The Living Abstract is a foundational workshop that helps you set up your painting for success and capture the living moment. In three weekly sessions, discover ways to let the paint sing, navigate the mid-process “beautiful mess,” and bring your painting to fulfilled completion—without losing its life force and what makes it beautiful.
On Days 1 and 2, you’ll be guided step-by-step through a sequence of intuitive and “happy accident” techniques that build on each other to create a painting that is authentic, dynamic, and deep. Along the way, you’ll learn about color mixing and composition to enhance your painting.
On Day 3, you’ll learn to see your painting through the eyes of depth and flow. This key approach cuts through the confusion so you can complete your painting and bring it to life in a harmonious and soul-satisfying way.
Here is what you get when you secure your seat
A richly-layered original acrylic artwork that is meaningful and natural to you and comes to life before your eyes—and the discernment to know why it’s great.
A sound foundation in abstract painting, so that you understand the dynamics of using background, middle ground, and foreground each for their proper function—which makes a world of difference to your mastery and confidence.
Live demonstrations, hands-on painting, sharing, and enlightening feedback—held in the convenience of your home over 3 weekly Zoom sessions, 4 hours each (with snack break). Friendly class size—limited to 10—assures you get plenty of individual attention to address your needs and questions.
Downloadable video demonstrations, class notes, and slides—so you can review the steps and concepts whenever you wish. They will touch you differently each time.
BONUS: An invaluable Critique Points Checklist that frees you to put criticism aside until the proper moment.
Most attendees make paintings that surprise and amaze themselves. I can’t wait to see yours.
ENROLL NOW to secure your seat. Attendance is limited to 10, first come first served.
Enrolled students will receive an email invitation with a link to join the Zoom meeting platform from Julie directly. Be sure you have an internet connection and Zoom installed on your device before the first day of the class.
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Julie Bernstein Engelmann
Sedona-based artist Julie Bernstein Engelmann creates luminous abstract paintings in acrylic and Conte crayon. Her work explores themes of spiritual dreams and visions.
Educated on both coasts, Julie holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) from Barnard College in New York City, where she had the good fortune to study with first-generation Abstract Expressionist Milton Resnick.
Two decades of teaching abstract painting have honed Julie’s specialty in helping abstract artists bring their mid-process paintings from “beautiful mess” to fulfilled completion. She teaches three vital qualities of powerful abstract painting: meaning, naturalness, and spatial depth and flow. In addition, Julie shares valuable expertise in color mixing to enhance spatial depth.
Julie’s artwork has won many awards and was featured in a retrospective solo exhibition at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She has exhibited with contemporary galleries in Pennsylvania and Arizona, including the LaFond Gallery in Pittsburgh and the James Ratliff Gallery in Sedona.
See Julie’s CV and sign up for her Beauty & Spirit Note at julieengelmann.com
CANVAS or PAPER
One surface 18” x 24” (or 20×24). Optional second surface (smaller).
– If canvas, please add an extra layer of gesso ahead of time (generously applied, using curvy random motions rather than straight ones).
– If paper, I recommend good-quality drawing paper or watercolor paper (no gesso needed). Alternatively, if your paper is thin or recycled, please paint a layer or two of gesso on it ahead of time (using curvy motions).
–If you’d like to create a second painting between classes, you’ll gain additional feedback and benefit. Choose a smaller size, like 12”x16”, so as to finish.
ACRYLIC PAINTS
Suggested colors (at minimum): White, Cadmium yellow medium (or better yet, instead get both Cadmium yellow light and Cadmium yellow deep), Cadmium red light, Quinacridone magenta, Phthalocyanine blue, Red oxide.
– Also helpful: Cerulean blue, purple (e.g. Prism violet), green (e.g. Hookers), and whatever you have on hand.
– Liquitex Basics brand is fine for most colors, but for the Cadmiums I recommend a better brand like Utrecht. Regular acrylic is better for our purposes than heavy body or fluid.
BRUSHES
I like soft, synthetic. Two suggested widths: 1” filbert and 5/8” bright. Also helpful: a 1½ to 2″ brush (can be cheap). And whatever you have on hand.
LIQUITEX PROFESSIONAL GLOSS MEDIUM (available at Dick Blick here)
…or similar. Slightly dilute to approximately 16 parts medium to 1 part water.
LOW PLASTIC CONTAINER
…with lid for keeping paint moist (see photo).
FLAT SURFACE FOR MIXING
…e.g. pie tin or palette
PAPER TOWELS
1) Soft, smooth, absorbent, e.g. VIVA (as a subtractive painting tool)
2) Regular paper towels or rag (for dabbing brushes and wiping messes)
MARKERS
2 colors Sharpie markers (or other non-water-soluble markers)
If working on paper, can alternatively use ballpoint pen or pencil
MASKING TAPE or Painters Tape
Wider is better—for masking
ALSO
Water container—for rinsing brushes
Spray bottle—to keep paint moist
Computer or other device for Zoom
Camera (phone) for taking photos of painting
Table
Tablecloth
OPTIONAL
Palette knife for scraping palette
Apron
Easel or table easel
Students may register online or call Sedona Arts Center Office at 928-282-3809, Ext 1 or toll free at 866-282-3809 Ext 1.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express are accepted or student may pay with cash or check by registering in person during office hours Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
In-Person and Online Workshops
Payment in full is due upon registration, or a payment plan can be put in place by the student upon check-out through Sezzle.
There is a $40 Cancellation Fee for any cancellations made before February 1, 2026. Remaining balance will be refunded.
There are no refunds after February 1, 2026.
If Sedona Arts Center cancels the workshop for any reason, all payments made will be refunded in full.
Important Message
Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for providing make-up sessions or issuing refunds, credits, or transfers for courses missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or other events beyond our control. There are absolutely no refunds after the cut-off date for any reason, unless Sedona Arts Center has to cancel the workshop, then all fees paid will be refunded in full.
“Thank you so much for the most excellent class. My heart and head have been searching for a class that would challenge me, help me think differently about my work, and give me the know-how and courage to push through the hard parts. Your positivity radiated through the class and put me on a different trajectory so I can truly love and support my glorious messes.”
“Really loved spending 4 glorious days of art making with you. Kind of a recluse so I didn't realize how lovely it is to struggle and triumph with fellow lovers of beauty. Julie provides such a safe and loving space to take big risks (definitely in my case) and trust the process. Her whole intuitive approach is innovative and freeing. May I continue to stop myself from covering "mistakes" and allow my soul to celebrate every mark."
“Julie is a sensitive, respectful, knowledgeable, instructor. I value her helpful instruction and guidance and I learned so much about abstract art. She not only opened my eyes but also my soul. Thanks so much Julie.”
“Julie's workshop was PACKED FULL of value. She was professional, knowledgeable and personable. I got so much out of her workshop. I would CERTAINLY recommend her workshops and would PROBABLY also recommend Sedona Arts Center classes based on my experience with Julie.”
“Julie did terrific step-by-step instructions for a completely new way of painting for me. I love her videos so that I can watch them at my pace and dig into the concepts more. I will definitley take another of her classes in the future.”
"She sets a wonderful, supportive, and challenging tone for the class, and it really moved me forward in my thinking and skills."
"Julie is such a very knowledgeable, experienced, patient and caring instructor. She made the course fun, giving us a lot of personal attention, supplemental material, and extra support.”
"Julie is an excellent instructor. Her feedback was honest and sought after by everyone in the class. Her style of teaching resonated with me and I was able to walk out of the class with all of my goals met. Her passion for what she is doing is absolutely inspirational!”
"I love Julie: Her art, her teaching style, and as a human being. She always makes a workshop a delightful experience”
"Julie is fun, sweet, kind, enthusiastic, and a great teacher! She has the ability to help us see our artwork with fresh eyes looking for the good instead of focusing on the bad. It was a wonderful experience and I will take another class with her one of these days!”
"Julie introduced me to terms and techniques that I have never encountered before. She is extremely knowledgeable and patient at the same time — what a great combination! Julie has everything so well set up and organized, that I was totally involved and could understand everything that she was saying, reviewing from her printed material and her live action methodology. I am constantly on the search for great artist who are sharing their vast knowledge. Julie definitely was a great find on the Sedona Art Center website!"
Julie was lovely instructor. She was sensitive to each student. Well organized. Had an excellent hand out. And her class was most valuable And a great value.”
"Your ability in critiquing is outstanding. You are gifted in tuning into the artist and the painting. It is very impressive.”
"I absolutely loved Julie's workshop. I learned so much that I will revisit time and again on all of my future paintings. I'm thankful for all of the resources she provided and the sharing of her rich experience. Julie is a gifted teacher in bringing out the kid, heart and spirit of a person and a group. She sees, simultaneously, the beauty and the areas for improvement in a huge range of works, styles and experience levels. The critiques of my work and of my fellow students were incredibly helpful. I can't put into words how magical this experience was for me and it seems for the others as well. And I love the paintings I created in her workshop. I look forward to my next workshop and/or mentoring with Julie, and feel like it's my great good fortune to have had this special experience! Thank you!”
