November 14-16, 2025 | Friday-Sunday | 10:30-4pm | $425

This fast-paced workshop is packed with information and offers a wonderful hands-on opportunity to explore the exciting realms of mixed media, collage, and encaustic painting. Throughout the session, you will receive personalized feedback tailored to your individual techniques and the materials you choose to work with, all aimed at helping you advance your skills and deepen your understanding of this rich and versatile paint medium.

A firm foundation of basic skills and safety will be covered with demos that will include set-up, layering and application techniques, fusing options, color mixing, surface texture and mixed media application. There will be plenty of time for hands-on practice and personal feedback. The only requirement is an attitude of curiosity and learning. This workshop is great for non-artist types and beginners, but I will also address those ready for more advanced direction in their painting practice.

I teach to the student, so bring your questions and curiosity and let’s paint!

Once registered, you’ll receive a detailed supply list along with expanded notes on materials.

Beautiful R&F paints and products are generously supplied in support of this workshop.

SEXY SAINTS WEEKEND: Champagne, Chocolate & Artful Mischief

February 7–8, 2026 | Saturday & Sunday | 11 AM – 5 PM | $350

An annual tradition of divine decadence—because even saints deserve a little sass. ❤️🥂🍫

Over two playful days, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind artwork (or a set of irreverent Valentine’s cards) that blends the sacred and the spicy. Choose from my trove of vintage erotic imagery, cheeky icons, or even bring a photo of yourself to elevate into saintly status. Add halos, flames, forbidden fruit, or whatever makes your heart—and your art—skip a beat.

We’ll explore photo-encaustic techniques and mixed media layering on wood and paper substrates, transforming ordinary images into luminous, irreverent icons with wax, fire, pigment, and sparkle. Whether you’re new to encaustic or a returning devotee, you’ll leave with a playful, original piece that’s equal parts holy and hot.

January 16–18, 2026 | Friday–Sunday | 10:30–4:30

Kelly Williams Art Studio: Portland, OR | Tuition: $850 — includes all materials, tools, and three nourishing lunches. Limited to 4–6 participants

Write it. Burn it. Transform it.

In this workshop, each painting becomes an artifact—holding what you’ve released, transformed, and created. Prepare to drop down, find your voice, and build the skills that carry your power into the new year.

This three-day midwinter creative immersion blends technical instruction with personal meaning, seasonal reflection, and material exploration. You’ll work with encaustic layering, fusing, carving, asemic writing, mark-making, and mixed media collage—using materials rich in symbolism and story: burnt paper, ash, and pigment.

We’ll begin with writing and a ritual fire (weather permitting)—a nod to my time in Ireland and the transformative traditions of St. Brigid—burning words and fragments to create ash and collage elements to incorporate into your work. Whether you’re new to encaustic or ready to push your style further, you’ll be guided in developing a visual language rooted in presence, process, and experimentation.

With only 4–6 participants, this is an intentionally intimate setting—ensuring plenty of one-on-one guidance, space to explore at your own pace, and the kind of quiet focus that lets your work deepen.

All materials are provided, including R&F encaustic paints and pigment sticks (with generous support from R&F Handmade Paints), small student panels, medium, and mixed media supplies. You’re welcome to bring a larger or specialty panel if you prefer.

Each day offers not just learning, but nourishment—in skill, in spirit, and at the table. I will provide coffee/tea and light bites for the morning and a hearty Irish-style lunch of homemade soups, fresh bread with space to connect. You’ll leave with work that is deeply your own—artifacts of release and renewal—and the momentum, skills, and creative clarity to carry you into the year ahead.

These sessions are a dedicated space—online or in person—to focus on your creative work and your growth as an artist. Depending on your needs, we might explore painting as a tool for personal reflection and emotional processing, or dive into strengthening your technical skills, composition, and artistic voice.

We might review works in progress, explore encaustic and mixed media techniques, plan a project from concept to completion, or develop strategies for sourcing materials and setting up your studio

1-Hour Online or Phone Session
A focused conversation to review works-in-progress, untangle creative blocks, or plan your next steps. This time can be reflective and process-oriented, or direct and skill-focused—tailored to what will serve you most.

3-Hour In-Studio Session
An immersive experience in my Portland studio, blending hands-on painting with meaningful discussion. We’ll work side-by-side—experimenting with techniques, refining your work, or using art-making as a way to process and grow.

Painting With Fire: Season 5 – Encaustic Immersion Online

The global encaustic experience continues! In Season 5 of Painting With Fire, you'll join 27 world-renowned artists for over 60 hours of inspiring, process-rich instruction in this ancient and ever-evolving medium.

🔥 What I’m Teaching in Season 5

This year, I’m bringing two brand-new workshops designed to help you expand both your technique and your voice:

🔹 Materiality & Meaning
We’ll explore how to build deeper, more intentional content—moving beyond surface beauty to uncover the emotional, cultural, and environmental threads that bring power and presence to your work.

🔹 Working on Paper
Discover the sculptural, portable, and playful possibilities of encaustic on paper. From experimental edges to nontraditional display, this is encaustic unbound.

💥 Don’t Miss Season 4!

Season 4 is still available—and complements this year’s offerings beautifully. My featured workshop, “The Erotic Saint,” is a long-format lesson guiding you through creating your own bold, icon-inspired piece infused with humor, reverence, and social commentary. It's a unique opportunity to explore storytelling, symbolism, and the body through wax.

📅 Class Access & Info:

Season 5 begins April 24, 2025 so many lessons already available

Register anytime—you get instant access to already released classes

Classes drop weekly on Wednesdays at 12 noon EST

All lessons are prerecorded—watch anytime, on your schedule

Lifetime access to all content

Includes bonus basic technique videos

Exclusive discounts for Painting With Fire students

PLUS: Bonus content from in-person Encaustic Retreats at Essence of Mulranny, Ireland