Cat Tesla | Pushing Boundaries 2.0: Innovative Approaches to Abstract Composition & Color

Instructor: Cat Tesla

Workshop: Pushing Boundaries 2.0: Innovative Approaches to Abstract Composition & Color

Dates: May 11-15, 2027

Days: 5

Hours: 9:30am–4:30pm

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Size: 10

Tuition: $2,350*

*Includes daily lunch and beverages served in studio

Move beyond technique and into deeper artistic expression in this immersive 5-day workshop designed for intermediate to advanced abstract painters ready to evolve their visual language.

Pushing Boundaries 2.0 is not about making “better” paintings - it’s about making more authentic ones.

Through a combination of conceptual prompts, daily challenges, writing exercises, intuitive painting practices, and live demonstrations, artists will explore how abstraction can communicate emotion, memory, tension, atmosphere, symbolism, and personal meaning without relying on representation.

Throughout the week, you’ll investigate how color, mark making, composition, subtraction, layering, obliteration, and editing can become powerful tools for developing a more distinctive and recognizable voice. Daily themes will challenge habitual ways of working while encouraging greater risk-taking, trust, and creative freedom.

This workshop is ideal for artists who feel ready to:

• move beyond repetitive habits

• create paintings with greater sophistication and intention

• strengthen their personal visual language

• embrace ambiguity, intuition, and experimentation

• discover new directions for future series work

• developing authentic and recognizable work

You’ll also study contemporary and boundary-pushing artists whose work demonstrates powerful visual language, conceptual depth, and innovative approaches to abstraction.

Expect an intensive, supportive, and transformative week filled with experimentation, insight, risk-taking, and breakthrough moments. Many artists leave this workshop with entirely new directions for their work and a deeper understanding of what they truly want to communicate through painting.

Come prepared to challenge your instincts, trust your intuition, and push your work into exciting new territory.

Testimonials

"I loved it! Before this workshop I had very little knowledge of composition. I'd recommend this workshop to any artist of any style. Cat's approach to color and composition is easy-going, fun, and just makes sense! I was nervous to attend having never taken a workshop like this before, but was immediately put at ease when Cat told me "just paint like you!".     ~Carissa B.

"This workshop was excellent! I give it 12++ out of 10. Cat is definitely the most unselfish instructor ever - she has a way of finding something positive about your work even if you can't. She is a sharing and giving person of her knowledge and time. I loved the way every part of the day addressed something relevant and important to our painting process."  - Carol F.

"Cat is an incredible instructor! I learned so much that I will carry forward forever. I feel so fortunate to have taken her workshop!"  Jean-Ann

"The content of Abstract Composition & Color exceeded my expectations! Cat helped guide us to get exactly what we wanted out of the week. I'm very pleased with the new direction I'm headed in my art process!  ~Julie B.

"I feel that most if not all abstract artists would benefit from this workshop. Cat has years of art training and experience as well as knowledge about the art business."  ~Kay L.

"This workshop is led by the most authentic artist I have ever met. My favorite part of her demonstrations was how to recover from mistakes, how not to give up, and how to add depth to our work. I cannot wait to attend another Cat Tesla workshop!!"  ~Jaclynn Morris

Supply List