Survey Says.....

I asked and you answered Amherst! Thank you so much for your feedback. 24 of you took the time to answer my survey to help create the first Amherst Art Day. The results are in! Let's take a look!

The group with most replies was ages 7-12 with a total of 12! Way to go amigos! Thanks for all the feedback. Ages 13-17, 3 of you took the time to let me know what you want to create for Art Day. I really appreciate that. This age group really took off during the last few classes. I can't wait to create with you all again! Spread the word to your amigos too. And for all my amigos ages 18+, I heard from 9 of you! Thank you so much. With your feedback and the help of an online survey generator, oh and of course, Shemar, I was able to find out what you want to create for the first Amherst Art Day! Check out my fancy visuals. They took longer than I'd like to admit to create haha.

Let's start with ages 7-12

 Fancy hey? I know. Haha. Ok, so Get Messy With Acrylics won by a landslide. In the comments, "Abstract" won for the 'comments' as well as 'second option'. I will get brain storming on abstract ideas. So I'm thinking why not do things the way we always do! Based off the times you selected Late Morning and Early Afternoon had the most replies of all the options. During my time spent in Amherst, this age group was the most popular, filling up two classes! So I'm going to offer this class twice at the Art Day. Once in late more, the second in early afternoon! Yahoo! To help reunite groups, I'm going to offer the morning class to Monday night amigos, and the afternoon class to the Wednesday night amigos. Don't feel you are limited to this time though, you can attend the opposite if you register in time! Right now, class maximum will be 7. Stay tuned for times, details, and how to register.


Time to talk about my teenage amigos!

I really appreciate that you took the time to fill out the survey to help design the first Art Day with me! This age group really became popular during the last few weeks before I moved. I hope we are able to create together again! Based off your replies there was a tie with three classes. So I'm thinking let's really get our imaginations soaring and a Creative Freestyle class where we combine everything! There is going to be markers, pastels, pencils, paint, pipe cleaners, magazines and more! The creative opportunities are endless and there's an inspirational twist! I'm so excited! Everyone wins this way! Late afternoon and early evening tied so I'm going to go with early afternoon! Right now, class maximum will be 5 (that may change though). Stay tuned for times, details, and how to register.

And last but not least, my "Grown up" Amigos!

Well it's quite clear what's happening here. And I think it's safe to say I got the hint, this class will be an Abstract Acrylic Painting class! Early Afternoon won by a landslide so stay tuned for early evening times, details, and how to register. Right now class maximum will be 5.

I'm looking into buying another table and some chairs to extend class size. Not sure if this will apply to this Art Day, or future days. we'll see.

To make this work as smooth as possible, I am scheduling an hour between classes. I ask that you show up between 10-15 minutes before class. We can spend this time  settling in so we can maximize class time. Each class will be an hour long. That gives me 30 minutes after class to catch up with you all, refuel with snacks/lunch break and set up for the next class. If we can work together Art Day will stay on schedule, and everyone will have a phenomenal creative experience! For anyone joining in for the first time, worry not. I design these classes with every level of experience in mind! So far, I think everyone has enjoyed their time spent creating in the Spidey Cave.

I will be creating events just like the ones you've seen in the past for art classes in the Spidey Cave. These events can be found on my Facebook page right here. Good news is, even if you do not have a Facebook account, this page is set to public so you can still access it. These events will include very important information including:

• Class description
• Costs
• Times
• Location
• FAQ's and more

This will be important to read, as there will be a link to confirm you read and accept the guidelines of a successful art class (that's a more fun way to say accepts the terms of agreement.)

As I mentioned in my survey, and as you will find on my website and Facebook page, to register for Art Days, payment must be made in full at time of registration. This is non-refundable due to the special arrangements, transportation, and other costs involved to make these Art Days possible. I appreciate your understanding and respect for this policy. With only two votes for PayPal, registration at this time will be completed via e-transfer. I am currently waiting for the last important confirmation on a date (my work needs to find someone to cover my shift, or I may have to switch to a Sunday). Hang in there amigos, I'll find out A.S.A.P because...YOU are important to me, and I want to give you plenty of notice so you can schedule Art Days into your weekend.

AHH! I am so excited. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me design and create these classes. I had so much fun seeing what you enjoy the most with these classes. Some of the feedback answers made me smile too:

"thank u sadie! :) keep spreading the love! :)"

"you rock"

Someone requested:

please teach an oils class

Ok, so, here's the thing. I've only experimented with oil paints twice. And the experience wasn't the greatest. Kinda like my watercolour experience, though I did a bit better with watercolour, so I may try to explore those more  one day. Maybe. Anyway, due to my inexperience with oils, I am horrible with them. Also, the products I used when I did experiment with oil paint make me a little bit sick and woozy. So, even if I were to go fearlessly into an experimental class with you, I couldn't do it for that alone. Sorry oil curious amigos! (I even turned down free oil paint the other day! Shockin' I know!)

Well that's all for now. Over the next few days I will be confirming the date, times, and what we will be creating! I'm planning for Saturday June 28th, but again, depends on what happens at work. If I cannot get it covered, I will have to move it to Sunday, June 29th. Hopefully Saturday works out!! Expect to see the events posted by the end of the week!! YAHOO!! See you soon Amherst!!

Ps: Special thanks to Shemar for helping with the survey results last night! He's so...helpful! I think it's safe to say he'll be helping me film the ages 13-17 online art class today! His brother, Demetri will probably make an appearance too.

Big News from the Spidey Cave

If my ship sails from sight, it doesn't mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends.

- Enoch Powell

Life is such a beautiful piece of art that is forever evolving with each layer of experience we encounter, each opportunity we create. It requires patience, flexibility, and passion. Being mindful to look inwards to your true self, as well as outwards to the world for inspiration. 

My journey with visual expression has taken me on the most unexpected paths filled with beauty, love, and growth. With the most unexpected means of inspiration, and the most incredible opportunities. Something I've learned along the way, whether it be in my artistic journey, or journey though life as a whole, is that we must be open to the changes that come along, and trust that life is guiding us in the right direction. Trusting the process. 

A lot of people tell me they'd love to try to a class, but they can't draw a stick man. So I tell them, in my classes, we don't draw stick people. I try to make art approachable for everyone. I want to make it a fun experience. Sometimes challenging, only to show everyone that they are capable of creating, that they can follow through on a task, and complete it with a beautiful result. I want to share the experience of the process. Getting lost in the brushstrokes, feeling the textures of the pastels, hypnotized by line movements of a pencil. Creating time and space to liberate yourself in a creative way. I like to deconstruct the final outcome into approachable steps to make it less intimidating. In this practice, we learn that anything is possible, depending how we view it, feel it, and execute it. So at the end of the class, the person who couldn't draw a stick man, has now created a completed masterpiece. Nothing is more rewarding than the way their eyes light up when they see what they created. When they unleash their potential. (Maybe I should offer a class on how to draw stick people now that I think about it. There are a lot of people who can't draw stick figures, good market to tap into haha)

“Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.” 

-Maya Angelou

I've discovered something over the past few years. This reoccurring trend in my life. This past year I decided to finally start trusting this trend. You see, life has this incredible way of presenting opportunities to me at the right time. Life unfolds the most wonderful experiences when it knows I am ready. I still experience fear and hesitation but I am learning to trust the process more.

Our lives are one incredible adventure.  Mine has led me down very unexpected roads. I'm about to set sail on a new unexpected adventure amigos. Ahh, this is so hard to share with you all. It's a very bittersweet adventure. One I am very much looking forward to, but one that brings much sadness. April will mark the end of art classes in the Spidey Cave here in Amherst. I will be moving to the St. Margaret's Bay area to begin a new, and very exciting chapter in life. I can't express how sad it is to leave behind the most incredible, supportive, wonderful group of creative souls who have shared so many phenomenal colourful adventures with me here in Amherst. It's a very yucky feeling having to change up this awesome routine we have going here. So I put a lot of thought into it and I have come up with some ideas that will help me to continue sharing art with you all, even if I no longer live here.

•  Art classes will be available online - hopefully starting in May. Which means, you can create art in the comfort of your home..and maybe even in your pajamas! That's not too shabby of a deal haha.  

• I will be offering all of my current clients, and anyone who joins in on the art classes between now and the last class in April a FREE online art class. The first online class will be the birdhouse painting that was scheduled for May's acrylics class. 

• For those of you who have purchased a gift certificate for art classes, I will be in touch to arrange alternative options. You may choose to                                                                                 - use that amount towards the class once it is available in video format                                                                                   OR                                                                                            - schedule a private lesson in April to replace the class - still create the same piece.                                                               **Please contact me if you have any questions, or concerns or if you do not  receive and email from me.**

• I may have to do a little rescheduling of classes for April. It would be for the Paint Like A Master Class currently scheduled for April 28 and 29. I would have to move them to the week of the 21, or maybe the 14. I will give plenty of notice though.  

• I am looking into the idea of coming back to Amherst on a weekend say, or during school holidays (ex: Spring Break, or the summer) and renting a space to host a day of art. Lot's of details to figure out with this one so it may take a little bit of time, but I would love to hear feedback on what you think of this idea! Please. These classes are all about you amigos! I will keep you posted on this so stay tuned to my FB page for updates on this.                            **This may also be an option for private parties as well**    

•  If you happen to be traveling my way over the summer holidays check in to see if I'm having any classes that week, or feel free to book a session with me. I'm planning on spreading my love of art to those in the St. Margaret's Bay area, and there will definitely be a Spidey Cave ready for imaginations and lots of creations.

• The 'Liberate Your Inner Artist Card' will still be available to use and includes online classes as well! Your 6th class will always be free. 

Well amigos, I gotta be honest, that was incredibly hard to write. I want you all to know how much you mean to me, and how proud I am of everything you create. How happy I am to see your passion for art.  I know it's another two months away...but I am going to miss every single one of you. I know this is not a good bye, it's a 'See ya now the once!' type of parting. Goodbyes mean it'll be, like, a REALLY long time before you see them again. See ya now the once, isn't that long..depending I spose on how you say it haha. No seriously, it's not as long. I'll be back as often as I can for workshops, and art days, and maybe even parties.

Amherst, you have liberated your inner artist! I want to thank you for allowing me to share my passion with you. Thank you for trusting in the process and seeing the beautiful results of your work. Thank you for your support in making these art classes possible! 

Much love to you all!