Sweet & Spicy — Telluride 2027
Four-day painting retreat · Telluride, Colorado
Sweet & Spicy
A little intuition, a little intention. A little sweet, a little spicy.
Photo: Ryan Bonneau
- Dates
- Sept 9 – 13, 2027Thursday to Monday
- Hours
- 10am – 4pm4 instructed days + 1 open studio day
- Where
- Ah Haa School for the ArtsTelluride, Colorado
- Tuition
- $1,800All levels, 18+ · supplies not included
The invitation
Paint, experiment, make a good mess, and find the balance between letting go and knowing when to step in.
Sweet & Spicy is four days of painting in the mountains. We’ll start fast and loose, playing with paint, shapes, marks, color and unexpected tools. Thinking a little less, responding a little more, and seeing where curiosity leads.
Then we slow down to look and respond, using composition, contrast, rhythm, pattern and color as practical tools to make the work stronger. We’ll cut things up, layer, collage, rescue questionable areas, and find new paintings hiding inside old ones. Smaller studies become a springboard for larger work, where the decisions get bigger too.
Throughout the week there are demos, group conversations, and plenty of one-on-one time together.
The shape of the week
A little sweet, a little spicy
Four instructed days, 10am to 4pm, moving from quick play to bigger, braver decisions.
Work fast, don’t get precious
Small exercises and demos to warm up. Paint, shapes, marks, color and unexpected tools, without worrying about the outcome.
Make it stronger
Composition, contrast, rhythm, pattern and color as practical tools for seeing what’s working.
Cut, layer, rescue
Revisit earlier pieces: cut them up, collage, cover parts, and find new compositions inside existing work.
Bigger work, bigger decisions
Smaller studies become the springboard for larger paintings, with one-on-one guidance along the way.
Monday
An uninstructed open studio day to keep working, finish pieces, and take it all in.
This is for you if you
- Want to loosen up and stop being so precious about every mark
- Want practical tools for composition, contrast and color
- Have older work you’d love to cut up, layer and bring back to life
- Are ready to move from small studies to larger paintings
- Paint at any level. All levels welcome, ages 18+
You’ll leave with
- A body of experiments and larger works
- New ways into your process
- A clearer sense of what excites you and what you want to explore next
- A stronger feel for what makes your work your own
The place
Ah Haa School for the Arts
A community art school in Telluride, a small mountain town tucked into a box canyon in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. We’ll paint in the school’s Transformation Studio in early September, with the mountains just outside the door.
Ah Haa School for the Arts
155 W. Pacific Avenue
Telluride, CO 81435
970-728-3886
How to register
Registration is through Ah Haa
Ah Haa School for the Arts is hosting this retreat, so you sign up and pay directly on their website.
Reserve your spot
Register on the Ah Haa website. Tuition is paid to Ah Haa at checkout.
Get your supply list
Supplies aren’t included. A supply list is emailed after you register. Want it sooner? Email maggie@ahhaa.org.
See you in Telluride
Sept 9 – 13, 2027, 10am to 4pm each day. Questions about the workshop itself? Write to me at hello@nino.studio.
Good to know: this workshop has a 45-day cancellation policy, and Ah Haa tuition assistance and other discounts don’t apply.
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 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“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“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 Indonesian-born abstract artist and designer based in Seattle. My background in design finds its way into my paintings: structure and intuition, color and shape, playful marks, and plenty of room for surprise.
Food often shows up in my work, but it’s rarely just about food. I use it as a metaphor for people: belonging, difference, connection, and how different ingredients can somehow share the same table.
You might have seen my paintings at Nordstrom in Bellevue or Tigard, Oregon. Others live at Atlantis The Royal Residences in Dubai, at Amazon in Seattle, and in homes in the U.S. and abroad. These days I split my time between my studio in Seattle, teaching workshops, and SPICE Art Club, a community for artists who want to keep making, stay curious, and keep play in the process. I’m still learning too, and I think that’s the best part.
Q & A
Good to know
When and where is it?
Thursday to Monday, September 9–13, 2027, 10am to 4pm each day, at Ah Haa School for the Arts, 155 W. Pacific Avenue, Telluride, Colorado.
How do I sign up?
Registration and payment are handled by Ah Haa School for the Arts. Register on their website.
How much is it?
Tuition is $1,800 for four instructed days plus one open studio day. Supplies aren’t included, and Ah Haa tuition assistance and other discounts don’t apply.
Do I need experience?
No. The retreat is open to all levels, ages 18 and up. If you’re curious and willing to experiment, you’ll be supported.
What do I need to bring?
A supply list is emailed after you register. To see it sooner, email maggie@ahhaa.org.
What happens on Monday?
Monday is an uninstructed open studio day: time to keep painting, finish pieces, and work on your own.
What’s the cancellation policy?
This workshop has a 45-day cancellation policy, set by Ah Haa. Contact them for details.
September 9 – 13, 2027 · Telluride
Come make a good mess.
Four days of painting, experimenting and finding what makes your work feel like your own.