A Passion for Art

I’ve recently started teaching after school drawing classes for Young Rembrandts. I teach a weekly class at 3 different schools and at the beginning of each class the kids get excited about the new drawing. “That’s a cool drawing!” “Will I be able to draw that?” The good thing about teaching an art class – outside of the school art class- is that the kids really want to be there. They have an interest in art and they try hard. Some follow the lesson to a tee. Others have their own idea of what the picture should look like. They learn the principles that are being taught and reinforced in subsequent classes and apply them to later art projects. They see that they really can draw. They see themselves improving and trying new things. My little artists are so excited to show Mom and Dad what they have done! It makes me wonder…

I’ve been tossing around the idea of teaching painting lessons to older children for a while now. Knowing me, I’ll probably toss it around a while longer. Maybe I’ll start giving lessons to my own girls first to see how things go. But really, the thought of getting the next generation involved in art, in painting is exciting. I sure wish I had someone to teach and encourage my art when I was young. I took art in high school but it took about 10 years for me to pick up a brush again and follow my heart. Since I have that passion for painting, I feel the need to pass it on, to help others find that passion.

In such a technology driven world, we sometimes overlook the beauty in life. I love nature and the outdoors. I love flowers in bloom and jagged rocks. I love sunlight on the water and the deep orange of a sunset. I love color and shadows and light. I guess that’s why I love to paint. There’s just something about getting those colors from the paint tube onto a canvas or wall and manipulating them to make the picture in you mind.

So, if you have a child who is into art encourage her. Enroll him in a class. Do art projects together. And if you’re the one with that hidden passion, let it out! It’s never to late to start.

The Superstitions – getting there

I’ve gotten just a little bit further but at least now I see where I’m going with it. A couple more painting sessions should do it. Here’s where I’m at…

Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction, AZ

Going Green – Eco-friendly Paint

I made the choice recently to switch to environmentally friendly paints. Often I basecoat an accent wall for a faux finish or mural but sometimes I need to paint the whole room. I had noticed that at the end of my day painting, even with plenty of circulation – which isn’t always easy here in Arizona in the summer, I would go home with a headache. So, the last time I was asked to paint a whole room I decided to use eco-friendly paints.

For this particular job, I especially wanted to be safe because it was a nursery and the bundle of joy would be coming home to his new room in a month or so. I had been doing research on paint prior to this job and new it was the direction I wanted to go in. Regular latex paints, although definately less toxic than alkyd (oil-based) paints, have volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) that continue to off-gas (emit chemicals into the air) for years after the paint job is done.

I used Harmony (no VOC’s) by Sherwin Williams for the basecoat and Duration Home (low VOC’s) also by Sherwin Williams mixed with my glaze for the finish on top. Not all colors can be mixed with no VOC paint so that is why I chose Duration Home for my second color. What a difference it made for both me and the homeowners who said they almost forgot I was painting because they couldn’t smell anything. I could smell it just a little but I didn’t get that headache by the end of the day! It costs about $10 -$15 more per gallon than regular latex paint but well worth the extra cost.

Eco-friendly paints have no or low VOC’s and very little odor. They are much safer for us and our environment. They come in flat, eggshell, or semi-gloss sheens and are very durable. Most, if not all, of the major paint companies now carry no and low VOC paints as well as Home Depot and Lowes.

So the next time you have a paint project, think of the environment and your family’s health and go GREEN! You’ll be glad you did!

Here’s an additional article :

Arizona’s summer is a perfect time to go green with low odor eco-friendly paint

Decorative Painting in Kids Rooms

Kids of all ages can have their room customized to fit their style and personality. These rooms don’t have to break the budget either. Young children can have lively and fun characters, borders, their name, bold patterns or soft murals. Older children and teens can choose such themes as a castle, Paris, music, or skateboards. The best idea for style longevity is to steer clear of specific characters and fads. If, however, you plan on repainting in a few years anyway then go with whatever makes your child happy.

Bedding is often a great jumping off point in designing a room. Both patterns and colors can be pulled from the fabric and repeated on walls and even furniture. As you can see in this room, the colors match the bedding and the oversized flowers in the border add punch without overpowering the room. The name above the bed adds that personal touch while tying into the rest of the room.

Options for painting a room include mural accents and names – small areas with big impact:

A full mural confined to one area:

Other kids room ideas: A full mural that covers one wall or the entire room, stripes, words or phrases, shapes, painted furniture, painted accessories or even ceiling fans. The possibilities are endless!

Back to the Superstitions

OK, here’s where I’m at. I painted just a little more and sketched in a path, bushes, and saguaros to give me a feel for the foreground. I’m not sure it’ll stay exactly like that but I needed a starting point.

Superstitions WIP