Exploring Mixed Media Abstraction

December 13th - 14th, 2025

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (PST) 

Location: Federation Academy on Granville Island,  1310 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S1 

Level: Open to All Levels

Medium: Mixed Media

Workshop Overview:

This 2-day weekend workshop invites you to dive into the creative freedom of mixed media.

Using paint, collage, texture, and mark-making, you’ll experiment with multiple approaches to starting abstract pieces. Through guided exercises, you’ll explore how layering, contrast, and play can spark new ideas.

On Day 2, the focus shifts from experimentation to resolution: you’ll learn strategies to refine, edit, and bring your explorations to completion. You’ll develop and finish a series of small abstracts, giving you multiple works to take home — and a toolkit of techniques to carry into your own practice.

What You’ll Learn:

✔ Techniques for starting abstract works with mixed media

✔ Ways to build layers with collage, texture, and mark-making

✔ How to evaluate and edit your compositions

✔ Strategies to resolve unfinished works into small completed paintings

Workshop Format:

• Day 1: Playful Exploration

◦ Warm-up exercises in mark-making, layering, and collage

◦ Multiple approaches to starting abstract works

◦ Emphasis on experimentation and variety

• Day 2: Refining & Resolving

◦ Identifying promising directions within your starts

◦ Editing, layering, and refining compositions

◦ Completing a series of small finished abstract paintings

This workshop is open to all levels — whether you’re a beginner curious about abstraction, or an experienced artist looking to loosen up, experiment, and expand your artistic toolkit.

About the Instructor - Sue A. Cowan, SFCA

Sue A. Cowan is an award-winning artist whose work celebrates the beauty of both the

natural world and everyday life. Born in Scotland and now based in Canada, she explores a wide range of subjects in her art, from landscapes and figures to portraits, still life, and abstract compositions. Often working en plein air, Sue immerses herself in nature to capture its fleeting impressions. Her abstract mixed media paintings are inspired by the layered experience of sights, sounds, and sensations in the world around her.

For more than 30 years, Sue has shared her passion for art through teaching, encouraging

students to build skills, gain confidence, and discover their unique artistic voices. In 2011, she

was awarded Senior Signature Status by the Federation of Canadian Artists in recognition of her artistic achievements. Her work has been widely exhibited across British Columbia and internationally.