2025 & 2026
Workshops
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2025 & 2026 Workshops ~
The Joy of Oil Painting
Oct 29, Nov 5, 12, & 19
Wednesdays ·1:30–4PM
La Quinta, CA
Weekly class designed for beginners through intermediate students.
We’ll explore a variety of subject matter depending on class interest, giving you the chance to experiment, grow, and find your own artistic voice. With step-by-step guidance, demonstrations, and plenty of hands-on practice, you’ll learn the essential techniques of oil painting while building confidence and creativity. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your skills, this class offers a supportive environment to deepen your understanding of oil paint, color, composition, and expression.
No previous experience required. This class is for adults. Class size is limited to 10 students.
PRESENTED BY:
Accidents & Intentions
Feb 27–Mar 1, 2026
Palm Desert, CA
Turn Chaos Into Creative Gold!
Have you ever hit a wall with your painting—feeling stuck, frustrated, or lost in the mess? You’re not alone.
Every artist faces those moments. In this transformative workshop, Melinda will guide you to lean into the chaos, using those challenging phases (what she calls “the uglies”) as powerful opportunities for growth and discovery.
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Learn how to work through discomfort, trusting the process as you create deeply layered, expressive pieces with history and lasting impact. We'll also explore the compelling tension between accident and intention—two forces that, when balanced, bring dynamic energy and depth to your work. By learning to recognize when a piece is truly complete (versus just unfinished), you'll sharpen your artistic eye and gain more confidence in your decision-making.
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How to abstract the figure using multiple techniques
Strategies for creating a complete abstract painting—including background and negative space
The role of color in both figurative and abstract work
The importance of edges and how they affect composition
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Oil or Acrylic (Some cold wax techniques may be touched on, but this is not a cold wax-specific course.)
PRESENTED BY:
Accidents & Intentions
Mar 26–29, 2026
Wilmington, NC
Turn Chaos Into Creative Gold!
Have you ever hit a wall with your painting—feeling stuck, frustrated, or lost in the mess? You’re not alone.
Every artist faces those moments. In this transformative workshop, Melinda will guide you to lean into the chaos, using those challenging phases (what she calls “the uglies”) as powerful opportunities for growth and discovery.
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Learn how to work through discomfort, trusting the process as you create deeply layered, expressive pieces with history and lasting impact. We'll also explore the compelling tension between accident and intention—two forces that, when balanced, bring dynamic energy and depth to your work. By learning to recognize when a piece is truly complete (versus just unfinished), you'll sharpen your artistic eye and gain more confidence in your decision-making.
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How to abstract the figure using multiple techniques
Strategies for creating a complete abstract painting—including background and negative space
The role of color in both figurative and abstract work
The importance of edges and how they affect composition
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Oil or Acrylic (Some cold wax techniques may be touched on, but this is not a cold wax-specific course.)
PRESENTED BY:
Stay In The Play
April 17-19, 2026
Tustin, CA
Learn to enjoy the process in order to create the artwork you love, and to find your most authentic work!
Do you have moments of complete frustration with your work? We all do. In this course, Melinda will help you learn to embrace those moments to achieve rich work with history and lasting interest.
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Melinda will illustrate how using the Elements of Design will give you specific methods in abstraction to move your paintings forward whether you are working with pure abstraction or with a figure. These Elements, mixed with several Approaches to Figurative Abstraction will spark your creativity and give you lots to work on for months to come.
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This workshop is for intermediate to advanced level students.
Oil paint or Acrylic paint are acceptable. (This is not a cold wax specific course.)
Class size limited to 12 students.
PRESENTED BY:
Online Courses Offered Through Our Partners
Available 24/7 · Work At Your Own Pace
COLD WAX TECHNIQUES
WINSLOW ART CENTER ONLINE
PART I - The Beauty of Cold Wax
Melinda demonstrates various cold wax techniques that she uses to develop her paintings. Watch her create multiple layers using different tools to build history for her figurative and abstract work.
PART II - Cold Wax & Figurative Art – Learn more techniques with oil and wax to develop figurative art. The methods apply to any type of object or “figure” and can also be used in pure abstraction.
LEAN INTO FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION
KARA BULLOCK ART SCHOOL
Different from my other online courses. Watch me paint TWO complete oil paintings from start to finish. I walk you through the entire process and describe my thoughts as I go—just like being with me in my studio but with better angles and you can pause and rewind—PLUS—I present two warm up exercises to get your creative juices flowing.