From Soup to Nuts..Learning and Refining the Abstract Process
Julie Schumer's artistic journey kicked off in Los Angeles when she was just five years old. She recalls a day that she decided to cover herself in Kelly green paint, and since then a lifelong love affair with art was born. As she grew, her abstract expressionism flourished through her teenage years, but as it does, life took a detour. Fast forward a few years, and Julie found herself practicing criminal defense law—far from the canvas she adored. We all contain multitudes and Schumer is a wonderful representation of the many bends in an artist's path. However, in her mid-forties, she made a bold move to the artist community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she reignited her passion for painting. Over the past 20 years, Julie's work has evolved from vibrant, energetic abstracts to more introspective pieces. Her art has found homes in galleries across the country and even in the Tucson airport's public collection.
Coming to Willow Pond in August 2026, this immersive workshop titled; Intent & Intuition: Refining the Abstract Process was created for artists ready to deepen their abstract painting practice—whether you're just beginning or have been at it for years. Over 4 days 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. Students will be 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.
Here is an overview of what to expect over the 4-day workshop as Schumer, a seasoned instructor covers broad range of crucial concepts.
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.
