Hi, It's Cheryl here. 

Interested in decorative painting? 
This is the place to be.  Here's what I have for you this week:

- How Did YOU Get Started?
- The Kindness of a Friend
- Your Questions Answered
- Quote for This Week

I don’t know about you, but I am SO ready for spring! 

Where I live, there is still a foot of snow down, but the maple sap is running and that means warmer days ahead… and maple syrup too.  Yippee!!

With the changing seasons comes a time of reflection for me.  Where am I?  Where have I been?  Where am I going? 

And that got me thinking about my journey as a painter. 

People often ask me how long I’ve been painting and how I got started.  We all have a story about this.  I’d love to hear yours. 

I’ll share mine… So here goes, “Once upon a time…” 😊

Since I was little, I always liked to doodle and play with my coloring books.  To this day the smell of Crayola crayons transports me back to those innocent, carefree times.

As I grew up, I loved my art classes and I dabbled with drawing, photography, pottery, you name it, I tried it all.  I taught myself how to knit, crochet, sew… anything that allowed me creative freedom was fair game.

At some point in my teen years, I lost confidence in my abilities.  That can happen if you have the wrong teachers in your life and if there is no value placed on art in your home environment. 

It wasn’t until I was nearing my 30s that I rekindled my desire to learn to paint and draw again. 

Back then, Tole painting was all the rage.  Every craft show had booths overflowing with hand painted items.  I remember thinking, “I could learn to do that.” 

I even remember a particular vendor at a flea market.  She ran “The Tole Booth”.  She had a sign that said, “Sure you too could paint this, but will you?”  I guess it sounded like a challenge!  I thought to myself, “Yes, I do believe I will.”

I found a local shop that offered classes for all skill levels.  I signed up for the beginner classes and never looked back.  I remember my first project.  A pair of wooden salt and pepper shakers with simple dot roses and flick leaves.  I was so proud of myself!!

I took all the classes at every level.  The shop owner spotted my talents and my abilities to help fellow students with difficult techniques.  I was offered a teaching position and the rest is history!

Sadly, there are very few tole and decorative painting shops around anymore.  Everything is done online now.  And that raises a question for me.  Maybe you can give me an answer…

How are people learning to do decorative painting if they’ve never painted before?  Are online classes thorough enough to establish the strong foundation skills required to master the art form?

There has been a huge shift in the industry as fewer and fewer people take up the hobby.  But I also see signs of hope that the art form is being revived. 

I’m curious about you.  When did YOU learn to paint?  Did you learn in person or online or both?  I’d love to hear about your painting journey.  Hit reply to this email and share your story with me.  I might even share it in an upcoming newsletter.

One of the amazing benefits of being a creative being in the company of other creative beings is the love of sharing… the love of caring… the love of creating happiness and joy. 

It’s true.  Think about it.  We creatives are a caring lot.  And I am blessed to have caring people in my circle of painting friends.

As some of you may know, on February 1^st, I had to euthanize my 18-year-old cat.  His name was Tattoo.  He was a regular visitor in the studio and many of my students had the privilege of meeting him.  Even as a kitten, he always seemed to me to be an “old soul”.  As someone once said, “He gives cats a good name.”  He was such a sweet boy.

And then he was gone.  We were sad as we always are when we lose a pet.  His memory was lingering here in our house for quite awhile.

So… imagine my surprise when I received a painted portrait of Tattoo from a student who also happens to be a friend.  I made the mistake of opening the package at work because curiosity got the best of me.  Of course, the tears came.

Not only did she capture his likeness but best of all, she captured his essence.  Those eyes!!!  That was my Tattoo.

A huge thank you to Betty-Anne MacDonald for the precious gift.  I will treasure it always.

It used to be when someone asked if I had a tattoo, I could honestly say I did.  I can’t say that anymore.  Rest in peace sweet boy.

-Alfred North Whitehead

That's it for now.