Create in my bright, open warehouse studio in midtown Santa Fe. With soaring ceilings, natural skylights, and polished concrete floors, this airy space is designed for making art. Whether you're a beginner finding your artistic voice or an experienced abstract painter seeking fresh inspiration, you'll leave with work you're proud of and the skills to keep creating.
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2026 Painting Beyond Boundaries Retreat
painting beyond boundaries: abstract painting retreat in Santa fe, nm
Painting Beyond Boundaries is a 4-day retreat for artists ready to launch or deepen their abstract painting practice. We explore color theory, dynamic surface creation, and innovative techniques using unexpected materials—sand, texture mediums, collage, and surprising everyday tools.
Each day brings fresh demonstrations and creative challenges designed to push your boundaries and spark new ideas. In our intimate group setting, you'll share goals, support fellow painters, and receive personalized coaching tailored to your artistic journey.
You'll leave with a collection of powerful new techniques, work that excites you, and the confidence to sustain a vibrant painting practice at home. Perfect for all levels—whether you're new to abstraction or seeking to reinvigorate your approach.
Painting Beyond Boundaries
- Half-day Canyon Road art tour (Monday) + 3 full days of painting instruction (Tuesday–Thursday)
- Welcome breakfast at a local Santa Fe restaurant
- Lunch Tuesday through Thursday
- Canvas, heavyweight papers, and cradled wood panels
- Acrylic mediums, fabrics, art papers, and collage materials
- Palette knives and specialty tools
- Apron
- Snacks, coffee, tea, and sparkling water throughout
- What to bring: Acrylic paints, brushes, and a sketchbook. I teach primarily in acrylic, but watercolorists are absolutely welcome—the vast majority of techniques and principles I teach translate beautifully to watercolor. If you prefer to work in watercolor, please let me know in advance so I can have additional wood panels available for you.
- Class size: 4–10 students
- Investment: $1,200 (includes tax, welcome breakfast, lunch daily, and supplies)
- Duration: 3½ days
- Location: 51235 Siler Road, Unit F, Santa Fe, NM 87507
- Getting there: Rental car recommended, or Uber (~$12 each way from downtown)
- Accommodations: Click here for other Santa Fe accommodations
- Airports: Santa Fe (closest) or Albuquerque (1 hour away)
Andrea is simply amazing! I had zero painting experience and took a private lesson then did an Artist Retreat.
I tried taking a class 20 years ago elsewhere, felt so intimidated & quit after 1 class. This experience could not have been more different! Andrea is kind, caring, knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, helpful & provides constructive feedback. She taught me the basics in color, composition & mediums in a way that was easy for me to follow.
The retreat was so well organized! I was constantly impressed. We had an agenda that included morning exercises, Artist quotes & visuals to get us inspired then demos and painting time. Healthy snacks, beverages and all in a very comfortable/ inviting environment. The studio is beautiful with a lot of natural light, we had all the paints, brushes, mediums & materials to incorporate into our work that we could have needed.
Our group was a mix of experienced painters and newbies like me. Everyone really got what we each “needed” & came for out of it.
Do not hesitate to sign up for lessons and/or the Artist Retreat! You will walk away feeling so confident & inspired!
-Kelly Schneider
Kelly, April 2022
read my cancellation policy
- 9:00–10:15 am: Welcome breakfast at Pantry Rio
- 10:30 am–12:00 pm: Canyon Road gallery tour
- Afternoon free to explore Santa Fe
DAY 2: Abstract Painting & Texture
- 9:00 am–3:30 pm
DAY 3: Purposeful Play & Color
- 9:00 am–3:30 pm
DAY 4: Taking Risks & Unique Tools
- 9:00 am–3:30 pm
Daily Schedule
- 3 days/18 hours of instruction
- 3 stretched canvases
- Acrylic paint & mediums
- Fabrics, art papers & other materials
- A variety of brushes & palette knives to use
- Apron
- Snacks
- Tea, coffee, carbonated water.
Where to Stay in Santa Fe
Learn More About the Retreat
- 3 days/18 hours of instruction
- 3 stretched canvases
- Acrylic paint & mediums
- Fabrics, art papers & other materials
- A variety of brushes & palette knives to use
- Apron
- Snacks
- Tea, coffee, carbonated water.
Where to Stay in Santa Fe
Unearth your unique abstract voice in a small workshop filled with like-minded individuals, where all the required materials are thoughtfully provided.
Unearth your unique abstract voice in a small workshop filled with like-minded individuals, where all the required materials are thoughtfully provided.
Unearth your unique abstract voice in a small workshop filled with like-minded individuals, where all the required materials are thoughtfully provided.
"Quality instruction and inspiration was definitely provided by Andrea. An artist and educator, Andrea gave encouragement and tips for objective evaluation so my inner critic didn’t get the best of me. Color theory, principals of art and design, and texture application with all kinds of tools and mediums were the highlight for me. 3 full days to learn and create is long but a necessary retreat to break down barriers I was experiencing in my own creative expression. I returned home inspired, with direction and purpose and have been painting ever since! I have a show in April!"
"I returned home inspired, with direction and purpose..."
"...For four days, I met with her for three hours each day, and we painted, we drew, we discussed, and when things got hard, I told her I couldn't do it, but she pushed me out of my box and coached me through it. I have learned how to draw, how to mix colors, how to create several different types of textures on canvas, how to paint. And I love it! If I ever forget what I learned, that's okay...because Andrea painstakingly took notes for me while I learned, and I still regularly use those notes at home when I paint by myself. Andrea was a high school art teacher, and she draws from best teaching practices to instill in her private students the basic knowledge needed to get started and then, just as importantly, to work independently...."
" I cannot recommend Andrea highly enough!
