The Hum, the Hand, the Image

About

This course is designed to help painters access a deeper, freer relationship to making – one rooted in the body, sharpened through attention, and strengthened through daily practice. Across two weeks, participants will explore painting as responsive and intuitive, while holding on to both precision and risk. The focus is not on producing a single “right” outcome, but on expanding range: how paintings begin, how they shift, and how they recover when they tighten.
Each morning begins with a short somatic warm-up guided by Curtis and Greg Fox. Using soft drone, minimal rhythm, and frequency-led sound, we’ll create a calm shared environment to arrive fully – breath by breath – before painting. Participants can engage at their own pace (eyes open or closed, humming or simply listening). Over time, we’ll develop a shared tone – a collective frequency we return to each morning as a way of arriving together and building community. The aim is to interrupt autopilot, soften self-consciousness, and enter the work with more presence and openness.
Artists are invited to bring works in progress or begin new paintings. Greg will host a sound studio in a back room for listening and experimentation whenever a reset is needed. After lunch, we reconvene with 30 minutes of music and dancing to wake the body back up and return to the studio with energy. Each day ends with group critiques where participants reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and receive feedback from peers. The goal is to leave with new paintings, expanded tools, and a practice that feels more alive – guided by breath, rhythm, sound, and the confidence to let the unknown in.

Course leader

Curtis Talwst Santiago

Target group

Requirements:
Participation in groups exercises in the morning and afternoon.
What to bring:
Materials you are familiar with in your practice. All tools one needs to feel comfortable in the studio.

Fee info