Painting Abstracts( 8 Thursdays in July-August)

A vibrant abstract painting featuring bold, colorful brushstrokes and splashes of pink, yellow, blue, and green combined with dynamic textures and patterns.

Exploring Abstraction: From Subject to Non-Objective Art

Instructor: Erin Gillespie

Break free from traditional boundaries in this exciting, hands-on exploration of abstract art! In this 8-week series taught by renowned artist Erin Gillespie, students will journey through the fascinating spectrum of abstraction, learning how to deconstruct the visual world and reassemble it through a personal artistic lens.

We will discuss what truly makes a work "abstract," demystifying the genre while experimenting with a rich variety of techniques, tools, and mediums.

Guided by a supportive approach, the course begins by grounding your practice in recognizable subjects before culminating in the ultimate creative freedom of pure, non-objective abstraction. Whether you want to master a new contemporary technique or simply unwind creatively, this class offers a fun, supportive environment to unleash your inner artist.

🎨 This Term’s Weekly Progression:

• Weeks 1 & 2: Abstract Still Lifes & Animals – Learning to deconstruct familiar forms, simplifying shapes, and using expressive lines to capture the essence of a subject.

• Weeks 3 & 4: Abstract Landscapes – Exploring atmospheric perspective, horizontal structures, and translating natural scenery into broad, evocative color fields.

• Weeks 5 & 6: Abstract Portraits – Diving into stylized facial features, emotional color palettes, and breaking away from literal realism to capture mood.

• Weeks 7 & 8: "True" Non-Objective Abstraction – Shedding traditional subject matter entirely to communicate pure energy, concept, and emotion using only color, organic shapes, line, and rich texture.

  
  

📋 Class Information:

• Ages: Adult (18+)

• Skill Level: All levels welcome! (Perfect for both beginners looking to experiment and seasoned creators wanting to break out of creative ruts).

• Mediums: Open to all painting and drawing mediums (acrylic, oil, watercolor, mixed media, etc.).

• Supplies: Students are required to bring their own choice of painting or drawing supplies.

• Class Size: Minimum 6 students, Maximum 16 students.

  
  

⏰ Schedule & Pricing:

• Dates: Thursdays, beginning July 9th, 2026 – August 27th, 2026 (8-week series)

• Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

• Price: $340

📍 Location:

PPAC

2708 W Colorado Ave STE C

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

✨ Flexible Booking Info: Join Anytime! Late starts are automatically prorated at checkout, so you'll only pay for the weeks remaining. Come build your creative confidence and unlock your unique visual expression in a fun, supportive environment!

Register Here