Colorful Cacti Abstraction with Laura Balombini (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

Ready to bring a little Southwest magic to your canvas? Join us for “Colorful Cacti: A condensed journey into color concepts & painting techniques”. Workshop is designed for anyone who loves cacti, painting and eager to explore the world of color.

We’ll start with the basics—no experience needed, just a love of learning and a dash of curiosity. Together, we’ll unravel the secrets of color mixing, how to create color gradations, design simple cacti forms on canvas or paper and make your cacti pop with personality. You’ll discover how warm and cool tones can transform a simple prickly pear into a work of art, and how layering colors brings your desert scene to life.

Expect a relaxed, supportive atmosphere where questions are welcome and happy accidents are part of the process. I’ll guide you step-by-step, sharing tips on brushwork, blending, and how to use color to tell your own cactus story. By the end, you’ll have a finished painting (and a few new tricks up your sleeve) to brighten any wall.

Registration Deadline is October 29, 2025.

MATERIALS LIST

Laura Balombini is a storyteller who paints and creates what she can imagine.  A theme of contemporary folk art and narrative stories runs through all that she makes.  With BFA degrees in clay and fibers and 50 years of trial and error she has sorted through what works best!  She is the present owner of Red Paint Studio and a past owner of galleries in Maine, North Carolina, and New Mexico.  She has previously been a board member of Maine Crafts Association (statewide advocacy) and a past member of River Art District Association in Asheville, NC.  Laura has been a workshop instructor at Haystack School, Arrowmont, and private workshops in Italy, and was awarded a residency and solo show at Jen Tough Gallery in Santa Fe.  Her artwork is in collections throughout the United States including Northwest Airlines and the City of Albuquerque.  www.lbalombini.com