Testimonials
"The acrylics 1 and 2 classes were great. Shawna is an exceptional artist and teacher, which is hard to do! After the classes, starting right at basics, I now see colours in a different way. Learning how colours interact and the value (BIGGEST LESSON) have added so much to myself as an amateur painter. Im very happy with my paintings from the class, and it was wonderful, as everyone came out with realistic paintings. I highly recommend the classes to anyone, regardless of age and talent."
-Susan Baines, Acrylic 1 & 2
"After too many decades of not picking up a paintbrush or a pencil for an artistic purpose, taking Shawna’s drawing and acrylics courses has been an inspiring and transformative experience for me. Shawna’s courses are superbly organized, with just the right combination of structure, hands-on work and fun. She demonstrates technique, provides explanations and notes, and above all warm encouragement as the students forge ahead with their individual pieces. She generously shares her knowledge and resources. Taking her courses has been a “breakthrough” for me, a discovery process that has opened up new insights, interests and enthusiasm to continue drawing and painting!"
- Marsha Argue, Drawing 1 & 2, Acrylic 1 & 2, Open Studio classes
"Before the watercolour class I took with Shawna, I had never taken a painting class before. I am hooked! Each class was informative, organized, and really fun! We learned about shading, how to build colour, and in the end created a beautiful piece, in just 4 weeks. I left with a painting I am going to put up in my bedroom. I am looking forward to Watercolour 2 and know that my skills will just continue to improve! I tell all my friends how well thought out the sessions were, and it shows in the paintings I continue to create."
- Caihla MacCuish, Watercolour 1
"Before taking Drawing 1, stick figures were a creative stretch for me. Through Shawna’s patient methodical approach I was able to build my skills and more importantly my confidence. All the practises and challenges build on each other; so by the end I had a range of tips and techniques to draw from. I would highly recommend this class to anyone, especially those who don’t think they can draw. If Shawna can teach me how to be confident while drawing, she can teach anyone."
- Morgan Gebauer, Drawing 1
"If you are serious about watercolour, you will LOVE Shawna's beginner course. She provides excellent instruction on the really important things you need to know to get started as a watercolourist - allowing you to start off with a really solid foundation. And, she has amazing, full-colour handouts to guide you step by step! I loved the final full-day workshop - it was a great opportunity to play with all of the skills we learned during the first few sessions. And Shawna makes great soup too!"
- Simone Goudreau, Watercolour 1
"Shawna’s Watercolour 1 workshop was a wonderful mix of instruction, discovery, aha moments, inspiration, and fun! Discovery and practice were key in the course design, very well structured to provide us with both. Through short demonstrations and through hands-on, paintbrush-loaded exploration, we began our journey towards understanding the workings of watercolour paint and its application. The timetable was perfect –meeting once a week for two hours and working on guided activities that we could continue and practice in the week between classes was an effective way to build and practice new skills. All the parts magically came together in our last class, a full day on Saturday—just as a watercolour painting can! Behind the magic, though, was careful planning to give us the tools to apply in a small painting of a tulip –a lovely project to take away with us. That, and the desire to keep painting –the best testimonial of all. Talk about a “thirsty brush”! Mine has been awakened and can’t resist the pools of colour that await it! Thank you, Shawna."
- Susan Beaumont, Watercolour 1
"I truly enjoyed taking your workshops, in fact I have now taken your Acrylic 1 class twice and was super happy that you personalized it for me at each level. Your teaching is inspiring and has changed my artistic life. Coming from just drawing, you have opened my eyes to the world of colour and how exciting that can be! You have the ability to articulate and demonstrate and then all the pieces come together like magic. Thank you for your generous support and encouragement in your classes and even after the workshops were over. I look forward to taking many more classes with you as I a work on developing my skills."
- Pamela Strand, Acrylic 1 & 2
"In early 2016, I took the Watercolour 1 course from Shawna. In my view, it was one of the best art courses I have ever taken. Shawna has a real gift for teaching. She is well-organized and thoroughly prepared for each lesson. She offers a good balance between theory and practice. Importantly, she demonstrates key teaching points and answers technical questions posed by her students with knowledge and grace. As a student, you can expect to walk away from the course with increased artistic knowledge and confidence as well as a reference binder of useful resources. She is generous with her materials, ideas, experience and talent. Shawna loves art and her enthusiasm is invigorating. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and would recommend it to beginning and intermediate watercolourists. Thank you, Shawna, for such a great experience. I look forward to taking another class from you."
- Lesley Allen, Watercolour 1
"Completely worthwhile workshop. It was thoughtful, informative, and fun. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their knowledge of acrylic painting."
-- Constantina Tsetsos, Acrylic 1
“I took a drawing class with Shawna this last winter and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She quickly introduced us to the basic tools and techniques of drawing and she had us all drawing in short order. Shawna’s open and supportive teaching style, her demonstrations and her suggestions created a very comfortable learning environment for me. I was surprised at what I was able to draw, and more importantly, I now feel more confident in knowing how to get started on a drawing than I was before I took her class. I want to continue to grow as an artist.”
-- Caroline Dennill, Drawing 1
"I took Shawna’s Beginner Water Colour painting course this winter. It was my first art class in probably 50 years! Needed to spend some right brain time. Shawna made me feel welcome and patiently answered all my very basic questions. I had no idea how much was involved. We learned about mixing paint and colours, shading, perspective… Shawna also inspired us with her skill and beautiful paintings – it showed us what was possible. A great way to get started. Thank you Shawna."
-- Nancy Magrum, Watercolour 1
"Thanks Shawna for sharing your painting skills with me. You did a great job at teaching these skills during the workshops. Your lessons were well planned and you were able to demonstrate the different painting techniques to us. You also gave us the opportunity to apply these techniques. Your enthusiasm was a real inspiration. You made me feel like a very competent artist and I am happily using the new knowledge in my paintings."
-- Adri Henning, Acrylic 1 & Acrylic 2
"I really enjoyed taking Shawna's intro to drawing class. I hadn't been in an art class since grade 9 art with Mrs Tonge in high school, so to say my skills needed honing was an understatement. Shawna showed us several different (EASY!) ways to get our ideas on paper using different tools. Her instruction was brief enough that we weren't getting bored, she let us giggle and chatter about our progress as we went along and offered a tonne of encouragement and tips. A great course taught by a warm heart. Well worth the investment."
-- Cailey Kirkham, Drawing 1
-Susan Baines, Acrylic 1 & 2
"After too many decades of not picking up a paintbrush or a pencil for an artistic purpose, taking Shawna’s drawing and acrylics courses has been an inspiring and transformative experience for me. Shawna’s courses are superbly organized, with just the right combination of structure, hands-on work and fun. She demonstrates technique, provides explanations and notes, and above all warm encouragement as the students forge ahead with their individual pieces. She generously shares her knowledge and resources. Taking her courses has been a “breakthrough” for me, a discovery process that has opened up new insights, interests and enthusiasm to continue drawing and painting!"
- Marsha Argue, Drawing 1 & 2, Acrylic 1 & 2, Open Studio classes
"Before the watercolour class I took with Shawna, I had never taken a painting class before. I am hooked! Each class was informative, organized, and really fun! We learned about shading, how to build colour, and in the end created a beautiful piece, in just 4 weeks. I left with a painting I am going to put up in my bedroom. I am looking forward to Watercolour 2 and know that my skills will just continue to improve! I tell all my friends how well thought out the sessions were, and it shows in the paintings I continue to create."
- Caihla MacCuish, Watercolour 1
"Before taking Drawing 1, stick figures were a creative stretch for me. Through Shawna’s patient methodical approach I was able to build my skills and more importantly my confidence. All the practises and challenges build on each other; so by the end I had a range of tips and techniques to draw from. I would highly recommend this class to anyone, especially those who don’t think they can draw. If Shawna can teach me how to be confident while drawing, she can teach anyone."
- Morgan Gebauer, Drawing 1
"If you are serious about watercolour, you will LOVE Shawna's beginner course. She provides excellent instruction on the really important things you need to know to get started as a watercolourist - allowing you to start off with a really solid foundation. And, she has amazing, full-colour handouts to guide you step by step! I loved the final full-day workshop - it was a great opportunity to play with all of the skills we learned during the first few sessions. And Shawna makes great soup too!"
- Simone Goudreau, Watercolour 1
"Shawna’s Watercolour 1 workshop was a wonderful mix of instruction, discovery, aha moments, inspiration, and fun! Discovery and practice were key in the course design, very well structured to provide us with both. Through short demonstrations and through hands-on, paintbrush-loaded exploration, we began our journey towards understanding the workings of watercolour paint and its application. The timetable was perfect –meeting once a week for two hours and working on guided activities that we could continue and practice in the week between classes was an effective way to build and practice new skills. All the parts magically came together in our last class, a full day on Saturday—just as a watercolour painting can! Behind the magic, though, was careful planning to give us the tools to apply in a small painting of a tulip –a lovely project to take away with us. That, and the desire to keep painting –the best testimonial of all. Talk about a “thirsty brush”! Mine has been awakened and can’t resist the pools of colour that await it! Thank you, Shawna."
- Susan Beaumont, Watercolour 1
"I truly enjoyed taking your workshops, in fact I have now taken your Acrylic 1 class twice and was super happy that you personalized it for me at each level. Your teaching is inspiring and has changed my artistic life. Coming from just drawing, you have opened my eyes to the world of colour and how exciting that can be! You have the ability to articulate and demonstrate and then all the pieces come together like magic. Thank you for your generous support and encouragement in your classes and even after the workshops were over. I look forward to taking many more classes with you as I a work on developing my skills."
- Pamela Strand, Acrylic 1 & 2
"In early 2016, I took the Watercolour 1 course from Shawna. In my view, it was one of the best art courses I have ever taken. Shawna has a real gift for teaching. She is well-organized and thoroughly prepared for each lesson. She offers a good balance between theory and practice. Importantly, she demonstrates key teaching points and answers technical questions posed by her students with knowledge and grace. As a student, you can expect to walk away from the course with increased artistic knowledge and confidence as well as a reference binder of useful resources. She is generous with her materials, ideas, experience and talent. Shawna loves art and her enthusiasm is invigorating. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and would recommend it to beginning and intermediate watercolourists. Thank you, Shawna, for such a great experience. I look forward to taking another class from you."
- Lesley Allen, Watercolour 1
"Completely worthwhile workshop. It was thoughtful, informative, and fun. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their knowledge of acrylic painting."
-- Constantina Tsetsos, Acrylic 1
“I took a drawing class with Shawna this last winter and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She quickly introduced us to the basic tools and techniques of drawing and she had us all drawing in short order. Shawna’s open and supportive teaching style, her demonstrations and her suggestions created a very comfortable learning environment for me. I was surprised at what I was able to draw, and more importantly, I now feel more confident in knowing how to get started on a drawing than I was before I took her class. I want to continue to grow as an artist.”
-- Caroline Dennill, Drawing 1
"I took Shawna’s Beginner Water Colour painting course this winter. It was my first art class in probably 50 years! Needed to spend some right brain time. Shawna made me feel welcome and patiently answered all my very basic questions. I had no idea how much was involved. We learned about mixing paint and colours, shading, perspective… Shawna also inspired us with her skill and beautiful paintings – it showed us what was possible. A great way to get started. Thank you Shawna."
-- Nancy Magrum, Watercolour 1
"Thanks Shawna for sharing your painting skills with me. You did a great job at teaching these skills during the workshops. Your lessons were well planned and you were able to demonstrate the different painting techniques to us. You also gave us the opportunity to apply these techniques. Your enthusiasm was a real inspiration. You made me feel like a very competent artist and I am happily using the new knowledge in my paintings."
-- Adri Henning, Acrylic 1 & Acrylic 2
"I really enjoyed taking Shawna's intro to drawing class. I hadn't been in an art class since grade 9 art with Mrs Tonge in high school, so to say my skills needed honing was an understatement. Shawna showed us several different (EASY!) ways to get our ideas on paper using different tools. Her instruction was brief enough that we weren't getting bored, she let us giggle and chatter about our progress as we went along and offered a tonne of encouragement and tips. A great course taught by a warm heart. Well worth the investment."
-- Cailey Kirkham, Drawing 1