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NOVEMBER 2022
Bree Chapman
Bree first started enjoying art with her grandma. She spent whole weekends at her house painting, drawing or sewing together. Today, she enjoys oil painting and drawing with graphite and charcoal. She likes oil because it is such a forgiving medium. “Blending colors on the canvas rather than on a palette still seems like some kind of magical alchemy, but with my instructors help, it somehow seems to work out.” When Bree is painting she feels, “really present and undistracted, which feels like a real luxury in our distracted world!”
Painting has taught Bree not to get stuck in ‘the messy middle’….. “There is always a time when things seem ugly and unfixable, but if you keep going, it will usually work out.”
When Bree first looked into The Art Room, it was for her kids. “But, I have been pleasantly surprised to found an art home for myself! I’m so thankful for Linda, the instructors, and all of the students who make this place so special.”
SEPTEMBER 2022
Patti Dechristopher
Patti’s high school art teacher motivated her to experience different art forms. She lived near New York City so she visited many art shows and museums from Greenwich Village to the Museum of Modern Art.
Patti enjoys oil painting right now. She loves the way the painting evolves. “The surprise of the end product is amazing. Never had I imagined that I would be doing this. Life if full of surprises!”
Patti says, “The hours I spend now oil painting are the highlight of my day. I get to remove myself from my everyday responsibilities. This is my enjoyment. My recent paintings have given great joy to me. They have opened many conversations with my family and friends. The person most surprised at the outcome has been me.”
AUGUST 2022
Kim Reynolds
Kim first started enjoying art 5 years ago. She went to a paint party and after she attended a few more she decided to start taking art classes.
Kim enjoys acrylic and learning oil painting. She wants to learn more about drawing…she always thought people were just born artist and now realizes that you can learn how to draw and paint. She feels relaxed when she paints and loves the sense of accomplishment she feels when completing a painting. It is just fun she says! Painting teaches you perseverance and you can always do a ‘do over’. You can change your plan…you can paint over it….
Kim always enjoys gardening and loved using annuals to create beautiful gardens at her home in Michigan. Now, living in Florida, she is learning new plants and new arrangements to create her gardens here. Just like painting a picture, when you know the elements and have the tools your creativity has no limits.
Kim says, “I am glad we found The Art Room. We moved here a little over a hear ago. Since my husband is now retired, we can enjoy classes together. It is just plain fun!”
JULY 2022
Marsha Strong
Marsha just started her Art Journey! She took her first class in August 2021! It’s almost been a year and she has painted some really beautiful watercolors. When asked what her favorite medium is she said, “Watercolor, Watercolor, Watercolor.”
When Marsha is painting, she feels lost in time and space. She feels meditative…..frustrated….and proud…. Marsha quoted FDR when asked what she has learned through her art journey, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” She said, “Driven by fear brings nothing positive into my life. I find so many of us are self-deprecating and wonder why we put ourselves in that position….”
Marsha said, “I am so grateful for ‘finding’ The Art Room and watercolor. It feeds my soul and fills a hole I didn’t even know I had.” “Watercolor mirrors life! There are always surprises, things we can’t control….learning to be flexible and letting things go.”
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!”
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