New Mexico Art League upcoming events

Dance of the Brush - Asian Brushwork with Pat Marsello (Tuesday through Thursday) (07/21/2026)

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Brushwork is an artform that is ancient in its tradition, beginning with the first use of brushes in China 4000 years ago. From the established artist to the first-time painter, control of the brush is essential, and that control is the focus of this 3-day workshop. After a review of the 5 main brushstrokes, we will learn modified versions of these strokes as well as introducing color and washes, always returning to a focus on the dance between brush, ink and paper. Digging deeply into the nuance of each stroke; noting the charge, the conditioning and the pressure on the brush; all of this combined will build an awareness of just how much one stroke can accomplish. We will paint a bird, a flower and a simple landscape and one of these subjects you will use to paint the scroll you take home. All painting levels are welcome, from complete beginners to experienced artists seeking to strengthen their brushwork and expand their artistic vocabulary.

MATERIALS: You will need to bring watercolors; red, yellow and blue is fine, as well as a roll of paper towels, a container for water, an ink stone and ink stick, or a bottle of black Sumi-e ink. And a Happy Dot Brush which costs $15. I will also have other brushes available to try out and or purchase. All paper and scrolls will be provided for a $20 materials cost, to be paid to the instructor.

Dance of the Brush - Asian Brushwork with Pat Marsello (Tuesday through Thursday) (07/22/2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Dance of the Brush - Asian Brushwork with Pat Marsello (Tuesday through Thursday) (07/23/2026)

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Black & White Compositions: Exploring Text in Abstract Art with Laura Balombini (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (07/24/2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

What’s one of the most essential elements in creating a strong work of art? Composition. In this class, we’ll explore that idea through a bold black-and-white approach, using contrast, balance, and visual rhythm to guide our designs. Working on three 8" x 8" cradled wood panels, you’ll experiment with paper, paint, and text in a variety of forms. Text will become a key design element—applied through collage, block printing, stenciling, or direct writing—to help unify your work. By creating a small series, you’ll have the opportunity to test ideas, refine your approach, and develop a cohesive abstract vision across multiple surfaces.

MATERIALS LIST

* $20 materials fee (for wood panels) will be collected. To be paid to instructor on first day of workshop.

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

Black & White Compositions: Exploring Text in Abstract Art with Laura Balombini (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (07/25/2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

MATERIALS LIST

* $20 materials fee (for wood panels) will be collected. To be paid to instructor on first day of workshop.

Black & White Compositions: Exploring Text in Abstract Art with Laura Balombini (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (07/26/2026)

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

MATERIALS LIST

* $20 materials fee (for wood panels) will be collected. To be paid to instructor on first day of workshop.

Mixed Media Magic with Alice Webb (Monday through Friday) (07/27/2026)

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

In this immersive five-day workshop, we’ll dive into the vibrant intersection of the natural world and abstraction using a large variety of materials. Through energetic mark-making and bold gestures, you’ll learn to transform still lifes and landscapes into expressive, dynamic compositions. We’ll begin with sketching still lifes and move on to create several color studies, followed by four medium to large-scale paintings—tailored to your preferred size. We will explore a variety of ways to create shapes, lines and textures using acrylics, spray paint, stencils and metal leaf. Whether you lean toward stylized representation, pure abstraction, or a fusion of both, you’ll be encouraged to follow your creative instincts and push your work in new directions. Throughout the week, we’ll explore canvas orientation, foundational design principles, the seven key color schemes, collaging methods, and a variety of painting techniques. Classes will include lectures, slide presentations, live demos, and, most importantly, plenty of painting time. This workshop is ideal for artists looking to energize their work and embrace a more intuitive, exploratory process.

Materials List *