watercolor paintings on large sheets of paper, with tables covered in green tablecloths and art supplies around.
A group of people participating in an art class, creating watercolor paintings on large sheets of paper, with tables covered in green tablecloths and art supplies around.

Who is this for?

Colorful flower-shaped object with orange petals and a multicolored center

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
Colorful abstract painting of a rose with pink, purple, blue, and green hues, against a black background with pink paint splatters.
Close-up view of pink, red, and white layered cake with a decorative pattern on the icing.
  • An artistic depiction of an eye with a pink outline, a blue iris with a yellow pupil, and golden decorative elements around the eye.

    “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

  • Child's painted rainbow with pink, yellow, blue, and green arches.

    “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
A row of colorful rainbow illustrations on a white background.
Abstract painting with swirling shades of blue, pink, black, green, and beige, surrounded by a pastel-colored border with pink circular and dot patterns.

What to expect

Big brushes, bold moves, no rules

Over three full days, we’ll have time to truly dive into intuitive and abstract painting. You’ll work on two large canvases, giving each piece room to evolve as we move through the creative process.

We’ll start with a series of guided prompts to build the first layers. From there, we’ll move through the messy, exciting, and sometimes uncertain middle. I’ll guide you every step of the way, sharing techniques and creative invitations to help you keep moving. We’ll layer, respond, cover, uncover, push, pull, and return to our paintings with fresh eyes each day.

This is not a paint-by-numbers class and I’m not here to teach you to paint like me. This is a space to quiet your inner critic, trust your instincts, and discover where your own creative voice wants to take you.

I’m here to help you develop your own visual language and make work that feels uniquely yours. Oh, and keep the paint party going!

Materials + Supplies

Materials Fee: $35, paid at the beginning of class

Your materials fee includes:

  • Class handouts

  • Acrylic paint

  • Two unstretched canvases, which can be rolled for easy transport

  • 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.

Abstract colorful artwork with a large purple flower in the upper right corner and layered brushstrokes in pink, blue, black, and gold tones against a textured background.
A repeating pattern of colorful rainbows with pink clouds on top, arranged in a horizontal line.
Person creating abstract art on a canvas with colorful paints, surrounded by art supplies and tools on a white table.
Person creating abstract art on a canvas with colorful paints, surrounded by art supplies and tools on a white table.
Two women decorating banners at a table with art supplies, one woman is painting while the other looks on, in a room with a mirror and a beige carpet.
An art desk with a colorful abstract painting, a burning candle, a tarot card deck with 'The High Priestess' card, a deck of crystals, and a black card with 'RUBY' written on it.
Abstract painting with vibrant, swirling brushstrokes in shades of blue, pink, orange, black, and white, with a gradient blue background.

Secure your spot

A cartoon blue bird with yellow beak and red eyes, showing flames on its wings.

$555 USD PER PERSON

Plus a one-time $60 Art & Soul registration fee and a $35 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.