PLAYFUL ABSTRACTIONS: EXPLORING MARKS, TEXTURE AND COMPOSITION WITH LISA SWEO EUL
August 15-17, 2025—Port Orchard, WA
Join Gig Harbor Artist, Lisa Sweo Eul for a three-day abstract painting workshop in Port Orchard, WA. Lisa loves to create textured neutral paintings in her acrylic and encaustic practice.
You will learn how to explore and experiment, discovering new techniques for creating collage materials, enhancing your unique artistic voice, and applying acrylic paint in innovative ways. This workshop is designed for everyone from eager beginners to seasoned artists.
The first part of the class, you will explore texture creation, master mixing neutral colors and learn techniques for creating a composition that captivates both from a distance and up close.
Itinerary
Day 1, August 15: Introduction to Abstract Neutral Painting
We will meet in the studio at 9:30 a.m. to kick off our three-day workshop with Lisa. The day begins with an exploration of the essentials of creating compelling neutral abstract paintings, including mark-making and crafting collage materials to incorporate into your work. From there, we will dive into the initial steps of a neutral painting, with a strong focus on discovering and developing your own unique style—an essential part of today’s creative play session.
We will break for lunch and the day will be over at 4:30 p.m.
Day 2, August 16: Mixing neutral colors to create the next layer
We will start at 9:30 a.m. in the studio, mixing a variety of neutral colors, exploring eye-pleasing composition, and experimenting with paint. As we build our layers to complete the background, we will begin to explore how to bring the painting to completion. It is a day filled with creativity, exploration and fun!
Lunch and dinner will be provided today.
Day 3, August 17: Adding detail and interest
We will meet at 9:30 a.m. to add the final layers to our paintings, refining any last details before lunch. Afterward, we will clean up the studio and share our work. Lisa will discuss finishing techniques for display and strategies for marketing your art. Class will be over at 4:30 p.m.
Bellissima Art Studio
This Art Escape includes
Three days instruction by Lisa
Three lunches, one dinner
Some Art Supplies
Private Facebook Page
New art tribe
The cost of this workshop is $800. A non-refundable $400 deposit is due upon registering. The remaining $400 is due May 11.
Port Orchard is the site for the workshop. The location is 9 miles north of Gig Harbor, WA which is listed as one of the most desirable cities in the US to visit (or live). It is located south of Seattle, across the Narrows Bridge on Hwy 16.
The Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter stops in Gig Harbor and in Port Orchard.
There are many AirBNBs and B&Bs in the area. A list of accommodations will be provided if requested.
We Will Provide
Palette Knives
Pencils
Black China Marker
Charcoal
India Ink
Tracing Paper
Artist Supply List
Scissors
Apron
Three 12”x12” Stretched Canvases, or 3 cradled 12” x 12” wood boards
Gloss Medium
Golden Heavy Body Paint
Titanium White (5 oz.)
Carbon Black (2 oz.)
Raw Umber (2 oz.)
Yellow Ochre (2 oz.)
Titan Buff (2 oz.)
Palette Paper
Small, 1-inch and 2-inch brushes
Artist Statement
From my childhood telephone number to an ancient worn European wall, my personal experiences influence my paintings, enriching them with depth and meaning. I am a visual artist who is also a world traveler, volunteer, outdoor enthusiast and a former investment executive.
“Each layer of my history, memories and experiences weaves its way into my art. ”
I begin by activating a blank canvas using markers, charcoal, and different sized pencils to draw horizontal and vertical lines, loops and plus signs. By smudging and blurring these, I intentionally disrupt the precision, infusing the canvas with a sense of rawness. These initial marks serve as a foundation for my history to unfold, gradually building up six to eight layers on the canvas. Incorporating elements from my lived experience like nautical charts, writing, letters or cedar boughs, I try to strike a delicate balance between chaos and structure.
Intuitively, I work to ground the painting with more muted layers, sanding and glazing where needed or adding more layers until the entire canvas has a cohesive feel. The end result reflects my journey and expresses my personal narrative.
Lisa Sweo Eul’s paintings have been exhibited at Alki Arts, Mavi Contemporary Gallery, Domicile Gallery + Design, Bloom, Clarke + Clarke Art & Artifacts as well as Capers Home. She had a solo exhibit at Mavi Contemporary Gallery in March of 2024. Lisa is currently the Sponsorship Chairperson for the Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour and is a member of the Peninsula Art League. Lisa teaches encaustic painting in her studio in Gig Harbor. She is a regular participant in art festivals and art walks in Bellevue, Bainbridge Island, West Seattle, Portland and Gig Harbor. She also exhibits at the Seattle Art Fair and the San Francisco Art Fair.
Kathie Vezzani who is hosting the workshop, also is an artist who paints, rusts and waxes. She organizes trips for other artists and in a former life was a caterer. She has over three decades of experience organizing trips for foodies and artists.
