In the community of artists, everyone wins

I've always said that art lessons are life lessons, and just like life, when we get it right, it's a beautiful thing; inspiring, accessible, heart-filling and empowering. And just like life, when we get it wrong, it becomes a place of discouragement, oppression, gatekeeping and injustice. I watch these patterns play out and it reminds me that in 2026, more than ever, the commitment to art as a place of connection and inclusivity is deeply impactful.

When I first started participating in an art community, I expected that there might be some element of competitive rivalry between artists. I expected to meet artists that would feel territorial about our community and how much space I, as a new artist, was allowed to take up.

I couldn't have been more wrong. In 30 years of being part of this community, I have been warmly welcomed, and my own position now, as an established local artist, gets to be one of support to new artists as well. And now, as an artist who teaches all over the world, and has connected with so many other artists and instructors, I've felt that the majority of artists are deeply committed to making art inclusive.

In the family of art instructors I've been privileged to know, every student is welcome. Each person's experience is worth sharing. Every skill level, background, level of "creativity," style and mode of expression is welcome to participate, respected and supported, to the best of our ability.

It's easy to believe that in the abstract, and feel warm feelings about the other artists I know who are teaching from this same foundation. But it's completely another to trust that that can happen in the classroom, working as one of two instructors in a classroom full of painters. And what that trust created, in October as I teamed up with Steve Puttrich to teach watercolour in Pacific Grove, California, was everything I ever hoped that teaching art could be.

Steve is a highly skilled painter, both in watercolour and oil, and has made plein air (on location) painting, a focus in recent years, teaching and competing in plein air competitions around the country. His paintings are filled with light and peace, a luminous energy that is uplifting. I speak as a collector; his "Rocky Mountain Courage" watercolour has central pride of place in my home. And Steve is as generous as he is knowledgeable, whether it's squeezing out huge gobs of fresh paint for students to try, or offering deeply respectful support and insight to support my own teaching during our sessions together.

Rocky Mountain Courage, Steve Puttrich

We worked together day by day, structuring each day's teaching based on the day before, the questions we were getting from students, and the weather (always a necessity in a plein air event!) Our priority was to align to offer students what each of us do best; Steve's powerful knowledge of technique and landscape painting, with my focus on mindful flow and the value of your unique personal voice.

Steve and I both see this as a grace-based model of artistic instruction and creation, and it's vitally important. You wouldn't believe (well, maybe you would) how many people would love to take an art retreat like this, but hold back out of fear. And when skill, or conformity, or some model built on earning the right to be in the room is the standard, that fear is justified. But grace says, "Do you want to be here? Then you are welcome."

A grace based model is oriented to provide a safe space for every person, and that's not an easy thing to do. Can we invite honest conversation, but also respect the people who prefer the edges of the room and don't open up so easily? Can I acknowledge when I struggle with self-doubt and teach with honesty and vulnerability about how hard it can be to stay in flow, work with my mistakes and let the painting take its own shape? And can I stay present so that each student gets my focused attention as I walk through the room, and not let my mind be divided, trying not to miss anything?

One event stood out to me during the retreat. After three days of painting and the volume of information being presented by two instructors, students started to feel overwhelmed. There's so much to know! Should I even be here? Steve had led us on a "wonder walk," seeking to find a "why," to paint from a place of wonder and gratitude, but in a state of overwhelm, "why" gets forgotten and it starts to feel a lot more like "why me?"

So we called a timeout. For 90 minutes, our group came together and the painting retreat became a place of story. Why are you here? What has painting meant to you? Where are you finding purpose and meaning in this practice of art?

For many, art offers a new beginning; a new pursuit following a life change, or a shift to creativity following a career in more linear fields. For others, it's a return to something loved long ago, or a new discipline to explore for an artist accustomed to different mediums. And for many of us, making art is deeply healing and restorative, opening up a vulnerability that we are not used to showing.

During our story session, the pieces began to click into place. It's not enough simply to take in information and discipline oneself to grow in skill. Without this connection to story, humanity, relationship and love, the art doesn't work. The painting stays dull, limited. Together, we look at the art being made. We start to see each other in new ways. We start to look for the beauty, and encourage it to shine. And in this spirit of grace extended, you are welcome here, a light shines, miracles happen.

I left our Pacific Grove retreat feeling deeply grateful, thinking, This is what I always hoped that teaching watercolour could be.

This was supposed to be a quick email to remind you that Steve and I are teaching in Pacific Grove in October 2026. But I've had a hard time talking about this retreat in short form; what we experienced was too meaningful and rich to be capsulated in a quick Instagram reel or promotional image. What I hope you'll see in this email is two people who believe in what we do, and are deeply committed to creating an environment for our students to thrive, not just in growing painting skills, but in accepting themselves as the flawed and wonderful artists they already are.

I also hope you'll see an invitation here. If you've made it this far, maybe you need this retreat for yourself. Our retreat center at Asilomar Hotel and Conference center is a wonderful space for an art retreat; close to the beach, full of remarkable light and beautiful trees, and the conference setup means we build community as everything is contained on location, and meals are provided. Steve and I are already talking about how to improve upon last year - we just get better at this every year and it's so exciting to be able to anticipate painting locations, the fun ways we make watercolor more accessible, and the flow between two instructors who inspire each other to teach at our very best level.

Find out more about the retreat and how to sign up here: https://www.madelineartschool.com/products/finding-light-a-pacific-coast-watercolor-retreat-for-the-creative-spirit​

Space is limited, and this is the only art workshop I'm teaching in person this year that is still open for registration. I hope you'll seriously consider joining if you felt a deep desire to experience what I've shared here. You, and your art, are worth it.

Angela