Intuitive Abstract Painting with Julianna Poldi

Learn to let go, make your mark, create intuitive paintings with professional results guided by Julianna Poldi. All levels are welcome.
About this Event

Explore the world of Intuitive painting and discover how to get professional results. You will learn to let go, dive deep, make your mark, and enjoy the results! This class approaches the canvas as the Masters of Abstract Expressionism painted. This class is suitable for both beginners to advanced level students. You will work on a series of paintings with beginners working on up to 3 paper paintings at the start. Learn to approach the canvas with confidence, gain professional results, and discover their unique mark. Supplies are available for purchase upon request.

Prerequisite demo is required and is available on the instructor’s website: www.abstractartcoach.com

Materials to bring:

1) Strathmore 400 series Linen Canvas Paper pad, or Canson

brand paper. Strathmore 400 series watercolor paper 18 x 24 for a

larger surface area. In class we use the 12” x 12” Strathmore 400

series pad.

2) Acrylic paints. Acrylic Paints Any acrylic paints you already own

and whatever paint colors inspire you. (Larger projects try NOVA

COLOR)

3) Palette knifes and brushes. Richeson set of 5 plastic knifes or

Blick stainless steel blue handle style #’s 22, 26, 84,106. Blick

essential Value 2 sets of 3 brushes. Foam brushes are used for

applying washes and varnish.

4) Painters tape, low tack Yellow (not green) Frog tape. Or Blick

Painters Tape 1” x 60 yards. To remove the tape use a blow dryer

and heat the tape so it glides off the paper when you pull.

5) Mediums - Nova Color #218 Tintable texture paste, #205 Matte

medium varnish, or Blick artist’s white gesso, a heavy bodied gesso

or a texture paste. A liquid gesso will warp the paper.

6) Paper towels, paint palette (paper plates), and blow dryer.

7) Water containers for cleaning brushes between colors.

8) OPTIONAL Pencil, pens, charcoal, pastels, collage materials

any other art supplies

Born and raised in the foothills of Idyllwild, Julianna Poldi began her painting studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1987. Julianna’s first solo show was a successful sell-out at the Albany Arts Gallery in Berkeley in 1997. Inspired by her success, Julianna enrolled in graduate school, and in 2003, she graduated with honors from John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley, CA, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Arts and Consciousness from the School of Holistic Studies. That same year, she founded Art Beat Salon and Gallery in Berkeley, where she began showcasing local emerging artists.

In 2010, she relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and opened Two Arts Studio on the renowned Canyon Road. There, she started teaching the method she developed, detailed in her book Abstract Painters Guide. In 2016, Julianna began teaching abstract painting classes at Desert Art Center in Palm Springs. On July 4, 2020, she opened GOLDEN PINE GALLERY in Idyllwild, California, where she currently curates the works of over 30 local and regional artists. A second gallery was opened in the Backstreet Arts District in Palm Springs in May of 2025. She also mentors painters privately online and in person.