Spring Hike & Paint Workshop in Denver

Colorado Art Workshop

Partnering with Abstract Adventures for an Outdoor Art Experience

On a bright, blue‑sky afternoon in Boulder, Colorado, I had the joy of co‑leading a creative outdoor workshop with Abstract Adventures, a Denver-based company known for its guided hike and paint tours.

This Workshop came to life through a collaboration with Abstract Adventures, a local Denver company that has built a reputation for turning the Front Range into an open‑air studio. Their signature Hike And Paint tours invite guests to stretch their legs on scenic trails and then settle into a guided painting session inspired by the surrounding landscape. It is the kind of experience that feels perfectly at home in Colorado, where outdoor culture and creativity naturally intersect.

For this particular event, Abstract Adventures brought their expertise in logistics and guest comfort, while I joined three other artists to focus on the creative side. Together, we shaped an afternoon that balanced mindful observation and approachable painting instruction.

Welcoming Guests from the Destination West Tourism Conference

Our guests were attendees from the Destination West Tourism Conference, a gathering of travel and hospitality professionals exploring what makes Western destinations so compelling. Many of them spend their days designing itineraries, promoting regional attractions, and crafting memorable experiences for others. This time, the tables turned: they were the ones invited to slow down, pick up a brush, and reconnect with wonder.

Four Artists, One Sunny Spring Afternoon

I was joined by three other artists, each bringing a distinct style and teaching approach. The sunny spring afternoon gave us ideal conditions: a light breeze, clear views of the mountains, and just enough warmth to make lingering outdoors feel luxurious.

Learning to Paint Outside: Accessible, Relaxed, and Fun

Many participants shared that they had not picked up a paintbrush since childhood, or that they had always assumed art was “not their thing.” We emphasized observation over perfection: noticing the way shadows shifted under cottonwood trees, how the sky deepened toward the horizon, and how spring grasses held both golden and green tones at once.

Step by step, we walked guests through mixing colors, using a palette knife, creating textures, and building an imaginative mountain scene. By the end of the afternoon, each person had a uniquely personal painting! Some more abstract, some more representational, but all rooted in the shared experience of being outdoors together.