About me – I always called myself a late in life artist. I loved to doodle and draw when I was younger but never pursued it. The first time I really picked up a paint brush was 8 years ago when I was invited to a ladies group at my friend’s church. Each month Irene would go to the ladies group at her church and teach an art class. She invited me along and I really enjoyed all the different art projects that we did. I enjoyed it so much that I started to take some on-line art classes and just kept painting. I found that I really enjoy mixed media art, but I also enjoy teaching art to others.
Why did Art on the Alley start – Art on the Alley grew out a desire to share art with others. I chose children because I loved working with them. I also love teaching and so I decided to join the two together. It also was a way to make a little extra income and keep in touch with the kids who had outgrown my daycare!
How did Art on the Alley start – After I had joined in the art class at the ladies group, and started to take some lessons, I started talk to the parents of my daycare kids and let them know that I was thinking about offering some classes.
The parents were excited and so I put a flyer on Facebook with the information about the class. The response from the students and their parents was very favorable so I kept offering classes. Then the students started inviting their friends as well. That was just over 4 years ago.
History of our classes – When I started Art on the Alley classes, there was really no set pattern as to what painting we would do. I found something that I wanted to share with the students and we painted it.
Eventually though I started to line up the months with the seasons and do a painting that corresponded with it.
January was typically a winter scene with snow & cold and maybe snowmen
February was about Love/Valentines
March/April became my Spring paintings
May was about flowers/birds
June was summer/beach/
July was July 4 or summer
August was hot summer/end of summer/beach
September/October were typically fall with trees changing colors
November was designated Thankful month/Thanksgiving
December usually about winter/and some Christmas
I changed it now and then to keep the students interested to come each time. Sometimes I would ask them what they wanted to paint and that worked out well also.