2025 Magic Realism with Autumn Skye at – Beacon, NY

Don’t miss this upcoming event in Beacon, NY Happening on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at . Doors open at 5:00 PM.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM: 
 
~An exploration of inspiration and technique~
Over five days, students will explore their own unique expression, bringing their vision into form on their canvas.
 

The Generous Queen, acrylic on canvas, 2024, Autumn Skye
 
With balanced emphasis on cultivating creative intuition, as well as developing skilled technique, Autumn Skye offers comprehensive art instruction, numerous technical demonstrations, philosophical anecdotes, and attentive one-on-one support. 
 

Tender of the Wild, acrylic on canvas, 2022, Autumn Skye
 
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Each student will create their own piece, working from a reference and beginning on a blank canvas, dreaming in to form their concept and empowering their faith in their intuition, while anchoring their vision through realism.  
 

Autumn Skye painting —photo by Marnie Recker
 
Autumn Skye will guide students through compositional mapping strategies, blocking in general forms, sculpting volumes, colour theory, glazing techniques, and final finessing of nuanced magic, glow, and details.
 

Soul Portrait Retreat with Autumn Skye at Heartwood Studios
 
Through the playful and profound process of the meditation of painting, students will be invited to see the world and themselves in new ways, while weaving depth and personal symbolism into their painting.
 

Animal Spirits Retreat with Autumn Skye
 
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
 
Autumn Skye
 

 
“Since my earliest memories, I have felt a creative fire in my bones and an unyielding mission to share inspiration with the world. By learning to listen, I have come to trust the mysterious compass of the heart, I am continually humbled and empowered by the potent teachings of the visionary process.”
 
As a self-taught artist, Autumn Skye is forever a student of the creative process. Her style weaves together refined realism, archetypal symbolism, and spiritual principles. She’s inspired by the magnificence of this incredible planet, the potency of these extraordinary times, and the mysteries of the cosmos. 
 

Song of the Makers, acrylic on canvas, 2023, Autumn Skye
 
Autumn Skye exhibits and teaches worldwide, and otherwise thrives and paints in the beautiful temperate-rainforest of coastal British Columbia. Considering herself immensely blessed to do what feeds her soul, she strives to support others through creative empowerment and the perpetuation of inspiration.
 
www.autumnskyeart.com
www.facebook.com/autumnskyearts
www.instagram.com/autumnskyeart/
www.youtube.com/@autumnskyeart
 
CoSM WORKSHOP SETTING:
 

 
Class sessions will take place in the beautiful, newly renovated MAGI Art Lab. 

The Grey House, CoSM’s Visionary Victorian guest house, provides accommodations for all participants. Residing onsite together is encouraged as part of this immersively creative weekend, providing maximum benefit & enrichment. Accommodations in Grey House are offered in a variety of economies, in addition to the workshop fee. 

Participants are welcome to extend their overnight stay at CoSM from the Thursday before to the Friday after the workshop. 
 

 
WORKSHOP AMENITIES

Available for the duration of the 5 day workshop:

Three healthy meals daily provided by CoSM chefs, sensitive to dietary needs (collected at check out)
Coffee, tea and snacks available in the Art Lab between meals 
Access to Grey House common spaces — The Library, The Parlor, The Dining Hall & Gallery Spaces on all three floors
Yoga mats for self guided practice
Accommodations include private rooms and shared dorm rooms—femme only or co-ed options
The Wisdom Trail offers a contemplative walk through the CoSM woods, including a labyrinth, outdoor sculptural installations by visionary artists

Participation also includes Day Admission to CoSM: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 6pm:

Access to Facilities, grounds and self-touring Entheon
Students are welcome to experience Entheon and Grey House Galleries, including both CoSM Shop & Entheon Shop. 
Beverages and light fare will be available for purchase in the Mushroom Cafe, an immersively muraled space with mushroom themed contributions from 19 accomplished visionary artists

 
MATERIALS:

Work in progress, Autumn Skye

Students are asked to bring the following materials:

Personal apron or smock (if desired)
Sketchbook and pencil
Pre-stretched & gessoed canvas or canvas-board of your choice
A basic concept of subject matter *or come open-minded and see what emerges through your intuitive curiosity
Reference photo *a wide selection of references will also be available to explore and choose from
Selection of square and round paint brushes, preferably white nylon (suggested square/flats: 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 3/4”, 1”. Suggested round/points: 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7)
Liquitex “Glazing Medium” 4oz bottle
Masterson’s “Handy Sta-Wet Palette” Comes in three sizes. For traveling ease, I usually work with the smallest “Handy Sta-Wet Palette”.
Spritzer Bottle (I prefer side/hand lever, rather than one-finger pump nozzle as they can get easily clogged and are tiring on your fingers)

ACRYLIC PAINTS:
Suggested brand/type: “Golden Fluid Acrylics” 1-4oz bottle

BASIC PAINT COLOURS (necessary):

Titanium White
Raw Umber (not “burnt umber”)
Raw Sienna
Burnt Sienna or Red Oxide
Paynes Grey 

OTHER SUGGESTED PAINT COLOURS (optional):

Cadmium Red Medium
Transparent Red Iron Oxide
Quinacridone Burnt Orange 
Cadmium Orange Medium
Cadmium or Hansa Yellow Medium
Naples Yellow
Green Gold
Chromium Oxide Green 
Hookers Green or Sap Green
Turquoise Deep or Phthalo Blue
Cerulean Blue 
Prussian Blue or Ultramarine Blue
Dioxazine Purple
Quinacridone Violet
Carbon Black 
…or any colours that are inspiring to you!! 

Square and round brushes —preferred brushes for Autumn’s technique
 
SCHEDULE:
All times are listed in EDT

Saturday, May 31st

12pm: CoSM opens to the public
3pm-5pm: Guests arrive by 5pm and check-in to their rooms.
6pm: Dinner & Orientation are part of the workshop for all participants.
7:30pm: Opening circle in the Grey House Library

Sunday, June 1st through Tuesday, June 3rd

8am – 10am: Self-serve breakfast in the Dining Hall
10am: Studio Session (Lessons & Demos) in the Art Lab
1pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall
3pm: Studio Session (Lessons & Demos) in the Art Lab
6pm: Dinner in the Dining Hall
7:30pm: Open Studio time in the Art Lab (no instruction)

Wednesday, June 4th

8am – 10am: Self-serve Breakfast in the Dining Hall
10am: Final Session
1pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall 
2pm: End of Workshop
4pm: CoSM closes

CoSM and Entheon are open weekly on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 6pm when CoSM Grounds close. Participation includes day passes during open hours to CoSM facilities and grounds for the duration of the workshop.

ITINERARY NOTE: You are welcome to arrive early on Saturday, May 31st—Day 1 of the workshop— as CoSM will be open to the public starting at 12pm. This is a great time to explore Entheon, Grey House Galleries and CoSM grounds before the workshop starts, as the workshop schedule is quite immersive once in session. Please note that CoSM will be closed to the public on the final day of the workshop, and Entheon will not be open.
 

 
TUITION:

Tuition for the 5-day Magical Realism workshop with Autumn Skye includes meals – $800.00.
Accommodations are additional. 
Payment plans available, with all funds due one month before the start of the workshop…
For further information, contact workshop@cosm.org.

Sophia’s Gift, acrylic on panel, 2020, Autumn Skye
 
ACCOMMODATIONS:
 
The Grey House, CoSM’s Visionary Victorian guest house, offers accommodations for all participants. Works of art by Alex Grey, Allyson Grey and accomplished artists of the international Visionary Art community are featured throughout the guest rooms and common spaces of the Grey House.
 

 
Onsite accommodations are a part of the course experience and are available in a variety of economies. Here is the pricing for the four night stay, arriving Saturday May 31st, and departing Wednesday, June 4th, reflective of the 10% workshop discount:

King with ensuite bathroom $990.00
Queen with ensuite bathroom $900.00
Private Queen/shared bath $720.00
Dorm Bed: Queen $603.00 *coed, femmes will be placed together when possible
Dorm bed: Single $486.00 *co-ed & femme-only options available

A $150 commuters fee applies to participants staying off site covering use of CoSM facilities and amenities.

You are welcome to extend your stay from the Thursday before, to the Friday after the workshop.

Workshop accommodations must be booked directly through the workshop department with confirmation of workshop registration, rather than through the booking engine on the website. Email workshop@cosm.org to secure your stay.
 
Questions about tuition or accommodation fees, payment plans, travel, retreat amenities, materials etc.?
Contact Genevieve Wood, Workshop Coordinator: workshop@cosm.org.

Purchase 2025 Magic Realism with Autumn Skye Tickets Below:

Tickets/RSVP Link