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Abstract Explorations with Amy Howell
Monthly class on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. $160 for 4 classes.
Materials: Students bring their own paints, palette knives, surfaces, and tools
January 13th – Fresh Starts: Intuitive Abstraction
Kick off the year by loosening up and letting go of expectations. Students explore mark-making, gesture, and movement through guided exercises designed to tap into intuition and creative freedom.
February 10th – The Language of Color
Dive into color theory for emotional impact. Learn to build expressive color palettes that convey mood and meaning, and create a painting based on a single emotion or memory.
March 17th – Texture and Dimension
Explore acrylic mediums, gels, and impasto techniques using palette knives and mixed tools. Experiment with layering, scraping, and building tactile surfaces that bring abstract work to life.
April 14th – From Nature to Abstraction
Use natural inspiration (landscapes, botanicals, or seascapes) as a starting point. Simplify and abstract organic forms into rhythm, shape, and color.
May 12th – Music & Movement
Paint to rhythm! Use music as your muse to explore movement, tempo, and flow through expressive marks and composition. Students create one large energetic piece.
June 9th – Minimalism & Space
Explore the power of restraint. Focus on negative space, limited palettes, and balance to create elegant, contemplative abstracts that breathe.
July 14th – Abstract Landscapes
Translate the feeling of place — real or imagined — into abstraction. Focus on horizon lines, atmosphere, and layered color fields to suggest land, sky, and emotion.
August – Break
No class this month — a time for reflection and new inspiration.
September 8th – Collage & Mixed Media Abstraction
Incorporate paper, fabric, or found materials into your compositions. Learn how to integrate texture and mixed media with paint for depth and narrative.
October 13th – The Power of Contrast
Play with light and dark, rough and smooth, sharp and soft. Learn how contrast drives visual energy and creates drama within abstract compositions.
November 10th – Layers of Meaning
Work in layers—both visual and conceptual. Explore transparency, glazing, and veiling techniques to create complexity and mystery in your work.
December 8th – Reflection & Series Building
Conclude the year by reviewing your artistic journey. Students refine one or more ongoing works or create a small cohesive series. End with a relaxed group sharing and discussion and group exhibition at DRV Gallery on Dec 19th.
Monthly class on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. $160 for 4 classes.
Materials: Students bring their own paints, palette knives, surfaces, and tools
January 13th – Fresh Starts: Intuitive Abstraction
Kick off the year by loosening up and letting go of expectations. Students explore mark-making, gesture, and movement through guided exercises designed to tap into intuition and creative freedom.
February 10th – The Language of Color
Dive into color theory for emotional impact. Learn to build expressive color palettes that convey mood and meaning, and create a painting based on a single emotion or memory.
March 17th – Texture and Dimension
Explore acrylic mediums, gels, and impasto techniques using palette knives and mixed tools. Experiment with layering, scraping, and building tactile surfaces that bring abstract work to life.
April 14th – From Nature to Abstraction
Use natural inspiration (landscapes, botanicals, or seascapes) as a starting point. Simplify and abstract organic forms into rhythm, shape, and color.
May 12th – Music & Movement
Paint to rhythm! Use music as your muse to explore movement, tempo, and flow through expressive marks and composition. Students create one large energetic piece.
June 9th – Minimalism & Space
Explore the power of restraint. Focus on negative space, limited palettes, and balance to create elegant, contemplative abstracts that breathe.
July 14th – Abstract Landscapes
Translate the feeling of place — real or imagined — into abstraction. Focus on horizon lines, atmosphere, and layered color fields to suggest land, sky, and emotion.
August – Break
No class this month — a time for reflection and new inspiration.
September 8th – Collage & Mixed Media Abstraction
Incorporate paper, fabric, or found materials into your compositions. Learn how to integrate texture and mixed media with paint for depth and narrative.
October 13th – The Power of Contrast
Play with light and dark, rough and smooth, sharp and soft. Learn how contrast drives visual energy and creates drama within abstract compositions.
November 10th – Layers of Meaning
Work in layers—both visual and conceptual. Explore transparency, glazing, and veiling techniques to create complexity and mystery in your work.
December 8th – Reflection & Series Building
Conclude the year by reviewing your artistic journey. Students refine one or more ongoing works or create a small cohesive series. End with a relaxed group sharing and discussion and group exhibition at DRV Gallery on Dec 19th.

