Treat yourself to this immersive plein air experience at Full Bloom Farm at the heart of Lummi Island, ‘In the Footsteps of Monet.’ Like Monet, at his beloved garden at Giverny France, we will respond to the changing light of Plein Air painting discipline. Morning Exercises will help us see and understand what we are painting. Guidance from Trish Harding will result in personal successes for all painters no matter the skill level!

Day 1
Saturday July 20, 10am-4pm

In the morning we will begin our day with a short visualization exercise, then outside sketching large, loose charcoal drawings that will familiarize us with our subject; the glorious uniqueness of Full Bloom Farm. There will be a short demo by Trish. At this point we will work on Mark Making, Shapes, Composition, and Linkage

Lunch Break & Discussion

Now that we know our subject and have a plan, our painting begins!

Afternoon finds us “Blocking In” and “Linking our Passages” onto the canvas in a clear and simple step towards the painting phase after a short demo by Trish. We will discuss the beginning, middle and end of a painting, paint mixing, aerial perspective, edges and color palette.

Day 2
Sunday July 21, 10am-4pm

A visualization exercise will help us anticipate what our painting will require from us as it “becomes”.

Our discussion will focus on what plein air painting is and its importance as an artist’s discipline. We will finish the plein air workshop with a focus on responding to our surroundings, a finished piece and a heartfelt critique.

Who Should Take this Workshop?

All skill levels will benefit from this workshop and all are guided by Trish so that everyone will achieve personal success. Each artist will leave this place with a one-of-a-kind plein air painting experience. They will also leave with an appreciation for this little-known island gem just a few miles and a short sailing from Bellingham aboard the sweet Whatcom Chief Ferry that has serviced the island for over 60 years!

SUPPLIES LIST

• Easel, Camera, Stool or Small portable table for paints and/or sitting

• Weather appropriate outerwear like a hat, jacket, walking shoes, etc

• Your Chosen Medium:

  • Oil paint, Solvent OMS, Brushes, Paper Towels, Palette

  • Acrylic paint, Water Containers, Brushes, Paper Towels, Palette

  • Stretched Canvas 9x16”

  • Newsprint Pad, 24x18”, rough

  • Drawing Clip Board, 23x26’

  • Big Bob’s Charcoal, One piece (available at Dakota Art, or I can supply if you cannot find it)

If you have questions about the supplies, please reach out to me directly at trish.c.harding@gmail.com

Please bring your own lunch or choose to preorder box lunches from us (we’ll send an email closer to the date for ordering).

About Trish Harding

Trish Harding was born in Washington State and grew up on Lummi Island, literally feet from the water’s edge with a magnificent view of Mt Baker at the same time. She is the Salish Sea. Her formal art training includes Western Washington State College (now WWU), and The Academy of Art College, San Francisco. Trish is owner of Studio UFO in Bellingham, which has proven to be the hot spot in town for leading edge art and art education.

Trish not only teaches painting at Studio UFO, she also has been teaching at Whatcom Community College for 22 years, and Portland’s Creative Arts Community for 20 years, and countless workshops around the Pacific Northwest. She is an art trip leader to various places in the world including Paris, France, San Miguel & Mexico City, Mexico, Yellowstone Park & Cody, Wyoming, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, Palm Springs, and Victoria BC, Canada.

She has facilitated the Annual Downtown Bellingham Plein Air Paint Out and Exhibition (PAPO) event for 16 years. The Figure Wall at Studio UFO boasts her considerable figurative work in 20 minute charcoal figure drawings. In 2017 Trish was selected as the Skagit Valley International Tulip Festival Poster Artist. Her image recently received the Gold Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals & Events Association for Best Commemorative Poster in 2017. Trish’s nine piece floral watercolor commission is on permanent display at the Woodlawn Park Hospital in The Dalles, Oregon. The Whatcom Museum owns her original painting, Metamorphosis and Peace Health Medical Center also has Color on the Edge in their permanent collection. As a past president of the NW Pastel Society Trish established digital entries and newsletters updating the society to the digital age.

In June of 2023 she moved back to her beloved Lummi Island delving even deeper into living on the edge of the Salish Sea and allowing her work to move naturally in a new direction.

Plan Your Trip


The ferry schedule and directions to the farm are found here for your reference. If you are coming from off island for an overnight, consider staying with us on the farm! We have a beautiful rental available. Stay two nights to receive a 30% nightly discount. There are also many vacation rentals offered by Stay & Sea (20% discount code is FULLBLOOM), RecRetreats, Lummi Island Vacations, Airbnb or VRBO. Tickets are nonrefundable, but they are transferable