Art Lab Retreat - Tucson, Arizona October 7 - 9, 2026

In abstract art, color theory helps us set the mood, create atmosphere and build emotional connection. Composition is how we tell our story — creating a focal point and guiding the viewer’s eye through the painting.

In this opening workshop, we’ll define key concepts and common terms, then put them into practice by creating a fluid art pour inspired by color, movement and intentional design. The is the highest-rated workshop by previous attendees! Led by Nate Bright

If you've ever stared down a shelf of twenty paint tubes you can't quite tell apart — or watched your colors turn to mud — this class is for you. 

Building on the morning's color theory session, you'll learn to mix any color you can imagine from a true split-primary palette.

Choose from 20+ tested color recipes to build your own palette, then mix and adjust consistency for whatever fluid art technique you love. You'll leave with a finished piece — and a real understanding of color bias that changes the way you see every pour after this one. Led by Jenny Allegreza

The Bloom technique never ceases to amaze me. With just a few carefully layered paints and a little movement—whether from your breath, a hair dryer, gentle tilting, or even a bit of centrifugal force—you can create vibrant, organic forms that seem to come alive on the canvas.

In this workshop, I'll share the materials, recipes, and layering techniques I use to create successful blooms, including the pillow layer, pouring medium, paint consistency, and cell activator. Together, we'll explore how subtle changes in the process produce dramatically different results, and discover just how versatile and rewarding this technique can be. Led by Karen Spilman

Building on the techniques from the morning Bloom class, we'll take things a step further by exploring the Hide & Reveal Swipe technique. Instead of using air to create movement between paint layers, you'll use intentional layering and a palette knife to form organic shapes, graceful motion, and striking depth. If the morning class is about learning to go with the flow, this workshop is about adding intention and control to your compositions. No previous palette knife experience is required. Led by Nate Bright

In this abstract art workshop, we'll explore the fascinating textures and dynamic layers of the squeegee technique. No mediums, no water—just acrylic paint and one simple, inexpensive tool. Layer by layer, you'll build depth and movement using opacity and transparency to create striking abstract compositions. Along the way, you'll learn how to develop a plan, trust your instincts, and adapt with confidence when the unexpected happens. This process is as much about discovery as it is about technique. Led by Nate Bright

I'll never forget the moment I finished this painting. I could literally feel my brain expanding as a whole new world of inspiration and possibilities opened before me. I'm genuinely excited to teach this workshop for the first time.

The beauty of watercolor lies in its transparency, but watercolor can be challenging to use on canvas, and finished paintings are vulnerable to UV light and humidity. In this workshop, you'll learn how to achieve many of those same luminous effects using nothing more than acrylic paint and water. Once you understand the process, the creative possibilities are virtually endless. Led by Nate Bright