A Sense of Place: Seattle
Three-day abstract landscape workshop · Seattle, December 2026
A Sense of Place: Seattle
Find the essence of a place. Then push it further than feels safe.
- Dates
- Dec 4 – 6, 2026Friday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
- Where
- Nino StudioPioneer Square, Seattle
- Workshop + lunch + supplies
- $895Plus applicable tax · paid at checkout
- Seats
- 10My last workshop in Seattle
The invitation · Seattle edition
This is the last workshop I’ll run in Seattle, so I’m doing the one that goes deepest.
Abstract landscape is really two skills. The first is looking: standing in front of a place, a photo, a memory, and finding what it’s actually about — the one thing that would survive if everything else fell away.
The second is language: once you have that essence, how far can you push it? How much can you take out, exaggerate, invent, before it stops being that place and becomes something you made?
We’ll work both, every day. Three days, ten people. We start small — mini exercises in acrylic on watercolor paper — and work up to larger sheets, then learn how to finish a paper painting on a wood panel so it hangs like one. We’ll paint on canvas too, so you can feel the difference. You’ll leave with finished work, a way of seeing you can keep, and a long lunch each day with people who get it. From painting what you see to expressing what you felt.
What you can expect
- A small, calm studio — ten people, each at your own table
- Demos every day — I paint alongside you and talk through why
- Mini exercises first, then larger paper, then canvas — small to big, never the other way
- How to finish a paper painting on a wood panel, ready to hang
- A way of looking at a place that you can keep using
- Lunch together, all three days
This is for you if you
- Love landscape but want to paint it looser
- Keep copying the photo and wish you could stop
- Want to find what a place is about, not what it looks like
- Are a beginner with nerve, or experienced and ready to be pushed
- Want one more round in the studio before it goes
The studio
Ten tables, ten painters
My art studio in Seattle: daylight, paint on everything, and a table of your own to spread out on. We start small on the first day so nobody gets precious, and by Sunday you’ll have a stack of paper paintings, one of them finished on a wood panel, and a canvas or two beside them.
Lunch is together. Some of the best conversations about painting happen when nobody’s holding a brush.
Nino Studio
Pioneer Square, Seattle
Daily rhythm
The three days
Small to large. Mini exercises, bigger paper, canvas, and a paper painting finished on a wood panel. A short note before we meet, and a check-in after.
BeforeA short note, a week out+
FridaySmall — mini exercises on paper+
SaturdayLarger paper, then canvas+
SundayFinishing — paper on wood panel+
JanuaryAn hour on Zoom+
The schedule is flexible and responds to the group’s energy.
How to book
One booking, ten seats in Seattle
Everything is in one price — the workshop, lunch all three days, and every bit of paint, paper, canvas and your wood panel.
Reserve your seat
Paid in full at checkout. Seats are limited to ten and offered first come, first served. This is the Seattle workshop — the New Orleans edition is sold out.
You’re in
You’ll get an order confirmation by email right away.
A note before we meet
A week out I’ll send a short note with the prep: a few photos, three memories. Questions anytime? Write to hello@nino.studio.
Included
- Three full days of instruction and demos
- All materials — acrylics, watercolor paper, brushes, canvas, and a wood panel to finish on
- Lunch, all three days
- The January Zoom check-in
Not included
- Travel and parking
- Accommodation, if you’re coming from out of town
What artists are saying
From past workshops
“I feel a lightness and more joy has been brought back into my practice.”
Barbara Helton“I feel more confident about my work. I love working with Nino — not only is he an amazing painter and generously shared his own techniques, but he was always moving through the studio talking with each student about their work.”
Lyn Feakes“This was a transformative and immersive week. There was a supportive environment, space to explore my own interests/voice and safe group to struggle and push through.”
Erik T Beadle“This class can be taken by any level of student as long as you are willing to have a beginner’s mind and be open to the teaching and learning.”
Suzanne Lyons“This workshop reminded me how fun and experimental the painting process can be — just try something, if it doesn’t work, add something else. It’s just paint!”
Darlene Laguna“The small group format allowed for a relaxed and supportive environment. Nino did demonstrations everyday to get us going and also sparked discussions about why we create … Can’t wait for the next one!”
Jen BrannonYour teacher
I’m Nino.
I’m an abstract artist and designer with over 27 years of experience, exploring authenticity through the balance of creativity and design. My work thrives on curiosity, experimentation, and a deep sense of freedom — pushing boundaries while staying true to artistic intuition.
I love helping others discover their own artistic voices, whether through my original artwork, prints, or immersive workshops. My goal is to make the journey of self-expression inspiring and joyful.
Abstract landscape is where I started. This workshop is how I work: look hard, keep what matters, then push the paint further than the place.
Q & A
Good to know
I’ve never painted abstract. Is that okay?
Yes. Most people who take this haven’t. The first day is built for it.
Can I come for two of the three days?
No — the days build on each other. Sunday is where the paper paintings get finished on panel, and that’s the part people take home.
What do I need to bring?
Clothes you can ruin, your photos and your memories. Everything else is provided — acrylics, watercolor paper, brushes, canvas, and the wood panel you’ll finish on. A sketchbook if you like having one.
What are the hours?
10am to 4pm each day, with lunch together around 1pm.
Where is the studio?
Nino Studio, in Pioneer Square, Seattle. Street and lot parking nearby.
How many people?
Ten, maximum.
Is this the same as the New Orleans workshop?
No. A Sense of Place runs in two cities. The New Orleans edition is sold out; this is the Seattle edition — three days in December at my own studio. Same way of looking, different place, and this one is the last I’ll run here.
Will you do this again?
Not in Seattle. That’s why it’s this one.
Cancellation & refund policy
If I cancel
All fees paid are refunded in full.
Before November 21, 2026
Full refund, minus a $100 processing fee and any payment processing fees.
November 21 or later
Non-refundable — unless your seat can be filled from the waitlist, in which case you’ll receive a full refund minus a $100 processing fee and any payment processing fees. You’re also welcome to pass your seat to someone else.
Once the workshop starts
No refunds, credits, or make-up days, including for missed days.
Cancellations must be sent in writing to hello@nino.studio.
Seattle · December 4 – 6, 2026
Come find your sense of place.
Ten seats. One more round in the studio. Questions? Write to hello@nino.studio.