Extracting Essence - Dynamic Abstraction with Andrea Wedell

From Landscape to Language
Extracting Essence: Translating Nature into Dynamic Abstraction
Join contemporary abstract painter Andrea Wedell for an immersive, 90-minute session that bridges the gap between the natural world and the abstract canvas. This presentation is designed for artists of all levels who want to move past "literal" representation and develop a personal visual language rooted in the energy of their surroundings.

The Experience:

• Part 1: The Vision (Slide Show & Discussion): We’ll begin with a curated look at contemporary abstract masters—such as David Hockney, Amy Sillman, and Mark Bradford—exploring how they distill complex environments into powerful shapes, rhythms, and relationships.
• Part 2: The Process (Live Demo): Andrea will demonstrate techniques for "Extracting from Nature," showing how to identify engaging shapes and "translate" the feeling of a place through edge play, value contrast, and color restraint. You'll see how a simple architectural arch or a garden rhythm can become the "DNA" of a larger composition.
• Part 3: The Practice (Hands-On Exercises): Participants will practice some high-energy "loosening up" drills. You will practice "Shape Discovery" using both internal intuition and external prompts, creating a "Shape Lexicon" to use in your own future work.

Andrea Wedell is an internationally recognized fine artist and educator based in Boulder County, CO.

Website: andreawedell.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrea_wedell/