this 3-day immersive workshop takes place
friday, may 29th from 4:00pm - 7:00pm
saturday, may 30th from 10:00am - 4:00pm
and sunday, may 31st from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Immerse yourself in a transformative weekend of watercolor, creative exploration, and personal artistic growth at the St. Tammany Art Association led by artist and art eductaor Rachael Lagarde Walker. This three‑day intensive blends hands‑on technique with reflective practice, guiding you to deepen your skills while reconnecting with the artist within.
Across the weekend, participants will explore watercolor through layered washes, expressive mark‑making, field‑sketching walks, and guided studio sessions designed to help you develop and refine your personal style. Alongside the technical work, we’ll engage in conversations about the artist’s life—creative courage, sustaining inspiration, navigating blocks, and cultivating a meaningful studio practice.
Each day includes working lunch sessions where we gather to discuss artist life stories, share reflections, and build community. (Lunch is not provided; participants may bring their own or purchase nearby.) Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day to keep you energized.
On Sunday evening, we’ll close with an optional group dinner for those who want to continue the conversation beyond the studio.
Whether you’re seeking to expand your watercolor technique, reconnect with your creative identity, or simply spend a weekend immersed in art and conversation, this workshop offers a rich, restorative space to grow.
Expect a weekend that is both skill‑building and soul‑nourishing:
• Watercolor demonstrations and guided exercises
• Personal style development and creative voice exploration
• Walking field trips for sketching, observation, and inspiration
• Reflective discussions on the artist’s journey
• Supportive group critiques and idea‑sharing
• A welcoming, community‑centered environment
Friday, May 29 — Opening Session (4–7 PM)
Welcome & Studio Settling
Check in, set up your workspace, enjoy light snacks, and ease into the weekend.
Guided Watercolor Warm‑Ups
Loose washes, intuitive mark‑making, and exercises to reconnect with your creative instincts.
“Meeting Your Inner Artist” Session
Reflective prompts, gentle discussion, and sketchbook exploration to set intentions for the weekend.
Personal Style Foundations
Mini‑lesson on developing visual voice; guided practice with color palettes, motifs, and marks.
Saturday, May 30 — Exploration & Fieldwork (10 AM–4 PM)
Morning Demo & Technique Focus
Layering, transparency, and expressive brushwork.
Studio Work Session
Hands‑on watercolor practice with individual guidance.
Working Lunch at Cured: Artist Life Stories
Bring or buy your lunch. Group conversation on creative resilience, inspiration cycles, and sustaining a practice.
Walking Field Trip/Studio Gallery Visit
Local sketching walk to gather textures, colors, and observations for afternoon work.
Translating Field Sketches into Paintings
Back in the studio, develop studies and explore personal interpretation.
Sunday, May 31 — Integration & Closing (10 AM–4 PM)
Morning Reflection & Gentle Warm‑Ups
Re‑enter the creative space with intention‑setting and loose watercolor exercises.
Personal Style Deep Dive
Guided prompts, experimentation, and one‑on‑one feedback to help clarify your artistic voice.
Working Lunch at Matina Bella: Creative Identity & Next Steps
Discussion on building a sustainable studio rhythm, navigating blocks, and honoring your inner artist.
Final Project Work Time
Create a piece (or series) that synthesizes the weekend’s techniques, reflections, and discoveries.
Group Sharing Circle
Supportive critique, celebration of growth, and closing reflections.
Sunday Evening — Optional Group Dinner at Tavi (After 4 PM)
A relaxed, optional dinner together to close the weekend, share insights, and celebrate the creative community formed over the three days.
Minimum Age: 17
Students are responsible for most supplies
Snacks and drinks will be provided, but students are responsible for their own meals.
Class Fees: Member $225, Non-Member $250
Class Location: The Art House at 320 N. Columbia Street in Downtown Covington
Have questions? Email maggy@sttammany.art
about rachael
Rachael Lagarde Walker is a surrealist artist and art educator based in Covington. Her love for art began in childhood, nurtured by creative parents and inspiring teachers, and has remained the driving force behind her academic and professional journey. Rachael has been creating art for as long as she can remember. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Louisiana State University and most recently completed her Master’s in Studio Arts for Art Educators at Columbia University in New York City.
With over fifteen years of experience as both an educator and professional artist, Rachael teaches junior high students in the St. Tammany Public School System, guiding young artists to discover and express their unique voices. She also leads adult art classes from her art studio in Covington, fostering creativity and confidence across generations.
Rachael’s artistic style blends classical technique with surrealist imagery, resulting in work that is both unexpected and deeply evocative. Her art is rooted in personal experience—growing up with three sisters, surviving cancer, and navigating the transformative journey of motherhood. Themes of resilience, growth, and inner strength are central to her work, which celebrates the beauty and complexity of the human spirit.
Through her unique perspective and unwavering dedication to both art and education, Rachael continues to make a lasting impact on her community and beyond.-
These days, Rachael finds great joy in painting for herself and teaching others creative skills she has picked up on her artistic journey. Her goal is to protect her peace and maintain the joy that painting for herself brings.
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” —Saint Francis de Sales