Purchase Pieces from 'The Divinest Sense' Show by June Glass, Jonathan Brand & Bevan Ramsay
Column IV, Amelia de Neergaard
Amelia de Neergaard 2011 Column IV mixed woods, painted hardware cloth, mahogany base 16.5 x 15 x…
Column III, Amelia de Neergaard
Amelia de Neergaard 2007 Column III black birch, wire fencing, plastic covered wire, mahogany base 27 x…
Whirlwind, Amelia de Neergaard
Amelia de Neergaard 2011 Whirlwind mixed woods, stainless steel wire, cable ties 49 x 51 x 6…
Current, Amelia de Neergaard
Amelia de Neergaard Current locust pods, nylon thread, copper rod 75 x 72 x 2 in NFS…
Abstract Landscape Painting Workshop with Heather Neilson – Sunday, August 23 | 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Sunday, August 23 | 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: Washington Art Association General Studio
Abstract Landscape Workshop Supply List
Supply Fee: $15 to Instructor
Create four luminous abstract landscapes using fluid acrylics, mark making tools and choice of color palette.
In this workshop, you’ll paint on high-quality archival paper while exploring the expressive possibilities of abstract landscapes.
Guided by artist and instructor Heather, you’ll learn how to work with GOLDEN fluid acrylics and mediums to build layered landscape compositions with depth and vibrancy. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding and applying color principles—how to mix, balance, and use color intentionally to create atmosphere, contrast, and emotion in your work.
Whether you’re new to abstract painting or looking to deepen your creative practice, this workshop offers practical skills, color confidence, and an opportunity to develop your own expressive style.
Cancellation Policy
How to Look at Painting (8 Ways of Seeing) Conversation Series with Megan Marden – Mondays, 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM | June 15-August 3, 2026
8 weeks
Mondays, 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM | June 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27 and August 3
Location: This class is virtual and uses the Zoom and Padlet platforms to organize meetings and share work. Stay tuned for more information including a link to the Padlet course curriculum as the date of the first lecture approaches.
This class is a chance to slow down and spend time looking at paintings together.
Each week, we’ll focus on a different aspect of how paintings work: observation, proportion, space, color, edges, surface, and eventually the more elusive ideas of taste and what makes a painting last. We’ll look at a range of artists and images, compare them, and talk through what we’re seeing.
For those who want to go further, there will be optional readings to engage with between sessions, as well as optional drawing-from-painting exercises to better understand these ideas through practice.
Join our weekly conversations with paintings at the center. No pressure, no prior experience needed!
The class is meant to be a mutual learning experience, where conversation helps deepen how we see.
ZOOM INFORMATION:
info@washingtonartassociation.org is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82687180277?pwd=X9dutC9rMENgbOxvYOibGiZUc2xlZX.1
Meeting ID: 826 8718 0277
Passcode: 318475
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Cancellation Policy
Participants who withdraw from a class must request a refund or credit more than 14 days prior to the start of the class in order to receive a full refund or credit (minus a $20 cancellation fee or 10% for one-day workshops). Participants who cancel a registration between 8 and 14 days prior to the start of the class may receive a 50% refund or credit. Participants who cancel a registration less than 7 days prior to the start of the class will not receive a refund or credit.
Washington Art Association does not offer prorating for classes, and there are no make-ups, credits or refunds if a student misses a class. Membership fees are non-refundable.
Sculpture: Paws or Claws in Clay with Mary E. Adams (Thursdays, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM | June 11-July 16, 2026)
6 weeks
Thursdays, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM | June 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9 and 16
Location: Washington Art Association’s General Studio
Whether from your own images, direct observation or imagination, each student will explore creating a bird or beast sculpture of their own choosing, a not strictly anatomical exploration.
Mary E. Adams works in various media including clay, bronze, oil, watercolor and pastel. She began her study of art in Paris in 1972. Returning home to Savannah in the mid’70s, she studied oil painting with noted Georgia artist, Augusta Oelschig. She moved to New York in 1981 and for three and a half years studied drawing and painting at The Art Student’s League where she is a life member. During that time, she was involved in several Off Broadway theatre projects.
Since the ‘90s, she has created sculptures in clay and limited edition bronzes. She has participated in numerous invitational showings. Her work is in private collections in Auckland, New Zealand, New York, Washington, DC, Boston, Hollywood, Savannah and Litchfield County, CT.
She has taught sculpture at Washington Art Association since 2013. Her works of sculpture are represented in the Low Country by Four Corners Gallery in Bluffton, SC.
http://www.maryadamsart.com/bio.html
Cancellation Policy
Participants who withdraw from a class must request a refund or credit more than 14 days prior to the start of the class in order to receive a full refund or credit (minus a $20 cancellation fee or 10% for one-day workshops). Participants who cancel a registration between 8 and 14 days prior to the start of the class may receive a 50% refund or credit. Participants who cancel a registration less than 7 days prior to the start of the class will not receive a refund or credit.
Washington Art Association does not offer prorating for classes, and there are no make-ups, credits or refunds if a student misses a class. Membership fees are non-refundable.
Art History Lecture Series with Edward DeVoe (Thursdays, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM | May 28-July 16, 2026)
8 weeks
- Thursday, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM | May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9 and 16
Location*: Washington Art Association General Studio
*This class is offered both virtually via the platform Zoom and in person at the Washington Art Association General Studio.
No one has been more involved with studying the history of art than artists themselves. The master teaches by example what he learned from his teacher. My great teacher Frank Mason would quote: “Study the ancients and study nature, and above all study nature.”
What does an artist see in the history of art? In our first four lectures artist/teacher Edward DeVoe will look deeply into the past. How Art was made and why. We will look at how artists found their voices and expressed them in the forms of their day. Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Velasquez, anonymous and many others will lead you to understanding what is art and how it evolves.
ZOOM INFORMATION:
info@washingtonartassociation.org is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86101513749?pwd=Y3U5ELA6ZGw41klnpW0FOJEMkPKa2O.1
Meeting ID: 861 0151 3749
Passcode: 297614
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+13126266799,,86101513749# US (Chicago)
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Join instructions
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/86101513749/invitations?signature=PwjvupzZON6xLN0zMl2TV7VDcVpxUMf30lf8TNrAdDg
Cancellation Policy
Participants who withdraw from a class must request a refund or credit more than 14 days prior to the start of the class in order to receive a full refund or credit (minus a $20 cancellation fee or 10% for one-day workshops). Participants who cancel a registration between 8 and 14 days prior to the start of the class may receive a 50% refund or credit. Participants who cancel a registration less than 7 days prior to the start of the class will not receive a refund or credit.
Washington Art Association does not offer prorating for classes, and there are no make-ups, credits or refunds if a student misses a class. Membership fees are non-refundable.
Expressive Abstract Painting with Heather Neilson (Saturdays, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM | June 6-July 18, 2026)
6 weeks
Saturdays, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM | June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 11 and 18
Location: Washington Art Association General Studio
Explore the foundations of expressive abstract painting in this six-week course designed to help you build your understanding of core principles, and develop confidence in acrylics and painting non-representationally. You’ll be guided through structured exercises that explore value, color, shape, and composition, while also encouraging intuitive decision-making, mark making, and layering. This course blends instruction with personal exploration. You’ll be invited to slow down, tune in, and respond to what’s happening in the moment, cultivating a mindful and authentic art practice.
Week 1 – Value & Mark Making
Begin with the essential building block of value—light, dark and mid-tone. Explore tonal contrast through limited palettes and experiment with mark making techniques as a starting point.
Week 2 – Color Relationships
Dive into color with an exploration of color mixing, transparency vs. opacity. Work with analogous and complementary palettes to better understand harmony and contrast.
Week 3 – Shape & Line
Play with organic and geometric shapes, positive and negative space, and how they contribute to visual interest. Explore ways to create shape with brushes and other tools.
Week 4 – Composition
Bring together elements of value, color, and shape to explore composition. Work through compositional studies and expand your visual vocabulary.
Week 5 – Guided Independent Work
Apply what you’ve learned to new work with a focus on using the principles and your intuition to guide your decisions.
Week 6 – Editing and Refinement
Wrap up with a session that focuses on editing and pushing your work further.
Please note: This is a cumulative and instructional course with no make-up sessions. If you expect to miss more than one class and are new to the course, consider enrolling at a time when you can attend the majority of sessions.
Expressive Abstract Painting Class Supply List
Abstract Painting All Levels Supply List
- Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Pad, 18″x24″, Acceptable alternatives are Acrylic paper, canvas paper or watercolor paper that is at least 140 lb.
- Every other class, starting with the first class, we will work on the paper above. On alternating weeks, you can choose to work on any substrate you wish such as the same paper as above, canvas, wood or anything else suitable for acrylic paint. However, you might find that you love to work on the mixed media paper and no additional substrates are necessary.
- Acrylic paints –
Recommend GOLDEN Fluids. However, you can work with any brand and type of acrylic paints.
Colors should include:
(If using recommended GOLDEN Fluids, 1 ounce size should suffice
for all colors except 4 ounces for Titanium white):
- Titanium White
- Carbon Black
- 2-5 variations of cool colors (Blues, Greens, Violets)
- 2-5 variations of warm colors (Yellows, Reds, Oranges)
Here are some of Heather’s favorite colors and links (note: these are just ideas):
Warms:
Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Azo Gold, Quinacridone Magenta, Alazarin Crimson, Napthol Red Medium, Titan Buff, Van Dyke Brown, Burnt Umber
Cools:
Paynes Gray, Cerulean Blue Deep, Ultramarine Blue, Teal, Green Gold, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Titan Green Pale, Permanent Violet Dark
- An assortment of brushes. I recommend having a few sizes with one that is at least 1 inch width or wider. You can use any brand of brushes but I recommend using soft synthetic bristles if you are using fluid acrylic paints. Silverbrush makes high quality brushes. I use the following two quite often. You can purchase directly from Silverbrush site. Use Discount Code HeatherNeilson10 at checkout for 10% off any of their products.
SilverSilk 88 1 1/2″
Silverwhite Edgewater wash 1″
- Fluid Matte Medium – GOLDEN brand recommended, 8 ounces or next smallest bottle. OR regular Matte Medium. Any brand is fine.
- White Gesso GOLDEN recommended but any brand is fine.
- Yellow frog tape – 1” (.94”) Alternatively, Artist Tape in 1” (or close) width.
- Something flat and sturdy to tape your paper to that is larger than 18×24 such as a 20×30 piece of foam core or drawing board. You can purchase a piece of foam core from me in the first class for $5.
Please also bring:
- A roll of paper towels for clean up (recommend Blue shop papers towels from hardware store).
- Flat Palette for paint. Options include palette paper, freezer paper, large metal or plastic tray.
- Palette knife (preferably metal).
- Plastic container for water. A large yogurt container works well.
- A ruler
- A pencil and/or pen
I will be assigning optional homework and will give you other ideas for working in a journal. I highly recommend using a mixed media journal. Any size or type is fine just look for one suitable for mixed media or wet media. Here are a few options:
• Canson XL Mixed media
• Strathmore visual mixed media
• Strathmore mixed media (this is a high quality, but more
expensive, option)
Optional:
- Latex Gloves
- Apron
- Mark making tools such as a brayer, old card for scraping, silicone bowl scraper, color shapers. Or any other mark making tool you like to use.
- If you have experience and want to use your favorite mark making tools such as graphite, charcoal, oil pastels, feel free to bring them.
Cancellation Policy
Abstract Painting Level II with Heather Neilson (Fridays, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | May 29-July 17, 2026)
8 weeks
Fridays, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | May 29, June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10 and 17
Location: Washington Art Association General Studio
Abstract Painting Level II Class Supply List
Designed for regular students of Heather Neilson’s Expressive Abstract Painting course, this advanced class offers a deeper dive into your acrylic abstract painting practice through a mix of new exercises and continued independent exploration. The focus is on loosening up, experimenting, and expanding on what you’ve already learned. You’ll be encouraged to step outside your comfort zone, take creative risks, and approach your work with fresh eyes.
Classes will alternate between guided exercises and independent work sessions, providing both structure and space to explore ideas and develop your own direction.
Students should already feel confident with the fundamentals of value, color, shape, and composition covered in the All Levels Expressive Abstract Painting course, as well as comfortable making independent creative decisions.
Please note: This is an instructional course with no make-up sessions. If you expect to miss more than two classes, please consider enrolling at a time when you can attend the majority of sessions.
Cancellation Policy