Did you know most kids stop making art around the age of 11 or 12? At this point in cognitive development, kids begin to want their art to look real and if they can’t accomplish this feat they give up on art altogether. Many adults have affirmed this to be the story of when they stopped making art. I tend to agree, if art had to be realistic, I wouldn’t enjoy it much either. But that's the thing…it doesn’t have to be like anything! That’s why I love abstract art, it allow

I’m sitting in a roomful of people who are silent, totally absorbed in what they are doing, soft music playing in the background and a sense of community and belonging. This is one of my favorite things as an introvert, enjoying the company of others while totally engaged in what I am doing. Now, we’re not silent all the time. We talk, we laugh and engage. The difference is, that’s not the focus of our gathering. We gather to paint, our focus is on creative expression and

I know I’m not alone here when I say that my intentions to make art greatly outweigh my actual art making endeavors. I’m not alone because I know the truth about creativity as I’ve seen it play out the same for every person I’ve known: creativity is a discipline just like going to the gym or going to work. Sometimes you don’t want to do it and sometimes you have to make yourself do it. “You can’t force creativity!” Yes, yes, we like to believe creativity is this fleeting

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#1 It’s easy for them (and hard for me) The assumption that painting is easy for some and hard for others can keep you from pursuing an interest in art. We have this belief (maybe from watching Bob Ross) that some people can paint effortlessly and this translates to “if it’s hard for me, I must not be meant to do it.” As if there are some chosen few people who are meant to be artists. Truth: Painting is challenging! Painters don’t love painting because it’s easy. Serious

How do I get more “me time”? It’s always on my list and I never seem to get to it! I know I need it but how do I actually make it happen? Many people who take painting classes at MBodied say that it’s their “me time”. Whether they planned it that way or not, 2 1/2 hours of painting and listening to music inevitably becomes a much-looked-forward-to me time. Art is naturally centering and self-reflective. You sit down to paint and intrinsically start a dialogue with yoursel

Many people who take my acrylic painting class say “it is very therapeutic.” What can be therapeutic about a painting class? First: painting and making art is present-centered. That is the goal when you meditate or do yoga; to be in the moment and truly present. Well, art does that naturally. You just can’t dissociate or be somewhere else when you are painting. It begs you to co-create with it. "What color should this be? Where do you want this to go?" It’s an engagi