Michael Shemchuk | Shem
September 10th- 17th, 2027FAQSLIVE WORKSHOPS
There is something extraordinary about Sintra
A land of wonder and timeless beauty
There is something extraordinary about Sintra —a place that never quite feels bound by the ordinary rules of time and place.
Tucked into green hills just outside Lisbon, Sintra has drawn artists, dreamers, and wanderers into its spell for generations. Nowhere else feels quite like it: forests wrapped in mist, palaces rising unexpectedly from the treetops, and quiet paths that always seem to lead somewhere unplanned.
Every corner of this landscape carries a story. History and nature blend so seamlessly here that slowing down feels less like a choice and more like an instinct. There's a quiet pull to this place — an energy that doesn't announce itself but works on you all the same, turning the everyday into something that feels touched by magic.
At the heart of this retreat is a transformative workshop with Michael Shemchuk (Shem) — a space to go further into your creative practice, drop into presence, and grow alongside a group of people walking the same path.
But the retreat isn't confined to the workshop room.
Together, we'll wander through Sintra's hidden gardens and storybook palaces, breathe in the salt air off the Atlantic, and let the landscape itself stir up new ways of seeing. Expect slow mornings, shared meals, walks through centuries-old woods, wide-open coastal views, real conversation, and plenty of room to simply be.
This week is an invitation — not just to create, but to unwind, reconnect with yourself, and leave feeling lighter, fuller, and genuinely changed.
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Linear Thinking: Think in series. Create in flow.
Michael Shemchuk | ShemHave you ever wondered what would happen if one painting led naturally to another? In this workshop, you’ll explore how a simple idea can grow into a connected body of work using the Abstraction by Design (AbD) method.
Through layering paint and paper, building surfaces, and revealing unexpected textures and forms, you’ll learn how to create relationships between panels while developing your own abstract language. As the series unfolds, you’ll discover how color, shape, texture, and composition can flow from one panel to the next.
This workshop is designed for artists who want to loosen up, explore new possibilities, and gain confidence creating multiple abstract works that belong together.
MEET THE ARTIST
Michael Shemchuk is a mixed media artist based in Northern California, recognized for his distinctive approach to layered abstraction through his signature Abstraction by Design (AbD) method.
Shemchuk's work has evolved over the last two decades, shaped directly by a close engagement with material and process. From the onset, his focus has been on abstraction and design. Influenced by his earlier faux finish work, his Meridian series, begun in the late nineties, used paint and plaster as primary media. In 2014, Shemchuk became interested in the changes in art-making stemming from shifts in technology. His response was to re-evaluate traditional materials such as paper and paint, thus simplifying his approach to abstraction with the Tags series. In 2017, he was inspired to further his pursuit of abstraction and design by streamlining his materials and employing process as integral to his work. The result is his Surface Tension series, which is based on an organic process involving water, paper, pressure, friction, and time.
For over two decades, Shemchuk has developed AbD into a rigorous process of multilayering paper and paint on wood panels, creating highly textured surfaces through repeated applications, sanding, scraping, saturating, and peeling. This method produces work with archaeological richness - surfaces that reveal their history through marks, emerging layers, and textures that shift with viewing angle and light.
His background as a color consultant to leading Northern California architects and interior designers has informed his sophisticated understanding of how color functions in lived spaces. This knowledge shapes every piece he creates, resulting in work designed for the experience of living with art.
In addition to his art-making, Shemchuk teaches the principles of Abstraction by Design to students and fellow artists via workshops and private mentoring. His experiences as a teaching artist have inspired and deepened his appreciation for creative community and collaboration. His commitment to teaching has built a community of practitioners working within the AbD visual language.
His work can be found in private and corporate collections throughout North America.
Workshop Details
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Your own SINGLE ROOM with an ensuite bathroom where you can be completely at ease. YES! I mean you get your very own bedroom! (DBL room by request)
- 8 days and 7 nights in an old 150 year old house overlooking the magical Sintra forest.
- 3 days of Workshops with Shem
- 7 Breakfasts
- 5 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- 1 Welcome drink
- Airport pick up from the Lisbon airport to the House on September 10th
- Transfer to airport on September 17th
- Collecting found objects and old fotos in our richest flea market Feira da Ladra
- Sightseeing walking tour in Alfama
- Guided tour in Sintra
- Guided tour in historical palace Quinta da Regaleira Sintra
- All transfers during the tour
- Guide service during the tour
- Headphones during guided visits
- Continuous support from an English-speaking coordinator
Have you ever wondered what would happen if one painting led naturally to another? In this workshop, you’ll explore how a simple idea can grow into a connected body of work using the Abstraction by Design (AbD) method.
Marina Grebennikova
Workshop Schedule
Click / Scroll through each tab for detailsFriday — Landing in Sintra
The journey starts the moment you touch down in Lisbon. From there, a transfer carries you out of the city and into Sintra's hills, where everything feels a little older, a little quieter, a little more alive.
You'll settle into your home for the week — a peaceful retreat tucked into greenery. At 17:00, we come together for a Welcome Drink and light bites, a gentle first step into the group and the days ahead.
As evening falls, we share our first meal together — a Welcome Dinner with live Portuguese music playing in the background, the moment when a room full of strangers starts turning into a circle of friends.
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Places Along Our Way
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Michael Shemchuk | Shem
Sintra, Portugal | September 10th- 17th, 2027VIEW PRICES + Payment Details + POLICYCLICK TO VIEW
*This workshop is not refundable*
You may transfer this workshop to another person if you can't attend. If there is a waitlist we will connect you with the next person on the list. Once transferred or sold, your reserved spot will be removed. If we cancel this workshop you will be refunded.
Registration is Open- Click to pay your deposit to reserve your spot.
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Share this Workshop!
What people are saying
Some gathered voices on taking one of Alex's courses or workshops!
Dear Alex For the second time only in my life, I have truly felt HOME in my heart while in a new place away from my own family. There is no Portugal for me without you. With all my love and light.
D Artist
I’m so delighted and inspired by your lessons and techniques. Love this class and the big concept of LOST + FOUND TREASURES. You are a most excellent teacher.
Susan Artist
I have learned so much with this course (and will never look at a rusty item quite the same) A big thank you to you Alex for stretching my imagination and teach me the art of mixed media. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Andrea Artist
I’m not new with Art Journals and know a lot of technics but your course is really an enrichment to me and for my work. New for me is the resin paper and dying with black beans. Your course is awesome. Also the assemblage ideas are so great.Thanks Alex so much for this wonderful and generous course for us.
Petra Artist
My four treasures in honor of my beloved ones. Alex’s workshop opened up a whole new world for me and gave me a chance to deal with my grief. THANK YOU dear Alex. From the bottom of my heart.
Anne Artist
I think your workshop is amazing. Your theme of using memorabilia from our family members is brilliant.
Cecile Artist
This is the first project that had me completely focused on the process. I get to escape. What I love about it is the richness and meaning behind the content.I’m completely absorbed in the organic feel of the materials. LOVE IT! I’ll be looking forward to your next class.
Stephanie Artist
"After participating in Alex's wonderful online classes, I had the pleasure of meeting Alex in person at a retreat she organized in Portugal with a guest teacher artist. We were welcomed by Alex and her partner Marina with open arms to a gorgeous setting. All our needs were taken care of! The group bonded beautifully as we were offered a nice blend of artistic activities, touristic adventures and gastronomic delights. Alex and Marina connect with people quickly and naturally. Participating in their retreat is a treat you do not want to miss!
Darquise Artist
Not only very well organized but a super warm atmosphere thanks to Alex and Marina. Loved the hotel and location in Sintra; loved the food, loved the wine, loved the sightseeing and the bit of spare time that allowed me to explore a bit more on my own. I think the dosage of workshop and sightseeing was just perfect. I was extremely sensitive to Alex and Marina's enthusiasm, energy and generosity.
Nelly Artist
It truly was wonderful! Thank you, Alex, for bringing us all together and sharing your lovely smile and seemingly boundless energy. Thank you, too, for Marina. Her choices and plans made the entire experience even more unique and memorable.
Mary Artist
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for one of my most favorite retreats! You kept surprising us with treats and activities, you lavished on us and you and Marina just made us all feel so special and loved. Thank you doesn't seem like enough. I miss you already!
Joy Artist
When we were in Morocco I felt that you had the incredible ability to make each of us in the group feel special. It’s a rare gift you possess. Thank you for sharing it.
C.Sullivan Artist
Words cannot describe this experience of a lifetime. Alex and Marina were fabulous hosts. Incredibly generous with their time. Lots of laugh, inspiration, sightseeing, food,wine and visit to flea market.
C.Randall Artist
Jane and I made it home to Denver with no problems except missing all of you beautiful ladies. It was great fun to see several old friends and meet even more new ones. The workshop was wonderful - I love, love, love making books with Alex and Robyn. And it was so good to get to see Marina. Kisses to all of you.
Sandy Artist
The retreat in Miami more than met my expectations! GREAT experience and great people. It filled my soul! Learned so much from both Alex and Robyn and I am enjoying putting those lessons into my work in my studio at home. Much love…
Sherry Artist
I learned a tremendous amount of new skills at the workshop and appreciated the generosity of you, Robin and Alex. It was my first time working with Alex and found her to be a wonderful and compassionate teacher - with a great sense of humor! I have followed Robyn on the internet for several years and still I learned several new ways to make art from her. I loved the book structure that she taught,. I look forward to finishing my book with pictures and mementoes of my grandparents so that I can pass it on to my daughter who never knew them. I like to make art that has an impact and I can't begin to tell you how meaningful it will be to share it with my children.
Claire Artist
