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ABSTRACT PAINTING TIPS, TECHNIQUES, PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, AND CREATIVE TRAVEL IN SANTA FE.
If you dream of showing your work in galleries, building a professional website, or even creating an Instagram page that makes people stop scrolling, there’s one thing you can’t afford to skip: a series. Galleries and collectors don’t want to see random one-off paintings. They want to see a cohesive body of work that proves […]
Struggling with scattered paintings that don’t look like they belong together? Learn how to find your art style so your work feels cohesive, recognizable, and true to you.
Over the years, I’ve taught thousands of students, both in person here in Santa Fe and online. Some come to me as realist painters who are curious about abstraction. Others have been painting abstractly for years but feel stuck. And plenty have never picked up a brush before. No matter their background, they all seem […]
You’ve been working on a painting for over an hour. You keep stepping back, squinting, staring at that one little section you just can’t figure out. You love that part, it’s probably your favorite thing you’ve painted all day, but no matter what you try, the painting just… doesn’t feel finished. And deep down, you […]
You’re painting away, having fun, letting go of perfectionism… and then you freeze. You step back, look at the canvas, and think:Is this done? Should I add more? Did I just ruin it with that last brushstroke? Sound familiar? This is hands-down the question I get asked most in my workshops and online classes: How […]
You sat down to paint, ready to let go of perfectionism and just have fun. You started making creative marks, layering colors, and letting your ideas flow. At first, it was beautiful — vibrant reds, lively greens, striking contrasts. Then suddenly… it wasn’t. What was once a joyful, exciting painting turned into a muddy mess. […]
Does this sound familiar? You set up your supplies. The canvas is ready. The colors are mixed. But then… you freeze. That blank canvas stares at you for days, maybe weeks. You keep thinking, What if I mess it up? What if I ruin it? What if it’s not good enough? If you’ve ever felt […]
In this article, I want to walk you through why we compare, how it hurts, and most importantly, some mindset shifts and techniques you can use to stop comparing your work to others and start enjoying your unique artistic journey.
Life feels overwhelming right now, doesn’t it? Between work pressures, family responsibilities, and constant stress, finding moments of genuine peace can feel nearly impossible. But what if there’s a simple hobby that could become your sanctuary? Discover how abstract painting can transform your mental state in just 30 minutes, lower your blood pressure, and create lasting calm in your busy life. No artistic experience required – just you, some paint, and the freedom to create something beautiful while finding your inner peace.
As artists, we often struggle with the question: ‘When am I ready to sell my work?’ The journey from creating art purely for personal expression to offering it for sale can feel like crossing a huge, intimidating chasm.
There’s no magical moment when a bell rings to tell you ‘You’re ready!’ But there are some pretty reliable clues that might suggest it’s time to take that leap. Here are three big signs that your artwork might be ready for its first price tag.
One of the most telling signs your art is ready for the market is when people who have no obligation to praise your work do exactly that…
"It is clear Andrea loves what she does and was born for teaching."
"My son and I had an amazing weekend in Santa Fe and the best ending to it was taking our abstract painting class with Andrea. From the minute we walked in, we were in a warm and welcoming environment. Its clear Andrea loves what she does and that she was born for teaching art. I had no experience and felt a little inhibited, but with her guidance and support it was an extremely positive experience and I certainly learned a lot."
what people are saying...
"Different (BETTER) than
just a ‘Wine & Paint’ class!
"I was looking for an experience beyond the typical tree painting class and Andrea’s class was perfect! I’ve taken many art classes and am a relatively experienced painter, but my mother was more nervous about being “let loose” to paint whatever she wanted to. During our class, Andrea handled both our desires wonderfully. Giving us mediums, techniques and suggestions whenever we needed them. We could have brought in reference photos, (or wine lol) but being surrounded by Andrea’s work was inspiration enough. We both walked away really feeling like we created something memorable and unique in just two hours.
"We created some great family memories, along with interesting paintings."
"Andrea is an accomplished artist, and her teaching style is appropriate for all levels of artists. Our granddaughter is very proud of her finished painting. We had a wonderful time, and we created some great family memories, along with some interesting paintings. We all agreed that we can’t wait to do it again. It was a great family activity."
"Good Teacher, Knowledgeable, Patient & Encouraging."
"Andrea Cermanski has all the skills of a good teacher. She's knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and gives precise and helpful instruction to each individual student, allowing him or her to discover their hidden artistic talents."
"I left feeling inspired, and way more confident!"
"I did a private class with Andrea and it was so wonderful!! Andrea is an amazing artist and she is also a great teacher!! Thorough, patient and just a fun person to be around! I really wanted a basic introduction to how to use the paints, mediums, brushes, palettes, etc. I got that and so much more!! She even helped me with the anxieties I was having around painting. I left feeling inspired, and way more confident! Ready to go home and explore. I look forward to another class after I have played some on my own. Highly recommend!"
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