Ready to loosen up, let go and have a little more fun with paint? This class is about moving beyond overthinking and discovering a freer, more expressive way of painting. Through color, gesture, mark-making, layering and experimentation, students will explore ways to bring more energy and individuality into their paintings.
We may begin with a landscape, flowers, an interior, a photograph, or simply a color and a feeling, and
discover how to push it toward abstraction. Along the way we'll experiment with bigger brushes,
unexpected marks, limited palettes, editing, layering and those wonderful accidents that can change a
painting completely.
Artists from Matisse to Joan Mitchell may occasionally inspire us, but this time the goal isn't to paint like
the masters. It's to take what we've learned, trust our instincts and begin painting more like ourselves.
Come prepared to experiment, take a few risks and LOOSEN UP!

Time: Thursdays, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Instructor: Sandy Welch
Location: Classroom 2A
Level: Some painting experience preferred
Materials: View materials list here.
Become a Member: FVAC Members save 10% on tuition.
Cancellation Policy

Winter Session (6 weeks)
Dates: Thursdays, Jan 14 - Feb 18, 2027
Tuition: $180

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About the Instructor

Sandy Welch infuses the magical joy of makeup into all her work, drawing from her 25 years in the cosmetics industry. Her artistic journey began with paintings centered around designer shoes, earning her the moniker “the shoe artist.” Over time, her portfolio expanded to include portraits of fashionable women and celebrities, as well as vibrant scenes of flower gardens and bustling beaches, where the buzz of conversation seems almost tangible. Additionally, Sandy’s repertoire features delectable, beautifully decorated cakes, which garnered attention from the Hartford Courant in a feature titled “Cakes on Canvas.”
Along with a representational approach, Sandy’s push and turn toward abstraction and non-figurative renderings signals an evolving yet signature style. Her themes and provocative palette have remained constant, but she has embraced a new manner of expressing them. Her paintings pulse with energy, and many POP with provocative color and flirtatious style. Through her lighthearted and exciting subjects, Sandy invites viewers to escape into a wonderland filled with vivid color and fantasy. Check out Sandy's website.