Classes

The Language of Painting: Part 1 – Foundations

An excellent introduction to painting for those who are new or returning.

Thursdays, 6 – 8 pm, Jan. 15 – Feb. 19
(6 weeks; Repeatable)
4 spots currently available.

Tuition: $420

If you’ve been wanting to paint but aren’t sure where to start, this class is for you! We’ll explore the building blocks of painting—mixing the colors you want to see, handling brushes and materials with greater ease, and playing with the elements of design through fun, bite-sized studies.
You’ll leave with more confidence, a stronger foundation, and the excitement to take your painting further.

The Language of Painting: Part 1 is best for students who are somewhat new to painting, as well as for returning painters looking for a jumpstart in the fundamentals.

In this class, you will:

• Learn how to mix, see, and apply color
• Build fluency with brushes, paint handling and core materials
• Explore the essential elements of design and composition.
• Complete small weekly studies to practice fundamentals.
• Strengthen your foundation so you can step into more ambitious projects.

Please email ekundell@gmail.com to register for this class and receive the supply list. You may secure your spot via check, Venmo (@ekundell), Zelle or Paypal (ekundell@gmail.com).

Next Session: March 12 – April 16

The Language of Painting: Part 2 – Color & Composition

An ongoing class to help you gain confidence in painting, with guided projects in a small group setting.

Tuesdays, 3 – 6 pm, Jan. 13 – Feb. 17
(6 weeks; Ongoing)

Tuition: $480

Create your own original paintings inspired by the works of great artists. Expand your painting skills, deepen your understanding of color relationships, and learn compositional strategies that help your paintings feel more alive and cohesive.

In this ongoing class, you will:

• Learn how to create more dynamic paintings with depth, rhythm and visual flow
• Develop a stronger command of color and create emotional resonance
• Work intentionally with surface and layers – brushwork, transparency and revision – to handle paint more expressively
• Build fluency in seeing and discussing abstraction, learning how to recognize what’s happening in your painting and what it needs next
• Apply core principles of design to strengthen and clarify your compositions
• Bring ideas to life through projects that support experimentation and growth

The Language of Painting: Part 2 is for Advanced Beginner and Intermediate students who want to improve their painting and compositional skills with guided projects in a supportive community of peers.
Suggested prerequisite: The Language of Painting Part 1 or equivalent experience.

5 spaces available.
Please email ekundell@gmail.com with any questions and to register for this class.

You may secure your spot via check, Venmo (@ekundell), Zelle or Paypal (ekundell@gmail.com).
Image: Joan Mitchell, Weeds, 1976

Next Session: March 10 – April 14

The Language of Painting: Part 3 – Creating Your Body of Work

An ongoing class in color, abstraction and developing your unique voice.

Mondays, 11 am – 2 pm, Jan 12 – Feb 16
(6-week session; Ongoing)
2 spaces currently available.

Tuition: $480

This artist mentorship group supports students in developing confidence and skill as they create a new body of work.

Through teachings on the interaction of color, brushwork, composition and abstraction, and with thoughtful individualized guidance in a small group setting, students will grow their ability to make more meaningful, expressive and unique work.

The Language of Painting: Part 3 is for Intermediate or Advanced students who want to create artwork that is more personally meaningful, and who want to grow a body of work in a small and supportive community of peers.

Students may enroll concurrently in Levels 2 and 3. Please email ekundell@gmail.com with any questions and to confirm space availability.
You may secure your spot via check, Venmo (@ekundell), Zelle or Paypal (ekundell@gmail.com).

Image: Freeform, ©Elana Kundell, 2021

Next session: March 9 – April 13

February Four-Day Painting Retreat

February 23 – 26, 2026

Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 11 am – 3 pm
Tuition: $680
Limited to 4 students.

This four-day painting retreat offers a spacious and supportive environment for students who want more time to paint, deepen their relationship with materials, and establish a steady studio rhythm. Designed for painters who have completed Language of Painting Part 1 (or equivalent experience), the retreat focuses on building confidence, flow, and enjoyment in the painting process—without pressure.

Each day begins gently with optional movement, breathwork and a sensory warm-up outdoors, allowing us to arrive fully as we move into the studio. From there, students work on their own painting projects with thoughtful guidance, demonstrations, and individualized support. Emphasis is placed on color, brushwork, composition, and learning to stay present with the unfolding process.

Alongside focused studio time, the retreat offers the pleasure of working in a small, supportive community, enjoying the exquisite light of the studio space, and allowing painting to become a nourishing daily practice. This is an invitation to slow down, explore, and reconnect with the joy of making—with attentive, responsive mentorship in what I call the sacred play area of the studio.

Limited to four participants.
Suggested prerequisite: Language of Painting Level 1 or equivalent experience.

Please email ekundell@gmail.com with any questions and to register for this immersive studio experience.

I am all fired up with energy and curiosity to apply the new learning. You did an excellent job with your new workshop! 

I would recommend it to anybody who is interested in boosting their knowledge / ideas / inspiration and to get more clarity about themselves, about what drives them to paint and about what they want to paint.

Thanks again for a wonderful and inspiring learning experience.

– Margaretha Van Oostenrijk
(Image: Sketches and work in progress from the Art of Inquiry intensive studio workshop)

Painting with Pizzazz

A fun and accessible Sunday brunch-time workshop where you’ll experiment with simple techniques to create your own original painting. Each session brings a different theme and new techniques to try, with all materials provided! No experience needed.

Upcoming themes:
January – Mark-making
February – Creating a Sense of Space
March – Movement

Three Workshops this Winter
Sundays, 11 – 1 pm

Dates: Jan. 25, Feb. 8, March 15, 11 am – 1 pm
Tuition: $95 per class (Basic materials included)
Students may sign up for one, two or all three sessions.

All levels welcome.

Please email ekundell@gmail.com to register.

The Abstract Figure

Students will paint from the live model and explore the work of great 20th century and contemporary painters working with the figure in abstraction.

For Adventurous Beginner students +

Please email ekundell@gmail.com to be included on the waiting list.

Image: Study of Lula, ©Elana Kundell, 2024

Create Your Personal Color Palette

In this exciting, fun class for adults, we explore the interdependent nature of color and its ability to evoke mood and emotion.

• Gain confidence in color mixing
• Learn how to express mood through color
• Use your tools with greater self-expression
• Deepen your understanding of painting

All levels welcome.

Please email ekundell@gmail.com to be included on the waiting list.

Exploring Abstraction
One-Day Painting Workshops

New Dates and Topics TBD

There are many ways to look at and communicate through abstraction. In this one-day painting retreat, we will begin to explore different modes of abstraction with plenty of hands on painting.

For Adventurous Beginner students +

Limited space. Class is customized for students. Please email ekundell@gmail.com to be included on the waiting list.

Connect & Create

Desperate times called for creative measures.
In the early days of the pandemic, Spring and Summer of 2020, we gathered online for creative nourishment, community and co-working time. All sessions began with improvisational play in a variety of media and topics, from poetry and paint to performance.