Painting a Masterpiece (in 2 hours?!)

When I was approached by an organization I support to lead a fundraising/painting event based on those franchises springing up all over now (where non-painters leave with a ready-to-hang painting after only 2 hours), I was challenged.  Before I would commit I knew some experience would be helpful.  A cry for help resulted in 15 willing ladies who all agreed to be guinea pigs in my "Masterpiece Painting Experience."  The mission was to take a gathering of non-painters and walk them through the creation of a frame-ready painting they would be proud of.  Game on.

I gathered supplies, made handouts, set up tables, dreamed up an approach and got prepared.  After talking to lots of people who had been to the "paint and wine" or "sip and dip" places I decided that I wanted everyone to paint their own version of the subject matter...no cookie cutter paintings for us!

I am not a real teacher and while I don't mind public speaking I quickly learned that this process meant I was the teacher, the coach, the demonstrator, the cheerleader, the fixer and the hostess!  Yikes, a lot of hats to wear at once: my brain was buzzing...

I could not have asked for a nicer group of guinea pigs...they were enthusiastic, eager learners and willing to leave their comfort zones and give some new things a try.  I know for a fact that the effort was a real stretch for several of them but I also have it on good authority that they had fun.  The evaluation sheets were full of helpful advice and compliments.

My buddy Cheri won't mind if I share some of the steps everyone went through:

 #1 - hmmmm, this is a tad harder than it looks, gee I hope I am getting this right.  Now what was I supposed to do with the large flower???

#2 - who me?  did you say to "pause" or paint faster?  I love these colors.  What do you mean 'no leaves yet'?  Ah, yeah, I think I'm enjoying this.... 

#3 - Woo Hoo! I do like this style of painting, and I did have fun and hey...when can we do this again?











I learned alot during this class, namely that 2 hours is a real short time for anyone to learn anything!  But as I believe that art should be a positive experience for any and all I think we at least accomplished that goal.  Can't wait to try this again.  Will let you know if I need anymore test subjects!

Just a few of the delightful participants!

Smiles and masterpieces +

one exhausted teacher!

ART FULLY yours,

Cindy

Creative Yard Art

Sometimes the funnest things are activities you never really set out to do!  Such was the case when I spontaneously agreed to teach a workshop in making glass flowers from plates.  I had been doing them for local shops and had so many questions that we decided to share the fun via a class.

me playing teacher,

looks like an infomercial, no?

 

My sweet friend Cheri offered her home, information was circulated and voila! we had ourselves a date.  Ten brave students gathered, some confessing that creative sports were not in their wheelhouse.  I guaranteed fun for all.  I get a little enthusiastic in my thrift shop endeavors and forget that not everyone is as familiar with the jewels to be found as I am.  Nevermind, I loaded up on enough to supplement anything that anyone brought in and handed out little bags of adhesive and "fixings." We even set up a "trade" area for extra materials.

 

Marsha and Yvonne listening intently

 

The wonderful thing about this kind of craft is that we can play with all kinds of color combos and shape mixes before ever committing to putting them together.  So play we did!  Lots of ideas were shared, opinions offered and encouragement given.  Whew, once the adhesive was in place it was time to let the art "set" and take a break for lunch.

 

lunch with the ladies is always educational

 

The results were wonderful!  Not a failed project among them...I truely got some renewed inspiration from watching the way these ladies worked...Lots of lucky folks will be getting original yard art for Christmas this year.  I know I'm not finished yet!!

Take a peek here at just some of the lovely pieces created:







So imagine these peeking out of your greenery in the garden...

Hope you can join us next time!