Arroyo Grande, CA | Intent & Intuition: Refining the Abstract Process | Willow Pond

Registration Link: https://www.willowpondslo.com/artist-workshops-san-luis-obispo#julieschumer

Location: Willow Pond San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, CA

Dates: Monday, August 3 - Thursday, August 6, 2026

Instructor: Julie Schumer

Days: 4

Tuition: $1475 includes lunch daily

Applications close on June 21, 2026 or when maximum number of attendees is reached.

This immersive workshop is for artists ready to deepen their abstract painting practice—whether you're just beginning or have been at it for years. We'll explore the powerful intersection between intuition and intention, giving you the tools, structure, and mindset shifts you need to create bold, soulful work that truly reflects your unique voice.

Expect a soup-to-nuts experience that will energize your studio practice, sharpen your compositional instincts, and help you move past hesitation into clarity and confidence.

What We'll Cover

• Color and Palette –Eliminating color chaos by creating harmonious palettes, working with neutrals, and exploring the endless possibilities of just black, white, red, and yellow.

• Mark Making – Uncovering your personal mark-making vocabulary and learning how to use marks to infuse energy and rhythm into your paintings.

• Starting Strong – Discovering several ways to begin a painting so you're never stuck staring at a blank canvas.

• Bold Composition – Learning how to divide space on the picture plane with intention to create dynamic, compelling compositions that guide the viewer’s eye.

• Depth and Layers – Exploring techniques like flux, obliteration, and layering techniques to create rich visual depth and emotional resonance.

• Shape Language – Developing a shape vocabulary that’s distinctly your own and using it as a foundation for building more cohesive, compelling paintings.

• Working Through the Middle – Navigating the tricky “muddy middle” of a painting, including how to get unstuck.

• Finishing Strong – Creating a set of criteria for evaluating when a painting is complete—so you can move forward without second-guessing.

• Working on a Large Scale - 60 X 48 and up - which will stretch your creative muscles and help you loosen up, trust your instincts, and paint with greater freedom and clarity.

This workshop is about more than just techniques—it's about learning to listen to your creative intelligence, cultivating your visual language, and approaching your work with joy, curiosity, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Accomodations

There is limited accommodation available at Willow Pond House. Reservations will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Willow Pond House is a private residence and you will be hosted by Carol and Jean Paquet and an on-site chef. Select your workshop under the tab of the room of your choice and the number of nights is automatically calculated for the workshop duration. If you choose to stay on site, your reservation will include breakfast and dinner. This is a separate booking from the workshop and is accessible under the GUEST ROOMS menu tab on Willow Pond’s website. Please note - we are not licensed to sell or serve alcoholic beverages however you are welcome to bring your own. There is a fridge available to students in the studio.

In addition, there are numerous AirBnB’s and VRBOs within a few miles of the property. We also recommend hotels in Pismo Beach and The Agrarian Hotel in Arroyo Grande. Both of these locations are less than a 10-minute drive. Recommendations with link can be found at the end of the GUEST ROOM page.

What People Are Saying

"Julie’s workshops are amazing.  She helps you unlock your spark and push past your boundaries into new territory.  Loved every minute." -Diane Semper

“The course is brilliantly organized and very well structured!" Elvis M.

"The space was an artist dream workspace. She introduced us to new tools and new techniques which helped push me to explore my art making in a new way. I recommend her workshops with highest acclaim! -Robin Hamaker

"Julie’s workshop was informative, inspiring, and helped build my confidence and momentum–which was exactly what I needed." -Rose H. Faissal

"Every day of the workshop was an eye opener!" -A Rogone

Registration Link

https://www.willowpondslo.com/artist-workshops-san-luis-obispo#julieschumer