Decorative Artists in Canada

General Manager Membership Manager Class Registration Manager

I became interested in painting after seeing Donna Dewberry on The Shopping Channel. After a trip to Wal-Mart to purchase some paint, brushes and book I sat down and started reading. When I didn't know what the 'chisel edge' of a brush was, I knew I needed help. For months I searched for someone in my area to teach me. I finally found a teacher in a local craft shop and immediately signed up, myself and my girlfriend. Of course it was the famous Onestroke Rose, and that surface still sits downstairs amongst my stash of treasures. Later on this teacher started doing Onestroke seminars at a local church every Saturday. All we did was paint on wax paper learning all the different strokes and what you could do with them. It was the best learning experience for me.

After searching out the internet and seeing how much more realistic painting could look if I learned how to 'float' colour, I was off on another mission. I came across Carol Cook who lived just 2 blocks from my house and had a studio above her garage. I loved Carol's style of painting and she taught me how to 'look' at a picture to see the detail. Now if you have ever painted one of Carol's pieces you know how truly 'Devoted to Details' she is.

Once Carol decided Canada was just to cold for her I was on my own for learning. I am thankful for DAIC everyday as it has been a huge source of learning for me. Being able to participate in online classes gave me opportunities for learning from Tracy Moreau, Heather Redick, Moe Shier and Cheryl Lafferty. Getting to know members within the DAIC family encouraged me to take classes at Coast to Coast in 2009 and subsequently I studied with Terrie Greencorn, Brenda Levert, Shelly Prior and MaryEllen Lockyer. I also was able to meet many of our DAIC members while at convention. My painting has opened many doors for me and it has quickly become a self-fullfilling experience!

Wee Geordie
36"x36" - Jo Sonya Acrylic Gouache on Artists Sign Board

Janice discovered decorative painting while owning a small Art and Craft Supply Store in Lancaster, Ontario in the early 1970's. Suppliers would send flyers advertising their wares and she happened to notice a 'blurb' on the subject. Being as her experience with painting had only been on the walls of her house, Janice decided to see what this new 'craft' had to offer. There was only one book that she could find on the subject - "Tole and Decorative Painting" by B. Kay Fraser and while it gave black and white designs, outside of very general instructions and a few coloured pictures, you were on your own.

In those days the only brushes to be had were long-handled artist brushes usually of pig hair and oil paints in limited colours. Many hours were spent studying this book and breaking off the brush handles then taping them so they would not travel up the nose doing this close work!! Ouch! Janice's first attempts (which she has kept) were just atrocious but Janice persevered. Once Janice had mastered a few simple designs and showed them to friends and family, they offered to purchase these "burnt offerings". Janice was just amazed that anyone would want them but apparently, she learned she had a talent for painting!!

Finally in the late 1970's, Janice discovered a book by Priscilla Hauser and the whole world opened up to her. Janice invested in sable brushes and really began to study how to paint a daisy and an apple. Janice saved her money and in 1980 went to Tulsa, OK to study with Priscilla and became one of her teachers. Upon Janice's return to Canada, she began to paint full time, entering craft shows and selling her work. Then Janice was invited to teach - and that was the scariest time of her life!! Janice had been taught the basics by Priscilla but had never actually put them into practice. However, Janice did teach decorative painting using oil colours from 1975 to 1986 in both Ontario and Quebec and, for a time, in Bridgewater, NS.

In the 1980's Chris Ackford and Folk Art Enterprises in Ridgetown Ontario, entered Janice’s life and really gave it a good shake—they showed her how to paint in acrylics! Janice says: "I can say from experience that to jump from painting in oils to acrylics is a humungous leap. You have to develop a whole new mindset." In 1986 Janice set up a teaching studio in Lancaster, ON and taught there in acrylics until 1996 when she moved to her present location.

It was also in 1986 that Janice began designing and producing her own pattern packets.

These days Janice paints for herself and has only one private student. Janice tells us "I am exploring the history of this marvelous art form and putting this information down in a series of articles. She also plan on teaching at Canadian conventions in 2008." Watch for Janice coming to a convention near you!!!!

Class Registration Manager

Kathy

Mirror
Enamel paint on glass

Kathy has been painting for around 15 years. Originally, she was very involved in woodworking and began to look for new ways to accessorize her wood pieces. She took a painting class from a local artist, and as happens with so many of us, it just snowballed from there! Now her woodworking is only to create pieces that she can paint on.

She designs many of her own paintings and teaches locally on an occasional basis, but her absolute favourite is teaching school-age children. She teaches a few classes every year at several local grade schools for students ranging from grade 5 to 8. They're right at that age where they still believe that they can do it -- not like once you're an adult & start to think in the negative ("I don't think I can do THAT..."). Kathy really enjoys seeing them leave with a beautiful project & go home to brag to their parents about what great artists they are!