Painting in Paradise: Two-Hour Maui Art Class with Laurie Miller

On Maui’s sun-baked west coast in Lahaina, Painting in Paradise with Laurie Miller turns a two-hour class into an immediate creative keepsake. Held at Ambassador's Hale, Laurie—January Artist in Residence with a Fine Art degree from UCLA—teaches oil and soft pastel techniques to newcomers and practiced painters alike. Every session supplies materials and focuses on a single 6x8" painting, so you leave with a finished original rather than a work in progress. The class leans practical: quick demonstrations, guided color-mixing, and compact composition strategies that make a small canvas read like a larger scene. Laurie breaks down value, edge control, and brush or pastel handling into clear steps, then circulates to offer individual feedback. Students often choose subjects inspired by the immediate surroundings—lava rock coastline studies, a close-up of plumeria or hibiscus, or an abstract of ocean light—and finish a vibrant piece that captures the moment. What sets this back-dropped workshop apart is the way instruction meets place. Ambassador's Hale sits within view of the Pacific, where wind-sculpted kiawe and ironwood punctuate volcanic shoreline and the island’s distinct light flattens shadows and saturates color. That combination of geology and light has long attracted artists to Maui; Laurie channels those local cues into exercises that teach while connecting you to the landscape. Sessions include all paints, pastels, boards, and brushes, so you only need to arrive curious. Class sizes are intentionally small to keep the pace personal, making the experience excellent for couples, solo travelers, and families with older kids. If you visit in winter months, whale spouts and distant breaches sometimes punctuate the horizon, offering live reference material that’s hard to beat. Finished 6x8" works dry quickly at this scale and are easy to pack or mail home as handmade souvenirs. Practical details are straightforward: the workshop runs about two hours, materials are included, and no prior experience is required. Plan to arrive a few minutes early to settle at Ambassador's Hale and choose oils or pastels; bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light layer for trade winds. Whether you want a gentle introduction to painting, a focused session with an experienced teacher, or a creative way to remember Lahaina, Painting in Paradise with Laurie Miller delivers a compact, skill-building slice of Maui that’s both social and surprisingly transportable. Many guests slot this workshop into an afternoon between snorkeling, beach time, or a coastal hike; the relaxed format makes it an ideal complement to outdoor days. Laurie’s instruction leaves students with techniques they can expand on later—small studies often become larger paintings at home. The session also makes a thoughtful gift or celebration activity for birthdays and anniversaries. For exact times and Artist in Residence dates, use the booking referral link.