Maximalist Art & The Power of 'More.' More color. More texture. More layers. More...is simply more.
Less Thinking. More Making.
Many artists overwork their paintings because they don’t trust they’re finished. Learn how to quiet self-doubt, trust your instincts, and create with greater confidence and freedom.
In This Workshop:
What happens when you stop asking, “Is this too much?” and start asking, “What else can I add?”
Welcome to the wonderfully excessive world of maximalist mixed-media art, where more really is more. In this playful, hands-on workshop, you’ll combine paint, collage, texture, fabric, found objects, and all those odd little treasures you’ve been saving for “someday” into one gloriously layered work of art.
Bring the buttons, beads, magazine scraps, fabric, glitter, decorative papers, and anything else that catches your eye. You’ll learn how to pile it on with intention, creating artwork that feels abundant and energetic without simply becoming cluttered.
There are no minimalist rules here. We’re exploring the power of color, pattern, texture, repetition, and surprise—and seeing just how far “more” can take you.
What You Will Learn
- Composition in the chaos: Create balance with focal points, repetition, and resting spots.
- Color that connects: Use a limited palette and repeated colors to unify your layers.
- Build serious texture: Layer modeling paste, papers, fabric, beads, buttons, and found objects.
- Creative collage: Tear, cut, layer, and transform everyday imagery and materials.
- When to stop—or not: Learn to read your piece, know when it’s finished, and fix what isn’t working.
What Students Will Walk Away With
Create a finished, one-of-a-kind maximalist mixed-media artwork packed with color, layers, texture, and dimension.
Your piece will combine painting, collage, and assemblage techniques with your own collected odds and ends—transforming the things you couldn’t quite throw away into something worth hanging on the wall.
You’ll also leave with a new toolbox of mixed-media techniques you can continue using in your painting, collage, and creative practice.
Who It Is For
This workshop is perfect for artists and creative beginners who love color, texture, collage, mixed media, and experimenting with unconventional art materials.
It’s especially suited for anyone who:
- Saves everything for that “someday” art project.
- Wants to loosen up and experiment with new materials.
- Loves layers, texture, color, and maximalist art.
- Wants to explore mixed media without worrying about the “right” way.
- Is ready to go bigger, bolder, weirder—and wonderfully more.
No experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity, collected treasures, and a willingness to pile it on.
Supply List for Students to Bring:
This is a studio workshop, students are required to prepare and bring their own supplies prior to coming to the session.
- A surface of your choosing (canvas, panel, mixed media paper, cabinet door, heavy cardboard, etc)
- Acrylic paints in various colors
- Acrylic paint brushes in various sizes
- Adhesives (hot glue gun, super glue, mod podge, matte medium, etc)
- A variety of mark making tools you already own
- Anything to make it 'MORE' (sponges, rags, swabs, stencils, stamps, tiny mixed media treasures, nail polish, India inks, glitter, rhinestones, sequins, papers, prints, buttons, beads, fabric scraps, lace, dried flowers, puzzle pieces, bottle caps, ticket stubs, etc)
- Palette
- Palette knife
- Quality paper towels like Blue Shop or Viva
