In Sept 2022 I began teaching one on one art classes to an 8 yr old boy. His Mom said " I know you are open minded and I want him to learn from as many open minded people as possible" .
I had just finished the Painted A to Z book . Those letters are hung across a wall of what were dance mirrors. They are the class curriculum. Underneath the letters are thoughts and questions from the book. Under those are my students drawings and paintings. Underneath his pictures are his stories. After he has finished the drawing or painting alphabet letter picture assignment then draws or paints what he likes for the rest of class. His picture ideas are wonderful.
Today I am painting portraits , astrology story paintings and painting the books . I began painting animals 3 1/2 years ago because our younger son asked me to paint a turtle for his son's crib and one thing lead to another. The animals became my first A to Z book which were painted on paper . . It took me a year to paint all the animals and to make them into a book.
Book two Painted A to Z are letters and pictures which were originally painted on felt . The felt letters and pictures were too large for little hands and the book was very thick. I copied the paintings that were on felt and made a hard cover paper book for youngsters hands. I added questions, stories and art projects onto each page. I would have loved to have such a book to read to our three kids while they were growing up.
The third A to Z book I painted is on canvas fabric. It is just finished came out and I'm working on the forth book next.
My parents, both artists ( Dad, a boatbuilder, designer, boatyard owner, sailor. Mom, a weaver, cabin designer, builder, political activist ) never told me not to paint on my bedroom walls. I began painting on my childhood walls and kept painting everywhere, on everything, wherever I lived.
My Dad asked me once when I was quite young “If you could draw, paint or build anything, any shape, size, color, of any material, what would it look like?". That question made me never afraid to try just about anything and to think that if you could imagine anything it could happen. Whenever I told my Mom an idea she always said “Really? Good ! Go for it“. She never said “Don’t “. Both of their philosophies of life had a big impact on my views of life and some of their stories are in my books.
My favorite quote is “You never know, anything is possible, dream ,try hard, nevergive up, leave no stone un turned “.
Mark and I have 6 grandchildren. Bibah is the name our first grandson Bo called me. It stuck.
My life long career before I began painting was dance from age 4. Ballet, Modern
Dance and Middle Eastern Dance . I ran a Dance theatre company and 3 different Dancing Spirit Studios for all ages ,for many years. ,I produced Middle Eastern Dance shows throughout New England while performing in Hawaii, Mexico, Turkey, NYC and Bali.
Before I stopped teaching and performing I taught a class for adults with extreme special needs. One of the things I had them do was draw to music. That was beautiful. I think everyone should paint to music by themselves or with family and friends.
When I stopped dancing my studio became The Goat Cottage Art airbnb with our then six goats. I wasn't painting but I started a guest art gallery of guests pictures ,painted or drawn that I framed and hung. The walls became a living art gallery story. I encouraged many people to paint who said and thought they couldn't .Many guests amazed me and amazed themselves .
I love to amaze people by inspiring them to do or think things they never thought they could and I love to be amazed by seeing them be amazed at themselves.
When my young student' s A to Z art work is complete I will be having an opening . If you would like to see the unique and colorful display of his pictures or would like to know about art classes email Barb@thegoatcottage.com. ox https://www.cofvinoarte.com
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