JUNE 2022
PJ Reynolds

PJ first started enjoying art as an adult. His wife introduced him to galleries and he began enjoying looking at art. He really enjoys sketching with pencil and painting with oil. He likes oil painting because it is more forgiving. It blends well and is easy to work with….acrylic paint is his least favorite.

When painting PJ feels quiet and frustrated 90% of the time he paints. He is learning to trust the process so his frustration will subside. He says, “Art is teaching me to exercise patience. It is a process and the process is hard to see how you get to the end….I live by rules and painting is a process with lots of ‘fixing’ along the way.”

PJ drove by The Art Room when he was new to the area. He has an Art Studio at home and has recently retired with his wife. When he saw The Art Room sign, he called and they took their first class together. They take multiple classes and workshops now and really enjoy this special time together.

APRIL 2022
Taye Photnetrakhom

Taye’s first memory of drawing was when he was just 6 years old….. he drew on his walls because he couldn’t find the paper.  At 7 years old, he began really enjoying drawing.  Now at 12 years old Taye loves all kinds of drawing.

Anime is one of Taye’s favorites…… he really has fun creating characters and bringing them to life with their backstories.

The life lesson Taye has learned through drawing is, “If you think you draw something ugly, it’s ok……..just draw again and try again and keep trying.”

MARCH 2022
Aylin Arditi

Seven years ago Aylin said she had “Adult Onset Art Syndrome”.  She took a ceramic class, which lead down a beautiful rabbit hole.  She found out that she enjoys painting with oil paint, drawing with charcoal and graphite and hand building in ceramics.  She doesn’t really have a favorite, but she enjoys oil painting because of the richness of colors, it’s translucency and it’s forgiving nature.

When Aylin is creating art she says, “Time stops and flows very fast at the same time.  One goes into a different state of mind as art does not allow you to be “not present”.  You get immediate feedback if you are not immersed and distracted.”

The Life Lessons Aylin has learned are: “Patience! Persistance….and also trusting the process, allowing me to explore by following the flow.  Everything cannot be controlled and that is a good thing which leads to discovery of delightful new outcomes and ventures.”

Aylin says, “I believe everyone is an artist in one way or another, as long as they allow themselves to express and are open to seeing and hearing what the world has to offer.”

FEBRUARY 2022
Sandy Donnan

Art classes were always Sandy’s favorite classes in school.  She says it made up for her sucking at math!  She was thrilled when we opened The Art Room many years ago so she could continue with her passion.

Sandy enjoys oil and acrylic the most.  She likes that The Art Room provides all of the supplies and mess at the studio.  She says, “At home I am a Diva and I love to sketch in bed so pencil and colored pencils taken precedence.  I tried pastels and now have multi colored sheets.”

When Sandy is doing art she says, “I take a trip into my right brain where I can lose track of time and what’s happening in our chaotic world.  It is a place of refuge, a sanctuary, a retreat.”

Life lessons that she has learned, “I get frustrated when I don’t achieve the desired effect so I am learning to persevere and to simply keep developing myself.”  She is learning patience, humility and the importance of nourishing yourself.

The Art Room is a place with special people working there.  “When I first met PJ, I knew she was my kind of free spirit and so talented.  Vera always greets me with a beautiful smile, Alison introduced me to the fun world of collage and I also enjoyed Maria’s Alcohol Inks.  Linda is the most encouraging soul I know!  Live is too short.  We must surround ourselves with artistic, fun people!”