Upcoming Workshops & Retreats

Below you can find all upcoming workshops for 2025 & 2026.

Private Consultations

Need something a little more specific? Or just want help guiding you through the next phase of your art journey? We can do that. By signing up for a consultation you’ll be able to tailor exactly what you are seeking whether it’s technique questions on how to be a better painter or how to get your art up out there and making money.

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“Amanda is an extraordinarily engaging teacher! She goes the extra mile. She’s very organized, stating the objectives clearly, she is able to explain compositions, techniques and demonstrations that are useful. In a class of 14 people, she was able to move around the room and assist everyone, at their different level of experience with their particular needs in a kind and low pressure environment. I am thrilled to study with her again.”

— Sheila M.

Plein Air Convention & Expo

May 19-23, 2025 (Lake Tahoe, NV)

Each action-packed day includes indoor demonstrations on five stages by the world’s leading artists, including specialty sessions for oil, watercolor, pastel, and acrylic. Each afternoon is an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned, painting outdoors in iconic locations. Throughout the event, you’ll have an opportunity to sample the techniques of a faculty of over 80 painters.

Details TBD

“Amanda is an amazing artist with a wealth of knowledge, and shares information in an articulate, organized way as well as offers illuminating demos. But beyond “teaching art,” she is great at creating a supportive atmosphere for CREATING—where it is safe to enter that vulnerable space of not knowing with curiosity and playfulness, and where feedback on our work doesn’t feel like judgment but rather as kind insight to nurture our growth. I left the class inspired to create more, to learn more, and to see where my artistic journey leads me. That feels like quite a gift, and for that I am grateful.”

— Christine U.

Skies & Water

June 6-8, 2025 (Edmonds, WA)

This workshop will go beyond the “how-to” steps of creating radiant sky paintings from photographs. It will explore the intuitive creative process while still covering the foundation of good design and composition. We will focus on a series of small-scale color sketches and finish with one larger piece. While I will share how I approach skies and bodies of water, this workshop is for you to explore your own marking making, and undergo a deeper self-discovery to define your own unique painting style.

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“Amanda is quite possibly the best art teacher out there. She is a rock star in the art world and when you take her class her brilliant star dust will fall onto you and into your soul and inspire your own inner rock star status all from the convenience of your own home. Divine Inspiration!”

— Ann F.

Diving Deep into Process, Design & Your Voice

June 24-27, 2025 (Mount Vernon, WA)

Explore as many different pastel surfaces as Dakota has to offer to see what might be the right fit for you. Brush up on those design and composition skills because you know you could ALWAYS get better at “that stuff”. This workshop will guide you through the fundamentals of good design so that all your work will have “good bones”. Value, color theory, elements vs. principles, armatures, orchestrating, and much more. Even the pros need a ”brush up” now and then!

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“It was the best, most fun and informative workshop I’ve ever attended, and I’ve attended a lot of them!”

— Vicky J.

Creativity Retreat in Cinque Terre

September 27-October 4, 2025 (Cinque Terre, Italy)

Immerse yourself in an unforgettable blend of creativity, culture, and culinary delights with this exclusive workshop. Over six days, you'll explore the picturesque Cinque Terre region through plein air painting sessions using pastels and gouache. Savor the essence of Italy with its vibrant open-air markets, exquisite cuisine, and rich cultural experiences. This journey is designed to inspire your artistic spirit while soaking in the warmth and beauty of the region.

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““Amanda provides a plethora of information backed with examples of work to reinforce her discussions and methods. She is articulate and engaging but most of all encouraging and complimentary.”

— Mary C.

Plein Air Painting in Oregon Wine Country

October 23-26, 2025 (Cornelius, OR)

Nestled in the foothills of Oregon's Willamette Valley, Amanda’s studio overlooks vineyards and valleys from all views. Join her 4 day plein air workshop to capture the “peak week” of harvest colors in her own back yard. Different from the typical 9-5 plein air workshops, when Amanda goes outside, she gets serious about the light. That means not painting at noon. "The best light is at the edges of our day when the light is most dramatic and the shadows are long”. With two sessions each day, a morning session and an evening session, Amanda will demo how to capture the light, color and glory of some of Oregon's best pinot noir views.

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Creativity Retreat in Oaxaca

January 2026 (Oaxaca, Mexico)

The workshop will include 6 days of plein air painting with pastels in the Oaxaca area, morning lectures and art discussions, excursions to artisan villages to experience the Oaxaca crafts and of course daily delights of Oaxacan food, open air markets, a cooking class and culture. Steeped in a cultural exploration of all that Oaxaca has to offer, come to enjoy the warmth and sun and dive into your own creative retreat. Daily creative exercises, demos and lots of one on one instruction. I purposely keep the group small so it’s an intimate private experience. I will be demoing in pastels, but all mediums are welcome!

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Supplies List

Past Workshops

  • Creativity Retreat in Oaxaca (January 13-17, 2025)

  • Deep Dive Into Process (August 20-23, 2024)

  • Discovering Your Voice With Skies (Mar. 1-3, 2024)

  • Creativity Retreat in Oaxaca (Jan. 21-26, 2024)

  • Creativity Retreat in Oaxaca (Jan. 13-17, 2024)

  • Diving Deep Into Process: Design & Your Voice (Oct. 4-6, 2023)

  • Creativity Retreat in the San Juan Islands (Jul. 17-20, 2023)

  • Bird Gestures (Jun. 21-22, 2023)

  • Discovering Your Voice With Skies (April 14-16, 2023)

  • Creativity Retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico (Jan. 19-24, 2023)

  • Luscious Landscapes: From Plein Air to Studio (Aug. 12-14, 2022)

  • Creativity Retreat in the San Juan Islands (Jul. 21-24, 2022)

  • Discovering Your Voice With Skies (Feb. 26, 2022)

  • Bird Gestures (Feb. 8, 2022)

  • Passion to Profit (Feb. 5, 2022)

  • Creativity Retreat in Oaxaca (Jan. 17-21, 2022)

  • Plein Air Retreat in Oregon Wine Country (Oct. 9-11, 2021)

  • Creativity Retreat in the San Juan Islands (Jul. 20-23, 2021)

  • Plein Air in Amanda's Garden (Apr.-May, 2021)

  • Becoming A Better Painter (May 1, 2021)

  • Passion to Profit (Mar. 13, 2021)

  • Bird Gestures (Mar. 6, 2021)

  • Hopeful Skies (Feb. 2021)